How far back can we go in terms of experiences for secondaries?

[osumc2014]

---

Members do not see this ad.

For example, if secondaries ask for a difficult situation that was overcome, can we use situations other than college? even go as far back as elementary school? or is that too far off.

 

[lrkoehle]

I would strongly recommend sticking to the part of your life after you were born, before that it might be a little weird.

 

[lrkoehle]

I guess I should include a less sarcastic response as well. I think we can go as far back as we want. The most important thing is always going to be the impact it had on you as a person/future doctor. The impact may lessen with time, so something more recent might be more relevant. It all depends on the situation.

 

[osumc2014]

I would strongly recommend sticking to the part of your life after you were born, before that it might be a little weird.

thanks

 

[hewmanoid]

Nope, not at all. You can basically talk about any adversity you have experienced since your birth. But, it's probably best that your "difficult" situation happened some time during or following your teenage years. The reason is that, when medical schools ask you about your personal hardship, they're interested in how the event affected/shaped you, not simply what happened. Let's say, your grandma passed away when you were 5 (hypothetical), and you could say this event made you want to become a physician. But, it's hard to convince an admissions committee that the event really did motivate you to become a physician because many people don't have the capacity to reflect on life at age 5. I hope you get the idea..

 

[osumc2014]

Nope, not at all. You can basically talk about any adversity you have experienced since your birth. But, it's probably best that your "difficult" situation happened some time during or following your teenage years. The reason is that, when medical schools ask you about your personal hardship, they're interested in how the event affected/shaped you, not simply what happened. Let's say, your grandma passed away when you were 5 (hypothetical), and you could say this event made you want to become a physician. But, it's hard to convince an admissions committee that the event really did motivate you to become a physician because many people don't have the capacity to reflect on life at age 5. I hope you get the idea..

What about moving to the US at the age of 9?

 

[hewmanoid]

That could make a great topic for your adversity essays. Maybe you can talk about cultural, linguistic, or even economic (if there is any) hardships you experienced upon moving to the U.S., and tell med schools how those events changed you (like your perspective, attitude, lessons learned..etc) and maybe discuss why the experience will help you become an awesome doctor...or something along the line. Good luck!

 

[mvenus929]

What about moving to the US at the age of 9?

Sounds like a pretty significant experience. You want to choose something that has shaped you, and that would be one.