Single Mom AMCAS Application - Socioeconomic Section

[liz9192]

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Hello all! I am looking for some quick advice as I finish my 2016 application. I am a single mom and have supported myself and my daughter through my undergraduate education. I have a 3.962 GPA and will graduate with my Bachelor of Science in Biology in December. I have worked extremely hard to provide the best upbringing for my child while excelling academically, and now it is time to note this in my application. In the personal statement I touched upon this, but am wondering for the socioeconomically disadvantaged status if I should make a note that although I am a single mother this in no way hinders my capability for success in medical school. I have spoken to a couple people who suggest I include a brief statement that expresses this- so my status is not perceived as a hindrance. Any suggestions? Thank you!

 

[ZedsDed]

I think @LizzyM might have some thoughts on that

 

[LizzyM]

Why plant a seed of doubt in anyone's mind? You have an exceptional GPA. You worked hard for it. You succeeded. There is no benefit to telling adcoms you achieved a remarkable GPA with one hand tied to a cradle. What is the fact that you are a single mom supposed to do for your application? I think that it could only raise questions about your support network, how you will deal with your parental responsibilities while attending school, etc, etc. Once you are admitted you can work with faculty and administration to make it all work but when you are trying to get your foot in the door is not the time to bring it up.

 

[deleted480308]

I agree with LizzyM......in the mean time, make sure you have thought through things like who is watching kids when you are on rotations and things like that. You don't have to explain it here, but you need an answer for you

 

[Dares Dareson]

That's the kind of thing you'd explain in interviews, when asked. Never shed light on weaknesses.

 

[LizzyM]

That's the kind of thing you'd explain in interviews, when asked. Never shed light on weaknesses.

No one should be asking "do you have kids". That question should be off-limits, particularly if you haven't given any indication from your application that you have a kid.

 

[Dares Dareson]

No one should be asking "do you have kids". That question should be off-limits, particularly if you haven't given any indication from your application that you have a kid.

But she said "In my personal statement, I touched upon [my single motherhood]."

I think her question was, having talked about being a single mom in her essay, does she need to put a disclaimer "Even though I am a single mom, this will not affect my ability to succeed in medical school." I take it you'd be in favor of her not mentioning her kid at all in the essay? Maybe that's a better course of action.

She's got a dilemma. She wants to use single motherhood to enhance her application by showing she has faced adversity, but she doesn't want to appear handicapped by being a single parent.

 

[LizzyM]

But she said "In my personal statement, I touched upon [my single motherhood]."

I think her question was, having talked about being a single mom in her essay, does she need to put a disclaimer "Even though I am a single mom, this will not affect my ability to succeed in medical school." I take it you'd be in favor of her not mentioning her kid at all in the essay? Maybe that's a better course of action.

She's got a dilemma. She wants to use single motherhood to enhance her application by showing she has faced adversity, but she doesn't want to appear handicapped by being a single parent.

This is not something that belongs in the PS. There are people who need to explain why they did not do well in undergrad and "overcame adversity" is one way to make lemonade out of lemons but OP has nothing to explain in that regard. Now, if she is trying to explain why she has a 3.962 but no activities or no activities after a specific date then she may need to "explain" in the PS but I'd avoid calling it a disadvantage except, perhaps, if the pregnancy was at a very young age (before age 19) or if she wants to highlight that she or her baby were unable to access health care due to shortages.

OP should think about how childcare is going to work about 3 years from now when on call in the hospital about 2 overnights per week. This is the sort of question that could be asked if she opens the door by including it in the PS.

 

[Meridian32]

This is just one viewpoint, so take it for what it is - but I don't think it's unreasonable to tactfully discuss single motherhood in the application. In the context of single motherhood, a 3.962 GPA is an impressive achievement. As an admissions committee member at the (top 10, nontrad-friendly) MD school that I just graduated from, I - and I think many other committee members - would have viewed this favorably, as evidence that the applicant could sustain excellence through med school rather than as a red flag to ask about during the interview.

 

[liz9192]

Thank you all for taking the time to respond to my post. I extract two options concerning this matter: either omit my status as a single mom and ride the wave of the academic and extracurricular resume I have compiled, or include it (which will either be perceived as positive or negative to some committees). I understand arguments for both sides, but do wish to include it. I have met many physicians who successfully completed medical school as a single parent, and in the biology department at my college everyone knows I have a daughter- which is a point often touched upon when I am asked to speak to incoming freshman on the ability to be successful in school. I do not wish to omit it, as being a mother has inspired me to pursue the goal of studying medicine and motivates me every day to be a role model for her. I will include the passage I drafted in my personal statement and may not include a statement in the socioeconomic disadvantaged status. Any thoughts about inclusion in socioeconomic status???

 

[liz9192]

I took the shortest route and called the admissions offices of a couple of my top choice schools. They all recommend including it, as they have many non traditional students with children and it is not viewed as a negative component. Thank you all for your advice!

 

[deleted480308]

I want to re-mention to make sure you have a solid plan for who is watching your kids when you go on weird schedule rotations and residency....you don't need to share here, but it will be a burden you'll need to face

 

[LizzyM]

I want to re-mention to make sure you have a solid plan for who is watching your kids when you go on weird schedule rotations and residency....you don't need to share here, but it will be a burden you'll need to face

Absolutely agree. Anyone who has been in this any length of time knows at least one single parent who had to quit when balancing med school and overnight child care became too much.

 

[Campana]

Given that you are already a mom and have been for a while, I'm guessing you either have a tremendous support network around you, or you have already figured out how to make childcare work. If your network of support won't be following you to med school, you can easily do daycare (night care) searches as part of your research into where to apply. The more major metropolitan areas will certainly have multiple overnight care options. Many communities have networks of licensed in-home day-care options that can create a home-like environment for your kiddo and provide the overnight options you will need, and offer it at reasonable prices. I've seen family friends who do overnight shift work, irregular schedules, as single parents on very low hourly rates (minimum wage) find options. It is out there if you look - there is always a way to make it work. Good luck!

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

I took the shortest route and called the admissions offices of a couple of my top choice schools. They all recommend including it, as they have many non traditional students with children and it is not viewed as a negative component. Thank you all for your advice!

What did you expect the school to say? "No, we reject single parents and we don't want you to include information for which we may judge you."

Be careful your PS won't read as one of those annoying "as a mother..." types.