How much to spread out secondary topics?

[MetroCube2]

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As I am pre-writing secondaries, I find that there are 2 experiences that I am able to keep on coming back to because it is so easy to answer these prompts by drawing upon them. However, I also don't want to make it seem like these are the only two experiences that have informed my worldview. What is the right balance between focusing on my strengths and showing that I have a diverse set of life experiences?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

As I am pre-writing secondaries, I find that there are 2 experiences that I am able to keep on coming back to because it is so easy to answer these prompts by drawing upon them. However, I also don't want to make it seem like these are the only two experiences that have informed my worldview. What is the right balance between focusing on my strengths and showing that I have a diverse set of life experiences?

Welcome to the forums.

It's hard to answer this question in a vacuum. But you need experiences that showcase your 11 professional competencies. A single activity cannot capture all 11 (unless you're already a healthcare professional), and most adcoms look for the "well-rounded" excellent applicant, so multiple well-chosen activities and your impact within them determine your preparation and fitness for medicine. In other words, your diverse experiences will let us know what your strengths, motivations, and readiness for medicine are; if you only have two while others have many more...

 

[MetroCube2]

But you need experiences that showcase your 11 professional competencies

I see, thank you! In that case, I will choose to write about a wider variety of my experiences. I will also think about how to demonstrate these competencies. In your opinion, should I explicitly state the competency and how it is shown, or would that be tacky and I should simply allow the reader to see it?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I see, thank you! In that case, I will choose to write about a wider variety of my experiences. I will also think about how to demonstrate these competencies. In your opinion, should I explicitly state the competency and how it is shown, or would that be tacky and I should simply allow the reader to see it?

Listing competencies per activity is like competing in the Tour de France with training wheels. 🙂 See AAMC's workbook Anatomy of an Applicant as that's what the workbook asks you to do (highlight one activity and the competency demonstrated). You can do it to help you plan your overall W/A section, though good luck with commitment to growth. 🙂

Furthermore, an experience usually helps you with more than one competency; it's your job in your essays to spotlight critical skills and competencies to achieve impact.

 

[MetroCube2]

Listing competencies per activity is like competing in the Tour de France with training wheels

Haha maybe it's because it's 2 AM and my brain is fried but I can't understand this analogy at all 🤣. Maybe I'll circle back in the morning