Bringing up red flags in personal statement

[Midnight_oil]

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I've seen threads like this before, none ever seem to come to a clear consensus on how to approach it. It's the proverbial "address it head on" vs. "don't point out a zit on your own face" situation. What's the current gestalt on this principle?

Decent application regarding everything except step scores (how unfortunate). 20X STEP 1 and 21X Step 2. Obviously I have test-taking issues, it's not lost on me. Never failed anything though, fine on shelf exams, high honored a few rotations (my specialty interest included), solid research, lots of volunteering and leadership, etc.

So...to tackle it head on? Or just have a tidy answer when the question inevitably comes up?

thx

 

[naijacardriodoc]

you do not need to bring this is up in your personal statement......if it comes up in an interview that's where you can address it....but you passed everything so its not a red flag

 

[M&L]

Just a medical student, -but my friend was a similar situation. So, my friend talked about it with advisors, and they said that, as long as your score is within the range, dont explain it in the essays (unless they directly ask about it during interviews). Own it, be proud - you passed. This might have not be the score you hoped for, but you passed! And you did amazing in other aspects of medical school. So they advised by friend to focus on the strengths and unique amazing things about her in the essays to diverge attention from the scores per se.

I look at it like dating, - lets say i have a flaw that i am self-conscious about, - for example, i am very overweight (i used to be, so its easy for me to relate), and i go out on a date with a person. So consider the impression that i will give if i start explaining why i am overweight? It is going to just drive people away, because it shows that i am focusing on the negatives, and i am not confident about who i am. on the other hand, if i am talking about other things, that make me an amazing human being, my date might think "oh, look at that girl! she is so confident, competent, interesting! I would love to get to know her more!"

I apologize for dating analogy, but any interview, - medical school, residency, jobs, is very similar to dating, so i found that it might be easier to explain it this way.
in short: focus on your "positives".

 

[Tenk]

Do not bring this up unless specifically asked. It will just make you look like you’re insecure and making excuses. Also, since you didn’t fail I don’t think people will bring this up unless they are an ass.

 

[Chelsea FC]

Would you bring up your red flags on a first date?

 

[ciestar]

Do not bring this up unless specifically asked. It will just make you look like you’re insecure and making excuses. Also, since you didn’t fail I don’t think people will bring this up unless they are an ass.

My step 1 score was garbage and not one of my interviewers brought it up. I was told I had an excellent PS which helped a lot.