Autistic applicant. Shall I apply?

[tony_chopper]

I am autistic and I was placed in special ed during my early school years then home-schooled during high school. I wish to become a doctor so that I can help people. My counsellors told me that it might be extremely difficult for medical schools to accept me because: 1. I am autistic 2. My language skill might not be strong enough 3. My GPA is less than stellar (about 3.7 that is considered low for California schools) 4. I am too "introvert" to display leadership quality.

Is this the case? Shall I give up my inspiration to become a doctor?

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[mistafab]

Tony, I will say that you are fighting an uphill battle. It is really tough to gain acceptance into medical school - though i'm sure that you could make it if you try your hardest. I want to make it clear that it may be tough for you to feel happy in medicine even if you make it in.

Medicine takes a lot of human interaction. Introverts can get through, as can you, the real question is if you can be happy or not interacting with other people (patients) day in, day out. The majority of your job will be working with patients.

There are some specialties like pathology or radiology that require little patient interaction. It may be that if you go into medicine that you find these specialties to be the most comfortable. If that is the case, good for you. I just want to stress that it will be hard for you to become any other type of doctor if you are not good at interacting with people since that is going to be the majority of your training (usually 7-10 years long).

Anyway, all the best. I hope you find something good for you, medicine or not.

 

[tony_chopper]

Thank you for your advise @mistafab. I can mingle and interact with people but I am the "follower" type. My psychologist said that might be a problem because med schools require all students to be future leader in medicine.

 

[Avicenna]

follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly
-Franz Kafka

 

[Goro]

He's wrong on that, but you still need to be a people person.

Thank you for your advise @mistafab. My psychologist said that might be a problem because med schools require all students to be future leader in medicine.

 

[Ismet]

Thank you for your advise @mistafab. I can mingle and interact with people but I am the "follower" type. My psychologist said that might be a problem because med schools require all students to be future leader in medicine.

Plenty of successful doctors are introverts. The majority of my med school class was introverted based on the Myers Briggs test we all had to do during orientation. You just need to be able to "turn it on" and interact effectively with colleagues and patients, you don't have to be the life of the party or talking up a storm.

 

[Kurk]

One of my science teachers was a 3rd year med student who dropped out. She's pretty introverted; but you can get in.

 

[mmm_cats]

Autism has so much variation that we can't tell you with such little information. Only you and the people around you will understand your situation enough

 

[Fancy_Feast]

Now I know this doesn't answer your question, but I recently listened to a podcast about a doctor who didn't discover that she had autism until her 50s. She seemed to be very competent, but struggled with workplace interaction. You are lucky to have grown up in a time where you could be diagnosed--it has obviously helped you understand your weaknesses and gives you a chance to address them.

http://www.npr.org/programs/invisibilia/484359511/frame-of-reference

While I agree that patient interaction and being able to read non-verbal social cues is very important, I also wish there was more room for diversity in medicine. Ultimately, you'll have to decide whether you think this career is a good fit--but know it's been done before.

 

[ScottTenorman54]

Why are so many of these comments about his introversion?? That's the least of his concerns. The biggest issue here is his autism - not nearly the same thing.

OP - I'd say apply. Maybe your condition would seriously impact your ability to treat patients, maybe not. Let the admissions committees judge whether it's enough of an impediment to reject your app. No need to limit yourself before they do, right? Just have a backup plan, all applicants ought to have one anyway.

 

[Shirafune]

https://www.aamc.org/initiatives/admissionsinitiative/competencies/

Can you fulfill all the socially-related core competencies? Medical schools will ask you if you can complete medical school (and practice as a physician?) with reasonable accommodation if needed. I imagine it's mostly directed at people who have medical conditions or disabilities that physically limit them.

It will be an uphill battle, but far from impossible. You need to ask yourself and your counselors if you can meet the core competencies as described by the AAMC.

 

[tony_chopper]

Thank you all for your suggestions and the heads-up what I might be facing. I shall keep all these advice when planning my next move.