How to explain this gap on ERAS?

[PremedSurvivor]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hey everyone,

I took 4 months off to support my family, but the reason isn't exactly PC.

We found out my father was struggling with a drug addiction. Long story short, it led to my parents divorcing, and I took 4 months off to support my mother and help her determine her living situation, since she has no extended family.

What exactly is the best way to frame something so sensitive?

 

[HomeSkool]

"Personal emergency"
"Family crisis"
"Family tragedy"
etc.

I'm so sorry to hear you've gone through this. 🙁

 

[PremedSurvivor]

"Personal emergency"
"Family crisis"
"Family tragedy"
etc.

I'm so sorry to hear you've gone through this. 🙁

Thank you for the help and for being understanding. I was thinking along those same lines, but was concerned this would be seen as vague or insufficient; is that not the case?

 

[HomeSkool]

Thank you for the help and for being understanding. I was thinking along those same lines, but was concerned this would be seen as vague or insufficient; is that not the case?

No. Adcoms will read that like anyone else would: "This was a traumatic event that affected me and that I wish to keep to myself." Nothing wrong with that.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using SDN mobile

 

[Rekt]

Thank you for the help and for being understanding. I was thinking along those same lines, but was concerned this would be seen as vague or insufficient; is that not the case?

I think family crisis/emergency would be best and I very much doubt anyone would question you/ask you about it as that's pretty inappropriate.

 

[PremedSurvivor]

I think family crisis/emergency would be best and I very much doubt anyone would question you/ask you about it as that's pretty inappropriate.

Thanks so much for the help; that's a relief, because I definitely would be uncomfortable discussing it.

 

[operaman]

Agree with above. Family emergency says all you have to say. Nobody will think twice of it, especially if the rest of the application is pretty normal appearing.

 

[PremedSurvivor]

Agree with above. Family emergency says all you have to say. Nobody will think twice of it, especially if the rest of the application is pretty normal appearing.

This lifts a big weight off of my shoulders. Thank you all for your help!