disabilities and admissions-my chances?

[dicer]

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[AutumnChild]

Your GPAs are kind of average and since you haven't taken the MCAT yet it's hard to say. If you can get above a 30 on it then your GPA shouldn't be a problem. All your ECs seem to be right on track, but nothing is really making you stand out and show more individuality against all the other cookie cutter pre-meds. Any musical, sports, artistic etc... passions?

In regards to your tourette's, how severe is it? Is it just throat clearing and neck turning? Is it really noticeable? I mean, I guess would have to if you've been officially diagnosed, but do you think it would hinder your ability to be a good physician? Will patients trust you? Feel comfortable with you? Just some food for thought. To get a better answer I would call up a few med schools, ask to talk to an admissions counselor/dean and get their opinion and advice.

 

[dicer]

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[PressPforPi]

This applies to all schools http://www.mc.uky.edu/meded/admissions/tech_standards.asp

 

[Catalystik]

Hey guys, I'm a long time SDN lurker, first time poster. So I have just completed my sophomore year at a Cali college. My gpa is 3.55 and my bcpm gpa is 3.52. My GPA was really low freshman year and I have noted a considerable upward trend. I have yet to take the MCAT, but I predict to do okay on it. I have a year of research in a plant genetics lab, and I plan to continue it, and have presented a poster in a national conference. I have 120 hours of volunteering so far at a hospital surgery center. I am a member of a service fraternity. I taught 6th graders math for a semester, and was a TA for intro bio for a semester, but I plan on continuing it. I have 40 hours of shadowing a neurologist as well. My biggest worry about admissions is that I have tourette's syndrome. Basically it is a neuropsychiatric disorder in which I have involuntary tics that would make me have to clear my throat or turn my neck. It changes quite often. I'm worried about it because the hospital made a big deal about it when I applied to be a volunteer. And if it was a big deal for volunteering, how would medical schools feel about it? Will they see it as an obstacle I worked to overcome or will they see it as a hindrance in my ability to be an effective doctor?

My question is, if I keep up my stats, do you guys see me getting into any medical schools? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Having Tourette Syndrome won't keep you out of med school. One of my physician coworkers has a similar degree of involvement as what you describe and he is a highly effective physician. Your GPA, OTOH, needs improvement, and is far more likely to be a limiting factor for you.

 

[dicer]

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[Catalystik]

Do you recommend I mention my Tourette's in my personal statement or just leave it out until the secondaries?

Don't mention something that won't enhance your application. If there's a pimple on your chin the day you go for the interview, would you bring it to the adcomm's attention? No. it's there. Both parties know it. What is the point of bringing it up?