Palatable/ acceptable topics for personal statement?

[sav_b1]

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Hi All,

I had a question about what topics are "safe" to approach in the personal statement. I personally do not believe in the gender binary, and I was wondering if it is considered appropriate to acknowledge this in my personal statement (when relevant to my thesis). I am a cisgender, queer applicant. Some of my personal statement (in recent drafts) includes some mild critique of the medical institution.

Are either of these considered "off-limits" topics that I should avoid? I'm just trying to be realistic in terms of my audience; I don't want to damage my chances, but would also appreciate the chance to write about something I'm passionate about.

Thanks very much!

 

[Master Thinker]

Gender is fine, but I think you shouldn't criticize medicine in that adcom readers may question why you want to study it.

 

[Welshman]

You don’t have to **** on medicine or other doctors to show how you’d be a good doctor, just show how you’d be a good one.

 

[Lucca]

I think if the critique fits in with why you want to be a doctor — presumably to contribute to improving healthcare for gender nonconforming, trans, queer individuals — then it would be totally fine.