Advice on Including Family Illnesses in the Personal Statement

[mashinator]

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I've been researching around for personal statement advice but haven't found anything related to the following circumstances

(i) I lived at home during my 4 years at college as mom and dad were having health issues (both had chronic illnesses and other conditions like strep, depression) and younger siblings were still in middle and high school. So I took over multiple parental and caring roles during my college life - never partied to be a stable and good role model, (although I did make time to hang with friends, so I didn't feel that my college experience was hindered). In addition, family members came to visit from abroad (new immigrants) and had several health issues, for which I acted as liaison, taking one to a free clinic, helping another understand her health reports, helping them transition to Obamacare, etc. Other individuals in my close family have died/are disabled owing to other illnesses as well.

Honestly, these factors have played a strong role in igniting my desire to pursue medical studies. Do you think this is worth including? I have parts in my essay related to education and research and am looking to include something related with clinical experience. My education and research experiences are extremely personal and instrumental to my decision to pursue a MD & MD/PhD in this upcoming cycle. I have shadowed, but, personally, these health care experiences match much better to my life story, help answer 'why medicine' and align better with the other parts of my PS. I want to just go ahead and include it, but, I value SDN's expertise so what do you guys think?

Edit: Closest thing I found, although it doesn't completely answer my query...
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/thr...ating-circumstances-health-issues-etc.821255/

 

[technician]

I've been researching around for personal statement advice but haven't found anything related to the following circumstances

(i) I lived at home during my 4 years at college as mom and dad were having health issues (both had chronic illnesses and other conditions like strep, depression) and younger siblings were still in middle and high school. So I took over multiple parental and caring roles during my college life - never partied to be a stable and good role model, (although I did make time to hang with friends, so I didn't feel that my college experience was hindered). In addition, family members came to visit from abroad (new immigrants) and had several health issues, for which I acted as liaison, taking one to a free clinic, helping another understand her health reports, helping them transition to Obamacare, etc. Other individuals in my close family have died/are disabled owing to other illnesses as well.

Honestly, these factors have played a strong role in igniting my desire to pursue medical studies. Do you think this is worth including? I have parts in my essay related to education and research and am looking to include something related with clinical experience. My education and research experiences are extremely personal and instrumental to my decision to pursue a MD & MD/PhD in this upcoming cycle. I have shadowed, but, personally, these health care experiences match much better to my life story, help answer 'why medicine' and align better with the other parts of my PS. I want to just go ahead and include it, but, I value SDN's expertise so what do you guys think?

Edit: Closest thing I found, although it doesn't completely answer my query...
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/thr...ating-circumstances-health-issues-etc.821255/

I used family illness in my PS. I said that having done patient care and being with my mom through her cancer treatment gave me "perspective" (in more words). I would have many people read over your PS in order to make sure you aren't coming across as someone who is less well rounded because of your experiences nor is someone who is trying to garner sympathy (these experiences should empower you not hold you back). Med schools also want to make sure you have enough support to be successful so be careful there too. I can't say whether or not you should include it because it depends on the rest of your motivating factors for applying. PM me if you want to discuss further. Good luck.

 

[the_fella]

I have a similar situation. My mother is quite ill both physically and psychologically. She is ambulatory, but rather dependent on me for care. She also never attended high school, so I'm the first person in my immediate family to do so (much less graduate college and grad school). But anyway, I decided to go into medicine due in no small part to watching the many doctors interact with my mother over the years.

 

[Tappinfool66]

My dad had three strokes and was pretty much fully handicapped afterward. I left school for a year and a half to take care of him and wrote about how thinking back on the experience made me realize why I wanted to be a doctor - to be able to help other people in the way that I helped my dad, by healing and consoling. So I'd say that if you can relate your experience with a sick loved one to your reasons for pursuing medicine, go ahead and write about it. Mine came up in all of my interviews and I've had a pretty successful cycle so far so I think if you go about it in a way that doesn't sound like you're trying to get people to pity you, it can work really well.

 

[mashinator]

I used family illness in my PS. I said that having done patient care and being with my mom through her cancer treatment gave me "perspective" (in more words). I would have many people read over your PS in order to make sure you aren't coming across as someone who is less well rounded because of your experiences nor is someone who is trying to garner sympathy (these experiences should empower you not hold you back). Med schools also want to make sure you have enough support to be successful so be careful there too. I can't say whether or not you should include it because it depends on the rest of your motivating factors for applying. PM me if you want to discuss further. Good luck.

Thanks!

I have a similar situation. My mother is quite ill both physically and psychologically. She is ambulatory, but rather dependent on me for care. She also never attended high school, so I'm the first person in my immediate family to do so (much less graduate college and grad school). But anyway, I decided to go into medicine due in no small part to watching the many doctors interact with my mother over the years.

I see, how did that work for you during applications?

My dad had three strokes and was pretty much fully handicapped afterward. I left school for a year and a half to take care of him and wrote about how thinking back on the experience made me realize why I wanted to be a doctor - to be able to help other people in the way that I helped my dad, by healing and consoling. So I'd say that if you can relate your experience with a sick loved one to your reasons for pursuing medicine, go ahead and write about it. Mine came up in all of my interviews and I've had a pretty successful cycle so far so I think if you go about it in a way that doesn't sound like you're trying to get people to pity you, it can work really well.

Thanks for your insight from prior experience. Sorry to hear about your dad. Was he able to recover enough to live on his own again? In my case, my volunteer and research experiences have been directed by my desire to help advance the field of a certain illness (or at least understand how to be a contributing scientist) and my volunteer activities are also in the same vein (although I do branch out somewhat, as some of my volunteer activities were not opportunities that I created, just things people have asked me to do). I definitely do not want people to pity me. It's been weird bringing all of this up in my PS, as I usually keep these thoughts to myself. Having to put it all on paper has been a little disconcerting. If I do mention it, I was thinking of just two or three sentences, not even an entire anecdote. Does that sound reasonable?

 

[ladyterp]

I applied md/phd (only) this cycle, and I included a personal story of my experience with a family member with a chronic health condition. My research interests are quite related, as well. Your quote, "It's been weird bringing all of this up in my PS, as I usually keep these thoughts to myself. Having to put it all on paper has been a little disconcerting." resonates with me closely. My PS was about 1/3 family story, 1/3 about a meaningful research experience, and 1/3 how those come together to influence my desire to pursue md/phd training. My PS came up in probably 50% of my interviews. I've been fortunate to receive 2 acceptances already, and I'm still waiting to hear back from 4 other places post-interview. From what you've written, it seems like this experience has really shaped your desire to pursue this kind of professional training, so I'd say stay true to yourself and write about what has deeply inspired you. Your ideas of having several people read it over is never a bad idea either. Best of luck!

 

[hellanutella]

I've been researching around for personal statement advice but haven't found anything related to the following circumstances

(i) I lived at home during my 4 years at college as mom and dad were having health issues (both had chronic illnesses and other conditions like strep, depression) and younger siblings were still in middle and high school. So I took over multiple parental and caring roles during my college life - never partied to be a stable and good role model, (although I did make time to hang with friends, so I didn't feel that my college experience was hindered). In addition, family members came to visit from abroad (new immigrants) and had several health issues, for which I acted as liaison, taking one to a free clinic, helping another understand her health reports, helping them transition to Obamacare, etc. Other individuals in my close family have died/are disabled owing to other illnesses as well.

Honestly, these factors have played a strong role in igniting my desire to pursue medical studies. Do you think this is worth including? I have parts in my essay related to education and research and am looking to include something related with clinical experience. My education and research experiences are extremely personal and instrumental to my decision to pursue a MD & MD/PhD in this upcoming cycle. I have shadowed, but, personally, these health care experiences match much better to my life story, help answer 'why medicine' and align better with the other parts of my PS. I want to just go ahead and include it, but, I value SDN's expertise so what do you guys think?

Edit: Closest thing I found, although it doesn't completely answer my query...
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/thr...ating-circumstances-health-issues-etc.821255/

Wow – your first few sentences pretty much described my experiences to a T.

Back when I was brainstorming my PS I wrestled with the idea of whether or not to make it about my familial experiences. Echoing @ladyterp (who has awesome advice) your statement of "It's been weird bringing all of this up in my PS, as I usually keep these thoughts to myself" also rang true with me. In my parents' cultures, illness is a very personal, private matter so it was always something I refrained from discussing. I went through several drafts where I avoided the topic and rehashed some shadowing anecdotes, but in the end each one felt insincere and lacklustre. For the PS you want something you can talk about earnestly and enthusiastically – something at the very heart of your desire to pursue medicine. Though I was initially worried that "family illness" was an old and tired PS trope, I later came to realize that the merit of a PS is not gauged upon "uniqueness." A good PS answers the question "Why medicine?" as directly and passionately as possible.

In the end, my PS focused almost entirely on the relationship I had with a parent's illness and how, over the course of my life, these experiences gradually drew me to medicine. The sacrifices I had to make in college were only mentioned briefly and indirectly because I didn't feel like they contributed to my motivation to pursue medicine (these I reserved for the "greatest challenge" secondary essays). I didn't even mention any of my research, since I figured the activity sections would provide me ample room. Keep in mind for the PS there's a million ways to skin a cat – and no hard-set formula for a good PS. Include as much or as little information you are comfortable with.

Good luck!

 

[NeuResurgens]

A ton of people probably do it, so it likely won't set you apart or be a big attention grabber. HOWEVER, highlighting what you've learned, how that's influenced your passion for medicine and how that gives you perspective about caring for people, that will be what admissions people will look for. I imagine it could be a big help for medical schools to understand how sympathetic you will be for people because you too have experienced it. It shows that you'll be a doctor with good bedside manner.

 

[gyngyn]

Family illness/death is the most common element in a PS for medical school.

 

[Psai]

Family illness/death is the most common element in a PS for medical school.

They're all unique flowers though of course

 

[gyngyn]

They're all unique flowers though of course

It is the commonality of this experience that, when well expressed, makes it relevant.

 

[Goro]

Concur.

Family illness/death is the most common element in a PS for medical school.

 

[mashinator]

I applied md/phd (only) this cycle, and I included a personal story of my experience with a family member with a chronic health condition. My research interests are quite related, as well. Your quote, "It's been weird bringing all of this up in my PS, as I usually keep these thoughts to myself. Having to put it all on paper has been a little disconcerting." resonates with me closely. My PS was about 1/3 family story, 1/3 about a meaningful research experience, and 1/3 how those come together to influence my desire to pursue md/phd training. My PS came up in probably 50% of my interviews. I've been fortunate to receive 2 acceptances already, and I'm still waiting to hear back from 4 other places post-interview. From what you've written, it seems like this experience has really shaped your desire to pursue this kind of professional training, so I'd say stay true to yourself and write about what has deeply inspired you. Your ideas of having several people read it over is never a bad idea either. Best of luck!

Thanks for the inspiration and knowledge from your personal experience!

Wow – your first few sentences pretty much described my experiences to a T.

Back when I was brainstorming my PS I wrestled with the idea of whether or not to make it about my familial experiences. Echoing @ladyterp (who has awesome advice) your statement of "It's been weird bringing all of this up in my PS, as I usually keep these thoughts to myself" also rang true with me. In my parents' cultures, illness is a very personal, private matter so it was always something I refrained from discussing. I went through several drafts where I avoided the topic and rehashed some shadowing anecdotes, but in the end each one felt insincere and lacklustre. For the PS you want something you can talk about earnestly and enthusiastically – something at the very heart of your desire to pursue medicine. Though I was initially worried that "family illness" was an old and tired PS trope, I later came to realize that the merit of a PS is not gauged upon "uniqueness." A good PS answers the question "Why medicine?" as directly and passionately as possible.

In the end, my PS focused almost entirely on the relationship I had with a parent's illness and how, over the course of my life, these experiences gradually drew me to medicine. The sacrifices I had to make in college were only mentioned briefly and indirectly because I didn't feel like they contributed to my motivation to pursue medicine (these I reserved for the "greatest challenge" secondary essays). I didn't even mention any of my research, since I figured the activity sections would provide me ample room. Keep in mind for the PS there's a million ways to skin a cat – and no hard-set formula for a good PS. Include as much or as little information you are comfortable with.

Good luck!

I like your approach and want to do something similar - focusing on how the illness nurtured my interest in medicine over time, instead of giving a story full of sadness and hardship.
"Keep in mind for the PS there's a million ways to skin a cat – and no hard-set formula for a good PS." Wise yet, mildly distressing mental image there, ha ha. I get the message though!

A ton of people probably do it, so it likely won't set you apart or be a big attention grabber. HOWEVER, highlighting what you've learned, how that's influenced your passion for medicine and how that gives you perspective about caring for people, that will be what admissions people will look for. I imagine it could be a big help for medical schools to understand how sympathetic you will be for people because you too have experienced it. It shows that you'll be a doctor with good bedside manner.

As it is super common (indicated by 2 members a little after your post), I didn't want it to be a central focus on my PS. I did however want to link it to my reason of pursuing medicine. If I understand correctly, a good PS should describe why your life experiences and decisions (especially after starting college) have led to your decision to pursue a career in medicine. For my PS, I wanted to start by talking about my variety of experiences with low-income and immigrant populations -> how I have a strong connection to them as I have literally been in these circumstances throughout my life -> transition to my endeavors in research and its relevance, at least to me, in pursuing medicine -> transition to how I took this research as an opportunity to expand on what I've been experiencing in my family life -> talk about the illnesses and how I have an ability to relate to a lot of patients because of my various experiences -> end with a conclusion based on all these stories. Sounds reasonable?

They're all unique flowers though of course

I hope my PS is included in that bunch of flowers 🙄

Family illness/death is the most common element in a PS for medical school.

It is the commonality of this experience that, when well expressed, makes it relevant.

Thanks for giving it to me straight. I really want to talk about unique medical exposure (most of which has happened in my youth when I lived abroad) but I think it is fairly important to talk about current things, like someone mentioned in a thread somewhere in SDN, perhaps not in these exact words, "Experiences in your youth plant a seed, how did you nurture and water your passion for medicine since then?" Also, I was hoping you could expand on the last point about the commonality. I think, if I understood correctly, the focus should be on describing how the family illness makes you a better future doctor as you can relate to a bunch of people with similar circumstances and perhaps only then is it acceptable to mention in the PS?

 

[NeuResurgens]

As it is super common (indicated by 2 members a little after your post), I didn't want it to be a central focus on my PS. I did however want to link it to my reason of pursuing medicine. If I understand correctly, a good PS should describe why your life experiences and decisions (especially after starting college) have led to your decision to pursue a career in medicine. For my PS, I wanted to start by talking about my variety of experiences with low-income and immigrant populations -> how I have a strong connection to them as I have literally been in these circumstances throughout my life -> transition to my endeavors in research and its relevance, at least to me, in pursuing medicine -> transition to how I took this research as an opportunity to expand on what I've been experiencing in my family life -> talk about the illnesses and how I have an ability to relate to a lot of patients because of my various experiences -> end with a conclusion based on all these stories. Sounds reasonable?

This sounds like a great idea, and is pretty much the approach I'm going to take with mine. Using personal experiences as an evidence of your passion for medicine and your desire to help people is what it comes down to. The purpose of the paper is really to show them why medicine is your ultimate goal. The world needs doctors who are not only proficient in medical science, but also in healing, which entails empathy, patience and caring. Using your experiences with family health issues, if done tactfully, can help someone see why you might possess these qualities and can contribute to the overall theme of your PS.

 

[mashinator]

This sounds like a great idea, and is pretty much the approach I'm going to take with mine. Using personal experiences as an evidence of your passion for medicine and your desire to help people is what it comes down to. The purpose of the paper is really to show them why medicine is your ultimate goal. The world needs doctors who are not only proficient in medical science, but also in healing, which entails empathy, patience and caring. Using your experiences with family health issues, if done tactfully, can help someone see why you might possess these qualities and can contribute to the overall theme of your PS.

Thanks!