People Who Stutter and PhD Requirements

Graduate School
1

<p>This is kind of long and drawn out so just skip to the last part for the question if you’re short on time.</p>

<p>I’m a person who stutters and I aspire to enter a PhD program in molecular biology, biochemistry, or pharmacology after completing my bachelors in two years. Although I don’t stutter 24/7, I stutter the majority of the time and I am classified as a severe stutterer. It’s severe enough that public speaking has become nearly impossible for me in the last few years. To put it into perspective, I had to give a 30 min, 15 slide presentation about gene therapy in one of my courses last semester and I only managed to get through 2 slides in 10 mins. It was absolutely awful. I probably could have finished, but it would have gone well over 30 mins and it would have been uncomfortable for me (physically, mentally, and emotionally) and my audience.</p>

<p>I’ve been battling my stuttering for about 13 years now and it’s something I continue to work on and become comfortable with. I feel like I could be a GREAT scientist but I haven’t quite figured out how to be a great scientist who stutters. Of course I’ll have to give a million presentations and that’s something I’ve come to terms with. But after doing my research on PhD programs, I’m also finding out that most programs have a teaching requirement. It’s one thing to stutter infront of a room of people who are just interested in your research, but it’s another thing to stutter infront of people who’s careers depend on the content of what you’re saying.</p>

<p>So my question is: How accommodating are grad schools to people with disabilities? If a person clearly isn’t fit to effectively teach a course, can that requirement be waived? Am I forced to steer clear of programs that have teaching requirements?</p>

<p>Edit: I have no desire to work in academia BTW. I’m hoping to go into industry after my PhD.</p>

2

<p>Most programs don’t require (or expect) you to teach an actual course. You’ll be a TA, in a considerably more informal setting than a lecture. I usually hold my TA sessions in my group’s lunch/conference room because it feels a lot more casual and is easier to get students talking than if it’s held in a lecture hall.</p>

<p>Have you tried seeking professional help for your speaking problem? One of my good friends used to have a similar issue speaking in front of groups (except instead of a stutter, they would just stand there completely silent unable to talk). The only thing that really helped solve the problem for them was a lot of practice with smaller groups or friends, so then going up and speaking in front of a larger, unknown crowd became somewhat less terrifying.</p>

3

<p>OP: It may limit your TA opportunities (as some professors will want someone who can and will give lectures) but it should not keep you out of any programs. I am not sure to what extent a stutter is considered a disability - never looked into it - but if it IS so classified then there will be protections and assistance. Even if it is not, I really doubt it will be a big issue most places.</p>