Challenge/Adversity essay topic question

[2019App]

Struggling with this one, I'm fairly white-bread and blessed in my life with a well-rounded/average application but no great stories of overcoming adversity/resiliency.

One idea - for my 1st 3 years in college I was undoubtedly going to apply after my JR year and matriculate right after graduating, but a year ago I realized I wasn't ready and put those dreams on hold. I felt somewhat defeated making that decision at the time, but my app would have been weak. Now, a year later my app is looking so much better (4.0 this year, internship in a free clinic last summer, started an EMS job last month, etc). Is there a good story to tell here, absent any other great challenges (that aren't too personal to share...)?

Knowing what I know now, it seems I'm not alone in not having been in position to apply after my JR year but I didn't know then what I know now.

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[Dr. Let 'er Buck]

This is a bit tough, but you're certainly not the only person who hasn't had a significant struggle.

Have you had to watch as others struggled? Maybe a familial situation or someone close to you? If so, you could focus on how that made you see adversity clearly or something to that effect.

 

[2019App]

Hmmm, let me think about looking at it from that angle and see if something comes to mind.

 

[Rachapkis]

Adversity can also be situational--e.g., an internal conflict in a research lab or in an organization that you had to overcome. The key is to describe the difficult situation, how you adapted and arrived at a better place, and what you learned from the experience.