Medical School Mock Interview
Excel in your medical school interview with 50 essential questions covering ethics, clinical scenarios, and motivation.
Question 26 of 50
How do you express your opinions on controversial topics such as abortion, euthanasia, physician assisted suicide, and cloning?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Example Answer
How to Answer
Example Answer 2
Community Answers
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
Questions like this can be tricky! Be sure to take note of the wording here as the interviewers are looking to see how you navigate controversial topics versus directly asking your opinion on these topics.
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"When it comes to controversial topics such as abortion, euthanasia, physician-assisted suicide, and cloning, I will give my opinions more freely in a social setting with friends versus in the workplace or around patients. If at work, I would try to keep my personal opinion to myself or, at the very least, remain diplomatic by expressing how each side has their right to an opinion."
Ryan Brunner has over ten years of experience recruiting, interviewing, and hiring candidates in the healthcare, public service, and private manufacturing/distribution industries.
This question is the time to discuss how you remain tactful when controversial topics arise. While you can and will have your own opinions on each controversial medical topic as a medical student and future practicing physician, you always need to keep the patient's best needs in mind and have these conversations in a non-controversial manner.
"These are important yet controversial topics, especially in medicine. While everyone is entitled to his or her own opinions, I believe there are appropriate times and locations for expression. Unless directly pertaining to patient care, these topics should be avoided in the workplace."
Interview Coach
Jaymie
A real coach, not AI. I read every answer myself and write back with personalized feedback.
Typically responds within 24 hours.
0 - Character Count
Anonymous Answer
I want to respect other people's opinions and do not want them to feel looked down upon if I have a different view than them. I don't like making an argument out of controversial topics, so I will share my opinion and listen to everyone else as well.
Rachelle's Feedback
Again, you show a lot of professionalism and balance in your approach. Sharing your thoughts and openly listening is a very respectful way to go about these controversial topics.
Unlock All 50 Medical School Questions
Prepare for ethics questions, MMI stations, and panel interviews that admissions committees use.
Get StartedJump to Question