Talking About Illness in Personal Statement

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

applicants78

New Member
10+ Year Member
Joined
Jun 19, 2013
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Is it taboo to talk about an illness you had in your personal statement? The way I've drafted it, it includes no pathos at all-- I'm not trying the get an adcom to pity me and get me into medical school. Living with my condition, though, and volunteering to help people like me once I got my condition managed has really been a significant part of my life though. Would it still be faux pas?
 
It's not taboo, but it is a common topic. Making it stand out is essential, and if you can pull off making it really interesting, you should be OK. You sound like you'll be talking about other stuff, too, so that's good.
 
Just keep in mind that you are not applying to medical school to be a patient, or even a patient advocate. Be sure that you are interested in health conditions other than the one that afflicts you and that you are interested in the science as well as the caring for patients aspect and be sure that comes across in your essay.
 
Is it taboo to talk about an illness you had in your personal statement? The way I've drafted it, it includes no pathos at all-- I'm not trying the get an adcom to pity me and get me into medical school. Living with my condition, though, and volunteering to help people like me once I got my condition managed has really been a significant part of my life though. Would it still be faux pas?

A "significant part of your life" in and of itself isn't worth mentioning. Video games made up a significant portion of my life, but that doesn't mean I should talk about it. If an illness was critical to your decision to become a physician in a clear and direct way, then I would absolutely mention. Anything short of that should be considered very carefully before putting it in there. You only have so much space, and the last thing you want to do is waste that space discussing things that, though meaningful and important, aren't pertinent to your application.

Sent from my SGH-M919
 
Top