26, Married, baby on the way, interview advice

[ewillia8]

---

Members do not see this ad.

As a bit of background - I've been married three years and have a baby boy coming in June. I've been trying to get into medical school for a couple of years now and was just given an interview invite to a school I would really like to attend.

I am pretty sure they can't ask about my marital status or whether or not I have any children but I wanted to get some opinions on whether I should bring it up if the opportunity presents itself. I obviously view being married and having a child on the way as a huge positive. I am very excited about it but could it be seen as a negative due to the tremendous responsibility and time commitment that raising a child requires? My spouse is incredibly supportive and I know that we can manage the rigors of medical school along with raising the baby but I don't want an interviewer to doubt that ability.

Any thoughts are welcome. Thanks!

 

[abolt18]

I brought this up in every one of my interviews. My daughter (baby number 1) was born 2 weeks before my first interview and I had 3 after that. I got accepted to all 4 schools. Most interviewers asked me questions regarding "how will you handle the rigors of medical school?" I always included the fact that I had a wife and baby who are my main motivation to succeed and do my best etc. etc.

 

[papiwapi]

I mentioned it in my interviews as well. I delivered our baby 4 weeks before my first interview and most of my interviewers were impressed with my ability to handle the application process/interviews with a newborn. I agree with previous poster that it shows resilience and commitment.

 

[dudeliness]

I brought this up in every one of my interviews. My daughter (baby number 1) was born 2 weeks before my first interview and I had 3 after that. I got accepted to all 4 schools. Most interviewers asked me questions regarding "how will you handle the rigors of medical school?" I always included the fact that I had a wife and baby who are my main motivation to succeed and do my best etc. etc.

👍
My family is my motivation. I can confidently look interviewers in the eye and tell them I will succeed because of my family responsibilities. Just don't seem like you are incognizant of the possible difficulties of having a family in med school and be prepared to give reasonable plans on how will juggle everything and your family situation can only be a positive thing for you.
Good luck

 

[EmergencyMonkey]

I mentioned it in my interviews as well. I delivered our baby 4 weeks before my first interview and most of my interviewers were impressed with my ability to handle the application process/interviews with a newborn. I agree with previous poster that it shows resilience and commitment.

Having a family is a huge positive. I wouldn't shy away from it in an interview. I would definitely bring it up when the opportunity presents itself. I feel having kids was/is WAY harder then medical school😀

______________
visit the monkey at EmergencyMonkey.com

 

[Woland]

As a bit of background - I've been married three years and have a baby boy coming in June. I've been trying to get into medical school for a couple of years now and was just given an interview invite to a school I would really like to attend.

I am pretty sure they can't ask about my marital status or whether or not I have any children but I wanted to get some opinions on whether I should bring it up if the opportunity presents itself. I obviously view being married and having a child on the way as a huge positive. I am very excited about it but could it be seen as a negative due to the tremendous responsibility and time commitment that raising a child requires? My spouse is incredibly supportive and I know that we can manage the rigors of medical school along with raising the baby but I don't want an interviewer to doubt that ability.

Any thoughts are welcome. Thanks!

1. They know you are married (your AMCAS/AACOMAS has your demographics).
2. Legally it can not be used against you.
3. Just like all previous posters, I have brought up my family in my PS, secondaries and every interview. You are grown up, and they treat you as such. If you know what you are getting into starting medcial school with a newborn -- more power to you, they will respect your decision.

 

[Goro]

We're not allowed to ask about such things, and I suggest that you don't bring it up, because if you give any hints about having hesitations about medical school, you'll get rejected.

I have students with 1,2, even 3 children, some as single moms even, who matriculated here. Some even have one while in medical school. It's very doable to be a parent and a medical student at the same time. Key thing is to have a good support system. I've had a stellar student who had two small children and her husband was in another country! Yet she excelled.


I am pretty sure they can't ask about my marital status or whether or not I have any children but I wanted to get some opinions on whether I should bring it up if the opportunity presents itself.


If you know you can do it, then do it! And good luck!

My spouse is incredibly supportive and I know that we can manage the rigors of medical school along with raising the baby but I don't want an interviewer to doubt that ability.

 

[survivordo]

I wouldn't hesitate. The "rules" have changed. You don't have to be a 25 year old single white male to go to medical school anymore. I would say 10% of my class had kids, many of the during school. They all seemed to manage fine and I think adcoms are aware that it can be done.

Survivor DO