PharmCas Special Life Experiences

[Nikki2620]

So I just saw that pharmcas has a section for special life experiences. Sigh... These are the instructions:
Please describe any special life circumstances. These include but are not limited to the following: raised in a single parent home, socioeconomic status of family, first generation attending college, overcoming adversity, resident of an under-served area or an area with a health professions shortage, race and ethnicity, and cultural background.

I feel that any special life experiences should be covered in either your personal essay or in your supplemental applications. None of these circumstances apply to me and I feel that sure I can write something but it may sound forced. :/

What are your opinions? Did you write in this section and if so what things did you all talk about?

Thanks

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[GrimeWizard]

That section is purely optional and it wont make or break your application. From what I know, the special life circumstances section can only help your application and it wont be used against you. I think the main purpose is to find out whether or not you're eligible for scholarships.

 

[universalcynic]

I don't think you need to write anything in that section if nothing comes to mind. I was raised in a single parent home and my family has had financial issues, but I still didn't use that section because it would feel too awkwardly personal to write about it, and it doesn't strike me as extremely relevant to my quality as a potential pharmacy student.

Not that I think there's anything wrong with an applicant using that section; if it makes sense to them as being something important to their pharmacy school application and they feel comfortable with it I think they should go for it. But I'm just saying you shouldn't feel like you're obligated to come up with something to put there, especially if it would feel forced.

 

[Pojman]

I left it blank.

 

[Nikki2620]

I don't think you need to write anything in that section if nothing comes to mind. I was raised in a single parent home and my family has had financial issues, but I still didn't use that section because it would feel too awkwardly personal to write about it, and it doesn't strike me as extremely relevant to my quality as a potential pharmacy student.

Not that I think there's anything wrong with an applicant using that section; if it makes sense to them as being something important to their pharmacy school application and they feel comfortable with it I think they should go for it. But I'm just saying you shouldn't feel like you're obligated to come up with something to put there, especially if it would feel forced.

Thanks, and I appreciate that you left it blank to respect your privacy and didn't try use it as a way to prove your quality as an applicant although nothing would have been wrong with that since that's what its there for. But I respect your conservation with your past. I've been fortunate not to have gone through any real major life circumstances but I feel that I am just as qualified as many of those who have.

 

[474671]

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[The Recoverer]

That section is purely optional and it wont make or break your application. From what I know, the special life circumstances section can only help your application and it wont be used against you. I think the main purpose is to find out whether or not you're eligible for scholarships.

It can definitely harm your chances of acceptance if you use it the wrong way. personally, i left it blank. unless you had a death in the family or other event that has dramatically affected your ability to do well in work or school, putting anything here could make you come off as someone who is making excuses and who is irresponsible for their actions.

of course i am in no way shape or form referring to anyone on this forum. i am just stating that usually if there really isn't anything big that has majorly impacted your life, leave it blank and let your PS do the work.