Optional App Essay: Unique Circumstances/Life Experiences Pertinent to App.

[SpoiledMilk]

Hi All,

Seeking opinions on whether telling about the time I rescued a dying/abandoned animal and how it shows compassion and kindness, etc., attributes that as a physician, I will also show when caring/treating patients. Is the story off-base or will it raise adverse questions (e.g. Why don't you try becoming a veterinarian, etc?)

Thanks in advance!!!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[JB50]

Humans, opie. Humans.

Also the words "pertinent to app" are striking me...

Saving an animal doesn't have anything to do with your medical school application.

 

[raf1ki]

That's a dangerous essay to write because it could make you stand out in a negative way (i.e. this applicant has no idea what we are looking for). It also looks especially navel gazing, like the essays about playing doctor as a kid.

It could be done right, but I can't advise it.

 

[Goro]

Humans, opie. Humans.

Also the words "pertinent to app" are striking me...

Saving an animal doesn't have anything to do with your medical school application.

This, SDNers, this. Big time.

If you wish to demonstrate your compassion, engage in service to others less fortunate than yourself.

 

[SpoiledMilk]

Humans, opie. Humans.

Also the words "pertinent to app" are striking me...

Saving an animal doesn't have anything to do with your medical school application.

Thank you!

How about saving the life of a friend who was drowning? No joke, not being facetious...true story.

 

[JB50]

Thank you!

How about saving the life of a friend who was drowning? No joke, not being facetious...true story.

Was your friend a human?

 

[SpoiledMilk]

Was your friend a human?

Sorry I wasn't clear. Yes he is a person.

 

[JB50]

Sorry I wasn't clear. Yes he is a person.

I was just kidding. Still probably a personal statement type experience, not really the "experiences" section.

 

[LizzyM]

Optional App Essay: Unique Circumstances/Life Experiences Pertinent to App

This is optional because they don't expect many people to have unique circumstances or life experiences pertinent to the application. Don't waste adcoms time with trivial events.

If you had a catastrophic loss and were displaced as a family (wild fires, Katrina, etc), or lost a sibling due to illness or injury, or lived abroad for years as the child of an ex-pat then you might have an interesting story to tell that doesn't quite fit into your PS or experiences section and that can go here. I think that's what they are getting at, not a "I saved a life one day" sort of event that wasn't pertinent enough to make it into your PS.

 

[SpoiledMilk]

This is optional because they don't expect many people to have unique circumstances or life experiences pertinent to the application. Don't waste adcoms time with trivial events.

If you had a catastrophic loss and were displaced as a family (wild fires, Katrina, etc), or lost a sibling due to illness or injury, or lived abroad for years as the child of an ex-pat then you might have an interesting story to tell that doesn't quite fit into your PS or experiences section and that can go here. I think that's what they are getting at, not a "I saved a life one day" sort of event that wasn't pertinent enough to make it into your PS.

Duly noted and normally I would leave the essay blank, but the application handbook advises (bold is from the actual handbook):

Since some of the med schools in this "lucky" state do not have secondaries and only rely on primary applications... (and yes, the "lucky" state is that state)

 

[LizzyM]

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS ESSAY The personal characteristics essay is limited to 2500 characters, including spaces. Learning from others is enhanced in educational settings that include individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Please describe your personal characteristics (background, talents, skills, etc.) or experiences that would add to the educational experience of others.

OPTIONAL ESSAY The optional essay is limited to 2500 characters, including spaces. The optional essay is an opportunity to provide the admissions committee(s) with a broader picture of who you are as an applicant. This essay is optional; however, you are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity. Briefly state any unique circumstances or life experiences that are relevant to your application. This is not an area to continue your essay or reiterate what you have p...

I'm really puzzled because the Personal Characteristics essay would seem to cover background, talents, skills, experiences that would add to the educational experience of others (a reframed diversity essay). I almost wonder if this is the place for the equivalent of an AMCAS disadvantage statement or something off-beat that you didn't list as an experience but that relevant to your application such as you are a triplet or an Eagle Scout or that you were a nationally ranked xyz in HS.

Anyone apply and get into a school in this "lucky state" (or Republic 😉 ) who cares to comment?

 

[raf1ki]

It's worth taking advantage of every opportunity given to you if your stats aren't at the top. Just be very critical and introspective about it. Both essays are very short, and it can be used as a second diversity essay, but it should have focus on something particular.

I almost wonder if this is the place for the equivalent of an AMCAS disadvantage statement or something off-beat that you didn't list as an experience but that relevant to your application such as you are a triplet or an Eagle Scout or that you were a nationally ranked xyz in HS.

 

[SpoiledMilk]

It's worth taking advantage of every opportunity given to you if your stats aren't at the top. Just be very critical and introspective about it. Both essays are very short, and it can be used as a second diversity essay, but it should have focus on something particular.

I don't think having top stats exempt applicants from this essay, however, I do agree that it should be "very critical and introspective."

And not to be redundant, but if "something off-beat" that is not listed as an experience can be used, wouldn't going out of the way to save a helpless animal or making a split-second decision to save a drowning person be considered ways to broaden this republic's medschools' adcoms' perspective of me?

I have already listed the requisite volunteering, clinical experiences, etc in my app.

 

[raf1ki]

Not really, because it's something we would expect anyone to do. An in-the-moment decision doesn't demonstrate qualities that are developed over long periods of time, and it's basically impossible to write meaningfully about it. Nobody would believe you if you wrote that saving an animal changed you or changed your life. Think bigger.