Need help choosing for the diversity essay

[c99]

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[deleted972488]

I vote for 2 and 3.

Number 2 doesn’t need to be just academic. Talk about how it fostered cultural awareness and appreciation.

Number 3 also applies to me and I incorporated it into my diversity essays, but it wasn’t the only thing I talked about. Mentioning it doesn’t automatically make it a sob story. It is something that is fairly unique and will help us bring a different perspective to medicine. That’s not a sob story!

 

[Phoebus Apollo]

^+1
It’s not a sob story, it’s a triumph story

 

[Moko]

All three could potentially make for good diversity topics, it depends on how they're written.

#1 can be framed as wanting to give back to your school community, while also highlighting your recognizing personal weaknesses and overcoming them
#2 can be framed as intellectual curiosity and your love for learning about other cultures
#3 would be the most obvious choice of the three, which provides a perspective that many students would likely benefit from, while showing your maturity and humility.

You do not need to limit yourself to just one topic, though also recognize that more is not necessarily better!!

Edit: misread #3

 

[Catalystik]

I feel like there are a few angles I could approach this essay and wanted to get some thoughts/opinions on which way I may want to go.

1) I am an admissions ambassador for my school which requires a lot of energy, knowledge about the school, and general good public speaking skills. Now, I generally have always been the "quiet" kid growing up so this opportunity really took me out of my comfort zone (like a lot lmao). But, I think it has really helped me come into my own. I'm not sure if this story would count as diversity since I'm sure loads of other premeds are good at speaking and extraverted.

2) I minored in geography which, whenever I mention to someone, is a lot more interesting than it sounds. Although, I do make maps and know the capitals of most countries too. Geography has led me to learn about economics, policy, history, and public health. I really enjoy learning about other countries and societies even though I have never studied abroad. And while I didn't join a geography "club," I have applied what I've learned into my research. However, the problem with this topic is that it is just talking more about academics.

3) A bit more controversial, but I have just survived cancer treatment and thought that being able to now talk from a patient perspective (aka the fear of going through this whole ordeal) might provide a unique perspective? I say this is controversial since I don't want to come off as a sob story and because I realize my position was about as good as it can get for someone with cancer (having health insurance so my family wouldn't have to worry about it financially).

If anyone could give some advice or just some general thoughts, it would be so appreciated!

I'd go with #2, or maybe #3, but considering it's recent, only if you know the end of the story, as mentioning cancer may open up a discussion that you aren't ready to go into.

 

[Goro]

3 > 2>>>>>>>>>>>1

 

[mchammer]

I'd go with #2, or maybe #3, but considering it's recent, only if you know the end of the story, as mentioning cancer may open up a discussion that you aren't ready to go into.

Go with #3. I think it’s the most genuine. You don’t even necessarily need to mention that it was cancer treatment, if you’re concerned that adcoms might prejudge your health and capabilities. You could frame it simply as an illness that you underwent treatment for, and what that showed you about the patient side of medicine, how it influenced the doctor you want to become.