Personal statement

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[907914]

522 MCAT;

This is why you will get in somewhere. In spite of your PS topic, not because of it. But you be proud of you and good on you.

 

[Goro]

This is why you will get in somewhere. In spite of your PS topic, not because of it. But you be proud of you and good on you.

3.6, 522. A low GPA would be lethal. Also the ECs have to be up to par.

 

[deleted889094]

Fellow peer here. I didn't really discuss it in my PS because it wasn't relevant to why I wanted to pursue medicine or what makes me a good candidate. I can see how it might for some people, however.

If your motivations for medicine hinge on this, you probably should write about it. It seems like you're aware of the risks it poses. The main concern (I think) for most schools is that it can make you less suitable for medical school and future practice. If you can prevent your PS from seeming that way, I don't see a problem with it, honestly. But that's a big "if"

 

[Peter Pan.]

Demonstrate that it no longer affects you.

How long ago did you get treatment? The longer the time the better. Someone getting treatment 6 months to a year ago would potentially have a bigger red flag as someone who got treatment 5 years ago and has been fine since.

Another way you can demonstrate this is having extracurriculars centered around it. What does bipolar disorder typically keep someone from doing? If it typically impairs social skills and connecting with others then having several leadership positions and volunteer positions that showcase social skills would be a plus.

I've also had a mental illness history and am still pondering on if I should include it in my application. People are adamant that you shouldn't but its such a big part of who I am and why medicine so I would really like to write about it. :/

Also I believe some of this depends on the mental illness. Some mental health conditions have greater success in treatment outcomes than others.

 

[Walter Raleigh]

3.6, 522. A low GPA would be lethal. Also the ECs have to be up to par.

3.6 is so low as to be lethal?!

 

[lalalallala]

There are two points in your post that I think you could go off of:

1. why your experiences as a patient inspired you to go into medicine (for ex: what about you and your doctor's interaction made you want to be a doctor, what about medicine did you see that aligned with your strengths and how have you demonstrated this passion (volunteering with mentally ill, participating in research about bipolar disorder for example))
2. why your mental illness is an asset (resiliency and compassion perhaps, helping an underserved group (mentally ill))

Showing a long period of stability would be good, but regardless there will be (likely many) adcoms who see bipolar and pick one of the thousands of other qualified applicants instead. All the best to you

 

[realitysickness]

I don’t have any advice for you, but I just wanted to provide encouragement. A year ago I met a current Stanford Med student who disclosed they were bipolar in their personal statement because it was a critical part of their journey to medicine (in particular their interest in psych) so... you got this!

 

[Goro]

3.6 is so low as to be lethal?!

No, you knucklehead. Like 3.2

 

[Walter Raleigh]

Thought so!

 

[Goro]

A lot of wise advice in this thread. A long stretch of academic excellence always Adcoms' fears that the candidate will not do well.

But there's a reason why we are leery of mental health being mentioned: Medical school is a furnace, and I've seen it break even healthy students. The #1 reason my school loses students to withdrawal, dismissal or LOA is to unresolved mental health issues.

Even I involuntarily take a sharp breath when I see someone out themselves like the OP suggests. This coming from a guy who has been on antidepressants twice in my life, and sought out a therapist's care some five times. I've seen the human wreckage in my own students.

 

[Walter Raleigh]

It's a high-variance strategy at best, and the smart move is not to mention it. However, if you've got a 3.9, 525 MCAT, Peace Corps experience, a publication or three, and a thousand hours volunteering in a psych ward...you might be able to get away with writing about how your struggle with anorexia at 15 induced you to want to practice medicine.

 

[deleted889094]

OP, is the care you received as a result of your illness what prompted you? Or the illness itself?

 

[Osminog]

It’s extremely regrettable that there’s such a strong stigma against mental illness in our society, and it’s equally regrettable that mentally ill people are often profiled as high-risk in academic admissions and employment. I think mental illness should be viewed as a brain disease rather than a personal flaw, and I don’t see why schizophrenia should carry any more of a stigma than, say, Parkinson’s.

That being said, I really don’t think that a medical school PS is the right medium to try to test the waters and change people’s minds. But if that’s what you truly want to aim for, then I wish you the best of luck. Congrats on that MCAT score, by the way.

 

[LongLiveThanos]

What's up with applicants wanting to write about their mental illnesses in their personal statements?

 

[OneTwoThreeFour]

It’s extremely regrettable that there’s such a strong stigma against mental illness in our society, and it’s equally regrettable that mentally ill people are often profiled as high-risk in academic admissions and employment. I think mental illness should be viewed as a brain disease rather than a personal flaw, and I don’t see why schizophrenia should carry any more of a stigma than, say, Parkinson’s.

That being said, I really don’t think that a medical school PS is the right medium to try to test the waters and change people’s minds. But if that’s what you truly want to aim for, then I wish you the best of luck. Congrats on that MCAT score, by the way.

I can't imagine any "brain disease" that would have an easy time getting into medical school. A 40 year old with early onset Parkinson's isn't going to get a seat. Someone with CP would have a very difficult time.
Med school adcomms are very risk averse and psychiatric disorders have shown to be anecdotally a more risky proposition than other chronic medical problems. Schools get blown up in the media and on this site for having students that commit suicide. What is one of the biggest risk factors for suicide? Mental illness. What is one of the biggest factors related to relapsed illness of any sort? Stress.
People are free to write about whatever they want for their PS. But it is no mystery as to why people are warned away from discussing psychiatric problems. I think writing from a patient's perspective makes sense (to a point-in my opinion as someone who was previously on an AdComm, we want to see you delivering care as well), you have no need to go into further detail.

OP, just as something to think about: do you think that a single prospective medical student would describe themselves as anything other than someone with "a strong system of support, effective coping mechanisms, and self awareness?"

 

[differentiating]

Mentioning it is not just a question of whether or not it can harm your application, but whether or not it will help as well. When I applied, I didn't mention my anxiety in my personal statement not just because I was afraid of the stigma, but also because it was irrelevant as to why I wanted to be a doctor and the type of doctor I hoped to become.

In your case, it sounds like having BAD is relevant to your journey towards medicine, so my advice would be to focus on how it led to your interest in medicine and how your experiences will influence your approach to medicine in the future if you choose to address it in the PS. Also, as others suggest, I would address that you've been stable (hopefully for a significant period of time) in the PS as well to hopefully assuage any concerns adcoms may have regarding your disclosure.

 

[subdermallight]

You are cutting your legs out from under you doing this. It's unfortunate but this is what it is right now with the way the admissions process works. Get into medical school, the best one you can, on your merits and stories and experiences that do not hinge on your mental illness. It will feel like a gaping hole in your mind, it will feel horrible because here you are trying to be your honest, authentic self and yet you are hiding pieces of you that have been integral to forming the resilient and brilliant person you are today. This an unfortunate scenario, but this is also your most powerful and competitive scenario that is more likely to get you into a top 20. Take it, my friend. It hurts, it feels wrong, but that's your most powerful play.

You want to change this stigma going forward? Nerfing your app before you're even a med student is not a powerful way to do so. Getting into a top med school, doing bomb ass psych research, starting a non-proift, securing a top psych residency and getting on decision boards, doing talks. People will listen more closely the more successful you've become. Out yourself now and, in the future, you may not reach the same height of influence.

 

[ciestar]

Look, OP.
The stress of the first year of med school led me to lose 25 lbs. I was under 100 lbs. Med school nearly broke me. I nearly failed a bunch of classes. I THOUGHT I had my bipolar II under control, but I was very wrong in that assessment.

Yes, it really sucks there is a stigma, but, my story is exactly why they’re weary in the first place.

 

[907914]

It is unfortunate that there is stigma, but the stigma has its justification (as pointed out in the above threads).

You are going to have to make the choice: which is more important, staying true to yourself for a ‘defiant’ act in a move that will likely inhibit your chances, or becoming a Doctor first and telling your story afterwards?

 

[deleted480308]

My advice is don’t talk about it

 

[jhamaican]

read your post and am going to say it anyway:
you shouldn't add your mental health history to your personal statement. Poor decision. Can only hurt you.
If you think you will be special for writing about this in your personal statement, you are wrong. Mental illness is the number one reason people drop out of med school. It is a huge red flag. What are you thinking.

 

[IMGASMD]

I am confident, capable, stable, and determined to pursue a career as a physician....


I am well aware that medical school is incredibly difficult especially for those with underlying mental illness...

1. I don’t have a bipolar diagnosis, and I would never use the word “stable” to describe my state of mind. I think on that point alone, you’re already different than “normal” people.
What comes to my mind, what happens when you’re “not stable”? Are you “overconfident” right now, therefore in a state of hypomanic? Aren’t bipolar patients more prone to risk taking behaviors when others tell them not to, because they can be in a perpetual state of hypomania? Most “normal” people don’t advertise when they’re stable and confident; most people also heed to others’ advices. These are just questions I have from one sentence.... do you want this kind of scrutiny for everything in your personal statement? If there is only one thing and one thing only that inspired you to be a physician, maybe you should think long and hard about picking this field.

2. Are you “fully aware”? Because everyone told you? Why do you believe this, but not point number 1, when it’s the same people telling you these things?

I am not trying to argue with you. If I recall correctly, mental illnesses all have components of irrational thought process. Are you “cured?” I think you need to swallow your pride on this one, write about something else.

This is from someone who does not read PS for a living, had psychiatry rotation ~10 years ago and now just puts people to sleep, shorter the pre-op interview the better. Please imaging if what you want to write is in the hands of an admin, who reads 100s PS, a psychiatrist and enjoy having long and personal conversations?

You do you.

 

[deleted827260]

I believe many people here openly acknowledge mental health issues which is why we take it very seriously. I know medical schools that have excellent counseling services and emphasize mental health help.

Anyways, using the words you used to describe yourself, you say your mental illness does not define you, you are capable, confident, stable, have a strong support system, effective coping mechanisms, and self awareness that is OFF the charts! You seem to be on top of the world now. I wish you luck on your future endeavors, I hope your illness improves, and I will not try to change your mind. As a fellow premed my tiny advice may be to shift the strong focus on your essay away from your experiences as a patient because an adcom may end up still seeing you as that patient when they finish reading. Just a little psych thing.