Do my life challenges have any place in my SOP, Personal Statement, or fellowship application?

[penguinshooray]

I am applying to biology PhD programs, as well as the NSF GRFP. I am wondering if my personal challenges have any place in any of my essays? 

 

 

Specifically, my parents filed for bankruptcy right when I started college, so I worked 1-2 jobs throughout my entire undergrad. I was still able to get research internships, 3 publications, and a high GPA, which is a lot more than my friends who had college paid for accomplished.

 

 

First of all, this kind of thing sounds pretty common nowadays with the recession. Second, I don't want to come across like I am entitled, or like I have a chip on my shoulder. After all, I am a single young person with no kids, so many people had it way harder than me getting through undergrad. Finally, does this information add to my essays in any way, or would it just take away valuable wordage away from talking about my research experiences and goals?

 

 

Thanks!

Edited August 29, 2013 by penguinshooray

[scaredapplicant2]

I am in the application process like you, so I'm not exactly the most qualified person here to give advice, but my 2 cents:

 

I think it is fine to mention, but I would leave out any specifics (like the fact that your parents filed for bankruptcy), and keep it to a sentence or so about how you financed your undergrad education by working 1-2 jobs throughout college. Working while keeping up a high GPA and doing internships is indeed an accomplishment. It shows that you have a strong work ethic, focus, and the ability to balance your time, all of which will be very relevant to your success as a graduate student. Just keep it brief and don't spend a lot of time in your essay on it, as stated above.

 

Also, I was primarily referring to a statement of purpose above; I've heard that personal statements are different, and I don't know much about fellowship applications, so maybe someone else can give a more detailed answer.

[Guest Gnome Chomsky]

I would leave it out unless it's like an unbelievable story. Almost everyone I know worked all throughout their college experience. "1-2" jobs? And lots of people are broke these days. Just stick to your strengths and leave out the sob. 

[lzs]

I have read (in Donald Asher's book on grad school application essays) that personal challenges are better addressed in your LOR. You could ask your recommenders if they think it's worth discussing in your application materials; if they do, then give them enough information so they can discuss it in their letters, and keep your own SOP focused on your academic and professional goals. Unless of course the instructions say to write about your personal life.

[juilletmercredi]

Only if it has some kind of bearing to your application.  I would say no for your biology statement of purpose but maybe for the NSF essay.

The NSF essay combines previous research and a personal statement, and focuses on broader impacts.  They want a diverse crop of scholars.  So I used my previous experience (I'm an African American woman) in my personal statement - I got an NSF back when there were 3 essays - but I linked it to my field.  I'm a health psychologist, so I wrote about

-how being black and working-class influenced my family's health decisions, which influenced my personal views on public health and was a motivating factor for entering the field
-how being an African American woman in a male-dominated, white-dominated field motivated me to contribute to science education in a variety of ways, including tutoring and volunteering with low-income children and judging science fairs
-how my identities contributed to my desire to work on health disparities and increase entry into the field for women and minorities, especially in quantitative methods where we're underrepresented a lot

So in other words, it can't be "I'm black and poor and I overcame a lot so you should let me in."  Everybody balances a lot of stuff in college.  It should be "I'm poor, and my experiences being poor influenced my passion for research and my decision to go to grad school in X ways."  If there is no connection, then you shouldn't mention it.

And I didn't mention it at all in my grad school statement.  It just didn't belong.

[Sigaba]

Specifically, my parents filed for bankruptcy right when I started college, so I worked 1-2 jobs throughout my entire undergrad. I was still able to get research internships, 3 publications, and a high GPA, which is a lot more than my friends who had college paid for accomplished.

 

Second, I don't want to come across like. . . I have a chip on my shoulder.

 

Pengy--

 

Give some thought that maybe you do have a chip on your shoulder. Comparing yourself to your friends in such a manner may not be an issue now, but it could become increasingly problematic for you as you go through graduate school.

[cyberwulf]

I'm going to disagree with most of the comments above, and say that I think your story definitely has a place in your SOP. Your experience is not commonplace among students applying to grad school (at least in my field, and I can't imagine biology is that different), and writing about it helps put your academic performance (good, bad, or in between) in context. Furthermore, one of the most important traits for grad students to have is the ability to succeed in difficult circumstances, something which you can credibly claim to have demonstrated.

 

Sure, don't make your whole SOP about your personal life, but I think it's worth more than a sentence.

[Loric]

Bankruptcy suggests a level of instability and irresponsibility. Do not mention it.

 

Mention how you worked through school and flourished at the challenge of balancing a career and study, implying you can take on a heavy workload without burning out or losing it.

Edited September 8, 2013 by Loric

[CP3]

Mention it, but very briefly (like, half a sentence). I consumed 2 paragraphs of my SOP last year talking about this type of subject matter. Big mistake on my part. I'm pretty sure the admission people get completely swarmed with letters that have people talking about family problems and financial hardships. And I'm pretty sure they get sick and tired of reading these letters.

 

My advice, which I am currently applying to my SOP draft--Put yourself in the shoes of the person that will read your letter. Do you want to read about how someone worked in college because their parents went bankrupt?? No. Do you want to read about how excited someone is to attend their school, why they fit, and how they will contribute. yes!!

[sunpenguin]

Juilletmercredi did a fantastic job of describing how to discuss challenges (or any life experience, really) in a way that is professionally relevant. I also agree with CP3. Any life experiences, whether they were challenges that motivated you to rise above or something positive that inspired you, should be mentioned very briefly in the SOP if at all. In your specific case, it would make sense to include the info in any essay that asks for your personal history, but not in a brief SOP in which you're simply being asked to describe your research interests and experience.

[snowshoes]

I would leave it out.  Lots of people don't have their parents paying their way through school and have to work.

 

Including this information, however you word it, will probably end up weaking your proposal.  I would only mention it if you had to excuse something like a poor GPA at some point in time.

 

Why not focus on your strengths and leave it at that?  Your story simply isn't unique enough to impress reviewers.