personal statment (researched vs underserved)

[grindtillgrave]

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hey guys,

I'm really interested in serving the under-served community and I hint toward that in my personal statement such as my volunteering in South Africa etc. However I am worried this will lower my chances of getting into the "research" based schools. Should I avoid talking about my experiences serving the under-served due to this?

 

[CyrilFiggis]

Have you done research?

 

[grindtillgrave]

@CyrilFiggis yes ~2 years worth. The professor I did research for will be writing me a letter. So it should be accounted for, I'm assuming he will speak about it in the letter, but I also had him as an instructor for bacti

 

[OchemOficionado]

Did you dedicate any of your time to underserved communities around you?

I look forward to the feedback you receive here, but my is guess a short time in a different country is not going to overshadow anything else on your app.

 

[CyrilFiggis]

Then, no. nothing to worry about. You can discuss your research in your ECs as one of your most memorable. If working with the underserved was a major influence for you and helps to answer, "why medicine" include it. Besides, research isn't just running PCRs or dealing with clinical trials, it's also public health and epidemiology.

 

[grindtillgrave]

Thanks so much for the feedback guys @OchemOficionado, yes also mentored foster children in my community, but didn't bring that up.

 

[enchantediris]

Many research-heavy schools are located in large cities and therefore have missions oriented toward underserved communities (Boston, New York, Chicago, etc.). I wouldn't worry about it! I specifically mentioned wanting to work with underserved communities in my personal statement and am planning to applying to man research-oriented schools. 🙂

 

[grindtillgrave]

@enchantediris good point, thanks for input!