I don’t usually post because I’m very private but I felt compelled to respond to your post.

I would not bring it up.

Here’s the reality, as I see it. There are countless people who are also medical school applicants who have been abused, raped, beaten, or suffered terrible losses and the like. I am one of those people, I know many people who are like us.

Of course it affects you, probably every single part of you and of course it ends up fucking with your shit at some point.

The thing is, unless it can be explained in one sentence ie “my entire family was killed in front of my eyes” then you get stuck either being vague (which makes you look dramatic) or spending a significant amount of time talking about it (which makes it look like you haven’t gotten over it and are still damaged and unpredictable).

Whether it’s right or wrong, I think a lot of people subconsciously label people with these histories as damaged and unreliable. Unless you have a genuine sob story that is straightforward and not complex, preferably verifiable via a flattering news article, and has a neat and clean resolution, I would not get into it. I have seen a lot of people with these complex backgrounds shoot themselves in the foot by dragging out their demons in the professional setting.

On a personal note, stop blaming this history for the outcomes you don’t like. I’m not saying that the abuse you suffered didn’t contribute to whatever issues you have. But a person who has matured and processed these things in a meaningful way will seek to distance themselves from their identity as a victim and move on from their past actions.