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I was wondering which would be the best to write the diversity statement on. Feel free to suggest combining topics, I would probably prefer that anyways. Thanks!
Diversity:
1) Talk about my upbringing in a low-income (qualified for some govt assistance, rejected from others) Asian-immigrant household with my family struggling to assimilate. At home, I was basically the budget English interpreter for my family starting at a young age. Though I was born in the US, due to my home environment still felt torn between my culture at home and“American culture”. I worked with this community as a medical interpreter and advocate for years during undergrad, although in a different city. At home and at the clinic, I saw and understood the similar themes, challenges, and beliefs, some conflicts with Western medicine. My community/schools growing up were predominantly composed of immigrants from different ethnic groups.
2) Went to underperforming schools, a first-generation student, had little to no guidance from family and very few resources provided to me. Violence, drugs, gangs were prevalent at my schools, had a few incidents involving people I knew (I mentioned the most impactful one in my PS). Had to navigate through transitioning into college and finding opportunities in college, especially being a “well-rounded” person despite the lack of guidance and family values of success that conflicted with mine (contrary to popular belief, becoming a physician was not favored). Also had a lot of ECs related to this theme both in my community and at my university to support 1st gen students, including a lot of mentorships, starting a new program and a few events.
3) I grew up with an abusive father with my mother having poor mental health. Navigated that situation and learned to be composed in the face of adversity and a chaotic environment. I also had a younger brother who was clearly traumatized and had a hard time opening up to anyone, but still, I tried to be a support and role model figure for him despite our environment.
4) I worked in a marine biology/genetics lab. I picked up (relatively unique) hobby from this while doing fieldwork on the coast. Not really sure how to tie this into medicine, since it feels like a gimmick diversity idea at the moment.
5) Religion: I raised with and practice a minority religion in the US (some Google results say ~1%) and <half of that if we consider my distinct branch. I have not done any ECs related to this but it is a pretty big contributor to my personal philosophies and moral compass, including qualities that laid the foundation for my interest in a service-oriented profession, such as medicine. Though I feel like this may be applicable to a lot of people with religious backgrounds.
Adversity topic: 1, 2, 3 from above, combined, or none
Diversity:
1) Talk about my upbringing in a low-income (qualified for some govt assistance, rejected from others) Asian-immigrant household with my family struggling to assimilate. At home, I was basically the budget English interpreter for my family starting at a young age. Though I was born in the US, due to my home environment still felt torn between my culture at home and“American culture”. I worked with this community as a medical interpreter and advocate for years during undergrad, although in a different city. At home and at the clinic, I saw and understood the similar themes, challenges, and beliefs, some conflicts with Western medicine. My community/schools growing up were predominantly composed of immigrants from different ethnic groups.
2) Went to underperforming schools, a first-generation student, had little to no guidance from family and very few resources provided to me. Violence, drugs, gangs were prevalent at my schools, had a few incidents involving people I knew (I mentioned the most impactful one in my PS). Had to navigate through transitioning into college and finding opportunities in college, especially being a “well-rounded” person despite the lack of guidance and family values of success that conflicted with mine (contrary to popular belief, becoming a physician was not favored). Also had a lot of ECs related to this theme both in my community and at my university to support 1st gen students, including a lot of mentorships, starting a new program and a few events.
3) I grew up with an abusive father with my mother having poor mental health. Navigated that situation and learned to be composed in the face of adversity and a chaotic environment. I also had a younger brother who was clearly traumatized and had a hard time opening up to anyone, but still, I tried to be a support and role model figure for him despite our environment.
4) I worked in a marine biology/genetics lab. I picked up (relatively unique) hobby from this while doing fieldwork on the coast. Not really sure how to tie this into medicine, since it feels like a gimmick diversity idea at the moment.
5) Religion: I raised with and practice a minority religion in the US (some Google results say ~1%) and <half of that if we consider my distinct branch. I have not done any ECs related to this but it is a pretty big contributor to my personal philosophies and moral compass, including qualities that laid the foundation for my interest in a service-oriented profession, such as medicine. Though I feel like this may be applicable to a lot of people with religious backgrounds.
Adversity topic: 1, 2, 3 from above, combined, or none
