Adversity Essay Idea

[jconnell82760]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Trying to brainstorm/prewrite for some generic secondary prompts. For the "overcoming adversity" essay would this be considered too personal as it doesn't directly apply to my path to medicine?

I grew up in a very small town in NW WI, very traditional/religious town. My best friend (girl) and I (girl) were stereotyped into the "good/smart/athletic" kids group and often view two-dimensionally in that way. My senior year we started dating, or tried to, but the school/town/her family reacted very badly. I was basically shunned; other students attempted to kick me off the basketball team because of it and my dad (who worked at the school) had his job threatened because of my relationship. I went through some difficult times where I look back now and definitely think I had many symptoms of a depressive episode. In the end I made it through and learned that I can't place my value in how others see me and live my life making others happy. I had to deal with conflicting stereotypes and learn to be myself rather than fit any stereotypes others assign to me. I feel like this really affects my relationships and friendships now.

That is the main thing that sticks out in my head whenever I read those prompts so I feel like that is a sign that it is what I should write about, but how would it come across to be talking about a HS relationship in a medical school application?

 

[SpoiledMilk]

In the end I made it through and learned that I can't place my value in how others see me and live my life making others happy. I had to deal with conflicting stereotypes and learn to be myself rather than fit any stereotypes others assign to me. I feel like this really affects my relationships and friendships now.

The experience made you grow as a person and made you the person you are today and going forward. So I think it would be a good adversity essay.

 

[CyrilFiggis]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if I reduce this down to the most basic idea here, you are LGBT and started dating another female in high school. You faced backlash from the community and it affected not only you but also your family.

If that's the main story here, go with it. I'm not saying the rest of it isn't important, but most secondaries have limited character counts and it may be better served for you to focus on one main conflict/adversity and expound upon it rather than mix in other things.

 

[Goro]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if I reduce this down to the most basic idea here, you are LGBT and started dating another female in high school. You faced backlash from the community and it affected not only you but also your family.

If that's the main story here, go with it. I'm not saying the rest of it isn't important, but most secondaries have limited character counts and it may be better served for you to focus on one main conflict/adversity and expound upon it rather than mix in other things.

Agree 100%

 

[DaddyCool]

Of course it looks too personal. If your goal is making coming out or drawing attention to your personality, then this would be a good way) But better write something standard

 

[Nathan17182]

Trying to brainstorm/prewrite for some generic secondary prompts. For the "overcoming adversity" essay would this be considered too personal as it doesn't directly apply to my path to medicine?

I grew up in a very small town in NW WI, very traditional/religious town. My best friend (girl) and I (girl) were stereotyped into the "good/smart/athletic" kids group and often view two-dimensionally in that way. My senior year we started dating, or tried to, but the school/town/her family reacted very badly. I was basically shunned; other students attempted to kick me off the basketball team because of it and my dad (who worked at the school) had his job threatened because of my relationship. I went through some difficult times where I look back now and definitely think I had many symptoms of a depressive episode. In the end I made it through and learned that I can't place my value in how others see me and live my life making others happy. I had to deal with conflicting stereotypes and learn to be myself rather than fit any stereotypes others assign to me. I feel like this really affects my relationships and friendships now.

That is the main thing that sticks out in my head whenever I read those prompts so I feel like that is a sign that it is what I should write about, but how would it come across to be talking about a HS relationship in a medical school application?

If being LGBT is a big part your identity today then definitely write about it! Like others have said you’ll have to cut some stuff out, just focus in on backlash you faced for trying to date your best friend (how you felt and how you reacted) then make sure you spend sometime on how you overcame the prejudice, what you’ve learned, and how this will make you a better doctor. I mentioned coming out and issues I faced with that in some of my essays and have gotten good reactions and genuine interest from it. Good luck!