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Started by KendallJennerSniperLady69
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@LunaOri @Goro @LizzyM @Catalystik I see that you often provide advice on topics like this, so I hope you don't mind me tagging you here asking for advice 😳
 
I am assuming both of these topics will be discussed somewhere in your application. As for which one should be utilized for the adversity/challenge/accomplishment essay it will depend on which one can best be utilized as a canvas to display the attributes medical schools are looking for. Judging from your post, I would advocate you choose the creation of the system for COVID response. However, if you participated in any LGBTQ+ outreach/volunteer/research or can somehow show that you not only grew but helped others to grow as well it would definitely pull it ahead.
 
If you assume that 10% of college students are LGBTQ+, you will realize that coming out stories, while heart-felt, are not something that will help you stand out.
I think that the challenge of developing a system to help a population that is otherwise underserved to access health care during the pandemic is a bit more novel and thus more intersting to adcoms who read as many as 700 applications/year. You want the reader to say, "Oh, how intersting! What strength! I'd like to meet this applicant!"
 
KendallJennerSniperLady69 said:
*please do not quote this post*
Hi all,

What would be a better adversity/challenge/accomplishment essay topic?:

1. Coming out (more details below)
2. Designing and implementing a system that has helped maintain necessary access to healthcare during the pandemic (being intentionally vague here, but basically, I made it possible for a certain patient population needing care to be able to receive it conveniently).

In all honesty, I would say that my greatest accomplishment in the last few years is finally coming out to my friends and becoming accepting/comfortable with my own sexuality. My parents are not accepting of LGBTQ+ identities, and growing up, they talked about LGBTQ+ people as shameful, not normal, etc. (I have a few very telling memories of some things they have said to me that still stick with me to this day that I can talk about...), and so I struggled a lot with denial/lack of self esteem when going through high school/college, feeling like I could never be truly free and enjoy my life. I constantly felt like I was living a dishonest life because I was struggling so much internally with my sexuality, and when I finally gathered the courage to come out to my friends I felt like my life changed dramatically for the better.

However, I'm afraid that this sounds too selfish? I can definitely spin it to making me a more empathetic and tactful person (I'm pretty sure nobody suspected it, but I suffered a lot internally because of this struggle, and a lot of that was because of being placed in uncomfortable situations regarding my sexuality, including in healthcare settings) that is very cautious about navigating people's insecurities, fears, and areas of discomfort.
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#1 all the way. Takes a hell of a lot of bravery to do that.

Just don't apply to LUCOM or Loma Linda.
 
Monkeymojo said:
I am assuming both of these topics will be discussed somewhere in your application. As for which one should be utilized for the adversity/challenge/accomplishment essay it will depend on which one can best be utilized as a canvas to display the attributes medical schools are looking for. Judging from your post, I would advocate you choose the creation of the system for COVID response. However, if you participated in any LGBTQ+ outreach/volunteer/research or can somehow show that you not only grew but helped others to grow as well it would definitely pull it ahead.
Click to expand...

Hmm, good point. This is specifically for NYU's secondary prompt regarding a "personal accomplishment" that is not academic in nature. I haven't really been a part of any LGBTQ+ focused activities, but I am part of a free-clinic org that is *very* LGBTQ+ positive and supportive, and I joined in large part because of that reason. I suppose I leaned more towards the coming out story because it felt more "personal" to me. Thanks for the feedback! I may have to write both essays out and see which feels more powerful.

LizzyM said:
If you assume that 10% of college students are LGBTQ+, you will realize that coming out stories, while heart-felt, are not something that will help you stand out.
I think that the challenge of developing a system to help a population that is otherwise underserved to access health care during the pandemic is a bit more novel and thus more intersting to adcoms who read as many as 700 applications/year. You want the reader to say, "Oh, how intersting! What strength! I'd like to meet this applicant!"
Click to expand...

Actually, the adaptations I implemented weren't for an underserved population, but they were for a very healthcare-needy population of patients (needy because managing their disease requires a lot of healthcare resources). I can't really go into more detail for privacy reasons. Would it still be more worth talking about than my coming out journey?

To be more specific, this is for NYU's prompt asking for my proudest "personal" accomplishment. I guess I gravitated towards my coming out story because it definitely is one of *the most* personal accomplishments in my life thus far. Do you think the prompt's emphasis on "personal accomplishment" changes anything? I agree I shouldn't ignore being strategic during this process.


Goro said:
#1 all the way. Takes a hell of a lot of bravery to do that.

Just don't apply to LUCOM or Loma Linda.
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😵I feel so conflicted because from what I observed you and @LizzyM are huge contributors towards helping pre-meds out on this forum, and now I'm looking at two differing opinions from the both of you.

I'm not applying to either of those schools. Anyways, even though you're a stranger on the internet, reading your reply was really touching :') . I definitely feel drawn towards writing about coming out, but of course I should be thoughtful about what's more strategic (which feels kinda wrong lol).
 
Which can you speak about most passionately and which most aligns with the story your application tells?
 
KendallJennerSniperLady69 said:
Actually, the adaptations I implemented weren't for an underserved population, but they were for a very healthcare-needy population of patients (needy because managing their disease requires a lot of healthcare resources).
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I think that we are arguing semantics and your "healthcare-needy population" is my "underserved population". If they need a lot of healthcare resources that they aren't getting in the usual scheme of things, then I'd call them underserved. Either way, it is, to me, a more interesting and unusual story that coming out.
 
I wonder if your #2's specifics will affect the decision. I'm gonna take a guess and say you are referring to helping people with STD's or Trans people find treatment. If that's the case, I wonder if that would be looked at differently than if you were talking about helping uninsured people find care or something.

Not saying it should or shouldn't.

Do those wiser than I think that would be something to consider? Or would it likely not affect the perception?
 
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