ellorie Posted August 17, 2010 Report Share Posted August 17, 2010 I was diagnosed with a chronic illness during my undergrad. This resulted in one semester where I had to drop almost all my courses and defer some exams (did well in them when I actually wrote) and another semester where my performance was impaired (still maintained a 3.6, but not as strong as my other semesters). I'm trying to figure out if it will help me or hurt me to write an additional letter, particularly to U Calgary and U Alberta because those are my top choice schools. Even with the crummy semester, my overall is 3.82 (it's 3.88 without). I know I will have to submit a letter to the SUPER competitive schools (UT and McGill OOP) if I want to be considered but I am struggling with whether or not to do so for UA and Calgary. In my letter, I spin it very positively. I state that I had to drop out of school one semester, but that this was because I had just been diagnosed and was not receiving treatment. I state that although I had another episode during [other impaired semester] I was able to remain in school and perform because I had learned to be self aware and manage my illness and I therefore believe that if any issues arise during MS I will be able to handle them while still meeting my responsibilities. I also state that I believe my experiences as a patient enrich my understanding of the field of medicine. What do you all think? Should I give my letter to UA and UC or not? TBH I think they'd realize something was up either way since I have one semester on my transcript which is entirely late withdrawals and deferrals. And I just feel better about myself if I am honest in my application. Also in some ways I do see it as an asset and want to discuss that aspect of my experience, though I would not feature it in a personal statement or anything of the sort. Thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
future_doc Posted August 17, 2010 Report Share Posted August 17, 2010 I agree with your approach, go for it. As regards U/T Essay, you can put a positive spin on it, by writing a compelling essay and somewhere near the end, in a by-the-way sort of way, causally mention your chronic illness and the challenges you overcame, thereby noy using it as a crutch - rather as a building character, overcoming supreme obstacles while maintaining highacademics in spite of severe obstacles. This, in my opinion, will have major impact upon the reader. As regards McGill, in your autobio, don't dwell on it, but deifintely mention it. Moreover, in your LORs for at least U/T & McGill, your referees, in advocating your acceptance, will mention your chronic illness and challlenges you overcame. When selecting your referees, be sure to give them, in addition to your transcript and V.C., a motivational letter (a somewhat changed Essay for U/T), so that they know all there is to know about you. Best of luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
future_doc Posted August 17, 2010 Report Share Posted August 17, 2010 I hope you enjoy the PMs! Welcome to the forum - what took you so long to register? Aren't you so glad that you did?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellorie Posted August 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2010 Heh TYVM I've just started my UT statement and it's quite an undertaking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
future_doc Posted August 17, 2010 Report Share Posted August 17, 2010 It is, indeed. Many. many drafts and long hours to get it just right. You need to catch the attention of the reader so the reader wants to meet you, therefore, it needs to be compelling and read well. Select your stories well. GL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azzurrifan87 Posted August 17, 2010 Report Share Posted August 17, 2010 Well when they look at your transcript they will see something is up. Sounds like it shouldn't hurt you if you're an Alberta resident since your marks are good but I'd play it safe and submit a letter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellorie Posted August 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2010 I just don't want them to think chronic illness = won't make it through med school = unfit to practice. But I think if I just tell the truth in a positive way, it should be fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
future_doc Posted August 17, 2010 Report Share Posted August 17, 2010 if I just tell the truth in a positive way, it should be fine. Yes, absolutely! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thami Posted August 17, 2010 Report Share Posted August 17, 2010 I just don't want them to think chronic illness = won't make it through med school = unfit to practice. But I think if I just tell the truth in a positive way, it should be fine. I'm in a very similar situation over here in BC! Keep on trucking =) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicoledc109 Posted August 18, 2010 Report Share Posted August 18, 2010 I agree with your approach, go for it. As regards U/T Essay, you can put a positive spin on it, by writing a compelling essay and somewhere near the end, in a by-the-way sort of way, causally mention your chronic illness and the challenges you overcame, thereby noy using it as a crutch - rather as a building character, overcoming supreme obstacles while maintaining highacademics in spite of severe obstacles. This, in my opinion, will have major impact upon the reader. As regards McGill, in your autobio, don't dwell on it, but deifintely mention it. Moreover, in your LORs for at least U/T & McGill, your referees, in advocating your acceptance, will mention your chronic illness and challlenges you overcame. When selecting your referees, be sure to give them, in addition to your transcript and V.C., a motivational letter (a somewhat changed Essay for U/T), so that they know all there is to know about you. Best of luck! I agree with you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
future_doc Posted August 18, 2010 Report Share Posted August 18, 2010 ^commercial troll Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tickytacky23 Posted August 18, 2010 Report Share Posted August 18, 2010 I was diagnosed with a chronic illness during my undergrad. This resulted in one semester where I had to drop almost all my courses and defer some exams (did well in them when I actually wrote) and another semester where my performance was impaired (still maintained a 3.6, but not as strong as my other semesters). I'm trying to figure out if it will help me or hurt me to write an additional letter, particularly to U Calgary and U Alberta because those are my top choice schools. Even with the crummy semester, my overall is 3.82 (it's 3.88 without). I know I will have to submit a letter to the SUPER competitive schools (UT and McGill OOP) if I want to be considered but I am struggling with whether or not to do so for UA and Calgary. In my letter, I spin it very positively. I state that I had to drop out of school one semester, but that this was because I had just been diagnosed and was not receiving treatment. I state that although I had another episode during [other impaired semester] I was able to remain in school and perform because I had learned to be self aware and manage my illness and I therefore believe that if any issues arise during MS I will be able to handle them while still meeting my responsibilities. I also state that I believe my experiences as a patient enrich my understanding of the field of medicine. What do you all think? Should I give my letter to UA and UC or not? TBH I think they'd realize something was up either way since I have one semester on my transcript which is entirely late withdrawals and deferrals. And I just feel better about myself if I am honest in my application. Also in some ways I do see it as an asset and want to discuss that aspect of my experience, though I would not feature it in a personal statement or anything of the sort. Thoughts? Hey, Just wanted to say how much I admire you for still trying for med with a chronic illness. I've gone through a similar situation over the past 2 years and my academics unforunately suffered as well. It's like learning a whole new way of living isn't it (living with a chronic illness). Anyways, just wanted to wish you luck, and I truely hope you make it, there needs to be more doctors that can really understand what it is to be a patient. I think it makes all the difference in the world! Good Luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr_horrible Posted August 18, 2010 Report Share Posted August 18, 2010 Hey, same story for me. I was diagnosed with Crohn's in my first year of UG. I was pretty lucky and only had a couple major flair ups that interfered with school, but when these happened, my GPA took a nose dive both times. I can't give you specific advice about U of A or U of C specifically, as I only applied to Ontario schools. But I did choose to mention my illness, and how long stints spent in the hospital affected my perspectives on medicine, in my interviews. My many experiences with the health care system after being diagnosed had a huge influence on why I want to be a doctor, and what kind of doctor I want to be. Couldn't not discuss it without having to make something up when asked "why meds"? I had the same fears about revealing my illness and shooting myself in the foot with an ad com. But I took the risk, brought it up at both of my interviews, and received acceptances at both schools. Can't say if discussing it helped me, but I don't think it hurt. I understand what kind of stuff you probably had to get to to get to the point of applying for medicine today. Now is the time you get to pull the positives from a negative aspect, and show how strong and capable living with a chronic illness has made you. I would def recommend discussing your illness, as a way of highlighting your strengths, in your statements. Good luck! I was diagnosed with a chronic illness during my undergrad. This resulted in one semester where I had to drop almost all my courses and defer some exams (did well in them when I actually wrote) and another semester where my performance was impaired (still maintained a 3.6, but not as strong as my other semesters). I'm trying to figure out if it will help me or hurt me to write an additional letter, particularly to U Calgary and U Alberta because those are my top choice schools. Even with the crummy semester, my overall is 3.82 (it's 3.88 without). I know I will have to submit a letter to the SUPER competitive schools (UT and McGill OOP) if I want to be considered but I am struggling with whether or not to do so for UA and Calgary. In my letter, I spin it very positively. I state that I had to drop out of school one semester, but that this was because I had just been diagnosed and was not receiving treatment. I state that although I had another episode during [other impaired semester] I was able to remain in school and perform because I had learned to be self aware and manage my illness and I therefore believe that if any issues arise during MS I will be able to handle them while still meeting my responsibilities. I also state that I believe my experiences as a patient enrich my understanding of the field of medicine. What do you all think? Should I give my letter to UA and UC or not? TBH I think they'd realize something was up either way since I have one semester on my transcript which is entirely late withdrawals and deferrals. And I just feel better about myself if I am honest in my application. Also in some ways I do see it as an asset and want to discuss that aspect of my experience, though I would not feature it in a personal statement or anything of the sort. Thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.