Secondaries - challenge/obstacle question

[derrick rose]

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There are a few schools that ask about any challenges/hurdles/obstacles that you have overcome that are unique. I am unsure if I should include a very personal medical issue, where I have had a condition since birth that has brought about many insecurities throughout my life. Though, keep in mind it is not a medical condition that could jeopardize the admissions' perception of how competent I am as a physician. I would probably answer by discussing how the medical condition has brought about such insecurities, how I found strength, and how it has shaped my character to this present day.

Would this be worth mentioning for adcom as a unique/personal obstacle that could make me stand out as an applicant? It is most definitely coming from the heart and is a sincere issue that I have dealt with throughout my entire life.

Also, if I do include such an essay, would there be a point in describing the specifics of the medical condition? I have seen physicians with over 30-40 years under their belt that have NEVER seen my medical problem ever before and often leave them dumfounded.

Thanks for the input!

 

[ngc 2170]

Sure. If you thought of it upon reading the prompt, it probably was significant to you and will ring true.

Would recommend in general focusing more on the process of how you dealt with it than on how much of an obstacle it was. Unique obstacles don't make applicants stand out... unique or exceptional response to obstacles makes applicants stand out.

 

[derrick rose]

Sure. If you thought of it upon reading the prompt, it probably was significant to you and will ring true.

Would recommend in general focusing more on the process of how you dealt with it than on how much of an obstacle it was. Unique obstacles don't make applicants stand out... unique or exceptional response to obstacles makes applicants stand out.

Thanks. Do you think this would be a way of adding to the diversity of some medical classes as well? Like modifying this to answer a "how you add diversity to our school" essay? It does kind of add a unique background/adversity that I have had to deal with. Its either this or discussing how my active involvement in the exercise community could add to the mix...

 

[Gandyy]

I've had to take several gap years now because of a particular illness so I'm definitely going to write about that as they are going to want to know "what happened" probably.