Interviews/Essays: Walking the line between savior complex and genuine desire to serve the underserved

[FuturePediatricNeurosurge]

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Hi all—
I come from a suburban upper middle class family. One of the main themes in my app is how I volunteered on Skid Row in Los Angeles for a summer and was driven to provide care for all— homeless, uninsured, etc.

However, I am seeing some people critique this sort of theme, saying it comes off as being too white savior-like. I was wondering if anyone has thoughts about this. When is this sort of theme viewed as genuine versus feigned? Should I even care and just try to put my best foot forward?

Thanks!

 

[Azaesal]

Hi all—
I come from a suburban upper middle class family. One of the main themes in my app is how I volunteered on Skid Row in Los Angeles for a summer and was driven to provide care for all— homeless, uninsured, etc.

However, I am seeing some people critique this sort of theme, saying it comes off as being too white savior-like. I was wondering if anyone has thoughts about this. When is this sort of theme viewed as genuine versus feigned? Should I even care and just try to put my best foot forward?

Thanks!

It depends on how you write and frame it. I don’t see it as a bad thing from a big-picture POV. How you write about it and reflect on it is what matters. Shoot a DM with what you wrote if you want more eyes on it!

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Hi all—
I come from a suburban upper middle class family. One of the main themes in my app is how I volunteered on Skid Row in Los Angeles for a summer and was driven to provide care for all— homeless, uninsured, etc.

However, I am seeing some people critique this sort of theme, saying it comes off as being too white savior-like. I was wondering if anyone has thoughts about this. When is this sort of theme viewed as genuine versus feigned? Should I even care and just try to put my best foot forward?

Thanks!

Focus on you. Haters gonna hate.

That said, to answer your question, how you connect this activity to your purpose as a physician will determine how I believe your interest in that activity was genuine or an attempt at "standing out." You did say you got an II, so it can't be horrible.

 

[PickaGodnPray]

I believe what is typically seen as more "white savior" complexes are premeds that go to foreign countries on vacation, do maybe a few hours of shadowing/clinical outreach, then spend the rest of the time on vacation. Also, while I am always for people serving in these areas and believe there should be no borders to care, but we do currently have numerous underserved populations in the states that requires support (veterans, unhoused, uninsured, etc). I am always curious when talking with premeds why they HAD to go abroad to serve these groups while also having none of said service on their application in the states?

 

[Azaesal]

Focus on you. Haters gonna hate.

That said, to answer your question, how you connect this activity to your purpose as a physician will determine how I believe your interest in that activity was genuine or an attempt at "standing out." You did say you got an II, so it can't be horrible.

I agree. Haters gonna hate!!