Applying to MD with many kids

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I have 6 children aged 4 to 13 (they will be aged 5 to 14 by the time I start next year, if accepted).
I have at least two interviews this winter, and am wondering if I should be open about how many children I have, or try and stay discrete about that. I do have a lot of supports in place, etc. I.e., it will be hard to go to med school, but doable. I believe I can do it, and I believe it testifies to my strength as a person, but you never know how the admission team will view this fact.
Anyone has been in this boat, or has advice?

 

[QofQuimica]

Sure, some people will doubt your ability to pull it off, especially if you're the mother. I'd take discussing it on a case by case basis, keeping in mind that if you bring this topic up (or if you wrote about it on your app), then it's fair game for the interviewers to question you about it. There is a real possibility that some interviewers may question you about your family in not the nicest/most supportive way, and even if you never mention it, you still run the risk of being asked illegal questions about your family plans. (Again, especially if you're the mother. Sorry, ladies, it shouldn't happen to any of us, but it does.) So I'd definitely be prepared to explain about your support system at interviews, especially if you discussed your family on your app, but even if you didn't.

 

[Prettywoman0172]

I have the same number of kids but they are now 11-18, and some have special needs. I do mention them very briefly in my personal statement but I could remove that part and might because I have the same worries as you do.

 

[cabinbuilder]

There will always be a question as to how you will juggle it all especially by men and those who don't have that many. I personally wouldn't give them any reason (or ammunition) to give them cause to reject you. I have a friend who did med school with 6 kids and did fine. There was a girl a few years after me who had 4 kids under 5 yrs old and had the fifth one in first year - her husband was a pharmacy student. She was at the top of the class and put everyone else to shame. If you know you can do it, and will teens who are self-sufficient and help with the little ones then you will be fine. It's all about scheduling and giving up household chores and delegating so you can study and be in anatomy lab.