Any stutterers out there?

[JC_Remix]

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Hey folks,

I’m a nontrad vet finishing up my undergrad program. I plan on applying during the 2020 cycle. I have a stutter that’s been part of my life since I was very young. I’ve gotten much better over the years, and my time in the military has helped my confidence immensely. That being said, it can get pretty bad in interview situations.

Does anyone here stutter, or do you know anyone who does that made it into med school? If so, how did it affect the application/interview? Did you include it in the personal statement?

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply!

 

[PickleRickelus]

Hey folks,

I’m a nontrad vet finishing up my undergrad program. I plan on applying during the 2020 cycle. I have a stutter that’s been part of my life since I was very young. I’ve gotten much better over the years, and my time in the military has helped my confidence immensely. That being said, it can get pretty bad in interview situations.

Does anyone here stutter, or do you know anyone who does that made it into med school? If so, how did it affect the application/interview? Did you include it in the personal statement?

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply!

I work in the emergency room and one of the doctors Has a noticeable stutter. Interestingly enough, he was also in the military just like yourself. However, despite him having a stutter, I cannot recall a single instance in which it affected his ability to Be an Effective clinician or compromised his interactions with patients. If you find yourself in a situation in the interview where you stutter, I would address it head-on and try to make a joke out of it instead of being self-conscious. Let the admissions committee know, furthermore that it will not affect your future capability as a physician as indicated by the ER doctor that I have seen.

in your case you can chalk it up as another instance of overcoming adversity. I don't know if you got made fun of a lot as a child but having those experiences definitely makes you more humble.

Sent from my SM-G955U using SDN mobile

 

[DrElliotReid]

I went to medical school with someone who stuttered, it wasn't extreme, but it was noticeable in daily conversation. He did well and is finishing up an anesthesia residency. Unfortunately, I don't know his personal experiences with interviewing, patient interactions etc... but he obviously succeeded despite the stutter.

 

[THEBACKANDFORTH]

Practice interviews.

I was terribly nervous and very very awful in my first practice interview... i.e. stumbling over words, fidgeting, etc. I then did several practice interviews with somebody who was very constructively critical and practiced many questions (learning how to answer, body language).

With this practice, I knocked my interviews out of the park, and was accepted to all but one school I interviewed with.

So practice practice practice. Work on getting the stutter to what is normal for you conversationally, and it will be just fine