Should I mention this...

[Iso4ane]

I was born with a genetic anomaly that affects 1 in 3000 live births, that among other effects is known to cause a slightly decrease in overall intelligence aptitude. I guess I was lucky and turned out relatively normal. (GPA ~3.9 sGPA ~3.89), I was wondering if it would it hurt me, or would it help me if I mentioned this on my app.

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[Clairea11]

I don't think you need to mention it when you have such a high GPA. Maybe if there was some tangible adversity this caused, you could work that into a personal statement about overcoming obstacles, but it doesn't sound like this anomaly has set you back too much. If this anomaly sparked your interest in science, genetics, etc, that could also be a starting point for some sort of essay or "why medicine" question.

 

[harvman11]

I don't know anything about your condition but assuming your MCAT is comparable to your GPA you'll be fine. I highly, HIGHLY doubt that it would be counted against you, and most likely it would be a plus (another obstacle you've overcome, probably great for essays). If you're comfortable with it then I'd say include it.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

I think you could mention it if it's a significant adversity that you've had to overcome. You're the only one who is able to determine that. If you don't think it affects your daily life much, though, I don't see why you have to talk about it.

 

[jvesco22]

1, 11, 11, lol...

Anyways, Just put it in your app for the sympathy points. Then you can talk about how you beat the odds and overcame such and such!! Every little bit helps to distinguish you from other applicants!

 

[Clairea11]

If you do put this in your app, make sure it doesn't look like you're just begging for sympathy points.

 

[He2]

quick note OP: may want to change the 1/3000. makes it too easy to distinguish your condition

 

[icalz]

I was born with a genetic anomaly that affects 1 in 3000 live births, that among other effects is known to cause a slightly decrease in overall intelligence aptitude. I guess I was lucky and turned out relatively normal. (GPA ~3.9 sGPA ~3.89), I was wondering if it would it hurt me, or would it help me if I mentioned this on my app.

Adcoms eat this stuff up....definitely use it, but be careful in the delivery. No one likes to feel like they are being manipulated. Be more casual and matter-of-fact when mentioning it.

 

[loveoforganic]

I think you could mention it if it's a significant adversity that you've had to overcome. You're the only one who is able to determine that. If you don't think it affects your daily life much, though, I don't see why you have to talk about it.

I agree with this. You say you didn't get hit with any of the MR part. Unless you have another complication that has made life difficult in some way, such as heart complications, I wouldn't mention it. Of course, if there are distinguishing physical features of the disease, and it happens to come up in an interview (doubt it would though), I wouldn't avoid mentioning it, not that big a deal.

 

[Bluffer]

I wouldn't mention it. I cant think of a scenario where an adcom would look positively on that. Hey look at this applicant...he's supposed to be intellectually disadvantaged and is applying for a career which is very demanding (intellectually, physically, emotionally, etc.)

 

[BBender716]

I wouldn't mention it. I cant think of a scenario where an adcom would look positively on that. Hey look at this applicant...he's supposed to be intellectually disadvantaged and is applying for a career which is very demanding (intellectually, physically, emotionally, etc.)

I agree. As terrible as it sounds, some adcoms hold these genetic factors against applicants. I was advised by a former adcom member not to mention the alcoholism in my family that affected me because some on adcoms may think that that makes me a greater risk for becoming an alcoholic and therefore a riskier applicant overall. So it sucks that some think like that but take your awesome GPA and rock out! Best of luck!

 

[LizzyM]

Why should an adcom care? You have a genetic characteristic that commonly causes x but in you it did not. And your point is?

 

[Iso4ane]

Why should an adcom care? You have a genetic characteristic that commonly causes x but in you it did not. And your point is?

Maybe I felt lucky, and believe that I should try to help people who were not as lucky as me, which is one of the bigger reasons why I want to become a doctor.

 

[bannie22]

Maybe I felt lucky, and believe that I should try to help people who were not as lucky as me, which is one of the bigger reasons why I want to become a doctor.

mind if i ask what it is?

 

[BBender716]

mind if i ask what it is?

I think the answer to that has already been implied...

 

[FIREitUP]

i see no advantage in mentioning it.

 

[LizzyM]

Maybe I felt lucky, and believe that I should try to help people who were not as lucky as me, which is one of the bigger reasons why I want to become a doctor.

Are you interested in helping people who have only themselves to blame for their illnesses and injuries? (alcoholics, meth lab operators, obese, inactive, smokers). Some people are interested in helping those who have had "bad luck" but get crazy when they see patients who do not make health and fitness a top priority.

Are you interested in taking care of people who have made choices that you would not make for yourself including the very aged sick whose families want "everything" despite all odds.

 

[Iso4ane]

Are you interested in helping people who have only themselves to blame for their illnesses and injuries? (alcoholics, meth lab operators, obese, inactive, smokers). Some people are interested in helping those who have had "bad luck" but get crazy when they see patients who do not make health and fitness a top priority.

Are you interested in taking care of people who have made choices that you would not make for yourself including the very aged sick whose families want "everything" despite all odds.

Okay maybe lucky was not the right word to use, how about more unfortunate. It is unfortunate that people had to resort to alcohol and drugs, and who am I to judge whether I should treat them or not. Sure, I believe we should try to prevent illness, but if they are sick for some reason we should help them. We should help whoever is in need of it. IN addition, why not try everything despite odds. There is a reason they're called odds, and not certainties.

And btw LizzyM, even though I been here a short time, I can already tell you have a lot of experience with these matters, and I was just wondering where you at in these matters. Clearly, you are not pre-med studend, but are you a current medical student, a resident, doctor or what?

 

[BBender716]

Okay maybe lucky was not the right word to use, how about more unfortunate. It is unfortunate that people had to resort to alcohol and drugs, and who am I to judge whether I should treat them or not. Sure, I believe we should try to prevent illness, but if they are sick for some reason we should help them. We should help whoever is in need of it. IN addition, why not try everything despite odds. There is a reason they're called odds, and not certainties.

And btw LizzyM, even though I been here a short time, I can already tell you have a lot of experience with these matters, and I was just wondering where you at in these matters. Clearly, you are not pre-med studend, but are you a current medical student, a resident, doctor or what?

As her SDN title says, she is a school administrator aka adcom member in addition, I'm sure, to other duties.

 

[Iso4ane]

As her SDN title says, she is a school administrator aka adcom member in addition, I'm sure, to other duties.

Well, I though status was related to how long someone has been a member, or some kind of other form of ranking used by this forum. I did not realize it actually was related to where they are in the medical community. Cool, then I must thank her for the input she has provided, along with anyone else who has answered.

 

[teenmachinery1]

I was born with a genetic anomaly that affects 1 in 3000 live births, that among other effects is known to cause a slightly decrease in overall intelligence aptitude. I guess I was lucky and turned out relatively normal. (GPA ~3.9 sGPA ~3.89), I was wondering if it would it hurt me, or would it help me if I mentioned this on my app.

If you turned out normal cause you're lucky, then no. Even if you turned out normal cause you had to study extra hard or put in more effort than others - still no.

 

[loveoforganic]

The title is self-selected. You could deem yourself School Admin if you so chose. Keep that in mind when using those titles. There was a fairly active 'attending' that wasn't actually an attending, who was banned recently. In this case though, I don't know if there's actually been proof provided on LizzyM's part that she is a school admin, but the overwhelming consensus is that she is.