Social Anxiety on Adversity Essay?

[owlsandturtles]

I know the general consensus is to stay away from touchy issues like this, but I was hoping talking about my social anxiety would be okay in an adversity essay, especially since it is not really relevant to my life currently anymore.

I struggled with social anxiety in middle and high school, and made a very active effort to overcome it by constantly trying to put myself outside my comfort zone and reading books about interacting with people/people skills. I joined the debate team in high school (which was huge for me) and I was pretty much over it by senior year of HS. And then in college I gained a bunch of various experiences talking to patients/volunteering etc and now have multiple leadership positions which can show that I have overcome it. Would this be okay to talk about?

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[medsuccess528]

Risk outweighs the benefit, IMO. Leave it out.

 

[vrazzles]

If I was an ADCOM, I would eat this up and give you brownie points for overcoming something like this.

But I'm not.

It's high risk and likely not worth it. If you can find a non mental health topic to write about, then I would go with that.

It is unfortunate that mental health is so stigmatized in today's society, but med school is a very stressful time. You don't want an ADCOM to worry about your mental health and what may happen in the meat grinder that is med school. I don't agree with this myself, but I have seen this sentiment voiced both on here and in person.

 

[LizzyM]

I was unmature, by definition, during childhood and adolescence, then I grew up. It was hard work. The End. (of your chances)

 

[HomeSkool]

I agree with @LizzyM: I'm happy that you addressed your social anxiety, but that's not a good topic for an adversity essay. Not only is it something that all of us face to varying degrees during our formative years, but it also raises the question of whether you'll come unglued when faced with the extremely anxiety-provoking demands of medical training. Think instead of an extrinsic source of adversity you've faced and write about that. Facing down intrinsic adversity makes you look like a snowflake; beating extrinsic adversity proves you're a rockstar. We want rockstars.

 

[owlsandturtles]

I agree with @LizzyM: Facing down intrinsic adversity makes you look like a snowflake; beating extrinsic adversity proves you're a rockstar.

Not sure I completely agree with this sentiment, but I get the point – thanks for the insight!

 

[HomeSkool]

Not sure I completely agree with this sentiment, but I get the point – thanks for the insight!

I'm not saying you shouldn't face your fears or that doing so is insignificant. I'm saying you shouldn't write about it in an admissions essay. Play your cards close to the vest, don't show your soft targets, and always negotiate from a position of strength. Talking about your inner demons starts you out in a vulnerable position, but talking about how you overcame external obstacles makes you look strong.