Should I mention being nontraditional in my residency personal statement?

[RuralIndiana]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I'll be turning 35 next May when I graduate. Should I talk about being a nontraditional student in my personal statement? I'm thinking of going into Gen Surg or Urology, and I'm not sure if my life before medicine is something I should talk about in my ps or not. Does anyone have experience with this?

 

[username456789]

I'll be turning 35 next May when I graduate. Should I talk about being a nontraditional student in my personal statement? I'm thinking of going into Gen Surg or Urology, and I'm not sure if my life before medicine is something I should talk about in my ps or not. Does anyone have experience with this?

Is it directly relevant to why you want to become a surgeon/urologist?

 

[colbgw02]

You're not exactly giving us a lot to go on here.

 

[Kaustikos]

You're not exactly giving us a lot to go on here.

It's that Alzheimer's kicking in.

 

[RuralIndiana]

Is it directly relevant to why you want to become a surgeon/urologist?

It isn't really directly related, but I just wondered if I should mention it since I have several years of work experience prior to medical school that I may list on my application.

 

[Kaustikos]

It isn't really directly related, but I just wondered if I should mention it since I have several years of work experience prior to medical school that I may list on my application.

Then just talk about your maturity. Or do it during interviews. Simple and succinct.

 

[operaman]

I would absolutely talk about it. I was the same age this year and talked about my pre-medical background during every single interview. It's something unique and allows interviewers to talk about something different, so it will be welcome. Unless you did something really bad, in which case you should not talk about it 😉

Don't forget they will have your previous schools/dates listed, so they will see a big gap. It needs to be addressed somewhere.