Diversity Essay as an ORM?

[mooble117]

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Whats the best way to approach the diversity prompt as, for lack of a better term, an over represented minority?

Both my parents immigrated to the United States from Eastern Europe when they were young and both their families are fairly religious(jewish). They've had unique experiences growing up in a communist country as the children of holocaust survivors and their experiences are certainly a part of my identity. Compared to my peers in college, I feel that makes me kind of unique.

However, I'm concerned that among physicians, second generation Jews from Eastern Europe aren't particularly unique and probably even over represented. I can imagine that many south Asian applicants are in the same situation. Is it best to approach the diversity essay talking about my ethnic and cultural background, or would I be better served coming at it from a different angle. I'm applying MD/PhD if that makes a difference.

 

[basketcase0a0]

For me, a white male, I approach the diversity essay with the assertion that merely being a certainly skin tone or gender doesn't make me any more or less diverse than anyone else. I instead discuss the diversity of my experiences. So for you, I would absolutely talk about your parents' experiences, just be sure to tie it in to how it shaped your world-view and view on medicine.

 

[gocanes1990]

I would def focus more on experiences than skin tone. I am jewish, as are many pre-meds, so its tough to be considered diverse in that sense. However, you could talk about tension maybe between science and religious oberservance for you family. I dont know if your family observes shabbos, and if that created conflict in test taking/ studying or what not.