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[X0001234]

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[AJS59]

I don't think it's a bad idea and if you can draw a through-line to other activities/advocacy you've done. I think you just need to be careful with it...I'd probably run it by your school's advising committee.

 

[LizzyM]

Advising committees are notoriously bad at giving advice.

@E0001234 , unless you've done some community service, advocacy, or paid work with people with anorexia, you really haven't tested your interest in working with that population. I could say that I received compassionate and empowering care from my OB and her team but that doesn't translate into applying to medical school saying that my career goal is to be an OB based solely on my personal experience of having given birth.

Work experience with people with dementia isn't a common narrative and it is a growing need in our US population. Go with it. No one is going to hold you to it and if you want to pivot to psychiatry for eating disorders on day #1 of med school, no one will stop you.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

For AMCAS, you have the Other Impactful Experiences essay to consider.

The Weather on Your Application Journey | SDN

In many literary epics, the protagonists’ journey is adversely affected by the weather or some force of nature. In Odysseus’s voyage home, Frodo’s quest,

www.studentdoctor.net

Other Impactful Experiences Essay: Exploring Your Unique Story | SDN

Beginning with the 2024 cycle, the AAMC allowed AMCAS and ERAS applicants an opportunity to describe Other Impactful Experiences (OIE) that have helped

www.studentdoctor.net

Write Your Secondary Essays First | SDN

Most advice to applicants focuses on the personal statement and description of work or activities required to complete the initial centralized application

www.studentdoctor.net

 

[X0001234]

For AMCAS, you have the Other Impactful Experiences essay to consider.

The Weather on Your Application Journey | SDN

In many literary epics, the protagonists’ journey is adversely affected by the weather or some force of nature. In Odysseus’s voyage home, Frodo’s quest,

www.studentdoctor.net

Other Impactful Experiences Essay: Exploring Your Unique Story | SDN

Beginning with the 2024 cycle, the AAMC allowed AMCAS and ERAS applicants an opportunity to describe Other Impactful Experiences (OIE) that have helped

www.studentdoctor.net

Write Your Secondary Essays First | SDN

Most advice to applicants focuses on the personal statement and description of work or activities required to complete the initial centralized application

www.studentdoctor.net

Do you think it's safe to discuss my illness in that essay you mention? Will it put me under increased scrutiny?

 

[AJS59]

Now that I think about it, you could also work it in as a secondary, that way your primary focuses on mission fit and it could work (with careful framing) into some secondary essay about adversity.

 

[LizzyM]

Quality of life research in dementia care is exceedingly rare among applicants and will stand out in a positive way, particularly when combined with employment in a dementia care setting.

 

[Hollow Knight]

Honestly there's still a lot of stigma in medicine with mental health. Many medical students I meet still think psychiatrists are fake doctors. Imagine how some of the older administrators are....

All those people are idiots, but those idiots can still tank your app. I'd avoid discussing your own mental health issues personally.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Do you think it's safe to discuss my illness in that essay you mention? Will it put me under increased scrutiny?

Get it read by our volunteers and your references. You should mind the amount you should say to balance any concerns.

 

[Moko]

Thanks for your input. That’s insane to hear considering AN is just as much a physical illness as a mental illness. It sorta sucks that this stuff is still so stigmatized, but I guess that’s just how it is when admissions are so competitive. I think I’ll take your advice and just leave it out completely.

I agree with leaving your history of anorexia out of the application. While we have come some ways with regards to recognizing mental health issues, there is still significant stigma associated with anorexia nervosa compared to other conditions like anxiety (in my opinion). It is unfortunate, but I can see it unfairly biasing some reviewers against you.

It seems that the rest of your application is robust, so you have many other experiences to talk about. Once you are a practicing physician, hopefully you will join your school's admission committee and make meaningful differences from within. Best of luck and just my thoughts.

 

[Moko]

Do you think this is something I’d have to conceal all the way, even through residency applications and licensing?

If I were in your situation, I would not disclose it for residency applications.

For licensing, only disclose it if you need to. Some states will ask for any history of mental health conditions no matter how well controlled the condition is. For these states, you will need to disclose 'yes'. However, most other states will only ask about current impairment, to which you can safely answer 'no' if your condition remains well controlled. For a list of each, please see: Physician-Friendly States for Mental Health: A Review of Medical Boards .

Just my thoughts.