Personal Statement Topic on Disability

[RiceBoy]

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I'm thinking about writing my PS about my physical disability I have, which is really the main reason I'm going into medicine. It's had a huge impact on my life and really prevents me from ever getting the same grades as everyone around me. Would you advise against writing about this topic because it would pretty much display my weakness and show the med schools that I will never be at the top?

 

[VTBuc]

Put a positive spin on it and talk about resilience, overcoming adversity, etc. Don't simply use it as a way of explaining your grades. Talk about the silver lining.

 

[jla314]

yeah, i did something similar in my PS. generally i don't think i've been discriminated against for having a medical condition.

and i don't know why you can't be at the top with a physical disability. how did it affect your academic performance? i'm sorry if it's a blunt question

 

[avksx]

and i don't know why you can't be at the top with a physical disability.

this.

 

[IDoIt4Love]

I wrote about how my heart condition inspired me to go into medicine and wrote about it in my personal statement. While I do think inspiring, unique stories will help you stand out and be remembered, be prepared to answer some pretty blunt questions about your health condition when you get interviewed (I did). Schools want to make sure you can handle a career in medicine before letting you pursue one. While I doubt they will or are even allowed to discriminate on those grounds, unless you don't meet their "technical requirements" (the physical abilities you must possess to go to their school), do make sure that you speak of your disability in an inspiring, positive light; do NOT victimize yourself or try to use it as an explanation for any bad grades. Med schools want strong applicants; trying to garner pity points will not work in your favor.

 

[CapnCrunch]

Would you mind disclosing what it is that you have?

I wouldn't see a problem as long as you don't make it sound as if it were an excuse.

 

[RiceBoy]

Eh..its not really a physical disability, but rather an impairment. Sorry, but I'm not really comfortable putting it up on forums like these b.c my condition is extremely rare. But I'd be willing to share my PS with anyone who wants to read it 🙂

 

[IDoIt4Love]

Eh..its not really a physical disability, but rather an impairment. Sorry, but I'm not really comfortable putting it up on forums like these b.c my condition is extremely rare. But I'd be willing to share my PS with anyone who wants to read it 🙂

Try me. I'd be glad to help🙂

 

[TheMightySmiter]

A lot of med school essay prompts (especially secondaries) ask you to relate something that you have had to struggle through in order to get to where you are. I think a disability is something that would definitely work in a PS. I don't think it should be the focus of your entire essay, but it seems like it would make a great starting point. From there, you can talk about how your interest in the medical field developed and what else you did to cultivate it.