Discussing 'weakness' in essays and the interview

[imnastywitit]

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This is a very strong cultural concern of mine.

In the essay and personal statement, there are many chances to discuss weaknesses of yours, and ways that you have improved and grown from them. There are also chances to simply state things you did wrong and say "yea, I was wrong, I know better now".

HOWEVER, there is no culture that values, unrequited optimism, confidence, and positivity the way American culture does. Talking about weakness, even if you talk about how you have improved, can be seen as a sign of anxiety, a lack of confidence, a lack of forthrightness, uncertainty, and internal problems. The more culturally accepted thing to do, in my opinion, is to just go all out discussing strengths. Still being humble, not saying that you are the man, not saying that you know more than you do... but really talking mainly about strengths, in a forthright and optimistic tone.

Me personally, I'm really more of a humble cat. I have a tendency to talk about how I've grown from past mistakes, I'm not brashly confident, and actually don't really harp on my strengths too much. I was sure to touch on all of them in my essays/interviews, but didn't beat them into the ground.

I'm just wondering though: I talked more than a bit in my interview/essays about ways I improved from past mistakes and such. But is this going to make me come off as anxious/unconfident/paranoid/weak? I feel like a dork when someone asks me to tell me something about myself and I just start rattling off ways that I am awesome?

Another cultural concern as this. Unfortunately, American culture sees personality and character traits as extremely fixed throughout time. So if I talk about a problem that was with me in the past, they may subconsciously assume it is still with me... or that an aspect of the problem is still with me... eugh lol.

I know that this is a long winded arguement, but I feel that I have been making a subtle but possibly deadly mistake this application season, so any input would be appreciated.

 

[Narmerguy]

Actually I think a lot of times, adcoms are looking to see legitimate weaknesses instead of the usual bull (i.e. "my greatest weakness is that I'm so ______" where the blank is some actually strong quality). Being genuine can be a real plus in a lot of circumstances.

Still, remember why you're there. Don't trash yourself but (as you mentioned) always point out some silver linings. I think a lot of times people want to see if you recognize your weaknesses and how you have approached those weaknesses.

 

[Bernoull]

This is a very strong cultural concern of mine.

In the essay and personal statement, there are many chances to discuss weaknesses of yours, and ways that you have improved and grown from them. There are also chances to simply state things you did wrong and say "yea, I was wrong, I know better now".

HOWEVER, there is no culture that values, unrequited optimism, confidence, and positivity the way American culture does. Talking about weakness, even if you talk about how you have improved, can be seen as a sign of anxiety, a lack of confidence, a lack of forthrightness, uncertainty, and internal problems. The more culturally accepted thing to do, in my opinion, is to just go all out discussing strengths. Still being humble, not saying that you are the man, not saying that you know more than you do... but really talking mainly about strengths, in a forthright and optimistic tone.

Me personally, I'm really more of a humble cat. I have a tendency to talk about how I've grown from past mistakes, I'm not brashly confident, and actually don't really harp on my strengths too much. I was sure to touch on all of them in my essays/interviews, but didn't beat them into the ground.

I'm just wondering though: I talked more than a bit in my interview/essays about ways I improved from past mistakes and such. But is this going to make me come off as anxious/unconfident/paranoid/weak? I feel like a dork when someone asks me to tell me something about myself and I just start rattling off ways that I am awesome?

Another cultural concern as this. Unfortunately, American culture sees personality and character traits as extremely fixed throughout time. So if I talk about a problem that was with me in the past, they may subconsciously assume it is still with me... or that an aspect of the problem is still with me... eugh lol.

I know that this is a long winded arguement, but I feel that I have been making a subtle but possibly deadly mistake this application season, so any input would be appreciated.

There's a time and place for everything. If you have a relevant shortcoming (grades, rapsheet etc etc) its good to address them head-on CONCISELY, then elaborate a little on what you learned from it and it helped u evolve as a person. However, ur application will be torpedoed IF you dwell on ur shortcomings (PS or interviewed) rather than marketing urself as a strong candidate for med school. Just think about how Pharma sell drugs, how much time and energy to they spend on the benefits as opposed to the side effects??? It's called marketing. U're essentially selling ur candidacy to the admissions committe therefore, u want to put forth a strong pitch (motivation, service, maturity etc etc) and if u have relevant weaknesses, u address them this way u provide an explantion (not excuse) and context for XYZ.

Also remember the US culture believes in the underdog and redemption...

Goodluck

 

[imnastywitit]

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Also remember the US culture believes in the underdog and redemption...

Goodluck

Thanks for the detailed response man. You explained it well.

yea, US culture does believe in the underdog as well.... idk though US culture is just ridiculously heterogeneous... people from different contexts are looking for different things... so it just puts you in a tricky little place when you try to predict what people are looking for. Some people love the underdog story, some unfortunately just do not want to see mistakes.... and everybody thinks they are right. lol.

either way thx for the insightful responses guys.

 

[Catalystik]

Also remember the US culture believes in the underdog and redemption...

Well said!