Does Star Wars Costuming Volunteering Work as a Diversity Essay? Looking for Framing Ideas

[TiePilotGuy]

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Hey everyone, looking for some feedback on a diversity essay angle I am considering.

I am a member of the 501st Legion, a global Star Wars costuming organization whose mission is to bring joy to communities through charitable appearances. This is organized community service, not just fandom. Over the past year, I have done over 30 events including hospital visits, VA celebrations, pediatric oncology carnivals, Alzheimer's walks, epilepsy awareness walks, Down syndrome buddy walks, holiday toy drives with the CHP, Thanksgiving meal distributions, and large public events like the Anaheim Halloween Parade, sports games, and a march at Disneyland.

I genuinely feel like this experience is unique and compelling. I have shown up in a stormtrooper costume for veterans, interacted in character with children facing chronic illness, and interacted with thousands of strangers at public events. The costume does something that a clinical role or volunteer title just does not. A kid with Down syndrome pulled me onto the dance floor at a buddy walk. Reading books to childrenn at the library. A child at a trunk or treat ran up and hugged me before I even said anything.

I want to use this for a diversity secondary but I am not sure how to frame it in a way that directly and authentically answers the prompt. Has anyone used a non-traditional community service experience like this for a diversity essay? How would you connect something like this to what I bring to the medical school community specifically? Any thoughts appreciated.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Me: No.

You:

Do you mean "something interesting about you"? That's not always the same as "diversity." What's the prompt?

I am aware that many people are definitely into cosplaying; I have never considered cosplaying as "compelling" before. I get the aspect of making someone feel better, but that's not the "diversity answer" I was looking for.

However, I can give a hat tip on channeling Patch Adams and the Gesundheit Institute.

 

[Med Ed]

This is not the droid they are looking for.

 

[CopaceticOne]

No

 

[Moko]

Hey everyone, looking for some feedback on a diversity essay angle I am considering.

I am a member of the 501st Legion, a global Star Wars costuming organization whose mission is to bring joy to communities through charitable appearances. This is organized community service, not just fandom. Over the past year, I have done over 30 events including hospital visits, VA celebrations, pediatric oncology carnivals, Alzheimer's walks, epilepsy awareness walks, Down syndrome buddy walks, holiday toy drives with the CHP, Thanksgiving meal distributions, and large public events like the Anaheim Halloween Parade, sports games, and a march at Disneyland.

I genuinely feel like this experience is unique and compelling. I have shown up in a stormtrooper costume for veterans, interacted in character with children facing chronic illness, and interacted with thousands of strangers at public events. The costume does something that a clinical role or volunteer title just does not. A kid with Down syndrome pulled me onto the dance floor at a buddy walk. Reading books to childrenn at the library. A child at a trunk or treat ran up and hugged me before I even said anything.

I want to use this for a diversity secondary but I am not sure how to frame it in a way that directly and authentically answers the prompt. Has anyone used a non-traditional community service experience like this for a diversity essay? How would you connect something like this to what I bring to the medical school community specifically? Any thoughts appreciated.

Great activity and volunteering - I was recently at an event where the 501st Legion was present, and it was quite fun, but I'm not sure this is the best topic for this prompt. Just my thoughts.

 

[GoSpursGo]

This is very cool, and fits as either clinical or nonclinical volunteering depending on the setting. However, it is not responsive to a diversity prompt.

 

[Goro]

Nope.