Best option for "time you displayed resilience?"

[partypantss]

So a secondary question asks about a time you had to show resilience to accomplish your goals. Which topic do you think would be best to talk about:

1. Senior year of highschool I was obese (275+ lb's) and in a matter of half the school year, I lost about 80 pounds (I talked about this in my PS since it's what led me to major in Kinesiology.)

2. A dog sledding trip in Minnesota where I lived outside in -20 degree weather for about 10 days and learned how to survive in harsh conditions.

3. My first semester of college I struggled with grades (ended up with a 3.05) since I didn't know how to study yet.

4. Something about my dad dying last year and staying focused on school (not really sure how I would spin this one.)

As you can see, I'm lucky enough to only really have first world problems to talk about.

Thoughts?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Psai]

"by slogging my way through all of these inane questions"

i like the first topic
i would go with the second topic though since you already talked about the first one in your personal statement
third one i would avoid because you don't want to highlight a low gpa
fourth one avoid too if you don't know where you're going with it. it might be too hard to write it without coming off as digging for sympathy

 

[Pastamahn]

A lot of schools, even if they don't explicitly say it, don't like to see grades or MCAT themed essays for these type of prompts. I would go with the first or second idea.

 

[VlLLVGE]

Dog sledding in -20 deg weather sounds most interesting to me. If I've read through your PS about weight loss I don't want to revisit it or I'll be bored.

 

[Catalystik]

Dog sledding.

 

[mimelim]

First or second are fine. These prompts are less about what you are talking about and more about how you talk about them and how they impacted you.

I certainly would not bring up grades in a prompt. That is what transcripts are for.

 

[partypantss]

Thanks everyone, I will go with the dog sledding trip since it wasn't in my PS or anywhere else on my amcas.

 

[Oh_Gee]

combine all of them into an uber secondary

 

[CaliforniaDreamer]

I am wondering about similar prompts, is it asking for a specific moment/period of time where you faced a challenge? Like, a few days or weeks? Or could you talk about longer term subjects?

 

[Salt Salt]

I vote #1

 

[VitaminVater]

@partypantss
I believe you owe us at least 1 photo of the cute doggies on the dogsledding team for SDN helping ya out

 

[partypantss]

@partypantss
I believe you owe us at least 1 photo of the cute doggies on the dogsledding team for SDN helping ya out

Aww I would if I had any.. We couldn't bring our cell phones so there really aren't many pictures from the trip and I don't think I have any of the dogs. They were some amazing dogs though.

 

[partypantss]

I am wondering about similar prompts, is it asking for a specific moment/period of time where you faced a challenge? Like, a few days or weeks? Or could you talk about longer term subjects?

I imagine either could work.. For example, if you had a rough childhood that could probably be a really good talking point for some people. I'm fortunate enough to have a pretty privileged upbringing so all I really have are short-term "challenges."

 

[Gandyy]

First or second are fine. These prompts are less about what you are talking about and more about how you talk about them and how they impacted you.

I certainly would not bring up grades in a prompt. That is what transcripts are for.

The only time it would be ok to bring grades up is if a question literally asks you to explain withdraws and/or poor academic performance correct?

 

[Gandyy]

combine all of them into an uber secondary

"Uber secondary"


That is all

 

[mimelim]

The only time it would be ok to bring grades up is if a question literally asks you to explain withdraws and/or poor academic performance correct?

Yes.