I stutter. Going to be a problem?

[pharmacytechguy]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I stutter. It was pretty bad until I started to grow out of it in high school. I just finished my junior year of undergrad but am not applying to medical school until after i graduate.

I sometimes think this is going to be a really big problem. Should I? Anyone here stutter and went through the interview process? How was it.

I don't know why, but when I talk to my girlfriend I stutter the least. Thus, it has been a good therapy practice.

 

[GodoShingo]

I guess that when you are with your girlfirend you feel most relaxed and comfortable.
I stutter too, but only when I get really nervous.
Try to relax during the interview, and try to convince yourself that whatever you say, it's OK.

 

[elwademd]

my program director stutters a bit.

it's not a big deal. having the grades, courses, mcat scores, etc. etc. is a big deal!

 

[AmoryBlaine]

There's a guy in my class who stutters. After M1 I hardly even noticed anymore. He's planning to go into a decently competitive field (anesthesia) and so far all the attendings/residents have loved him.

It won't be any more of a problem in med school than it has been so far.

 

[jjmack]

It won't be a problem unless you get very nervous when interviewing patients.

 

[sirus_virus]

I stutter. It was pretty bad until I started to grow out of it in high school. I just finished my junior year of undergrad but am not applying to medical school until after i graduate.

I sometimes think this is going to be a really big problem. Should I? Anyone here stutter and went through the interview process? How was it.

I don't know why, but when I talk to my girlfriend I stutter the least. Thus, it has been a good therapy practice.

If you were going into Law, I would say yes. I don't see how it could become a big problem in medicine.

 

[MossPoh]

I agree with these people. Of course, it also depends on the extent of the stuttering, and it will dictate your field to some degree. (Radiology might be tough with voice dictation software that likes to screw up when you pronounce everything clearly...) I wouldn't worry about it though man. While it is good to practice with your girlfriend, I'd also look into practicing interviews in a more high stress environment. They aren't completely heartless bastards, but the better rehearsed you are and the more you minimize it the better.

It is hard to really judge until we hear you though. Many people stutter when they get nervous, I know I do. My mind goes faster than my mouth and all hell breaks loose. Overall, that is one of the last things I'd lose sleep over in the this whole process.

 

[evade]

If you were going into Law, I would say yes. I don't see how it could become a big problem in medicine.

Heh, funny you should mention; my boyfriend is a 3rd year law student, and there's someone in his class who is a really bad stutterer.

OP, you should be a-okay. While I myself don't stutter, I've known people in various professions who do (my orthodontist is the most severe stutterer I've ever known!) If being relaxed helps you, harness that feeling during stressful situations. If you can stay calm, you probably won't stutter as much. Most schools offer mock interviews through their advising office, and it would probably be a good idea to do a few of those to see how they go. Good luck! 🙂

 

[pharmacytechguy]

I'm already working on the problem. As a freshman and sophmore I worked part time in a pharmacy as "B-level technician." I only do it now during breaks because classes are getting more demanding.

I don't really get nervous about customers or when take phone calls. The extent of my communcation with ppl there includes talking on the phone with them (and damn insurance companies)....stuff at the cash register. If an important person calls like a doctor it is always something that has to be given to one of pharmacists anyways (ie leaving a rx).

I spend alot of time typing perscriptions however.

I'm hoping some mock interviews will help. I can imagine that a medical school interview is going to be pretty stressfull.

 

[WiscDoc]

I'm hoping some mock interviews will help. I can imagine that a medical school interview is going to be pretty stressfull.

Most medical school interviews are really not stressful at all. I had 4 interviews this past year and they were all pretty relaxed. I think most schools are now leaning towards the "let's make sure he is a great fit for us, and that we are a great fit for him/her" rather than let's see how this applicant will react under pressure. You will hear people who had other experiences, and even within the same school, different interviewers behave different. Overall, I do not think it is something you should stress about (which I wish I knew before my first interview...I was freaking out 😎).

On another note, if you think the interviewer will notice your stutter, then you should bring it up as a weakness that your working on, or add it as a final remark when (s)he asks if you have any questions....etc. This will help the interviewer know that you were not stuttering due to nervousness, but rather due to a habbit/problem (that you are trying to get rid of).

Best of luck.