Should I avoid letting adcoms know that I am a mother?

[oxeye]

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I'm starting the process of getting LORs - most of these people know that I am a mother to two young children. Would you ask them not to mention your parent status or would you let them mention it if they choose to do so?

I know schools are not supposed to discriminate based on whether or not a person has children - but do they? I personally believe that my children make me a better prospective doctor than if I didn't have kids. There are many examples I can use in my application to show this and that my recommenders could write about. However, I'm concerned that I may just be shooting myself in the foot if I include my status as a mother in the application at all.

What would you do? Or what did you did if you are a parent? Do you think it depends on the school?

 

[relentless11]

I personally believe that my children make me a better prospective doctor than if I didn't have kids. There are many examples I can use in my application to show this and that my recommenders could write about.

I can't think of any better reason why you should let them know that you have kids. If the person writing the LOR's talk about how you did well in class, or at work, etc, while raising kids, it can only be seen as a good thing.

One of the guys at UCSF, prolly graduated by now was a non-trad, had a kid. Lived in Oakland, etc etc. Clearly him having a kid doesn't matter. If you did well in school, on the MCAT, and are well rounded in terms of other experiences including but not limited to clinical stuff, then it can only help you. So yea, I can't think of any reason why adcoms would think any less of you if you have children aslong as you showed them you can perform just as well as any other applicant, while taking good care of your kids.

 

[MiesVanDerMom]

I'm applying this summer as well. I talk about my kids in my personal statement quite a bit. I guess it could end up being a bad thing but I guess I'm betting it's not... I'd like to hear from others already accepted. There was an article in "Psychology Today" a few months ago talking about research that had showen women are better at their jobs after they become mothers. Perhaps we should send it anonymounsly to all the med schools...

 

[lilnoelle]

I think in the initial application there is a question that asks how many dependents you have. So it'll be known right away. I have two children and applied this last year. I think I was concerned about it more than the schools are. Mostly I heard that having children and a family makes a student more rounded and less likely to get overwhelmed. I was actually pregnant while applying and didn't know exactly how to handle the dependents question. Technically I had one so thats what I put, but when I had interviews, it came up that I had more than one. I sort of felt that looked dishonest, but I don't think anyone saw it that way.
Anyway, I've got an acceptance at KCUMB and am waiting to hear back from KU. (Had three interviews)

 

[njbmd]

I'm starting the process of getting LORs - most of these people know that I am a mother to two young children. Would you ask them not to mention your parent status or would you let them mention it if they choose to do so?

I know schools are not supposed to discriminate based on whether or not a person has children - but do they? I personally believe that my children make me a better prospective doctor than if I didn't have kids. There are many examples I can use in my application to show this and that my recommenders could write about. However, I'm concerned that I may just be shooting myself in the foot if I include my status as a mother in the application at all.

What would you do? Or what did you did if you are a parent? Do you think it depends on the school?

Hi there,
Whether you are a parent or not, will have not bearning on your admission to medical school. Many medical students have children before and during medical school. As a member of an admissions committee, I do not care about you being or not being a parent. Use whatever example you want use that will show why you may be suited for a career in medicine and leave it at that.As long as your academics are fine, you do not have to hide anything else.

njbmd 🙂

 

[relentless11]

Many medical students have children before and during medical school. As a member of an admissions committee, I do not care about you being or not being a parent.

Some members of my class this year were pregnant. In fact I think one was due the day after finals..lol. Thats dedication 🙂 . My classmate had a baby the week before finals, studied while in the hospital, came back took the final, and did fine. I guess take home message is, physician's gotta have a life too. 🙂

 

[FrkyBgStok]

my pre-med advisor said to df mention that i have kids, and that i worked full time while going to school full time, and with good grades it will look much better.

 

[Raven Feather]

Only the AMCAS application for MD schools ask how many dependents you have. AACOMAS application for DO schools do not. I, personally, don't think having kids will necessarily help or hinder you IMHO.

 

[chanjurban]

Hey!

I have an (almost) 2 year old. I was accepted this year. In fact, my family situation has had a large impact on my relationship with medicine, so I structured my personal statements around it. Actually, toward the end of my interview, my interviewer asked to see a picture of the baby... There's no reason that being upfront about your kids should be harmful.

Having said that, the schools also did make a point that I should have a strong support system in place for when med school gets rough. I did quite a lot of praising on my hubby and my parents during the interview. I think they just want to know that you have all your ducks in a row.

 

[run_4ever]

Hey!

I have an (almost) 2 year old. I was accepted this year. In fact, my family situation has had a large impact on my relationship with medicine, so I structured my personal statements around it. Actually, toward the end of my interview, my interviewer asked to see a picture of the baby... There's no reason that being upfront about your kids should be harmful.

Having said that, the schools also did make a point that I should have a strong support system in place for when med school gets rough. I did quite a lot of praising on my hubby and my parents during the interview. I think they just want to know that you have all your ducks in a row.

I agree with so much of what you have said here. I entered the interview process without a thought that being a mother would have an impact on medical schoools' perception of me or my capacity to function as a doctor. The only time I regretted being so straightforward about having a family was in an interview with my top pick school. My interviewer (a 50 something female physician) spent a good part of the interview telling me about the negative effect that her working as a doctor had on her children. I found it to be highly inappropriate commentary and it really made me feel like she walked into the interview carrying a great big suitcase of her own personal guilt about being a mother and a physician.

I still believe you shouldn't hide who you are or what your family situation may be.....but be aware you may run into the occassion jerk who will hold it against you because of their own negative experiences or perceptions. Good luck to you.

 

[Khenon]

My question is, would you want to attend a school that did discriminate against people with children? Being a non-trad (to include having a family, other careers/jobs, more life experience, etc) can add to your overall ability to be a good doctor. I don't think you should dwell on it, but if having a family has made you the person you are today, then you shouldn't hide it.