Should I write about faith?

[bluestardoc12]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi everyone,

I am trying to think about what I can write for the additional information essay and I was thinking of writing about my faith. It is something I've struggled to reconcile with all the scientific/academic and date-driven curricula I have chosen to pursue. I want to say how my faith motivates me to work harder towards my goals and gives me the confidence to know I can achieve something (Im trying to make it sure it doesn't come off as just "I pray for good grades and I get them so God is great") Is it still too risky or can I get away with it if I write it well?

 

[gyngyn]

I've seen it done well. I've seen it done badly...very badly.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Depends on the prompt.

 

[Hollow Knight]

Look as a person of faith myself- I’ve met a TON of people in academia, and in medicine specifically, who strongly dislike or straight up hate religion. Especially Christianity and Islam.

Part of that is bad behavior from American Christians (homophobia, racism, etc). Some people who grew up in urban/more wealthy settings (ie the majority of doctors and med students) have never met that many religious people and fail to realize we’re not all like the weirdos they see on Fox News.

I personally wouldn’t mention it. I did end up mentioning it in a single interview, and it went just fine, but my interviewer unbeknownst to me was, surprise, another Christian.

You can talk about your personal beliefs of loving others even if they don’t treat you well, serving the poor, etc without mentioning God or Jesus.

If you did extensive volunteering with a religious group or church- mention it, just focus on the service you were doing for the community, not religion

 

[annoyedpsychiatrist]

there is a tactful way of doing and a very non tactful way of doing. I believe in God, myself, but I generally am quiet with my beliefs unless someone asks me. The problem is there are people who believe in God who are like me, and there are people who believe in God but also believes that covid vaccines have tracker chips, and they get lumped into my category, unfortunately.

 

[X0001234]

Look as a person of faith myself- I’ve met a TON of people in academia, and in medicine specifically, who strongly dislike or straight up hate religion. Especially Christianity and Islam.

Part of that is bad behavior from American Christians (homophobia, racism, etc). Some people who grew up in urban/more wealthy settings (ie the majority of doctors and med students) have never met that many religious people and fail to realize we’re not all like the weirdos they see on Fox News.

I personally wouldn’t mention it. I did end up mentioning it in a single interview, and it went just fine, but my interviewer unbeknownst to me was, surprise, another Christian.

You can talk about your personal beliefs of loving others even if they don’t treat you well, serving the poor, etc without mentioning God or Jesus.

If you did extensive volunteering with a religious group or church- mention it, just focus on the service you were doing for the community, not religion

What do you think about super briefly mentioning church membership (not discussing faith) in a secondary? I'm a member of a church where most congregants are LatAm immigrants, and in some diversity prompts I talk about how this has familiarized me w/ unique challenges the Hispanic community faces in accessing healthcare.

Also, is it okay to be more explicit about my faith in secondaries for the Jesuit schools?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

What do you think about super briefly mentioning church membership (not discussing faith) in a secondary? I'm a member of a church where most congregants are LatAm immigrants, and in some diversity prompts I talk about how this has familiarized me w/ unique challenges the Hispanic community faces in accessing healthcare.

Also, is it okay to be more explicit about my faith in secondaries for the Jesuit schools?

But is that your faith or your community? I think the latter.

 

[X0001234]

But is that your faith or your community? I think the latter.

Definitely the latter, but just unsure if I should completely forgo any mention of a church

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Definitely the latter, but just unsure if I should completely forgo any mention of a church

You shouldn't be afraid to mention it, but as hinted above, it's in the delivery. How is it meaningful to you, and why should this matter to other peers?

There is a Christian Medical and Dental Association. Have you listened to their podcast?

Home – Christian Medical & Dental Associations® (CMDA)

Christian Medical & Dental Associations® educates, encourages, and equips Christian healthcare professionals to glorify God.

cmda.org

Also

Faith & Health

Health professionals who have religious literacy can ensure productive, positive engagement at every stage of care.

www.interfaithamerica.org

 

[X0001234]

You shouldn't be afraid to mention it, but as hinted above, it's in the delivery. How is it meaningful to you, and why should this matter to other peers?

There is a Christian Medical and Dental Association. Have you listened to their podcast?

Home – Christian Medical & Dental Associations® (CMDA)

Christian Medical & Dental Associations® educates, encourages, and equips Christian healthcare professionals to glorify God.

cmda.org

Also

Faith & Health

Health professionals who have religious literacy can ensure productive, positive engagement at every stage of care.

www.interfaithamerica.org

Ok, that makes sense. I only mention it to the extent that the church is a community space for immigrants. Haven't heard of these groups but I'll take a look, thanks

 

[Goro]

Personally, I don't think that it adds anything useful unless you're applying to Loma Linda or LUCOM.

 

[Hollow Knight]

What do you think about super briefly mentioning church membership (not discussing faith) in a secondary? I'm a member of a church where most congregants are LatAm immigrants, and in some diversity prompts I talk about how this has familiarized me w/ unique challenges the Hispanic community faces in accessing healthcare.

Also, is it okay to be more explicit about my faith in secondaries for the Jesuit schools?

You’re good man I’m talking about discussing your moral views and such

And it’s also possible I’ve just had my opinions colored by bad experiences. I don’t mind when applicants write about these things. I’m just giving you the same advice I was given as a premed, and I think I’ve seen enough that the advice makes sense