Sexual abuse - too sensitive of a topic for interviews?

[bothmachines]

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Between the ages of 8 and 12, I was physically and sexually abused by a relative. For those of you that know psychology, I'm sure you're aware that the most common consequence is a lifetime of insecurity and failed relationships.

While looking through the SDN interview feedback, I noticed a few schools asking "what is the worst thing that has happened to you?" or "what is your greatest accomplishment?" Should I bring this topic up in questions like these? It's something I've been working on for the past 5 years and I feel like I've come a long way. What I think makes it interesting is that not only two people know about the abuse. Getting over this has definitely been my greatest accomplishment.

 

[Member67988]

I think that a lot of people will tell you to stray away from the topic on your apps and interviews but I don't think you necessarily have to. If you speak honestly I think it could really provide depth to your story as an applicant. Just make sure it's not overtly graphic and focuses more on how you recovered. My personal opinion is that truthful answers with controversial or touchy subjects are better than bs answers about your dog dying or that one -A you received. Take my advice with a grain of salt though, as I'm just a fellow applicant myself.

 

[talinnlove]

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[OCDOCDOCD]

Between the ages of 8 and 12, I was physically and sexually abused by a relative. For those of you that know psychology, I'm sure you're aware that the most common consequence is a lifetime of insecurity and failed relationships.

While looking through the SDN interview feedback, I noticed a few schools asking "what is the worst thing that has happened to you?" or "what is your greatest accomplishment?" Should I bring this topic up in questions like these? It's something I've been working on for the past 5 years and I feel like I've come a long way. What I think makes it interesting is that not only two people know about the abuse. Getting over this has definitely been my greatest accomplishment.

The part I bolded and underlined is exactly why you should never bring this topic up in interviews (for anything, not just med school). Telling your prospective school that "I'm still screwed up and will be forever because of what happened to me as a kid" might get you sympathy, but it will certainly get you a rejection. Med schools want stable, well adjusted people who relate well with others.

The adversity essay is meant to showcase your coping skills and support network. It is not an essay to see who's had a worse life. In fact, there's been some suggestions by an adcom member on here that a secondary purpose of this essay is to screen out applicants who have major issues.

Basically, a good adversity topic has these qualities:
- It's serious enough that a reasonable person would view it as a stressful situation
- It's not about academics
- You had to use multiple coping mechanisms and get support from other people to make it through (although do make sure that you don't describe a situation where other people fixed your mess for you)
- You dealt with the situation well (didn't fold under pressure, didn't curl up in a corner and cry, didn't withdraw from society, binge eat, turn to drugs, become suicidal, etc.)
- The situation is over and all the fallout is in the past (ie don't talk about something you're still dealing with)

 

[Goro]

If you're comfortable discussing the subject in the context of a prompt, then nothing wrong with that. I've had a few applicants admit to being rape victims.

Between the ages of 8 and 12, I was physically and sexually abused by a relative. For those of you that know psychology, I'm sure you're aware that the most common consequence is a lifetime of insecurity and failed relationships.

While looking through the SDN interview feedback, I noticed a few schools asking "what is the worst thing that has happened to you?" or "what is your greatest accomplishment?" Should I bring this topic up in questions like these? It's something I've been working on for the past 5 years and I feel like I've come a long way. What I think makes it interesting is that not only two people know about the abuse. Getting over this has definitely been my greatest accomplishment.

 

[Member67988]

While I agree with most of your post OCD, I don't see why the OP can't speak meaningfully about coping and dealing with the abuse. Med schools don't expect you to have NO current problems. that would be idiotic of them. People can be great and compassionate physicians while still dealing with personal issues.

 

[Doodledog]

There is absolutely no reason you can not discuss physical or sexual abuse that occurred during your childhood as part of the med school process. It is actually not all that uncommon in my experience.

Now then, once you discuss it, then it becomes fair game and a part of the interview. Therefore, you must be prepared to indicate that any mental health issues related to it have been fully resolved and that you are prepared for the challenges of medical school.

You should practice discussing it with a trusted friend to be sure that you can give clear discussion about what happened without becoming overly emotional. You may be interviewed by a psychiatrist but they are not functioning in that role during the interview.

It may be true that adcoms are assessing your mental health during an interview, but that is almost always the case in extreme situations where it is in major doubt. Having had a history of childhood sexual abuse, in itself is not something that is disqualifying, in any way, in my opinion based on several decades of experience.

Best wishes to you.

 

[bothmachines]

Thank you all for your responses. I think there's a bit of confusion, though - this is NOT for an essay. I was looking at the interview feedback threads, and these questions get asked pretty regularly. I was talking about bringing it up in my itnerviews in the upcoming weeks, not any essays. Sorry for the confusion.

I've definitely improved. My relationships have gotten much healthier and my confidence is something that has also improved. I think it's risky, but hopefully they're understand not every answer has to relate back to medicine. Sometimes, people just want to talk about life.

 

[vayntraubinator]

Definitely don't choose to play that "card" purposefully, but do bring it up if you can when specifically prompted, as you mentioned. The key is not to make yourself out to be a "victim" and have the person feel sorry for you. But rather recognize how that event has shaped you and perhaps brought more value to your intimate relationships (for example, being a doctor may mean more to you because of the level of trust you are in the position of having). I think that may be a good angle.

It is a challenging subject, and I feel that personally I would not like to open up such a hurtful memory unless I have completely healed from it. (which may never really be a reality, but at least have not let it stop you from reaching potential)

 

[gyngyn]

It is a challenging subject, and I feel that personally I would not like to open up such a hurtful memory unless I have completely healed from it. (which may never really be a reality, but at least have not let it stop you from reaching potential)

This is the real problem. If you can talk about it in a comfortable and convincing way, there is no problem. I haven't seen that yet, but it could happen.

 

[hmockingbird]

Yeah, I think you would be fine if you feel like you would be able to talk about it without getting overly emotional. Practicing with a friend might be a good idea. And don't forget to factor in that you might be stressed/nervous... I almost started crying over something really random at one of my college interviews just because I was so nervous (I think it was my first interview ever).

I think the other advice here is good. The "adversity" question in interviews is pretty similar to the same one in secondaries. Just make sure your focus in your answer is on your personal growth, coping skills and support network, rather than the details of the experience (the purpose of the question is to show that you're someone who can cope with the stress of med school so you want to make sure your answer shows that).

 

[McRunner]

As someone with experience in this issue, if I were reading it it would raise some red flags about it being truthful or not because you're bringing it up at all. Not to be offensive, take it with a grain of salt but I would be very very wary.

 

[Gauss44]

Between the ages of 8 and 12, I was physically and sexually abused by a relative. For those of you that know psychology, I'm sure you're aware that the most common consequence is a lifetime of insecurity and failed relationships.

While looking through the SDN interview feedback, I noticed a few schools asking "what is the worst thing that has happened to you?" or "what is your greatest accomplishment?" Should I bring this topic up in questions like these? It's something I've been working on for the past 5 years and I feel like I've come a long way. What I think makes it interesting is that not only two people know about the abuse. Getting over this has definitely been my greatest accomplishment.

The question is how well you can present it. If your answer is thought provoking, eye opening, professional, appropriate, knowledgeable, etc., and you don't mind responding to AdCom's questions about it, do it!

If, on the other hand, you run the risk of appearing emotionally unstable, incoherent, full of TMI, and other less than positive things, don't.