Using the same experience for essays

[Life2dmax]

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Reposting this outside the TMDSAS thread because I'd like to get some broader feedback.

I am applying through TMDSAS and AMCAS this cycle which has personal statement + 3 activities while TMDSAS has 3 essays (PS, personal characteristics which can improve others, and another essay about broader circumstances). I was planning on using the same personal statement, but what do you think about bringing up the same research abroad trip in multiple essays. If I drew different stories from them, do you think it would be ok? For example, using it in my personal statements to talk about my interest in global health but then also in personal characteristics(TMDSAS)/meaningful activities(AMCAS) essay to talk about my ability to work with others. I feel like it was a significant thing I did but was unsure if bringing it up a couple of times would be too much, even if they were different stories I could draw from the same activity.

Thanks!

 

[Life2dmax]

repeating the experiences or using different pieces of it to illustrate various parts of what it shows about is ok for a few items. But if it is the only thing you discuss and repeat, the adcoms will wonder if your breadth of your experience is narrow.

Right, thats what I was thinking. I have lots of experience but this one experience is significant in the story I am trying to tell in my PS but I also thought that it was really meaningful and shows alot of my characteristics. I know that there are others, and I was only planning on mentioning it briefly in my PS and maybe talk about it more in depth in my activities...you think that would be ok?

 

[NickNaylor]

The obvious thing would be to make sure that you don't discuss the same experience(s) in multiple essays to the same schools. I.e., if you're applying to UTSW on TMDSAS, make sure to not talk about the trip using the two supplemental essays if you decide to complete them.

Apart from that, there's absolutely nothing wrong with discussing the same experience(s) in your application to different schools. Again, just try and use the opportunity to talk about a variety of things and avoid talking about the same experience at the same school - even if you do so while taking a slightly different "take" on the experience.