Learning disability - Good or Bad?

[Venc]

---

Members don't see this ad.

So I had this conversation today with a friend in lab (I don't remember how we got to the topic, but we were bored in lab) but the point was whether admitting a learning disability in your application would actually help or hurt your chances of acceptance to Medical school

"Help" argument
Government prohibits discrimination, and gives money to schools expecting diversity

"Hurt" argument
Schools accept you based on whether they think you can handle the load and whether you'll graduate.

Lets just say the student has a 3.0-3.5 GPA, 28-32MCAT, and done some research, volunteering, shadowing.

What do you guys think?

-------

The most similar thread I found is from 2002, so things may have changed

 

[chiapet874]

So I had this conversation today with a friend in lab (I don't remember how we got to the topic, but we were bored in lab) but the point was whether admitting a learning disability in your application would actually help or hurt your chances of acceptance to Medical school

"Help" argument
Government prohibits discrimination, and gives money to schools expecting diversity

"Hurt" argument
Schools accept you based on whether they think you can handle the load and whether you'll graduate.

Lets just say the student has a 3.0-3.5 GPA, 28-32MCAT, and done some research, volunteering, shadowing.

What do you guys think?

-------

The most similar thread I found is from 2002, so things may have changed

A medical school could reject you simply on the stats you presented- it wouldn't be discrimination. With that said, I severely doubt mentioning such a disability would help your application- of course it does depend on the extent of the disability.

 

[Avoidthetiger]

With those GPA stats, I think it would only "help" if the student scored poorly the first few years (before diagnosed) and then after being diagnosed, did amazingly better regarding their GPA.

The student will still find a hard time getting into a MD med school with a lower GPA, but adcoms might take a second look... but there is also students with learning disabilities that did amazing every semester regardless.

I don't know if I would mention having a learning disability in my application... unless it does demonstrate why my grades have gotten significantly better. Otherwise it just sounds like the student is bragging (aka saying "HEY look at me! I did great even with a learning disability! nah nah nah! I'm awesome!")... or the adcoms might question if you will be able to handle the med school work loud which requires sooo much focus.

 

[Venc]

With those GPA stats, I think it would only "help" if the student scored poorly the first few years (before diagnosed) and then after being diagnosed, did amazingly better regarding their GPA.

The student will still find a hard time getting into a MD med school with a lower GPA, but adcoms might take a second look... but there is also students with learning disabilities that did amazing every semester regardless.

I don't know if I would mention having a learning disability in my application... unless it does demonstrate why my grades have gotten significantly better. Otherwise it just sounds like the student is bragging (aka saying "HEY look at me! I did great even with a learning disability! nah nah nah! I'm awesome!")... or the adcoms might question if you will be able to handle the med school work loud which requires sooo much focus.

That really sucks for students with disabilities who would have to lie or omit saying they have it so they don't get looked down or increase the chance of getting rejected. Which is unfair treatment for them

 

[NickNaylor]

Is this thread serious? Are we really talking about whether or not people with learning disabilities - LEARNING DISABILITIES - have a better chance at getting into medical school?

 

[BiopsychStudent]

That really sucks for students with disabilities who would have to lie or omit saying they have it so they don't get looked down or increase the chance of getting rejected. Which is unfair treatment for them

If you have a learning disability, and despite of it, have a competitive GPA thus proving you can do the work... it wouldn't be fair. However, 3.0-3.5 is below average.

 

[hiphopapotamous]

That really sucks for students with disabilities who would have to lie or omit saying they have it so they don't get looked down or increase the chance of getting rejected. Which is unfair treatment for them

It also sucks that people who have urges to touch kids in the wrong places have to lie or omit saying they have them so they can get jobs at daycare centers, but it's a crazy world we live in.

 

[tabascosauce]

it will hurtttttttttttttt so bad. with those stats, the person with the learning disability has not shown that he/she has overcome their handicap to be competitive enough no matter how valiant and noble the effort. thats just the way of the world man.

 

[Venc]

Is this thread serious? Are we really talking about whether or not people with learning disabilities - LEARNING DISABILITIES - have a better chance at getting into medical school?

I worked with people with disabilities for over a year, they got to work way harder than any one else to do well. So yes I'm serious

It also sucks that people who have urges to touch kids in the wrong places have to lie or omit saying they have them so they can get jobs at daycare centers, but it's a crazy world we live in.

LOL that is some creepy thought

 

[gettheleadout]

Is this thread serious? Are we really talking about whether or not people with learning disabilities - LEARNING DISABILITIES - have a better chance at getting into medical school?

Haha my thoughts exactly, I lol'd @ the thread title

 

[orthomyxo]

The whole point of this insane process we've subjected ourselves to is to prove that you can handle medical school. For some odd reason, I think that admitting you have a learning disability would not exactly be conducive to this. Why does this thread exist again?