is this a taboo?

[epsilonprodigy]

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Lots of secondaries ask about "anything else we might want to know," "anything that affected your performance," etc.

I wondered if folks with certain issues that might carry a bit of stigma talked about them here.. like for instance depression or ADHD.

I have a great upward trend in my GPA and a WAY drastic increase in my MCAT score. Part of this is due to maturity and learning to buckle down, but another part of it is because I was finally diagnosed with ADHD last year and started on treatment. Life, studying and even just thinking has been so much easier since then. In particular, I think my drastic 11 point increase in MCAT score is related to this. Is this acceptable to talk about, or will this make the adcoms worry about my fitness for med school?

 

[StoicJosher]

It is not taboo. Put it there if you feel strongly about how it affected you. It could easily be to your advantage - the upward trend in your grade and MCAT.

 

[ensuii]

I'd be very careful about it. I think it's a touchy enough subject that you should only write about if you feel that its very compelling.

 

[AymAyzing]

I think if it is something that has drastically changed you then talk about it. However, there is a fine line between writing a compelling account of how it has changed you and turning it into a written therapy session. Have someone on SDN read it over for you 🙂

 

[epsilonprodigy]

Hmm, I don't think it's particularly "compelling" in my case. I had always suspected that I had it but would get pooh-poohed by others who knew of my high-GPA. Finally I decided I was going to put it to rest for good before my MCAT retake and went to the doctor. It wasn't a massive earth-shattering epiphany, but it was a heck of an improvement.

 

[418865]

Lots of secondaries ask about "anything else we might want to know," "anything that affected your performance," etc.

I wondered if folks with certain issues that might carry a bit of stigma talked about them here.. like for instance depression or ADHD.

I have a great upward trend in my GPA and a WAY drastic increase in my MCAT score. Part of this is due to maturity and learning to buckle down, but another part of it is because I was finally diagnosed with ADHD last year and started on treatment. Life, studying and even just thinking has been so much easier since then. In particular, I think my drastic 11 point increase in MCAT score is related to this. Is this acceptable to talk about, or will this make the adcoms worry about my fitness for med school?

I remember reading threads regarding ADHD and med school..do a quick search while you are at it..But basically..I think too that it's a good legitimate reason and if it has affected you, you should include it..I doubt med schools will look at it wrongly..but again I don't know much about this issue...

 

[dancerdoc89]

I'd be very careful about it. I think it's a touchy enough subject that you should only write about if you feel that its very compelling.

I find it compelling!

 

[CamIsRad]

I applied last year and in my personal statement explained how overcoming my severe depression and anxiety shaped me and prepared me to be a better doctor. I have a 3.4 GPA with an incredible upward trend (depression makes it hard to study, anxiety makes it hard to go to class) and a 32 MCAT.

I did not get an interview. When a member of the University of Utah's admissions committee visited my school he told me that describing my depression was a big reason why. There are thousands of applicants with similar applications, you should not give them a reason to reject you.

 

[simondimond]

I would never list mental illness anywhere.

Mental doctor = lawsuits

 

[isoquin]

This is a tough topic. The question that will come up is "Will these prior issues affect this applicant as a medical student, thus reducing their chances of successfully completing med school?" If you want to discuss ADHD that was a huge problem, diagnosed midway through college, and has been well controlled ever since, that's not a problem. Pointing to objective data such as your crazy MCAT increase since then is supportive. Depression however has a habit of sneaking back into people's lives even on medication.

Either way, I would recommend you discuss this with advisers at your school, and be sure to have several people read whatever you're going to send.

 

[418865]

If it's ADHD that you could control well with medication and that doens't affect you anymore..then my previous comment applies. However, if we are talking about major depressive disorder or manic disorder (and any other long term type)..then I'll be careful...plus you want to make sure if you have chronic depression, whether "doctor" is the right profession or not...again if you think rigorous medical school and even longer trainings are things you can handle without anxiety, then it's upto you and your psychiatrist/psychologist.

 

[epsilonprodigy]

To clarify: I do not have depression. This was just another example.

 

[NachoBabyDaddy]

Lots of secondaries ask about "anything else we might want to know," "anything that affected your performance," etc.

I wondered if folks with certain issues that might carry a bit of stigma talked about them here.. like for instance depression or ADHD.

I have a great upward trend in my GPA and a WAY drastic increase in my MCAT score. Part of this is due to maturity and learning to buckle down, but another part of it is because I was finally diagnosed with ADHD last year and started on treatment. Life, studying and even just thinking has been so much easier since then. In particular, I think my drastic 11 point increase in MCAT score is related to this. Is this acceptable to talk about, or will this make the adcoms worry about my fitness for med school?

So how much extra time on the MCAT did you get? That could be the reason for your score increase.

 

[paul411]

So how much extra time on the MCAT did you get? That could be the reason for your score increase.

Oh, extra time is provided for ADHD diagnosed individuals?

 

[NachoBabyDaddy]

Oh, extra time is provided for ADHD diagnosed individuals?

Yes, you can take the test with accommodations which is basically extra time. Things that qualify are ADD/ADHD and even anxiety but you have to have good documentation from a doctor. I'm not sure if schools see this however.