Education extension/gap personal statement approach?

[asdfff]

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So...not only did I have an extended education time ("decelerated" or similar), but I also took a leave of absence. It's technically medical (depression), and I fully intend on addressing it both on the CAF and on the personal statement.

My question is...what's a good way to go about addressing this?

What I know so far is not just to explain the depression, but that it was "Resolved and not likely to recur", but beyond that...

Here's what I also have: It's led me to be much better at sensing how psychiatric patients think, and also to consider a career in something psych related.

For the PDs or application process faculty/committee, what are good PSes that you felt were good at addressing education extensions/gaps?

 

[WhoisJohnGalt]

So...not only did I have an extended education time ("decelerated" or similar), but I also took a leave of absence. It's technically medical (depression), and I fully intend on addressing it both on the CAF and on the personal statement.

My question is...what's a good way to go about addressing this?

What I know so far is not just to explain the depression, but that it was "Resolved and not likely to recur", but beyond that...

Here's what I also have: It's led me to be much better at sensing how psychiatric patients think, and also to consider a career in something psych related.

For the PDs or application process faculty/committee, what are good PSes that you felt were good at addressing education extensions/gaps?

This is tricky. You should head over to the psych forum where there was a similar thread about someone wanting to address bipolar disorder in their PS as a reason they're going into psych, and the response was universally NO keep it out of the PS. Yours is trickier because you do have the gap to explain, but I think I would still keep any mental illness out of it as much as possible. Honestly if I were you I would probably put it in an "acute personal problems that I needed to deal with but have since resolved" kind of light, and just be as brief and succinct as possible... I don't even know that I would mention the "d" word. The PD's may chip in and have a different opinion, but my thought is any mention of a chronic illness that could interfere with your work is unlikely to be favorably received.

 

[MagnetoInTx]

We have a Fam Med faculty who just also happens to be a hot-shot at CV and Personal Statement writing (he's published several books). His advice to us would to address it in one sentence (don't dwell on it), but put a positive spin on it. For example, make it about what you learned from it, not what happened. I can't give you one specifically on depression, but the examples he gave us for failing a class were something to the effect of: "Retaking physiology taught me new learning strategies and the benefits of collaborative team work in study groups."

You don't even have to mention depression. You could just say "illness," which would still be truthful while not divulging too much info.

 

[asdfff]

For example, make it about what you learned from it, not what happened.

This sounds like a good angle of attack...I think I'll try to develop an outline based on this.

Also, before the PDs pitch in, I'll provide some more stats:
- basic science grades obviously weren't too hot
- clinical grades were solid to good (Honors in surg, psych)
- extensive research (6) and publication/presentations (>10)
- US grad if that means anything
- applying to psych

As PART of my PS, maybe 33% to 40%, I was originally thinking of mentioning how overcoming depression helped me with empathy and rapport with pts, and then deciding to do psych.

 

[Blesbok]

We have a Fam Med faculty who just also happens to be a hot-shot at CV and Personal Statement writing (he's published several books). His advice to us would to address it in one sentence (don't dwell on it), but put a positive spin on it. For example, make it about what you learned from it, not what happened. I can't give you one specifically on depression, but the examples he gave us for failing a class were something to the effect of: "Retaking physiology taught me new learning strategies and the benefits of collaborative team work in study groups."

You don't even have to mention depression. You could just say "illness," which would still be truthful while not divulging too much info.

Relate it to medicine. My blah blah passed suddenly and it gave my deep insight into the struggle my patients will go through on a regular basis. I feel it has taught my a strong lesson in sympathy toward my future patients...blah blah blah