Should I mention that I'm narcoleptic in the interview?

[irishking33]

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Would it hurt my chances if I mention in my medical school interview that I'm narcoleptic? It affected some of my classes in that I fell asleep during some exams, lectures, etc. and as a result I ended up with a lower GPA; I even had to withdraw from 2 classes because of it. The thing is, I've been medicated for the past year and have not had any sleeping incidents ever since; in other words, I have had a perfectly normal sleeping cycle for the past year without falling asleep at any inappropriate times. Given that I've been "cured" of my narcolepsy through medication, or at least effectively treated for it, would it still hurt if I mentioned it? I'm afraid they're going to ask about the 2 classes I withdrew from (and some of the lower grades in my junior year) and there's no other explanation I can offer except for that.

 

[Mad Jack]

I wouldn't mention it and hope I didn't fall asleep during the interview.

 

[Neuroplasticity]

I'm just another pre-med, but I'd say mention it if you need to and explain that it's well controlled now, but don't mention if you don't have to (it won't help your application).

 

[RangerBob]

If it was motivation on why you became a physician and you have a compelling underdog who overcame the odds type of story, then you could volunteer it in that case.

Otherwise, I'd only mention it if they bring up your W's. I had three W's, and while no one asked me about them, I had an explanation ready.

 

[DokterMom]

Given that most schools are looking for reasons to weed through and exclude applicants, I wouldn't mention it unless there's a good reason why you should.

 

[irishking33]

Given that most schools are looking for reasons to weed through and exclude applicants, I wouldn't mention it unless there's a good reason why you should.

My reason is that I fell asleep during a couple of exams and therefore brought my grades in those classes down, i.e. a physiology class where I fell asleep during the first exam and therefore only finished half the questions, failing the exam even though I did really well on the other 4 exams which were much harder. I ended up with a B- in the class even though the rest of my exams averaged an A-, and when I looked at the first exam after it was graded I saw that I knew almost every answer. It also happened in a couple of other classes and brought my overall and science GPAs down by at least 0.1 each. Do you think that's a good enough reason to bring up my narcolepsy?

 

[DokterMom]

My reason is that I fell asleep during a couple of exams and therefore brought my grades in those classes down, i.e. a physiology class where I fell asleep during the first exam and therefore only finished half the questions, failing the exam even though I did really well on the other 4 exams which were much harder. I ended up with a B- in the class even though the rest of my exams averaged an A-, and when I looked at the first exam after it was graded I saw that I knew almost every answer. It also happened in a couple of other classes and brought my overall and science GPAs down by at least 0.1 each. Do you think that's a good enough reason to bring up my narcolepsy?

I'd be more inclined to answer (only if asked) that an undiagnosed medical condition interfered with your performance until you got an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.

 

[FeinMS]

You should consult an expert regarding whether you meet the technical standards for medical school. just FYI

 

[irishking33]

I'd be more inclined to answer (only if asked) that an undiagnosed medical condition interfered with your performance until you got an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.

Good idea. Do you think they're likely to ask what the specific medical condition is?

 

[Goro]

We're not allowed to ask that. IF you bring it up in your essays, then we can.

Good idea. Do you think they're likely to ask what the specific medical condition is?

 

[doctorbob23]

If you think it wont affect your ability to enter med school then i wouldn't mention it. You'd be giving them a reason to toss your application aside when theres so many applicants