Diversity essay for a upper middle class suburban white male

[sliceofbread136]

I really don't know what to write about. I'm pretty standard in almost every way haha. Any other diversityless people have some pointers on how they did this essay?

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[plumhill]

Have you experienced anything in college (or elsewhere) that broadened your views, or exposed you to a different culture/custom/etc? Or have you made any efforts to understand something that is societally non-standard? You could write about some of those experiences.

 

[NickNaylor]

Diversity isn't limited to race or socioeconomic status. Reflection and creativity are your assets in this case.

 

[maybemed2013]

Did you volunteer/ work/ shadow in a diverse area, that might count as diversity.

 

[sliceofbread136]

Have you experienced anything in college (or elsewhere) that broadened your views, or exposed you to a different culture/custom/etc? Or have you made any efforts to understand something that is societally non-standard? You could write about some of those experiences.

No to all

Diversity isn't limited to race or socioeconomic status. Reflection and creativity are your assets in this case.

It's not for lack of trying, I'm having a really tough time. Only couple of things I can think of are being an engineer (I think this is kind of a crappy one) or my experiences with being near annorexic and depressed and working really hard to improve myself and my mindset (don't know if this even counts, and I wanted to use it for my unique experience essay).

Did you volunteer/ work/ shadow in a diverse area, that might count as diversity.

Nah...

Anyone have some more suggestions? Maybe I'll get inspired or something.

 

[LizzyM]

When you split out the various sects, there is no majority religion in the US and there are the minority who do not identify with any religious tradition, so in that respect we are all minorities and we all have the potential to add to the diversity of a student body. Does that work for you?

 

[maybemed2013]

There has to be something.....

Are your parents/ grandparents immigrants?

Unstable Family life

Some type of hardship growing up?

Nobody life is perfect... there has to be something.

 

[sliceofbread136]

When you split out the various sects, there is no majority religion in the US and there are the minority who do not identify with any religious tradition, so in that respect we are all minorities and we all have the potential to add to the diversity of a student body. Does that work for you?

I dont think so. I've never really cared about religion, so I guess I would say I'm agnostic? I don't think an essay on how I'm agnostic would be a good one haha. Would either my engineer background or past annorexia issues work at all in your opinion? It's not really "diversity" but they some things not every other med student have experienced.

 

[LizzyM]

I dont think so. I've never really cared about religion, so I guess I would say I'm agnostic? I don't think an essay on how I'm agnostic would be a good one haha. Would either my engineer background or past annorexia issues work at all in your opinion? It's not really "diversity" but they some things not every other med student have experienced.

What "point of view" can you represent in a small group discussion? Engineers do have a specific way of approaching problem solving and that might be an interesting approach if you have actually worked as an engineer but if you are just an engineering major, I'm not sure you can call yourself an engineer.

Someone who has required treatment for a health condition... (that's what anorexia is)... might be able to represent the point of view of people who suffer from that condition.... it could be seen as something that adds to the class diversity ....

 

[sliceofbread136]

Someone who has required treatment for a health condition... (that's what anorexia is)... might be able to represent the point of view of people who suffer from that condition.... it could be seen as something that adds to the class diversity ....

Re-reading the prompt:

Please describe any personal characteristics and/or important or challenging experiences you have had that will contribute to the diversity (broadly defined) of or provide educational benefits to the student body.

I actually think I'll write about the past anorexia, it seems to fit the prompt well. Thanks to everyone who made suggestions, appreciate it!

 

[ckdgusdl88]

I wouldn't write about anorexia if I were you. Mental disturbances could be perceived as a big red flag... mental illnesses still carry lots of stigma. Why take the risk?

Has there ever been a moment in your life whe you were made to feel different? Everyone is boud to be a minority in at least some sense. Any unsual life experiences? Viewpoints (as long as they are not too controversial)? Also, although there are quite a lot of engineers in medicine, they are a minority. You can comment on how being an engineer will help you see medicine in a differet light.

Personally, I do not think the diversity essay matters a lot unless you are one of the favored under-represented groups. You should still put effort into it, but don't take any unnecessary risks.

 

[sliceofbread136]

I wouldn't write about anorexia if I were you. Mental disturbances could be perceived as a big red flag... mental illnesses still carry lots of stigma. Why take the risk?

Has there ever been a moment in your life whe you were made to feel different? Everyone is boud to be a minority in at least some sense. Any unsual life experiences? Viewpoints (as long as they are not too controversial)? Also, although there are quite a lot of engineers in medicine, they are a minority. You can comment on how being an engineer will help you see medicine in a differet light.

Personally, I do not think the diversity essay matters a lot unless you are one of the favored under-represented groups. You should still put effort into it, but don't take any unnecessary risks.

I was never diagnosed as clinically depressed or anything like that, just had a bad body image and wasn't really happy about it. Not really a mental illness, and this was like 4-5 years ago. And if any adcom really had that much trouble with my past then I don't think I really want to go to their school anyway...

 

[TheMightySmiter]

I'm a middle class suburban white female. I wrote my essays on diversity of experience, and talked about my semi-unique path to medicine (from a political science background). TBH it felt like complete horseturd when I was writing it, because that just doesn't seem like the kind of diversity anyone cares about. Just do the best you can with what you've got.

 

[LizzyM]

I was never diagnosed as clinically depressed or anything like that, just had a bad body image and wasn't really happy about it. Not really a mental illness, and this was like 4-5 years ago. And if any adcom really had that much trouble with my past then I don't think I really want to go to their school anyway...

Anorexia nervosa is a mental illness. It can result in death. Don't throw around terms like that if you don't know what they mean and what they could be interpreted as.

 

[sliceofbread136]

Anorexia nervosa is a mental illness. It can result in death. Don't throw around terms like that if you don't know what they mean and what they could be interpreted as.

Well I was 6 foot 1 and weighed 120 pounds, which gave me a bmi of 15.8. Maybe a better way to put it would be severely underweight (coupled with a very poor body image, which I think is more impactful on children than many realize).

 

[mmmmd]

Engineers do have a specific way of approaching problem solving

yeah, specifically general

In reality, I think LizzyM is giving sound direction to your question. What have you experienced that not everybody else has, and how might this change your perspective in a discussion (this is a great way to think about this question, LizzyM).

It's hard for us to help you because we have little to no knowledge of who you are. That's why it's such a "good question."

Were you always living in the upper middle class suburban setting? If so, how have you come to make this your home? What do you like about it? What do you dislike about it? How has it affected your academics, health, political opinions, choice of friends, musical tastes, fashion choice, anything you care about?

 

[LizzyM]

Well I was 6 foot 1 and weighed 120 pounds, which gave me a bmi of 15.8. Maybe a better way to put it would be severely underweight (coupled with a very poor body image, which I think is more impactful on children than many realize).

Anorexia is doctor-talk for "no appetite" .

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by an obsession with controlling one's food intake and weight (sometimes along with excessive exercise), a distorted body image (thinking one is "fat" even at a BMI considered "under weight"), and a fear of gaining weight.

It sounds like you grew in height before "filling out" and putting on weight. Pretty typical of adolescent males. I'm not sure this is the best topic for a diversity essay... engineering might be the best choice.

 

[Morsetlis]

I really don't know what to write about. I'm pretty standard in almost every way haha. Any other diversityless people have some pointers on how they did this essay?

Then clearly you are not diverse, just as I am not underrepresented in medicine 😉

But, think hard enough and I'm sure you'll make something up.

Talk about how you pioneered a Haskell programming club which led other engineers to appreciate the elegance of cold logic in a plug-and-chug world, for example.

 

[MedPR]

Easiest way to talk about diversity is getting involved in something and having an actual experience. Why not do that and write about it?

 

[235788]

talk about your 16th birthday when you were pissed you got a car 2 years old rather than new. The problems we face 🙁



I'm in the same boat, top 1% white male who lives suburbs. I wrote about my experience becoming "culturally competent," by exposing myself to diverse groups such as the Deaf and inner-city blacks through years of mentorship programs and volunteering.

 

[dmf2682]

Maybe you can write about how in this time of diverse heavy applicants you're uniquely standard. A true blue, plain Jane, American as average apple pie applicant who wants to become an old time family doc.

 

[RedSox10]

Anorexia is doctor-talk for "no appetite" .

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by an obsession with controlling one's food intake and weight (sometimes along with excessive exercise), a distorted body image (thinking one is "fat" even at a BMI considered "under weight"), and a fear of gaining weight.

It sounds like you grew in height before "filling out" and putting on weight. Pretty typical of adolescent males. I'm not sure this is the best topic for a diversity essay... engineering might be the best choice.

I would definitely stick with engineering as well...Anoexia Nervosa is something that can re-emerge at any time (especially if put under stress), so my assumption is that AdCom's might think that if med school if too tough you could crack under the pressure and revert to your old ways....Not that you necessatily will, but Adcoms might still assume you might.....Also, the way yo describe it, it doesn't seem that significant to you--if that's the case, dont make a mountain out of a molehill...

I would however, discuss being an engineer...Being from a family of engineers I do agree that they approach problems differently than a lot of people which could be an asset to a team. Was anyone else if your family an engineer? If not, then you can discuss how you were the "minority" in your family because your relatives/parents were all in X profession...or something like that...

 

[CaliGirl14]

I'm barely recovering from anorexia (dealing with depression now) and I would never in a million years mention it, even though I've gone through hell and back the past two years dealing with this issue. It's not something I want to discuss because trust me...I've relapsed before and it's rare to completely 'recover' from it.

 

[ineed2stpsmurfn]

wow just read this entire thread and if this is the kind of person I am 'competing' against for admission... Yea, I'm feeling really good. Being slightly non-trad is worth it's weight in gold at this moment.

 

[Tots]

wow just read this entire thread and if this is the kind of person I am 'competing' against for admission... Yea, I'm feeling really good. Being slightly non-trad is worth it's weight in gold at this moment.

Don't think that all of us traditional applicants lack experiences to talk about in a diversity essay =P

 

[zwitterion34]

Don't think that all of us traditional applicants lack experiences to talk about in a diversity essay =P

👍

 

[sliceofbread136]

wow just read this entire thread and if this is the kind of person I am 'competing' against for admission... Yea, I'm feeling really good. Being slightly non-trad is worth it's weight in gold at this moment.

Sorry for not being as super as you obviously are...

Since this board values "compassion" so much, if you're the kind of person I am 'competing' against for admission..... Yea, I'm feeling pretty good.

Edit: Seriously, go post your elitist bull crap elsewhere. Pardon me for spending my first two years of college finally trying to fun away from overbearing parents, and not deciding on medicine until recently. If you look down on my fairly average experiences so much that's all well and good, but keep it to yourself.

Edit: edit: I don't know why, but for some reason this bull**** has been the first comment on SDN to legitimately upset me. I sincerely hope you fail to become a doctor.

 

[MarlboroSmooth]

Sorry for not being as super as you obviously are...

Since this board values "compassion" so much, if you're the kind of person I am 'competing' against for admission..... Yea, I'm feeling pretty good.

Edit: Seriously, go post your elitist bull crap elsewhere. Pardon me for spending my first two years of college finally trying to fun away from overbearing parents, and not deciding on medicine until recently. If you look down on my fairly average experiences so much that's all well and good, but keep it to yourself.

Edit: edit: I don't know why, but for some reason this bull**** has been the first comment on SDN to legitimately upset me. I sincerely hope you fail to become a doctor.

Relax. Some people just like to rub it in that they've got a better chance than you, but it's more than likely that he/she was just making a joke at our expenses (no malicious intent). To be honest, as a white, middle-class male, I've experienced almost no hardships. I've had to look at what skills I've picked up, and how they can be beneficial, rather than extreme hardships I've had to overcome.

For example, explaining how engineering and medicine can find a happy medium would be a good essay in this situation. It might be difficult to write, but then again, I have no experience with engineering.

 

[sliceofbread136]

Relax. Some people just like to rub it in that they've got a better chance than you, but it's more than likely that he/she was just making a joke at our expenses (no malicious intent). To be honest, as a white, middle-class male, I've experienced almost no hardships. I've had to look at what skills I've picked up, and how they can be beneficial, rather than extreme hardships I've had to overcome.

For example, explaining how engineering and medicine can find a happy medium would be a good essay in this situation. It might be difficult to write, but then again, I have no experience with engineering.

I doubt his LizzyM score is above 70...

If he feels the need to look down on the life experiences of others, I really really hope he doesn't get into medical school. I mean why would you ever want to work with someone like that? I don't even want the displeasure of seeing his posts on an anonymous forum. Enjoy being the first person on my ignore list D-bag.

 

[ineed2stpsmurfn]

Sorry for not being as super as you obviously are...

Since this board values "compassion" so much, if you're the kind of person I am 'competing' against for admission..... Yea, I'm feeling pretty good.

Edit: Seriously, go post your elitist bull crap elsewhere. Pardon me for spending my first two years of college finally trying to fun away from overbearing parents, and not deciding on medicine until recently. If you look down on my fairly average experiences so much that's all well and good, but keep it to yourself.

Edit: edit: I don't know why, but for some reason this bull**** has been the first comment on SDN to legitimately upset me. I sincerely hope you fail to become a doctor.

I really don't know what to write about. I'm pretty standard in almost every way haha.

It's not for lack of trying, I'm having a really tough time. Only couple of things I can think of are being an engineer (I think this is kind of a crappy one) or my experiences with being near annorexic and depressed and working really hard to improve myself and my mindset (don't know if this even counts, and I wanted to use it for my unique experience essay).

I doubt his LizzyM score is above 70...

If he feels the need to look down on the life experiences of others, I really really hope he doesn't get into medical school. I mean why would you ever want to work with someone like that? I don't even want the displeasure of seeing his posts on an anonymous forum. Enjoy being the first person on my ignore list D-bag.

You know I could write a really really long reply, citing your quotes such as you are a standard 'suburbs' type, or how the only diversity experience you can even remotely come up with is either ENGINEERING (lmao), or A FREAKING MENTAL ILLNESS: anorexia nervosa... (I thought you were a girl, then I saw your mdapps.... hmm......... ok bro.) But then, you went on to further say you "sincerely hope I don't become a doctor" etc.. (remember, Karma has a way of screwing you back in the end) Initially i was commenting on the fact that I would have no problem writing a great diversity essay versus most applicants... but you took it too far.

I could write some witty response but I think the facts stand for themselves. I think your a 21 year old kid applying to med school that has never had anything not go their way except for.. cough.. anorexia... lol. THAT is why I am really, REALLY glad your type is the competition. And for the record, my stats are better than yours. Have a good day.

 

[sliceofbread136]

You know I could write a really really long reply, citing your quotes such as you are a standard 'suburbs' type, or how the only diversity experience you can even remotely come up with is either ENGINEERING (lmao), or A FREAKING MENTAL ILLNESS: anorexia nervosa... (I thought you were a girl, then I saw your mdapps.... hmm......... ok bro.) But then, you went on to further say you "sincerely hope I don't become a doctor" etc.. (remember, Karma has a way of screwing you back in the end) Initially i was commenting on the fact that I would have no problem writing a great diversity essay versus most applicants... but you took it too far.

I could write some witty response but I think the facts stand for themselves. I think your a 21 year old kid applying to med school that has never had anything not go their way except for.. cough.. anorexia... lol. THAT is why I am really, REALLY glad your type is the competition. And for the record, my stats are better than yours. Have a good day.

I didn't know people could be so judgemental.... My poor body image and weight was a huge hardship in my life, and I consider it a great accomplishment that I was able to fix it. I deadlifted 385 yesterday, and it's things like that I am proud of. You look down on me all you want, Mr. super duper non-trad, but I will be proud none the less. I don't know what hardships you've had and frankly I don't care, you shouldn't look down on other's accomplishments (and then suggest I took it too far...)

I know SDN is a competitive place, but really? You're trying to compete with me in life hardships? Is this what medical school admissions have come to? "I'm better than you, just look at my life experiences!".

Before I actually put you ignore, I implore you to reconsider your attitude. Stop looking down on other people, no matter how accomplished you are. There are enough of those people in this world.

 

[ineed2stpsmurfn]

I didn't know people could be so judgemental.... My poor body image and weight was a huge hardship in my life, and I consider it a great accomplishment that I was able to fix it. I deadlifted 385 yesterday, and it's things like that I am proud of. You look down on me all you want, Mr. super duper non-trad, but I will be proud none the less. I don't know what hardships you've had and frankly I don't care, you shouldn't look down on other's accomplishments (and then suggest I took it too far...)

I know SDN is a competitive place, but really? You're trying to compete with me in life hardships? Is this what medical school admissions have come to? "I'm better than you, just look at my life experiences!".

Before I actually put you ignore, I implore you to reconsider your attitude. Stop looking down on other people, no matter how accomplished you are. There are enough of those people in this world.

It was a huge hardship in your life because it is the ONLY hardship in your life which is why you had to go on sdn to ask others for ideas about how to write an essay on diversity!

BTW, oh yea, I look down on people from my lofty perch of having people racist towards me, being a blue collar worker, or generally having had times of no direction in my life at on point or another... Mr. Upper middle class suburban male.🙄

That comment about about wishing I never become a doctor... really, Karma DOES have a way of coming full circle to screw you back.

 

[sliceofbread136]

It was a huge hardship in your life because it is the ONLY hardship in your life which is why you had to go on sdn to ask others for ideas about how to write an essay on diversity!

BTW, oh yea, I look down on people from my lofty perch of having people racist towards me, being a blue collar worker, or generally having had times of no direction in my life at on point or another... Mr. Upper middle class suburban male.🙄

That comment about about wishing I never become a doctor... really, Karma DOES have a way of coming full circle to screw you back.

Once again, looking down on me like your hardships somehow make you better than me. You could have as many hardships as buzzlightyear, and I still wouldn't accept you as better than me because of it. And I'm serious I really would never want to work with someone like you.

And karma if karma does come back to bite maybe you should get off your high horse? Stop looking down on people you know nothing about.

 

[ineed2stpsmurfn]

You definitely didn't catch the sarcasm in my post/the bolded section. Sigh..

 

[sliceofbread136]

You definitely didn't catch the sarcasm in my post/the bolded section. Sigh..

You realize this is text, not words?

 

[ineed2stpsmurfn]

....besides the text that I thought was pretty obviously sarcastic, i did add a 🙄 "roll eyes sarcastic" smiley at the end of that miniature paragraph.

 

[sliceofbread136]

....besides the text that I thought was pretty obviously sarcastic, i did add a 🙄 "roll eyes sarcastic" smiley at the end of that miniature paragraph.

Well I guess it was obvious, and I am an idiot on top of being a loser with no hardships? Man I really suck, good thing I have people like you to look up to. 🙄 (am I doing this sarcasm thing right?)

 

[ineed2stpsmurfn]

Well I guess it was obvious, and I am an idiot on top of being a loser with no hardships? Man I really suck, good thing I have people like you to look up to. 🙄 (am I doing this sarcasm thing right?)

well you have to remember, sarcasm doesn't work so well if you just make a flatly true statement. I'll be leaving this thread now. Goodnight.

 

[Morsetlis]

You guys really need to calm down. 🙂

 

[Dave89]

I really don't know what to write about. I'm pretty standard in almost every way haha. Any other diversityless people have some pointers on how they did this essay?

EASY: Write about your engineering experiences (whether you were an engineer, or merely studied it and may now be able to be involved in practice or research where medicine and engineering come together).

That'll impress ADCOMs far more, in my opinion, than people who try to claim that being born with a particular skin color or nationality will make them better candidates for medical school.

 

[sliceofbread136]

well you have to remember, sarcasm doesn't work so well if you just make a flatly true statement. I'll be leaving this thread now. Goodnight.

What a compassionate, humble man! The exact type of personality we need in doctors! (I think I'm getting pretty good at this sarcasm, maybe you should add being a super duper teacher to your long list of accomplishments, o great one)

 

[STAT EKG]

If I were you I'd keep in mind that the vast majority of everyone else applying or in medical school are probably just as privileged. I think this is more an exercise in showing how creative and eloquent you are than anything else.

 

[vayntraubinator]

What a compassionate, humble man! The exact type of personality we need in doctors! (I think I'm getting pretty good at this sarcasm, maybe you should add being a super duper teacher to your long list of accomplishments, o great one)

For a smart guy, you waste a lot of time. Meet some people. SDN is not the place to find the people you can really learn from to become a better human being. Try new experiences. I see that you've studied abroad, and done some nice things. But when I read "completely cookie cutter" on your mdapps I get the sense that your lacking something. To be honest, I think its confidence in the dimension that you have not been completely human -- more of an efficient receptacle, as Paulo Freire would put it, than a trailblazing "Galileo-an". Maybe being someone that has been so privileged, you haven't taken as much advantage of or appreciated as much the opportunities you had.

When you tackle these essays you can't pretend like your missing something. Everyone is lacking. Do some introspection because everything you've done up to now has made you who you are. Think hard. Only you can show this to yourself. If you can do that, everyone will see it. And I hope you do so successfully through one of these simple essays. GL man

 

[NickNaylor]

If I were you I'd keep in mind that the vast majority of everyone else applying or in medical school are probably just as privileged. I think this is more an exercise in showing how creative and eloquent you are than anything else.

This is a very good point. The fact is that MOST people don't have anything truly "unique" about themselves worthy of exclusive discussion. Instead (as I mentioned at the top of the thread), significant reflection and introspection is required to cook up something that's meaningful and informative.

 

[ineed2stpsmurfn]

For a smart guy, you waste a lot of time. Meet some people. SDN is not the place to find the people you can really learn from to become a better human being. Try new experiences. I see that you've studied abroad, and done some nice things. But when I read "completely cookie cutter" on your mdapps I get the sense that your lacking something. To be honest, I think its confidence in the dimension that you have not been completely human -- more of an efficient receptacle, as Paulo Freire would put it, than a trailblazing "Galileo-an". Maybe being someone that has been so privileged, you haven't taken as much advantage of or appreciated as much the opportunities you had.

When you tackle these essays you can't pretend like your missing something. Everyone is lacking. Do some introspection because everything you've done up to now has made you who you are. Think hard. Only you can show this to yourself. If you can do that, everyone will see it. And I hope you do so successfully through one of these simple essays. GL man

Very well put. Your statement about reading the cookie cutter line off his mdapps is exactly what I thought as well.. definitely lacking something. I alluded to experience, but maybe I expressed it the wrong way. Maybe the confidence dimension is why my original post, that was not intended to inflame him at all, got to him that way? Idk.. I used to be kind of like him though.. but 6 years later I definitely am taking advantage of my opportunities now.

 

[Bacchus]

Its time to take a breather. Remember there is an ignore function incorporated into the boards. Fighting posters are not good posters.

 

[kestralray]

So I thought I'd take a chance at bumping this old thread instead of making a new one and getting flamed for not searching old SDN threads....... <.<;;


I've read the advice above, but I was wondering (esp re: nicknaylor's comments) should this diversity be expressed in activities? because I feel like anything I would have written here I already tried to include in work/activities in AMCAS. And most things I didn't wouldn't, uh, reflect well on my application anyway (i.e. playing video games......)

Hm. And this should be something that can be shared, right? Since it should be something that would contribute to the community.

some brainstorming (maybe this will help others to brain storm too! 🙂 ):
travelling? would one write about the experiences and how one could share different perspectives?
reading a lot? : / though I feel like most people read...
a love for board games? being really intense (and kind of good) at mafia?
I mentioned cooking in my AMCAS. but I guess I could mention hosting a chinese new year's dumpling party.
hmm... along a similar note. I found out recently that not everyone has eaten what I thought were fairly standard foreign foods, like sushi or gyros.

dunno. can I be kind of fun with the diversity essay? the Pitt essay asks about how I would enrich and enliven the community. So... would being awesome at mafia count? I guess I took the question as a "show that you are a real person and not a robot" essay.

 

[kestralray]

oh. and is it okay to just write about one thing but kind of in depth for the diversity essay?