should i write about a physical health experience that impacted how i view medicine?

[clucky]

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So I’m applying this cycle (3.96 gpa, 518 mcat, EMT work, etc), but this summer has been really hard on me health-wise. I’ve been receiving infusions for critically low iron sat (4%) and ferritin (5), have mono, and am going in for an endoscopy/colonoscopy next week for unrelated issues. I’m writing secondaries at infusions, working super hard to make everything polished, but it’s really hard when my body is so drained. Of course it’s all happening now as I apply lol. Should I mention this in the extra space about anything else they should take into consideration? I’m barely awake for a few hours before I need more sleep, constantly in and out of doctors offices receiving treatments, etc.

I guess I was just worried because I don’t want them to think I’m a liability with my health, seeing as I’ll hopefully be better by the end of the summer. It’s just all coming to a peak and I’ve started getting secondaries and I’m really overwhelmed. I know I will be able to crank them out, but I didn’t know if I should tell the ad comms about my health stuff. I also don't want it to sound like a pity party, as i know other people have it much worse than me (and i don't want to pretend that i know how people going through chronic illnesses feel)

i have a few questions asking about adversity and things I've had to overcome, and i was also thinking this might be a good thing to highlight.
I’ve been debating using my story about IDA in two different ways:

1. as an example of my own experience with doctors listening vs being dismissive and describe it as a past experience that helped shape my perspective on medicine
2. as something that impacted my app

I think my app is pretty good. But it was also a significant issue as I was going through, and I’m really proud of how much I was able to accomplish while I was that sick. Would it be possible to explain and then say I’m better now? Idk I don’t want them to think I’m a risk

 

[TheRealBibFortuna]

I would forgo mentioning it in your secondaries and instead make sure you have people proofreading them. If you're still not better by the time of your interviews, I think you could mention it then (assuming it affects your interview performance).

 

[clucky]

I would forgo mentioning it in your secondaries and instead make sure you have people proofreading them. If you're still not better by the time of your interviews, I think you could mention it then (assuming it affects your interview performance).

Thank you! What if I wrote about it as a struggle that I’ve gone through and how I’ve overcome it? It provided me with a new perspective on how it feels to be unheard in a medical setting, which I feel will shape my career as a physician. It was truly years of my life that no one listened to until one doctor

 

[Isoval]

I would avoid this for several reasons. Do not write this.

The biggest reason is that you should not be mentioning anything that can clearly be perceived as negative about medicine, even if in the context of saying "well, I understand what it's like when doctors are dismissive and I won't do that". You don't want to be labeled as the guy who hates the system and wants to turn it on its head - those aren't the people most schools are looking to recruit because those people tend to be hard to teach and dismissive of their mentors.

 

[clucky]

I would avoid this for several reasons. Do not write this.

The biggest reason is that you should not be mentioning anything that can clearly be perceived as negative about medicine, even if in the context of saying "well, I understand what it's like when doctors are dismissive and I won't do that". You don't want to be labeled as the guy who hates the system and wants to turn it on its head - those aren't the people most schools are looking to recruit because those people tend to be hard to teach and dismissive of their mentors.

Oh wow, yeah definitely not what I’m trying to convey at all- thank you so much! I have played six instruments throughout my life, so I could write about that? I just do it as a hobby now though, so I don’t know if it’ll pale in comparison to full time musicians in college bands. I also like puzzles. Idk I’m struggling to pick a good topic for the diversity essay

 

[Isoval]

Oh wow, yeah definitely not what I’m trying to convey at all- thank you so much! I have played six instruments throughout my life, so I could write about that? I just do it as a hobby now though, so I don’t know if it’ll pale in comparison to full time musicians in college bands. I also like puzzles. Idk I’m struggling to pick a good topic for the diversity essay

Sure. Anything that makes you unique that you can explain how it’s developed you as a person is a good topic for this.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I also discourage anyone to talk about their own current health issues, especially if you are undergoing treatments. I hope everything goes well, but you never know. Furthermore, do you want everyone at the school to know about your health issues before you even set foot on campus? I know health information should be guarded as much as your own personal data (tell us your bank account and PIN, the medications you are on, etc.).

Focus on your recovery. You can explain in private to admissions offices that you have had some health issues come up and you may need some extended time to complete your secondaries. But you don't have to tell them anything about your diagnosis or any treatment plans you have. Give yourself more time to reflect that you can share later in interviews or as a new student in a proper safe space.

 

[Hollow Knight]

Don’t tell this to anyone. Unfortunately part of the game on medicine is never showing weakness and that starts before you even get in.

I’m not even sure how I feel about the recent trend of all these gen Z applicants talking about mental health issues. I don’t care, but most of my boomer attendings probably view it in a negative light. Probably best to just keep all that stuff to yourself or mentors you are 100% sure are cool