My Dirty Little Secret!!

[mdsadler]

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I have been chasing myself in circles for the past 2 months and finally am breaking down and am asking the general public for some advice.

More than a year ago I met with a great mentor of mine who is a well respected MD/PhD. He recommended that I avoid telling AdComs that I am diabetic. I have never really agreed with this advice. So a couple of months ago I started writing my PS and the first copy I wrote I confessed that I was diabetic and talked about how that experience has influenced my desire to become a doctor. I then got nervous and called my GP, who is diabetic herself, and she said that I shouldn't give the AdComs any ammunition against me. She told me that she knows diabetics can handle the grueling life of a doctor but some may be biased. This worried me so I wrote a second PS where I did not say I was diabetic. This second PS isn't as good and doesn't really get across who I am. I have had several friends read both statements and they all think my first statement is by far better.

So I am now asking all of you for your opinion. Should I keep this my dirty little secret to avoid any potential problems or should I submit a less personal statement?

 

[Mr Reddly]

Out of curiosity, are you type 1, type 2? Are you a pumper, or is it daily injections for you? What's your HbA1c? etc...etc....

I know, it has nothing to do with the question, and you don't have to answer... just curious.

I do knida sorta agree with your PI in one way because I had mutliple interviewers tell me I should have taken something off my app for that very same reason. However, it can be used as hardship, something that makes you somewhat unique, things you've overcome, etc... Plus, it gives you a story to tell...

 

[ldona]

Hmmm, you do have a little dilemma on your hands, don't you?

In my opinion, it comes down to what kind of chances are you willing to take with your PS. Regardless of how well it is written, there are going to be people who like the fact that you put something so personal into the statement and others who will dislike it. Actually, this would be the case even without that particular issue because the people on the admissions committee ultimately use subjective judgement in who they choose to invite for interviews and who they ultimately accept. As long as you look pretty good in the numbers department, I think you could safely add the impact that diabetes has had on your decision to pursue medicine, but if you think that overall you are only a more average applicant, don't knowingly put in anything that would give committees a reason to question your ability to succeed in med school. Just my opinion, hope it helps a little....

 

[mdsadler]

Thanks for the input. I want to submit AMCAS right after I get my MCAT scores on Tuesday so I need to make up my mind. I do not have any worries about having to talk about diabetes in interviews etc. but I am a fairly average applicant. My GP told me that she was fine in med school and that was before the technology we have today. I want to tell them so I don't feel like I am lying but am very worried about doing this. Any more advice would be great.

Mr Reddly: I am type 1 and do use a pump (i wouldn't trade it for anything). My last HbA1c was 5.7.

 

[mdsadler]

stinkycheese: what made you decide not to? I know that you don't necessarily have to talk about it but are you not talking about it for a particular reason (ie do not want adcoms to know etc) or just because you don't really want to? I would really like to hear more about this. thanks.

 

[Anka]

The problem with mentioning it isn't that it's "too personal", it's that there will be some who will question your ability to handle, say, your surgical rotation (are you going to have to scrub out every couple of hours, etc.). And the way adcoms work is, if there's even one strongly negative voice, you're out. That said, you'll probably get interviewed at some places (i.e., some places are more open-minded). Even then, though, you'll probably be asked about it.

I'd leave it out. Physicians are incredibly judgemental. I've heard some make comments about someone with a slight limp not being able to handle things! Better to go with a distant personal statement that doesn't work against you, than a highly personal statement that's going to, as your GP said, give them ammunition.

Anka

 

[Newquagmire]

would you want to go to a med school whose administration would look down on you for being diabetic? i sure wouldn't.

 

[dankev]

Is being diabetic such an important part of your entry to medicine that it needs to be an integral part of your PS? Why not spend the next few days really working on PS #2 and making it as good as the first one, but talking about other things instead? I'm sure you've been trying, but you still have a few days. Keep at it.

 

[mdsadler]

Anka you make some really strong points. Also dankev, I have been trying to improve PS #2 but will keep this up for the next few days. I am starting to lean more to not telling. I was thinking like Anka where I think it might be better to have a distant PS than one they could throw in my face.

Newquagmire: as much as I don't like being looked down upon for having diabetes (I am the last person who will ever believe that someone with diabetes can't handle something), I know that the biases concerning diabetes are HUGE. Like stinkycheese said many doctors don't completely understand the world of diabetes. There are many endos even that think diabetics are fragile and should avoid certain things. I have never taken that attitude but understand that it isn't the opinion of the majority.

 

[footcramp]

write what they want to hear. if your true self isn't good enough then either don't write about your true self or don't apply. figure out what's more important to you. writing an accurate two page autobiography or getting into medical school.

 

[bewitched1081]

I have been chasing myself in circles for the past 2 months and finally am breaking down and am asking the general public for some advice.

More than a year ago I met with a great mentor of mine who is a well respected MD/PhD. He recommended that I avoid telling AdComs that I am diabetic. I have never really agreed with this advice. So a couple of months ago I started writing my PS and the first copy I wrote I confessed that I was diabetic and talked about how that experience has influenced my desire to become a doctor. I then got nervous and called my GP, who is diabetic herself, and she said that I shouldn't give the AdComs any ammunition against me. She told me that she knows diabetics can handle the grueling life of a doctor but some may be biased. This worried me so I wrote a second PS where I did not say I was diabetic. This second PS isn't as good and doesn't really get across who I am. I have had several friends read both statements and they all think my first statement is by far better.

So I am now asking all of you for your opinion. Should I keep this my dirty little secret to avoid any potential problems or should I submit a less personal statement?

haha. my mentor said the same thing about my ps. he said that i shouldnt have given adcoms "ammunition" against me and that it was only my pride/vanity that kept me from changing my ps. but how can i change who i am? i can easily write a ps that caters to what adcoms want to hear. i just dont see how misrepresenting myself now will make it any easier for me in the future.

 

[hakksar]

Huh, I never knew there were so many biases about diabetics. I find it hard to believe that anyone, especially physicians and faculty members at medical schools would have these biases. Since my fiance can do wilderness search and rescue and ICU nursing, another one of my friends can ski patrol with me, and one of my fiance friends can play division 1 soccer for the University of Nebraska with type 1 diabetes I cannot believe that anyone would think that they cannot excel in medical school including surgery rotations (afterall, I think spending 40 hours straight on a search and then following it up with carrying a 200 pound person 10 miles out of the mountains would be more physically and emotionally demanding then a surgery . . . but what do I know).

Since your diabetes directed you to a career in medicine I think that you should put it in your PS. It demonstrates a reason for your motivation for medicine, the potential for experiences that have taught you the successes (for instance the creation of Genetically Engineered human insulin) and pitfalls of modern medicine (access issues etc), and it demonstrates your ability to overcome difficulties. I know I am awestruck at the abilities of the diabetics I know (and not because of their diabetes but because of their talents . . . however, I think their diabetes might have been their motivation for success).

 

[Newquagmire]

In a perfect world, of course it wouldn't affect admissions, and we wouldn't have to worry about this sort of stuff. I am not so much worried about being "looked down upon" as I am worried about people assuming I can't handle a couseload.

Well the answer to that is really simple. If asked, just say, "hey, I handled it in ugrad, so stuff it." Show them they're wrong. I really don't think they'll hold being diabetic against you--but then again, I'm not an adcom member.

 

[Newquagmire]

Ah, but there's the rub, my friend- there are many times that I did not handle it so well in college. I took some time off b/w college and applying to med schools so that I could get my head screwed on straight about dealing with diabetes. I think I'm ready now, but what will make them believe me? I'd rather avoid the topic entirely. 😱

ah. well then don't mention it. but how are you planning on explaining it then? they WILL ask.

but my statement still applies to mdsadler.

 

[ashkel]

Hi mdsadler!

I was in the same situation as you about a year ago. I was diagnosed with Type 1 in May, right as I was getting ready to send in my AMCAS and all that. I decided to include the fact that I was diabetic in my PS because I really did gain a new perspective - that of a patient - upon diagnosis and treatment. Over the past year, I went on 10 interviews, and the topic was definitely brought up in every single interview. However, none of the interviewers seemed to "look down on it" - most of them complimented me on handling the situation really well and using it as a positive experience to better understand what a patient experiences. So, I think if you're willing to discuss the matter with potential interviewers, definitely include it. It provided a lot of conversational material during my interviews, and I think it really helped the people interviewing me get a better sense of who I am. Good luck!! 🙂

 

[mdsadler]

Ashkel,
Your experience is exactly what I hope would happen to me. I want to use my situation to my advantage and let it show people the life experience that I have. I assume you were accepted? Which schools did you apply to? What are your stats? You don't have to give numbers if you are uncomfortable with that but I would like a sense of where you sit (ie are you above average etc).

Right now I am going to work on PS #2 and see how that goes. Then I am going to reword PS#1 a little so that I can show a little more that I am capable of handling med school and not worthy of being passed over. After that I will see if my decision is any easier (although I doubt it will be).

I am starting to realize that there really isn't a right or wrong answer to this but want an answer that is the most comforting in this application process.

 

[bearpaw]

dude, first off, i've got a lot worse "dirty little secrets", and i was expecting to read about something completely different...anywayz...


what are you guys thinking? a PS is not a confession booth. sure, you CAN put yourself out there ("i learned a lot from getting two wayed by my brother's best friends"), but why not just keep it simple in clean? you can write about other personal experiences that make people think twice about you. it would be NICE if people could see the beauty in you overcoming your faults, but some people will be put off just by seeing you have ANY faults ("why, all doctors must be perfect!" [tosses your application in trashcan]).

 

[Mr Reddly]

it would be NICE if people could see the beauty in you overcoming your faults, but some people will be put off just by seeing you have ANY faults ("why, all doctors must be perfect!" [tosses your application in trashcan]).

Do you really consider having type 1 to be a fault, or are you just trolling?

 

[bearpaw]

Do you really consider having type 1 to be a fault, or are you just trolling?

haha, no, i just mean in general. the OP said somebody might have a problem with it, so i figure if it COULD be a problem, just leave it out. i dunno how much diabetes would affect someone, i wouldn't care, but i'm not the adcom either. i mean, if you need to do something for it every hour or you die, that WOULD be a problem.

but yeah, i just think its best to play it safe, especially when there is no real advantage except opening up to a stranger, if that's an advantage.

 

[adennis]

If it impacted your choice to join the medical field, then I think you absolutely should include it.
I have Celiac disease, and it's absolutely impacted my choice. Some of my volunteering has also included Celiac, so it's had a much bigger impact on me than it might have on others...

I think people are always afraid that adcoms are out to get them.. but honestly, I think the adcoms are interested in hearing from unique people.. and tired of being fed the status quo.. step "out of the box"... and share a part of yourself, not just why you want to be a dr, but the influences behind it.

Andrea

 

[calcrew14]

Adcoms are no punching bag. They always like to counter punch with bad intention. Are you sure that you see all the punches coming at you? Many defensive coordinators have been trying to warn you that your favorite throw is somewhat awkward. You yourself have been concerned with the interception possibility for two months. No wonder why you look more and more like Shack at the free throw line now. I?d say you forget about the home run swing. Just get on the base will do.

A lot of people are diabetic. So are many applicants. It is hardly a unique situation. Unless Adcoms/interviewrs themselves or their children are too.....

Goog luck

 

[RavnShield]

.

 

[Whisker Barrel Cortex]

I think that your sincerity will come through in the statement that mentions the diabetes much more than it can in the PS without it. If it indeed played a large role in your career ambitions, I say include it. I think the potential negative impact of the disclosure will be outweighed by a better, more honest, more heartfelt personal statement. Overcoming adversity is almost always looked upon as a positive, and this is a good example of how you deal with difficult situations (mention the HGB A1C at your interview, they will be impressed with your control).

 

[Whisker Barrel Cortex]

Adcoms are no punching bag. They always like to counter punch with bad intention. Are you sure that you see all the punches coming at you? Many defensive coordinators have been trying to warn you that your favorite throw is somewhat awkward. You yourself have been concerned with the interception possibility for two months. No wonder why you look more and more like Shack at the free throw line now. I?d say you forget about the home run swing. Just get on the base will do.

A lot of people are diabetic. So are many applicants. It is hardly a unique situation. Unless Adcoms/interviewrs themselves or their children are too.....

Goog luck

Not THAT many people are Type I diabetics (1.4 million). The vast majority of diabetics in the US are older Type II diabetics (17 million), which is linked to obesity. A much different disease entity.

 

[mdsadler]

I think that your sincerity will come through in the statement that mentions the diabetes much more than it can in the PS without it. If it indeed played a large role in your career ambitions, I say include it. I think the potential negative impact of the disclosure will be outweighed by a better, more honest, more heartfelt personal statement. Overcoming adversity is almost always looked upon as a positive, and this is a good example of how you deal with difficult situations (mention the HGB A1C at your interview, they will be impressed with your control).

I was thinking the same thing. I wanted to walk in with my medical record and show them the so-called "upward trend" they love so much so they could see that I am on top of things. I would love to see their reactions.

 

[calcrew14]

Not THAT many people are Type I diabetics (1.4 million). The vast majority of diabetics in the US are older Type II diabetics (17 million), which is linked to obesity. A much different disease entity.

Thanks,
Out of my curiosity. would it make any different to MDsadler's,your or Adcoms'decision regardingly? Does type I give you a better chance to get into a med school than type II?

Looks like type I is more common in med school acpplicants than the type II, unless these people are a kind of older.

 

[Whisker Barrel Cortex]

Type II diabetics are generally older (middle aged), obese individuals. Type I diabetics are diagnosed younger (anywhere from infancy through 30s) and are generally thin individuals. The cause of Type I is not quite clear but thought to be due to autoimmune attack of pancreatic islet cells that produce insulin, thus not at all in control of the patient.

Recently, there has been an increase in younger Type II diabetics due to childhood obesity. Unfortunately, Type II diabetics are often subconsciously looked down upon because it is thought their own health habits contributed to the disease (treatment of very early Type II DM is weight loss and diet modification) despite the fact that it is partially genetic. Thus, I think Type II diabetics would probably face a little more of discrimination when applying to medical school.

 

[RaiderHeisman]

I'm in a somewhat similar situation in that I have something that could easily be used against in the admissions process as well. While clinically what I have is considered a disability, I consider it a gift based on how much of an influence it has had in shaping who I am and what I value.

However, I decided to not even address this in my personal statement for 2 reasons. The first and most important was that there just wasn't enough room for me to get in everything I wanted to say to begin with, so this was one of the topics I had to leave out. Second, even if I had the room I still wouldn't have mentioned based on my perception of the admissions process. The problem I have with the "general" personal statement is that it has to be written in a way so that every type of admissions committee can read it without getting turned off. What I have, and what you have is the kind of thing that will inevitably turn some committees off, but why take that risk so early on in the admissions process?

For what it's worth, I plan on addressing it only in secondaries and interviews if I get the questions like "what unique contribution can you make to the class" or "what obstacles have you overcome to get here"... I'll bet that the committees who don't ask those kinds of questions represent the schools that wouldn't look favorably on it...

 

[Mr Reddly]

Im in a hotel in cleveland, doing laundry before my flight departs (if it can with this weather) tomorrow. While waiting for the washer to finish, I'm watching TV...

Anyway, one of the commercials showed a bunch of kids doing what kids do. Then the anouncer said "we will find the cure to juvenile diabetes within your life time, and maybe even mine. Please support the diabetes research foundation." Then I was thinking, what constitues a 'cure' for juvenile diabetes? Or I guess, at what point would they say "it's cured", and what types of treatments are they considering?


Whisker Barrel Cortex,
you sure your in the right residency program? 😉 Seriously though, good explanation. How about writing what HbA1c is and what it means... and why 5.7 would be something to be proud enough about to tell the adcom... For the future medstudents like myself 😛

 

[mdsadler]

Im in a hotel in cleveland, doing laundry before my flight departs (if it can with this weather) tomorrow. While waiting for the washer to finish, I'm watching TV...

Anyway, one of the commercials showed a bunch of kids doing what kids do. Then the anouncer said "we will find the cure to juvenile diabetes within your life time, and maybe even mine. Please support the diabetes research foundation." Then I was thinking, what constitues a 'cure' for juvenile diabetes? Or I guess, at what point would they say "it's cured", and what types of treatments are they considering?


Whisker Barrel Cortex,
you sure your in the right residency program? 😉 Seriously though, good explanation. How about writing what HbA1c is and what it means... and why 5.7 would be something to be proud enough about to tell the adcom... For the future medstudents like myself 😛

Hi Mr Reddly,
I believe the commercial you are speaking of his for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). I am a board member for this organization and these statements sound all too familiar so I thought that it is JDRF. By any chance was it Victor Garber and Jennifer Garner from Alias on the commercial (or possibly Mary Tyler Moore)? At the JDRF we repeatedly tell people that insulin is not a cure as it is much like a bandaid or life support for the problem. One of the major research initiatives that we are funding is for islet cell transplantation procedure (sometimes referred to as the Edmonton Protocol). There are several successful recipients of these islet cells (one sits on the board with me) who no longer require insulin injections. However, this treatment is still not perfect. There are many things holding back the success of this program such as the availability of islet cells and the fact that right now it is only used for extremely serious cases. Also, with this treatment I guess you could say they would be cured because they don't have to take insulin anymore but at the same time the immunosuppressants require a lifetime commitment.

Anyway I hope this clarifies a little. It may be long, but it has basically become my job to tell this to people.

 

[Mr Reddly]

Small world! 🙂 I think it was Mary Tyler Moore.
So basically, it would be the islet cells without the need for immunosuppressants then? Thanks!

 

[calcrew14]

Not THAT many people are Type I diabetics (1.4 million). The vast majority of diabetics in the US are older Type II diabetics (17 million), which is linked to obesity. A much different disease entity.

Here is what I found on the 'net.

"Type I, or Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus, results from total or near-complete destruction of the beta cells. This is the most common type of feline diabetes and the only type of canine diabetes."

I should have considered going to a school of vet medicine. Unfortunately/fortunately, I love fellow human beings than cat and dogs. 😀

 

[Mr Reddly]

http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/type1and2/
http://www.diabetes.org/about-diabetes.jsp

I googled for the following:
insulin-dependent (type 1) diabetes

 

[calcrew14]

http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/type1and2/
http://www.diabetes.org/about-diabetes.jsp

I googled for the following:
insulin-dependent (type 1) diabetes

Thus, I think Type II diabetics would probably face a little more of discrimination when applying to medical school.

Did you find anything to confirm that Adcoms would prefer sumo wrestlers with type I rather than marathon runners with type II diabetese. 😀

 

[Mr Reddly]

Lol! No.. 😛

 

[BaLeavaMD]

I have been chasing myself in circles for the past 2 months and finally am breaking down and am asking the general public for some advice.

More than a year ago I met with a great mentor of mine who is a well respected MD/PhD. He recommended that I avoid telling AdComs that I am diabetic. I have never really agreed with this advice. So a couple of months ago I started writing my PS and the first copy I wrote I confessed that I was diabetic and talked about how that experience has influenced my desire to become a doctor. I then got nervous and called my GP, who is diabetic herself, and she said that I shouldn't give the AdComs any ammunition against me. She told me that she knows diabetics can handle the grueling life of a doctor but some may be biased. This worried me so I wrote a second PS where I did not say I was diabetic. This second PS isn't as good and doesn't really get across who I am. I have had several friends read both statements and they all think my first statement is by far better.

So I am now asking all of you for your opinion. Should I keep this my dirty little secret to avoid any potential problems or should I submit a less personal statement?

I put my health issues in my personal statement! They are a big reason that I decided to become a physician. I don't think that it's a problem. I got people IN HIGH PLACES! 🙂 to read my PS and they said it was fine!! The funny thing is...People put sooo much of their life in "Man's" hands!! They fail to realize that everything in this world is in God's hands and if it's for me to get in NO BODY on an admissions committee can stop me from getting in! God can condition ANYBODY's hearts so that they will find favor in you and you will get in if it's his will! STOP worrying about the people on the admissions boards!! They really have nothing to do with whether or not you get in! Say what God is leading you to say in your PS! Neither my life, nor my destiny is in any body on some board of admissions hands!! Put it in there if you want!!!

 

[skypilot]

I would talk about your experiences with diabetes, and how you would approach the care of diabetes differently, while keeping your own personal medical history confidential. I think it is possible to do this.

Your medical history is between you and your caregiver.

 

[Rose122]

I live a sedentary lifestyle and eat rather poorly. Considering my father has developed type II I have both environmental and genetic factors that will likely cause me to develop the disease as well.

Anyone else eat McDonald's 3+ times per day?

 

[Vandyfox]

Look at the responses given by everyone who has already been through the application process. I sincerely do not wish to downplay / disregard the fears and opinions of the up and coming applicants, but most of us with adcom / interview experience are saying the same thing. . . .

If it is that important to you and your decision to enter the field of medicine, include it in the personal statement. Adcoms are not out to get you- and boring P.S.'s are. . . . . . . .boring. Interviewers look for interesting stuff to talk about with you, so don't put stuff in your p.s. that you won't be engaged in during a discussion.

interviewer #1: "I read here that you took a Science class in college."
FutureDoctorX: "Yes" . . . .boring silence.

This situation does not sound like a confession or a "look what i survived" kind of thing. As long as it's written properly, it sounds like a genuine PERSONAL STATEMENT.

Good luck to everybody applying. Relax guys, and feel good about yourself, your application, and especially the SDN. . . .these forums are great.
-Vandyfox

 

[Rdhdstpkd]

I struggled with a similar issue, not with diabetes, but with Lupus (SLE). I too, was told by former members of an admissions committee not to put anything in my personal about SLE because it would be perceived as weakness. I put forth the arguement that it was integral in my decision to pursue medicine and I was told it didn't matter. I needed to frame it a different way. A broken leg or a burst appendix are great fodder for 'my experience as a patient brought me to medicine', but chronic illness is not necessarily looked upon in the same light. I'm sure some adcoms will see it as adding a dynamic characteristic, but some will see it as weakness (not that I agree!!!). I read a book of sample essays for med admission. In one, a woman who had battled anorexia applied, but instead of going into all the details she mentioned in a short paragraph that she had been 'further exposed to the field through her own experinece as a patient' {Serious paraphrasing} and dropped it at that. It might be the better way to go.

Another option, one that I was given when asking the same question, is to talk about your 'sister/mother/aunt/father' with diabetes. I didn't do this because I didn't like the dishonesty of it. But I suppose it would depend on exactly how you adressed it.

 

[mdsadler]

I do a ton of volunteer work with diabetics and their families so I think I may use stories from this and never really say that I am diabetic. I like the idea of saying "my experience as a patient" etc too.
thanks

 

[RoseLee]

Type I pumper here! (started pumping in the dark ages!) AND I'm older than the average applicant...Oh no...the adcoms will DEFINITELY not want me to attend their school!

Actually, if that's what they think when they read my essay, I don't want to go to school there!!! Being diabetic for the last 25 years with NO complications proves something and I'm darn proud of my hard work. (although some is based on genetics, not blood sugars) I hope to instill the idea in my patients that nothing can keep them from doing what they dream (well within reason anyway). I've played sports, traveled the world, and worked and attended school full-time (at the same time)!

I say keep it in...your sincerity will shine through and be a much more interesting read.

Roselee
DM Type I - 25 years this December..
Pumper for 13 years

PS : Type I (an autoimmune disorder) is drastically different from Type II. We had NO choice in the matter when our genes went haywire 😡

 

[beriberi]

I have a good friend who is an MS2 with Type I DM. She did use that in her personal statement--which led to one allopathic interview (state) and no osteo interviews. Ended up reapplying. She revised PS, no DM this time, got one allo interview (one acceptance) and 8 or so osteo and several osteo acceptances. It is surely more complicated than just her personal statement, but I can't help wonder if it played a role.

I lived with this good friend for 3 years and she had excellent control of her DM--she has never been hospitalized since diagnosis (20 years ago). However, after two years of clinical experience, I have never met a diabetic like her. That is because diabetic like her do not come to the ER for seizures, do not have their feet amputated at a young age, do not have very premmature coronary disease, are not on dialysis at the age of 20. It is not that they do not exist (diabetics in good control), it is that you do not see them in training (unless you train exclusivly in some cushy endo's office). So, most doctors have very negative impressions of diabetics--all they see are the very bad one. This includes members of AdComs. Your A1c is admirable, but many of my colleagues hear "diabetes" and they think of someone who is heavily using medical resources because they choose not to take care of their chronic condition.

I think it is best to leave out your personal history of DM. I really think it has a terrible connotation to many physicians.The more vague way discussed above is more appropriate, in my opinion. Talk about patients you know with DM and how you have helped them--blah,blah, blah.

 

[hakksar]

I am still shocked at the amount of negative impressions of diabetics from healthcare providers. Maybe it is just where I live but there are a lot of diabetics with no complications and good A1C levels. I know of several in healthcare fields (Physicians, RN's, PA's etc). I cannot believe that an adcomm would equate these diabetics in good control with diabetics in poor control (which also exist, but usually these diabetics do not apply to medical school since from my experience compliance and control tends to be correlated to education and access to healthcare). I guess it does not matter what I think but I still do not believe the adcomm will hold it against you. The only real argument I see for them holding it against you is the potential for a hypoglycemic reaction at a critical moment (ie surgery). However, this fear will not prevent you from getting an interview (since interviews are heavily GPA/MCAT based) and you can explain how you prevent issues like that in the interview (if you did not already discuss it in your PS).

I guess you could always get the biased adcomm but you could get that if you did not disclose your DM as well. After having been through the admissions process I can tell you they are looking for people who understand modern medicine, are commited to practice medicine, and have the mental tenacity to succeed. Succesfully, controlling DM allows you to demonstrate all 3 of these things they look for. Plus, they might be also be afraid on an ADA lawsuit.

 

[PapaDosh]

Small world! 🙂 I think it was Mary Tyler Moore.
So basically, it would be the islet cells without the need for immunosuppressants then? Thanks!

Actually after transplanting the islet cells the recipient requires immunosuppressants for as long as they want the cells to work. The research part of the lab I work in is attempting methods to get around this, but in the meantime us clinical folk transplant as often as we can. Seeing an islet transplant is a thing of wonder- especially when only one transplant is need. 😀

 

[RoseLee]

You know...reading all of the negativity that doctor's have associated with DM makes me sad 🙁 . I would hope doctors who care for diabetics would educate themselves enough to know the difference between good and bad control!!

Further, complications are NOT always a result of bad control! The DM studies have not proven this 100%! Maintaining good control *IS* important, but please, please don't immediately judge someone if they have had laser treatments on their eyes or show some kidney disease! My buddy has had A1C's in the 5/6's since testing of A1C's began and she has had laser treatments!

I can't change what doctors who are practicing now think (other than continuing to work with the ER physicians where I have my internship to educate them)...but I hope some of you premeds will educate yourself about DM (both Type I and II) since it's seems to be increasing among the population in epic proportions (mainly Type II).

I personally can't write my personal statement without mentioning it (and YES I will mention my good control and the fact that I've been wearing an IP for 13+ years (I got a pump before they were "fashionable" 🙂 ) Further, I believe my experiences will make me a stronger doctor (I want to practice primary care) since I completely understand what a pain in the ass some doctors can be (I've fired a few of those docs!!!) If the schools reject me because of DM, then so be it. My stats are just as good as others and my past is rich with experiences...hopefully they will see that!

Ultimately, it's up to the individual. If the OP feels that it will hinder them from getting accepted, then leave it out. On the opposite side, if leaving it out makes the OP's statement weak, then put it in!

BTW, Islet cell transplants are cool!!! Just waiting for further research regarding immunosuppression (don't want to take the drugs they have to now) and I'm first in line!!

 

[DadofDr2B]

I will give the facts about my daughter's application and let you guys draw your own conclusions about how adcoms look at Type I diabetics.

Stats-about 3.6 GPA in both general and science
MCAT-36
Volunteer at hospital and various other functions
Diagnosed 11 years ago.
On pump for 4 years.
Never been back to hospital since diagnosed.

Applied to 17 schools. Received 5 interviews. 4 waitlists. 1 acceptance without waitlist and recently one acceptance off waitlist.

Should she have told the adcoms about her Type I? I think so. If you do not tell the truth about important parts of your background, I would say you have failed to disclose who you really are. Trust me, they will know about your Type I before you get in and may summarily dismiss you if you fail to disclose your condition. You will be better off with the truth. Just my opinion.

 

[skypilot]

For you to insinuate that not disclosing private med information is "lying" is to disregard all patient rights.

I agree, as long as you can perform the duties of a physician without accomodation you should keep your medical history out of the personal statement. You can talk about diabetes without disclosing the intimate details of your own personal health. IMHO only. 🙂

 

[DadofDr2B]

Doctors who treat diabetes know the difference b/w good and bad control, but most doctors DON'T treat it and only have experience with the diabetics who end up in their ICU during residency. But regardless, we are talking about Ad Coms, not personal doctors, and how are they going to assess one's control? ANYONE can say that they have an A1c of 5.5, but its not their place to make medical judgments about candidates, so what would make them decide wheher one has good or bad control? THey don't care. They hear diabetes and they may pull in their old prejudices about their former patients wth diabetes.




I am sorry to sound rude, but what the hell are you talking about? As the father of a type 1, I would expect that would you understand that this is a personal matter. It is an important part of our lives but it is NOT essential knowledge for the people who are evaluating your potential to become a doctor!

For you to insinuate that not disclosing private med information is "lying" is to disregard all patient rights.

Further, you made completely false and baseless statements about adcoms somehow "finding out" that one is DM? Yeah, right. First of all, it's not something they're going to "hunt down". Secondly, it is illegal for anyone to discose information to them w/o your permission. And most importantly,if they dismissed someone for being diabetic, they would face the biggest lawsuit ever. Ad coms are made of physicians who know privacy rule. It is an applicant's right to not disclose their medical history and it is not their place to make decisions based on health history.

I found your post extraordinarily offensive. It has a tone of DM being something one must "disclose", as if it is negative.

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My daughter was asked if she had HIV or any other disease that might need to be noted on the application after being accepted to medical school. You might find it offensive but the facts are that the cost to educate a doctor are many times over what you pay in tuition and fees. With the limited resources that are available to train doctors, some members of adcoms may think it risky to "waste" money on an applicant who cannot serve as long or effectively as an MD as a completely healthy applicant. Your investment is high but so is the investment of others. This is political incorrect to say but this rationale could be the reason my daughter's acceptance rate was low. If you were blind, the adcom may not take you into their program. If you are an alcoholic, they may not take you. If you are diabetic, they might not take you either. You and I may be angry about this, but we do not know what goes on behind the adcoms' closed doors. I will say there were 2 out of 17 that accepted my daughter knowing she was diabetic. That was one more than necessary.

 

[RoseLee]

Doctors who treat diabetes know the difference b/w good and bad control, but most doctors DON'T treat it and only have experience with the diabetics who end up in their ICU during residency. But regardless, we are talking about Ad Coms, not personal doctors, and how are they going to assess one's control? ANYONE can say that they have an A1c of 5.5, but its not their place to make medical judgments about candidates, so what would make them decide wheher one has good or bad control? THey don't care. They hear diabetes and they may pull in their old prejudices about their former patients wth diabetes.

Umm...I know that...that isn't what I meant(was mainly talking about ER docs)! Wow...quite a passionate response! I didn't mean to insinuate that the good control would make a difference with the adcom (or that they would even know what that meant) I meant that by me maintaining that good control proves my moxey and is interesting reading in my PS🙂!!)

Bottom line...include a chronic disease (not just DM) or don't include it. I don't really care one way or another. If someone is scared it will affect their admissions, then don't include it. Simple as that. 🙂 And, I didn't find DadofDr2B to be offensive at all (although the disclosure info is wrong). It's nice to have examples of other DM Type I's succeeding in medicine! 🙂