Nontraditional student with medical problem - PLEASE help!

[New Hope]

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Hello, everyone!🙂

I'm new here! I'm 31, have a BS in Business Administration with 3.95 GPA. At the age of 19 I came from Eastern Europe to the US to study on a full tuition scholarship. During my freshman year I started having some health problems and I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Gradually I started having bigger and bigger problems walking and I started using a 3-wheel rollator (as I do now). In spite of everything I continued studying and finished with honors. After I graduated I got married and started maintaining the accounting records, payroll, insurance etc. for my husband who is a software engineer and with whom we have a small business related to that. With time I started realizing that this is not what I want to do. And since fate dealt me a rough hand I had to read a lot of medical articles and books related to MS and health in general, I grew more and more intrigued by the science of the human body and I decided I want to be a doctor.
My first question is if it's even worth trying for me since I have this health issue? I mean if I get to an interview would they look down on me and disregard me right away?
I will also have to take the prerequisites and I read on the forum that in Canada it's best to take them full time as opposed to do spreading them over some time while still working/taking care of a baby etc. Is that true in the US too?
Finally, I know about these early assurance programs for pre-meds but I think it's only for kids who enroll right after high school. Is that so and can a non traditional student get in such a program?
Thank you all very much and sorry for the long e-mail! I hope you can tell me how things look for me even if its rather hurtful! Thanks again!
NewHope

 

[DrKepha]

Hi, and first I think you are amazing to not let you illness defeat you! I have suffered with illness of my own and it is something that I wrote about in my personal statement when I applied. Many many people discouraged me from writing about it because they thought admissions committees would see it as a barrier. However, it was important for me to talk about it because it was something that I struggled with and overcame. Now, during all of my interviews, every single interviewer asked me were my health issues resolved. And the tone that they used to ask, suggested that there was a "because" that would follow their question. This lead me to believe that had I said no I still deal with this, that they would not have considered me as strongly. I don't think that this is fair but that's unfortunately how many interviewers portray their opinions to committees. They feel that medical school is soooo stressful that it might be bad for your health and wellness. And also, take away from your focus on school. But I would never give up if I were you. I would definitely encourage you to go for it. You never know what might happen until you try! Good luck and many blessings to you!

 

[RCPreMD]

my mother has battled multiple sclerosis progressively since I was born, I admire you courage and will. I believe if you have the ability to take the classes, fulfill prerequisites, and score well than you will have just as good chance as anyone. They actually have specific laws against descriminating against people who are handicapped or have disease.

Good luck and don't give up!

 

[5lippy]

Hi,

As someone who has done extensive research, I would say that the decision is entirely YOURS and you should not worry about the medical school admission's process. Your academic factors are good enough to grant you admission, but you should seriously consider the trials, struggles, and sacrifices that you and your body must make through medical school.

MS is a degenerative disease. Depending on what type you have, it may stay manageable for a long time, or it may become very debilitating within a decade or less. As an applicant, one of the qualities that you must sign-off on is of physical nature. You must be able to perform physical exams, and use your body in an able manner. It would not be good if you developed a tremor while using a stethoscope, for example. If you get through 2 years of medical school and then cannot continue, that would have massively negative consequences on your personal finances. You'll be bogged down with a huge amount of debt (>100K) and will have nothing to show for it.

In addition, from what I know medical school is extremely hard. You work long hours, study like you've never studied before, and stay up for long hours. It's very taxing both physically and mentally.

If you believe that you're up for the challenge, then by all means apply. Just know that there are risks and rewards to your decision. People like you are people that I'd love to attend medical school with--you seem to be very genuine and have a wealth of life experience.

 

[LizzyM]

My first question is if it's even worth trying for me since I have this health issue?

Does your health preclude you from working a 12 hour day on your feet (or in a wheelchair)? A year of residency is required to be licensed as a physician and most physicians do a minimum of 3 years of residency. The work hours in residency are trunkated now (at least on paper) to not more than 80 hours with some limits on number of consecutive hours. That said, 80 hours is a grueling work week. Are you up to that?

I mean if I get to an interview would they look down on me and disregard me right away?

I have known students in chairs who have successfully completed medical school. If I were interviewing you, what I would be thinking is "others have done this successfully, can this woman do so? what is the evidence for an against the likelihood of her success?" The answer to that would be your academic record and MCAT score, your written and verbal responses to questions about your motivation for medicine, your interest in caring for the sick, your curiousity about human biology and the social sciences, the recommendations of people with whom you have studied, worked and volunteered, and so forth.

I will also have to take the prerequisites and I read on the forum that in Canada it's best to take them full time as opposed to do spreading them over some time while still working/taking care of a baby etc. Is that true in the US too?

Medical school is always a full-time endeavor. An admissions committee (adcom) might want to see that you can handle a full-time academic load at this point in your life particularly given your physical limitations and your family life. For example, do you have social supports to help you handle unexpected events?

Finally, I know about these early assurance programs for pre-meds but I think it's only for kids who enroll right after high school. Is that so and can a non traditional student get in such a program?

There are seven and eight year programs that guarantee admission to medical school if you maintain a specific gpa through 3 or 4 years of college. Even if you could be admitted to one, would you really want to repeat 4 years of college?? The most successul non-traditional applicants enroll in formal post-bac programs and take a full-load for at least one year while volunteering in clinical and non-clinical settings and doing research. Some of these programs will take you on as a part-time student for the first year (perhaps taking chemistry) and then having you finish up with physics, organic chemistry, and biology, all with labs which makes it a full time load. You then have a gap year during which you make your application and interview.

Are you interested in caring for the sick? You might start by getting involved as a hospital or nursing home volunteer and/or shadowing a physician through an entire work day. Can you handle the distances you must travel within the building and the work pace? Find the actual work of the physician interesting (as opposed to the physiology underpinings of medicine)? That should be your start before you decide if the 10 year odyssey to becoming an attending physician is a good choice for you.

 

[RegisBioMedMS]

Most schools will have published standards that their admissions committee will adhere to. These might give you some more concrete information about expectations. Here is an example:

http://www.med.upenn.edu/admiss/techstds.html

 

[gyngyn]

Most schools will have published standards that their admissions committee will adhere to. These might give you some more concrete information about expectations. Here is an example:

http://www.med.upenn.edu/admiss/techstds.html

This is correct. Go to the websites of the schools in your state to get an idea of the technical standards or essential characteristics required of medical students. The courts have given medical schools broad discretion in defining the mental, physical and emotional standards required for admission and promotion (like for pilots). Even if you possess the essential characteristics at the time of matriculation, if you lose them (even for medical reasons outside your control), you may be considered for dismissal.

 

[Geebeejay]

I'm sure it sucks to hear this, but you really need to take a long look at yourself and decide whether or not you are capable of doing this job and working in this career. If the answer is yes, it is worth a shot, but you need to be very honest with yourself.

You should also take the above advice, and read up on the technical standards required by many schools, and make sure you fit the bill. If you can't meet up the technical standards (or can see it being a problem in the future), then again, you might not qualify.

Sorry to be part of the crew that is seeing your condition as a possible boundary, but you really need to be realistic about whether or not the career is a practical match for you.It's a huge investment for you, including a major investment of time and resources for you and any school that might accept you, and it needs to be worth your while and worth a school's while to admit you to a program.

 

[deleted303591]

I would make sure that you meet the technical standards for the medical schools that you are applying to, which I think you would.

If your illness has the potential to impact your grades, you need to talk to your neurologist/doctor about back up plans in terms of treatments and therapies in advance, before potential problems arise. In addition, stress makes autoimmune diseases worse, so talking about management with your doctor would be wise.

Somebody I know was the pre-health adviser at a top 20 US school. She advised a student with MS and one of the professors wrote a letter of recommendation saying that this student "missed class a lot". The adviser had to confront the professor and it turned out that he had no idea she had health problems preventing her from going to class. The student could have not been accepted in to medical school if it was not for her.

 

[New Hope]

Hello everyone!

I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to read my post and for giving me so much precious advice! I am amazed there are so many sensitive caring people out there who responded! You make so many good points and it's of huge help! I was a little saddened and I felt stupid I thought I can pursue medical school. I should have known better... I didn't know some things like residency being 12 hrs a day. I do have to watch out for my health more than others. I hope you realize how lucky you are to have your health. When you have your health the sky is the limit! You are good people and I truly appreciate your honest and caring advice. Many many thanks!

NewHope (hope - see the irony?) 🙁

 

[pre med 2014]

remember specialties vary greatly. Pathologists look through a microscope all day you could do that. I imagine radiology would be possible as well. Family medicine maybe.

Though I can't imagine being able to do something like surgery out of a wheelchair, or EM.

 

[New Hope]

Thanks sooo much for the nice ideas! It's so touching that I am getting all this attention and you even thought of appropriate specialties for me 🙂! I know you and everyone else who cared to comment on my issue, regardless of how very busy you are or how impossible my ambition may seam to accomplish, will make awesome doctors! I've been to many doctors (What a surprise, right?🙂) and I know one thing - it takes a person with a good and caring heart to make a good doctor.
Regarding the nice specialties you mentioned, I've thought of something like that. Actually, I was thinking more of doing research. I just thought if I have the discipline to study hard during the day I can still go to bed at a reasonable hour and get the proper rest. I also got scared hearing of 12hrs a day residency. From what I read here and (from my common sense of course) med schools will not be leaping with joy to accept me to say the least. I am ready, though, as someone asked me above, to get in an early assurance program IF possible and start from scratch (another bachelor's degree plus med school). Of course I have no idea if that's a possibility at all. But my chances may be higher this way. Does anyone know if that's possible at all for a nontrad. student? Do you still have to go for an interview if you apply to a pre-med (early assurance hopefully) program? Thank you!

 

[pre med 2014]

You do not need to get another 4 year degree to complete your science requirements. There are special 2 year post bacc programs designed for non trads where if you do well and on the MCAT you would obtain good chances at medical school entry. The programs contain all of the medical coursework you will need, it is a waste of time and money to do anything more in your situation.

 

[New Hope]

I know about those post-bac pre-med programs but I am concerned they won't accept me (esp. if I apply to a good program) because they will think med schools won't like me due to my health issue (and who know what more 😉) which is understandable in many ways. That's why I thought maybe doing more work (the 4 year bachelor's degree) may be better for me if possible of course.

 

[IslandStyle808]

I know about those post-bac pre-med programs but I am concerned they won't accept me (esp. if I apply to a good program) because they will think med schools won't like me due to my health issue (and who know what more 😉) which is understandable in many ways. That's why I thought maybe doing more work (the 4 year bachelor's degree) may be better for me if possible of course.

I don't think you have to necessarily do a formal post-bacc but instead to do it as an unclassified student at a college. Just maintain a good GPA for 2 years and then apply. Having to do a 4 year degree is just too long (IMO) and assuming you get in through this route you will be at least 36 (finished residency around 44). Sorry to put the age factor in there but I think it would be better if you did a formal post-bacc/SMP or just be an unclassified student. This would get you into medical school much faster. You are already academically capable and you just need only a few years to prove you are medical school material.

There have been people with similar conditions that have gotten into medical school. Just do the best you can and GO FOR IT!

 

[New Hope]

I don't think you have to necessarily do a formal post-bacc but instead to do it as an unclassified student at a college. Just maintain a good GPA for 2 years and then apply. Having to do a 4 year degree is just too long (IMO) and assuming you get in through this route you will be at least 36 (finished residency around 44). Sorry to put the age factor in there but I think it would be better if you did a formal post-bacc/SMP or just be an unclassified student. This would get you into medical school much faster. You are already academically capable and you just need only a few years to prove you are medical school material.

There have been people with similar conditions that have gotten into medical school. Just do the best you can and GO FOR IT!

Wow! Thanks so much for the encouragement! About the age thing - what you're saying makes a lot of sense! I am just afraid the good post-bac programs won't take me and if I apply on my own the med schools won't be too happy to see me at an interview. Other than that post-bac is a really nice option. Everything is possible, I guess...

 

[IslandStyle808]

Wow! Thanks so much for the encouragement! About the age thing - what you're saying makes a lot of sense! I am just afraid the good post-bac programs won't take me and if I apply on my own the med schools won't be too happy to see me at an interview. Other than that post-bac is a really nice option. Everything is possible, I guess...

Well, I can tell you a story about my mom. After my dad's passing, my mom wanted to do law but was not sure if she would make it in. I told her, "you don't want to regret it later in life just apply." She applied the first time but did not get in because most of her transcripts were old and from India (the law school in our state did not know how to interpret the grades). She then decided to do a human resource management degree and finished it with a 3.8 GPA. She was scared to try again but I told her "just do it." She got accepted on her second try! Now she finished her degree and is looking for a job.

The main point is don't have regrets in your life try and see where you go. If you fail, that's just how it goes. If you make it, then you would be so happy you did not give up.