Too risky?

[UmichKat]

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Hi. I'm currently applying to medical school. I struggled with an eating disorder for a few years in high school and the first year of college, but it never affected my grades or extracurriculars. From what I've read on the other forums, people are really adamant about NOT mentioning eating disorders when explaining poor grades, absences from school, etc.

Would it be too risky to write my "overcoming adversity"/"what will your experiences bring to our school?" secondary essays about how having had (and recovered from) and eating disorder will make me a better physician?

I do intend to do work with patients with eating disorder or weight issues, so it is relevant for my future plans.

I've heard both that (1) Adcoms won't even consider you if you admit to having dealt with mental health issues and (2) that they're not legally allowed to make judgments based on health status of applicants. Which is true? I've already written these essays, and I'm quite pleased with them. I just want to make sure they won't single handedly ruin my decent application.

Thanks!!!!

 

[loveoforganic]

1) An exaggeration, but I doubt it would help for most adcom.

2) True, but not very enforceable unless they parade around shouting, "screw those with diagnosed mental illness"

Since you're already a very strong applicant (it seems), I wouldn't feel compelled to take a risk here by saying that, if I was in your shoes.

 

[naive noodle]

Honestly, with your stats I don't understand why you need to discuss your (past) ED?

 

[Holy Frans]

Honestly, with your stats I don't understand why you need to discuss your (past) ED?

What stats? Am i missing something? OP unless it played a large role in your life and influenced your compassion toward medicine i wouldn't mention it. Try to avoid looking weak at all costs. Someone on here once told me "If the water is clear, why muddy it?"

 

[Instatewaiter]

Many physicians feel that most eating disorders don't go away completely. Stress tends to bring these things to the surface and with a vengance. The first thing you need to do is make sure it is well under control.

In terms of telling them or not, if you can spin it very well... maybe. It is very risky though and personally I think it is too risky.

 

[dumbbell]

i dont think you need to include it. nothing related to mental health.

 

[mdeast]

I always stress that your application should be about pointing out positive things in your application and life rather than dwelling on the negatives. For a diversity essay, I think an adcom might be weirded out if you thought having an eating disorder would be something you'd want to highlight as a "diversity" or "unique" quality you to brought to the entering class.

I could see you using it for overcoming an adversity, but if you have other issues that might be less "controversial" I'd suggest going for those.

It's essential to try and avoid "red flags" in EVERY part of your application.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Well your stats are obviously very good. Telling them you have/had an eating disorder isn't smart as it makes you seem like a less stable investment. Having an eating disorder and applying stress creates an unstable situation where distorted thinking could arguably cause an relapse. While obviously this might not apply to you. If your adcom for a moment thinks what I said above your going to end up ruining a otherwise good application. Simply being said, mental health is a major no no to talk about during an interview.

 

[Sentinel]

Yes, too risky. Don't mention it. Especially because of what someone said earlier - EDs don't always go away completely (or so they say) so it might put you in more hot water than you'd want.

I know you want to use this example because it is personal and unique to you, and you are very proud of making it through - and that's a very good thing; but that (unfortunately) doesn't mean it'll portray you in the same way you perceive(d) the situation.

 

[Ilvcurst]

Wow what are the odds...there is another thread on ED. I thought it was the same person but read that one too to get advice.

Personally I wouldn't include it because ED is usually inked with Depression and Anxiety. And those are not things you want while in medical school...

 

[catalase]

Hi. I'm an MPH who is currently applying to medical school. I struggled with an eating disorder for a few years in high school and the first year of college, but it never affected my grades or extracurriculars. From what I've read on the other forums, people are really adamant about NOT mentioning eating disorders when explaining poor grades, absences from school, etc.

Would it be too risky to write my "overcoming adversity"/"what will your experiences bring to our school?" secondary essays about how having had (and recovered from) and eating disorder will make me a better physician?

I do intend to do work with patients with eating disorder or weight issues, so it is relevant for my future plans.

I've heard both that (1) Adcoms won't even consider you if you admit to having dealt with mental health issues and (2) that they're not legally allowed to make judgments based on health status of applicants. Which is true? I've already written these essays, and I'm quite pleased with them. I just want to make sure they won't single handedly ruin my decent (3.9GPA /36R MCAT) application.

Thanks!!!!

Do not mention this. Way more to lose than to gain==> negative expected value.

 

[UmichKat]

Thanks for the feedback all! You're all completely right that I have way more to lose than to gain by using this as a topic, even if I feel that it's something in my past and not my present/future. I ended up writing the "what will you bring to our community" essay about my background in math/engineering. Much safer 😉