PS Question Regarding a Rough Past

[MedKC]

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I am wondering if talking about a rough past in my personal statement will help me or hinder me. The past includes mostly recreational drug use, among other things of these sorts. I didn't know if having a story of being down in the dumps and then completely turning my life around would help me. I'm thinking it may be best to leave this out, but thought I would run it by SDN. It is a pretty good story of making a strong turnaround for the best. Thanks, guys.

 

[1lifeleft28]

Drug use is something you only want to talk about if you don't have a choice - ie a charge or something else. I wouldn't recommend it. Too much of a red flag and so many other applicants with no red flags.

 

[costales]

How old is this rough past? Relapse is a huge concern for applicants with a history of drug use - for obvious reasons.

 

[MedKC]

How old is this rough past? Relapse is a huge concern for applicants with a history of drug use - for obvious reasons.

Yeah, that's true. It's been 10 years since I've touched or even thought about doing drugs. I'm a non-trad student, obviously.

 

[anon01]

I am just a know-nothing pre-med at this stage in the game but I can't imagine volunteering this information would be a good thing.

I see why you could want to include this but I would just focus on positives on the PS..remember you only get one first impression and I would bank on the people reading this being conservative physicians. Keep that in mind but maybe Goro can better advise you.

Goodluck and congrats on making it this far!

 

[Escape_Goat]

Don't volunteer information about drug use, even if you're far removed from that behavior now.

It's possible that an adcom could see your redemption in a positive light, but for every one who does, there will be nine other adcoms who don't.

 

[MedKC]

Don't volunteer information about drug use, even if you're far removed from that behavior now.

It's possible that an adcom could see your redemption in a positive light, but for every one who does, there will be nine other adcoms who don't.

Thank you for the reply. I will not be stating my story afterall.