How does being poor add diversity?

[Latteandaprayer]

**Applying next cycle, so there's no rush to come up with a topic now**

(You can skip this paragraph). I asked a question a bit back about putting myself down as disadvantaged, and now I'm wondering how to tackle growing up poor in a diversity essay. The reason I don't want to write it as an overcoming adversity essay is because I haven't overcome anything. I had severe self-esteem issues growing up because multiple friends remarked that my house looks like a crackhouse and that they're too scared to sleep over, which made me refuse to invite anyone over throughout my childhood/teenage years. I felt inferior for years because we had food stamps and I couldn't afford vacations. I "overcame" it by realizing that no matter how ashamed I am, there's nothing I can change right now, and there's no reason to be angry over something I have absolutely no control over. My parents did their best.

Anyway, self-esteem issues (I've heard) are a no-no, and I didn't really overcome anything through work. However, I've read that it can be a diversity essay, but I'm struggling with how to write it. I don't know what perspectives it gave me since I've never lived a life where we weren't on food stamps or living in a house that's falling apart.I really hate essays that are basically "I learned that we're all the same 🙂" because they seem disingenuous, and I never had the mindset that rich people are better or worse than me morally, or that their success wasn't "as real" or whatever. Does anyone have any direction? Maybe I'm just not understanding the diversity prompt?

I know it's silly to start prewriting a year or two before applying, and I'm not going to write it now. I just want a list of ideas I can use for when I am applying.

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[BostonGeorge]

Anyway, self-esteem issues (I've heard) are a no-no

Why would self esteem be off limits? If you struggled with it and could write something insightful then I don't see why that wouldn't make a good topic.

 

[Latteandaprayer]

Why would self esteem be off limits? If you struggled with it and could write something insightful then I don't see why that wouldn't make a good topic.

I've heard it might make adcoms worry that I wouldn't be able to handle the stress of medical school, and I might fall back into my issues.

 

[theKingLT]

**Applying next cycle, so there's no rush to come up with a topic now**

(You can skip this paragraph). I asked a question a bit back about putting myself down as disadvantaged, and now I'm wondering how to tackle growing up poor in a diversity essay. The reason I don't want to write it as an overcoming adversity essay is because I haven't overcome anything. I had severe self-esteem issues growing up because multiple friends remarked that my house looks like a crackhouse and that they're too scared to sleep over, which made me refuse to invite anyone over throughout my childhood/teenage years. I felt inferior for years because we had food stamps and I couldn't afford vacations. I "overcame" it by realizing that no matter how ashamed I am, there's nothing I can change right now, and there's no reason to be angry over something I have absolutely no control over. My parents did their best.

Anyway, self-esteem issues (I've heard) are a no-no, and I didn't really overcome anything through work. However, I've read that it can be a diversity essay, but I'm struggling with how to write it. I don't know what perspectives it gave me since I've never lived a life where we weren't on food stamps or living in a house that's falling apart.I really hate essays that are basically "I learned that we're all the same 🙂" because they seem disingenuous, and I never had the mindset that rich people are better or worse than me morally, or that their success wasn't "as real" or whatever. Does anyone have any direction? Maybe I'm just not understanding the diversity prompt?

I know it's silly to start prewriting a year or two before applying, and I'm not going to write it now. I just want a list of ideas I can use for when I am applying.

I grew up living like X, this gave me a unique perspective Y, with insights into Z. Bonus points for tying in how it will help you relate/connect with future patients. Less bonus points if you want to be a plastic surgeon for Beverly Hills folk

 

[LizzyM]

You will care for patients who are on food stamps, who live in substandard and unsafe housing, you will care for kids who have parents who are unable to provide for them, you will find yourself in situations where you will be able to relate to your patients' struggles. You have a fund of knowledge that people who grew up middle class or in affluence don't have, just as they have knowledge of things you are unfamiliar with. The knowledge that comes from your experience provides diversity given that very few of the applicants to medical school grew up in poverty. It doesn't have to be about self-esteem, it can just be about what you learned about the world, about stretching your food budget, making do or doing without, that sets you apart and helps you relate to patients who are experiencing the same struggles you grew up with.

 

[ciestar]

Take a guess how many of your potential classmates grew up poor. Hint: it won’t be many.

I did something similar with this. Being embarrassed, low self esteem, etc etc. basically tied it into kicking butt in college and realizing that none of that was gonna hold me back.

 

[IMGASMD]

You will care for patients who are on food stamps, who live in substandard and unsafe housing, you will care for kids who have parents who are unable to provide for them, you will find yourself in situations where you will be able to relate to your patients' struggles. You have a fund of knowledge that people who grew up middle class or in affluence don't have, just as they have knowledge of things you are unfamiliar with. The knowledge that comes from your experience provides diversity given that very few of the applicants to medical school grew up in poverty. It doesn't have to be about self-esteem, it can just be about what you learned about the world, about stretching your food budget, making do or doing without, that sets you apart and helps you relate to patients who are experiencing the same struggles you grew up with.

A lot of people don’t recognize a lot of what we do is “system based.” You need to learn how to play nice with the insurance company, administrators, people seemingly who have power over you. Heck, I had to call power company for one of my patient at some point. And sometimes you cannot just yell “I am a doctor, this needs to get done stat.” All these things may have been something that you had to learn how to do.

Getting free lunch at school, while maybe uncomfortable, but it may give you some appreciation of cafeteria workers on a different level than your classmates. You maybe have connected to these people who are at a lower Socioeconomic status than some of your future colleagues.

Your value of money/time/hard work is also something you can think about. Someone who have the family backing to go through medical school, as many as 1/2 of my classmates didn’t acquire a loan. And up to -25% have one of the parents who is a doctor also change your worldview.

You “know” how people are different, but you don’t have the mileage yet to appreciate these things yet. Take your time and look around or get a rich friend, you’d see people aren’t all created equal.....😉 and we really need people from all backgrounds to be doctors.

Good luck.

 

[raiderette]

Take a guess how many of your potential classmates grew up poor. Hint: it won’t be many.

I did something similar with this. Being embarrassed, low self esteem, etc etc. basically tied it into kicking butt in college and realizing that none of that was gonna hold me back.

This helped me on my diversity essay. I talked about relating to people who struggled with compliance, knowing very well how hard it is to eat a healthy diet and even how to exercise without stigma. You WILL be able to relate to patients in a different way than many of your classmates. Now in rotations, I can see it. I also realize quickly when I am being played. We grow up learning different skills. Of course it adds to diversity, and it gives me a drive to do well, as it obviously did for you to do well in undergrad.

 

[Goro]

I've heard it might make adcoms worry that I wouldn't be able to handle the stress of medical school, and I might fall back into my issues.

Evidence of prolonged academic success is evidence that you can handle the stress of med school.

 

[Dr. Meliodas]

I also came from a low socioeconomic background and my ability to connect with others from those background really became evident in my clinical experiences volunteering at a free health care clinic for the homeless, or when speaking with specific families that would come in to the Children's Center while I was volunteering there as well.

Try and get involved with these communities through volunteering and I am sure you will see the value of your background.

As far as "overcoming" poverty, the way I talked about that was the fact that I was the first in my family to go to college. I was fortunate enough to graduate from one of the top colleges in the country. I went on to pursue a Masters and during this past gap year I had an amazing job working in public health policy that paid really well. I was already making over double what my parents made while I was growing up and this allowed me to help them pay some bills while allowing me to live comfortably and actually have a savings for the first time.

Talk about how the degree you are earning will open so many opportunities for not just you but for your family as well.

Hope this helps!

 

[DameJulie]

Being poor by itself probably doesn't add much to diversity. But it's the reflection and the motivation to change for the poor adds to diversity.

For example, an applicant who lived in extreme poverty cannot afford many drugs and service that is not covered by insurance. As a physician, will you keep that in mind for your patients?

 

[Latteandaprayer]

Being poor by itself probably doesn't add much to diversity. But it's the reflection and the motivation to change for the poor adds to diversity.

For example, an applicant who lived in extreme poverty cannot afford many drugs and service that is not covered by insurance. As a physician, will you keep that in mind for your patients?

That’s a good point 🙂

I’m just really worried that I’ll come off holier-than-thou for having this perspective. Like I hate to assume that just because someone is rich they don’t understand how patients might not have much access to medicine. Or that a doctor from a wealthy family doesn’t know how to interact with poor patients.

 

[theKingLT]

That’s a good point 🙂

I’m just really worried that I’ll come off holier-than-thou for having this perspective. Like I hate to assume that just because someone is rich they don’t understand how patients might not have much access to medicine. Or that a doctor from a wealthy family doesn’t know how to interact with poor patients.

You don't need to go so far as to say the other applicants don't understand X like I do! Just say "X is my unique perspective" and you will be fine, no holier-than-thou attitude will be perceived

 

[raiderette]

That’s a good point 🙂

I’m just really worried that I’ll come off holier-than-thou for having this perspective. Like I hate to assume that just because someone is rich they don’t understand how patients might not have much access to medicine. Or that a doctor from a wealthy family doesn’t know how to interact with poor patients.

Don't assume that. After 3 years at a top 20 school, most med students don't understand making a choice between light bill or groceries. They have never met a person who has had to visit someone in prison.
I feel blessed to be in med school, but so do those who have always lived in privilege. Tell your life as it is. It will help. As a point of reference, I originally only got into my state school because I did a good job of passing for normal. I know for a fact that my pre-med advisor spoke to several adcoms once I was waitlisted. I didn't write about my true disadvantage (family of felons, mother on welfare, etc) but I was taken off almost every waitlisted. Show them who you are. It may not get you into med school, but it frees you to appreciate how far you have come.