I am a white female, but I think I have been exposed to slightly different environment than applicants with a similar profile to me. They are all related to blue collar, low middle class income:
1. Deep understanding of how addiciton impacts every aspect of life: my brother battled alcohol and narcotic addiction for my entire childhood- he spent holidays in rehab, ngot expelled from college, nearly died several times, and spurred family fights. My dad has also become violent/ showing extreme rage while drunk. My sister's fiance commited suicide in her appartment during a relapse into alcoholism and it has been really hard on her. Since these experiences, I have spent a lot of time volunteering with addicts and have come to understand how addiction erodes society on a larger level.
2. Although I am well above the poverty line, I grew up always worrying about money. I am the youngest of five, my dad is a carpenter, and my mom is unemployed. My dad would throw fits about money a lot. As a result, I always feel guilty spending money, and I am frugal. This will make me conscientious in limiting the economic burden I place on my patients wherever possible.
3. Exposure to domestic unrest. I have gotten good at identiying when I need to hide in my room or prefferably the basement when my dad is throwing a fit. Unfortunately, there is no where to hide from the stabbing feeling I get in my stomach when he is screaming. This has gotten a lot less frequent in recent years, but I did have to learn how to cope with really strong emotional reactions. I will write out what I am thinking rather than erupting violently. Rather than dwelling on negativity, I divert my energy into academics and extracurriculars.
Sorry if this sounded like a therapy session- I wanted to explain the extent of these experiences to see if anyone thinks they are enough to make me "diverse." If so, which one is most compelling to adcoms? Should I combine them under the umbrella of "low middle class" problems?
1. Deep understanding of how addiciton impacts every aspect of life: my brother battled alcohol and narcotic addiction for my entire childhood- he spent holidays in rehab, ngot expelled from college, nearly died several times, and spurred family fights. My dad has also become violent/ showing extreme rage while drunk. My sister's fiance commited suicide in her appartment during a relapse into alcoholism and it has been really hard on her. Since these experiences, I have spent a lot of time volunteering with addicts and have come to understand how addiction erodes society on a larger level.
2. Although I am well above the poverty line, I grew up always worrying about money. I am the youngest of five, my dad is a carpenter, and my mom is unemployed. My dad would throw fits about money a lot. As a result, I always feel guilty spending money, and I am frugal. This will make me conscientious in limiting the economic burden I place on my patients wherever possible.
3. Exposure to domestic unrest. I have gotten good at identiying when I need to hide in my room or prefferably the basement when my dad is throwing a fit. Unfortunately, there is no where to hide from the stabbing feeling I get in my stomach when he is screaming. This has gotten a lot less frequent in recent years, but I did have to learn how to cope with really strong emotional reactions. I will write out what I am thinking rather than erupting violently. Rather than dwelling on negativity, I divert my energy into academics and extracurriculars.
Sorry if this sounded like a therapy session- I wanted to explain the extent of these experiences to see if anyone thinks they are enough to make me "diverse." If so, which one is most compelling to adcoms? Should I combine them under the umbrella of "low middle class" problems?
