Secondary Essay Obstacle Topic

[HopefulErDr]

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Would writing about switching majors and deciding to pursue medicine halfway through my college career be seen as a good topic? When I switched, I basically had to start from scratch in my new major, and take many upper levels together so that I would be able to graduate on time. This required me to adopt a greater work ethic, study strategies, and prioritization in order to succeed.

 

[deleted972488]

No. Many schools specifically ask for something non-academic.

 

[HopefulErDr]

No. Many schools specifically ask for something non-academic.

What obstacles or challenges have you experienced and how have you dealt with them?

That was the prompt, I'm just having a hard time brainstorming for it. I thought about talking about being a first gen medical applicant in my family. I'm not the first to go to college, but I am the first to pursue anything health related. Neither of my parents finished college, but my brother and I have.

 

[907914]

No. Many schools specifically ask for something non-academic.

Can a challenge essay be about a series of events as opposed to a singular obstacle (ie. returning to school after a career, overcoming internal axiety over attending college etc.)

 

[deleted972488]

I'm not the first to go to college, but I am the first to pursue anything health related. Neither of my parents finished college, but my brother and I have.

Much better

 

[deleted972488]

Can a challenge essay be about a series of events as opposed to a singular obstacle (ie. returning to school after a career, overcoming internal axiety over attending college etc.)

I think it might depend on the prompt, but generally yes.

 

[HopefulErDr]

Much better

Okay so I could talk about challenges gaining exposure to medicine, beginning with volunteering and working my way up to shadowing and scribing. (I still have trouble finding shadowing, going to try a local PCP tomorrow and see if he will let me shadow)

 

[Moko]

Okay so I could talk about challenges gaining exposure to medicine, beginning with volunteering and working my way up to shadowing and scribing. (I still have trouble finding shadowing, going to try a local PCP tomorrow and see if he will let me shadow)

Generally speaking, it's better to write about something unrelated to your academics. This question shows us an applicant's problem-solving skills / coping mechanisms, and helps us learn more about an applicant outside of their coursework.

Being the first generation in your family to finish college, what struggles have you encountered related to this that you can write about? When have you failed and how did you respond to it? Were you ever in a situation where you were in the clear minority and how did you get through that? If you can't think of anything, then writing about adjusting to life in college is something that would work too, but would be a wasted opportunity to not showcase other parts of your life.

Also, definitely do not write about anything related to the application process (the hoops you need to jump through, etc). No one wants to read how difficult the application process is. Hope this helps!

 

[Goro]

Would writing about switching majors and deciding to pursue medicine halfway through my college career be seen as a good topic? When I switched, I basically had to start from scratch in my new major, and take many upper levels together so that I would be able to graduate on time. This required me to adopt a greater work ethic, study strategies, and prioritization in order to succeed.

No. Show us you have a life outside academics, and that you are capable of introspection