Morbidly obese med school applicant

[Koolkyle]

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I am currently applying to medical school, and I am morbidly obese by some definitions (my BMI in the high 30s). My stats and ECs are competitive, so I've received several interview invitations. I have yet to attend an interview, though, and I did not talk about my weight problem in any of my application material.

Quick background: About a year and a half ago, I began to struggle with severe depression, and I coped with it by overeating. Since then, I have sought help and my mental health problem is largely resolved. However, the massive amount of weight that I gained is still there.

I'm not a "fat positive" advocate; I know that my current physical state is unhealthy, and I have begun to make lifestyle changes to improve my life. But this weight isn't going to come off over night, so I'll have to wear this excess fat to my interviews. I really, really, really worry about how interviewers will perceive me. I'm a bright, compassionate person with the best intentions, and I don't want to be dismissed as a slob or a pig.

As an obese person, do I have any chance of being admitted? Should I decline my interview invites this cycle and re-apply next year after having lost most of the weight? Are there morbidly obese people like me who are currently in medical school?

 

[FistLength]

I am currently applying to medical school, and I am morbidly obese by some definitions (my BMI in the high 30s). My stats and ECs are competitive, so I've received several interview invitations. I have yet to attend an interview, though, and I did not talk about my weight problem in any of my application material.

Quick background: About a year and a half ago, I began to struggle with severe depression, and I coped with it by overeating. Since then, I have sought help and my mental health problem is largely resolved. However, the massive amount of weight that I gained is still there.

I'm not a "fat positive" advocate; I know that my current physical state is unhealthy, and I have begun to make lifestyle changes to improve my life. But this weight isn't going to come off over night, so I'll have to wear this excess fat to my interviews. I really, really, really worry about how interviewers will perceive me. I'm a bright, compassionate person with the best intentions, and I don't want to be dismissed as a slob or a pig.

As an obese person, do I have any chance of being admitted? Should I decline my interview invites this cycle and re-apply next year after having lost most of the weight? Are there morbidly obese people like me who are currently in medical school?

There was a morbidly obese guy at my school, and it is a DO school so we saw all the loveliness during OMM.

First 15 seconds people will judge you until you talk to them, once they like you it doesn't really matter anymore. Don't show insecurity during interviews, self deprecation is usually appreciated when appropriate.

 

[Jamba1995]

I've seen some more obese people on the interview trail, and the only thing that has really caught my eye is a very ill fitting suit. As long as you have a suit that fits you properly, look professional, and hold yourself with confidence, I think you'll be okay! Its really mostly mental. Be that bright compassionate person you are. Everyone is a work in progress, theres no shame at where you're at in your journey even if it doesn't feel good right now. If someone judges you SO much that they don't see you as a physician, then that speaks volumes about their character, not yours.

 

[allantois]

There are plenty of obese medical professionals out there

 

[chemdoctor]

You're fine. You have nothing to be ashamed of. Do well on your interviews and don't show people that you may feel insecure or anything. Good luck!

 

[Mad Jack]

I am currently applying to medical school, and I am morbidly obese by some definitions (my BMI in the high 30s). My stats and ECs are competitive, so I've received several interview invitations. I have yet to attend an interview, though, and I did not talk about my weight problem in any of my application material.

Quick background: About a year and a half ago, I began to struggle with severe depression, and I coped with it by overeating. Since then, I have sought help and my mental health problem is largely resolved. However, the massive amount of weight that I gained is still there.

I'm not a "fat positive" advocate; I know that my current physical state is unhealthy, and I have begun to make lifestyle changes to improve my life. But this weight isn't going to come off over night, so I'll have to wear this excess fat to my interviews. I really, really, really worry about how interviewers will perceive me. I'm a bright, compassionate person with the best intentions, and I don't want to be dismissed as a slob or a pig.

As an obese person, do I have any chance of being admitted? Should I decline my interview invites this cycle and re-apply next year after having lost most of the weight? Are there morbidly obese people like me who are currently in medical school?

You have a shot. I once worked with a surgeon whose BMI was in the 50s and was never svelte

 

[Goro]

I am currently applying to medical school, and I am morbidly obese by some definitions (my BMI in the high 30s). My stats and ECs are competitive, so I've received several interview invitations. I have yet to attend an interview, though, and I did not talk about my weight problem in any of my application material.

Quick background: About a year and a half ago, I began to struggle with severe depression, and I coped with it by overeating. Since then, I have sought help and my mental health problem is largely resolved. However, the massive amount of weight that I gained is still there.

I'm not a "fat positive" advocate; I know that my current physical state is unhealthy, and I have begun to make lifestyle changes to improve my life. But this weight isn't going to come off over night, so I'll have to wear this excess fat to my interviews. I really, really, really worry about how interviewers will perceive me. I'm a bright, compassionate person with the best intentions, and I don't want to be dismissed as a slob or a pig.

As an obese person, do I have any chance of being admitted? Should I decline my interview invites this cycle and re-apply next year after having lost most of the weight? Are there morbidly obese people like me who are currently in medical school?

Not only have I had several students who were morbidly obese, Ihave had a few Faculty colleagues (MD and DO) like that as well.

So go for it!

As a homework assignment, Google image search some pics of med school classes, and see their weight distribution.

 

[Koolkyle]

Thank you so much, guys! You've given me hope.

I'm going to give the interviews all I've got, and hopefully my passion and personality will shine through in the end.

 

[PeleHonuaMea]

Some people will judge you, but so what? Show them you are future MD material 😎. Hold your head up and kill it in your interviews!!! You got this .

 

[Lomology]

At all the interviews I've been at, I've probably been the most overweight person among the other interviewees and I've been able to get myself an acceptance 🙂. I won't lie, the first couple of interviews I felt a bit out of place due to that fact alone, but I honestly haven't had any negative experiences regarding it aside from my own insecurities.

 

[dr_kateb]

Just eat less and try to exercise. If you are as fat as you say you are the pounds will just fly off.

 

[Skeletorr]

You’ve proven yourself thus far as a capable student, who could one day become a healthcare professional. That’s all that matters in my opinion. Good luck!

 

[sunshinefl]

Is this a sincere question?

 

[OrthoTraumaMD]

Completely legitimate and insightful question. I’ve had colleagues who were very large. It’s clear to me from your post that you’re not happy with your current state, so keep working on it, and you will lose weight. Medical school and residency are stressful… I wouldn’t be surprised if you were back to your regular size sooner than you expected. Good luck!!


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[Robin-jay]

Size doesn't matter.

 

[sinigang14]

The very hard truth is that people will judge you for your weight no matter what they say. It’s just part of human nature. With that being said, I don’t see it affecting your admissions decision. Don’t let it hinder your character and let your qualities shine.

 

[sunshinefl]

If I had one critique of SDN it would be that some people on here are too quick to be incredulous. Sometimes a super-skeptical attitude is justified, but other times it comes at the expense of vulnerable or uninformed people who are genuinely seeking

Okay but also sometimes people troll about situations that could be real for other people. So maybe we ARE trying to protect the vulnerable by making sure other people aren’t making a joke of their situation.

 

[TJinDaHouse]

It not they business how heavy you are. They need to see pass that to how good of a person you are.

 

[TJinDaHouse]

Just eat less and try to exercise. If you are as fat as you say you are the pounds will just fly off.

How you know? He say he been trying that

 

[dr_kateb]

How you know? He say he been trying that

Because it still takes time to lose weight? He said he just started. Oh and also a high school health/nutrition class.

 

[TJinDaHouse]

Ppl don’t eat excess food just cuz. They body telling them too. It ain’t that simple, they might have a underlying problem

 

[dr_kateb]

Ppl don’t eat excess food just cuz. They body telling them too. It ain’t that simple, they might have a underlying problem

Yeah... He was depressed, and he got help and now it's under control.

I began to struggle with severe depression, and I coped with it by overeating. Since then, I have sought help and my mental health problem is largely resolved.

 

[TJinDaHouse]

Yeah... He was depressed, and he got help and now it's under control.

Right. So he gonna lose weight now, just let the man breathe.

I used to be heavier before I started smoking I guess it gave me somethin else to focus on.

 

[ChymeofPassion]

Right. So he gonna lose weight now, just let the man breathe.

I used to be heavier before I started smoking I guess it gave me somethin else to focus on.

Smoking also inhibits gherlin, a peptide hormone that causes hunger

 

[TJinDaHouse]

Yeah it made me drop the lbs. I don’t smoke that much either. Maybe a pack a week

 

[raf1ki]

Easy answer (and way to positively spin it) to the greatest weakness question. Like you said yourself, having confidence and self-acceptance is key.

 

[TxFiretoMed]

This is a GREAT topic to bring up when they ask you about your faults. Immediately start a diet and workout program. You could lose 5 pounds in less than seven days. You'll be able to talk about what you have done, the progress you have made, and turn it into a good thing. Obesity is a huge issue in healthcare. Being someone who was obese and lost weight will empower you to help others, both leading as an example and coaching patients. Be a leader!

 

[PickleRickelus]

One thing I want to mention is that you can highlight one key strength which involves you being able to effectively motivate morbidly obese patients in the future because you personally went through it. There's always going to be a disconnect with a physician who never experienced what the patient is going through in order to empathize with their plight.

 

[958587]

There is an amount of implicit bias that you may run into. Smile, confidence (but not cockiness), and genuine interest in medicine will go a long way.