Diversity Essay Thoughts

[2016appquestions]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

I'm starting to prewrite secondaries for this cycle, and I'm finding it difficult to find topics to write about for my diversity essay. (Middle class, white, never lived/studied abroad, etc.)


Would writing about my atypical (for medicine) interests in music be worthwhile? I'm pretty involved with the local music scene (mostly punk/garage/psych bands); I've been going to shows at least once a week for ~3 years, most of my friends are in bands/do art stuff for bands, and I've staffed merch tables and recorded shows occasionally. I consider my interest in music to be a significant part of what makes me who I am; of course, I can tie it back to medicine by talking about the exposure to different types of people than you'd meet at college, etc.

Edit: Also, is high school too far back to go for the "challenges/hardship essays?" It would be one specific instance, not a long-term set of circumstances.

 

[yaka]

I think the essays are the one place where it's okay to draw from pre-college experiences, especially since you're "not supposed" to include them in your primary.

As for the diversity statement, I think your strategy is good. I'm ORM as well, and I'm planning on doing something similar.

 

[Goro]

This would be perfectly fine!

The “diversity” prompt for secondaries (as in "How will you add to the diversity of our class"?) is NOT about your ethnic background. It’s about what unique thing do you bring to the entering Class? Think of it this way: if I asked your three best friends “what’s the coolest thing about you?” what would they say?

Would writing about my atypical (for medicine) interests in music be worthwhile? I'm pretty involved with the local music scene (mostly punk/garage/psych bands); I've been going to shows at least once a week for ~3 years, most of my friends are in bands/do art stuff for bands, and I've staffed merch tables and recorded shows occasionally. I consider my interest in music to be a significant part of what makes me who I am; of course, I can tie it back to medicine by talking about the exposure to different types of people than you'd meet at college, etc.

Edit: Also, is high school too far back to go for the "challenges/hardship essays?" It would be one specific instance, not a long-term set of circumstances.