question re: grad school personal statement

[Becky]

I'm hoping that the wise ladies of TE can help me with a dilemma that I'm having regarding my graduate school personal statement.

One of the questions that is to be answered as part of my personal statement is: "Are there any special circumstances related to your academic record that you feel we should know about?" The answer is most definitely yes, having been diagnosed with a chronic illness as a college freshman. However, during my professional career, I've made a point of not openly drawing attention to it, especially during the application and interview process. I'm willing to talk about it, and don't go out of my way to be secretive, but I don't want it to be the first thing that potential employers and co-workers know about me.

So what would you do? I have to address it on some level, considering how rotten my undergraduate record is those first couple of years. The second half of my record is much better and, IMO, a testament to my hard work and deidication in digging out of that academic hole. But I'm not looking for pity, and I don't want to be seen as "different".

Thanks in advance for your wisdom and insight.

[Cataboo]

You could possibly phrase it something like you know that you have the perseverance, dedication and strength required to succeed in graduate school, because of your previous struggle against the chronic illness, overcoming it, and making certain that it does not define your life, your personality, or your dealings with people. Just be very positive and concentrate on the outcome, while acknowledging that it was a hard time in your life... And hopefully by stressing that, people will be more struck by admiration for you than pity.

[newfsmith]

Everyone is different! Explaining about a chronic illness is not "making an excuse" or asking for special treatment, it is just a statement of the facts of your life. You may have to deal with relapses in your graduate career, so it is best to be up front about it. Keep in mind that academic life is about the process, and what you can become.

[madscot13]

I think that it is fine to talk about a chronic illness during an interview. maybe it helps illuminate how well you did despite a long ongoing problem. But upon acceptance I would count on the interviewer on being discreet and not talking about it in the hallway - unless of course you first broach the subject.

remember applications are competitive. grant funding in the past years has stayed the same where inflation and costs have only risen. this has lead to decreases in program, which then leads to a more competitive applicant pool. anything you do to "level" the field is a good thing. it is not underhanded. you obviously did well enough to graduate undergrad. THESE are the things they want to know in a personal statement.

[Flybye]

I personally wouldn't. I don't see most things like diabetes, krohns, etc. as things to be shared. I suppose that if you are concerned that it may be cause for an unusual number of absences (for example if you have a suppressed immune system and are therefore susceptible to every bug that comes down the pipeline) it might be worth sharing. Although, that may be best shared after you are in school and only when it occurs. I think that I would consider my audience, too. For example, applying to grad school in counseling would lead me to believe that my professors go to bat for people who have greater odds than most and have some knowledge of illness and how it affects students. A professor of say, economics, might have a more narrow perception of your illness and only have personal biases to draw an opinion from.

In truth, you have made it this far. You have what it takes.

I think of answers to special circumstances to be more along the lines of.........

......I withdrew from class x in spring of 07 and my grades fell in other courses during this same semester because of the death of my mother.........
or
.....I did not do well in semester X because I was hospitalized with ............

I think they are looking for answers to your "academic record", and not specifically illness.

Good Luck!

[Becky]

And therein lies my dilemma. I cannot explain how my grades sank so low without, on some level, discussing the personal circumstances behind the academic ones. Initially coping with that diagnosis, physically and emotional, took a lot of energy away from my studies and my undergraduate transcript shows it.

I don't anticipate that this is going to affect my graduate study. To date, it hasn't affected my career.

Right now, I'm leaning towards keeping my explanation very brief, but stressing the positive lessons learned about perseverance and determination. But I'm open to suggestions and I welcome any and all opinions.

Thanks to all!

[Flybye]

Right now, I'm leaning towards keeping my explanation very brief, but stressing the positive lessons learned about perseverance and determination.

I think that is a great idea. One other suggestion would be to contact a career counselor at your school and get some tips from them about how to answer the question. They are in the business of dealing with this on an almost daily basis.

[ehirsch83]

I just worked on writing something very similar for a teaching residence program and I was diagnosed with cancer my freshman year of college and my grades were much lower then I wanted that year b/c of being sick. I talked about how even though I didn't do as well as I wanted to, being sick and continuing with school-not withdrawing- shows my perseverance, dedication,and all that other good stuff.

Let them see that yes you were/are sick, but being sick isn't the main thing- the main thing is how strong of a person you are and a hard worker.

[DebTX]

I would absolutely address it.

Grad school is a test in perseverance as much as anything. And an admissions committee has no way to interpret your past academic performance unless you give them information. Without explanation the committee may assume you lack the academic rigor to make it through their program.

No need to give explicit details about the illness itself (you could even just refer to it as “a serious chronic illness”), but mention it as a means by which to explain the stressors that impacted your academic performance, with emphasis (as you already intended) on evidence of current passions, skills and successes.

Good luck!

[polly4711]

[QUOTE=Becky;408560]
I don't anticipate that this is going to affect my graduate study. To date, it hasn't affected my career.

Right now, I'm leaning towards keeping my explanation very brief, but stressing the positive lessons learned about perseverance and determination. QUOTE]

I would talk about how you have been able to adapt to having your condition. Yes, you admit that it may have taken you down for a while, however the maturity that you have gained for overcoming this would allow you to deal with a dynamic envrionment/adjust more rapidly to other events that may come your way in real world.

My university has a Sudent with Disabiliity Center and are very helpful with this type of thing. They even have conferences of how to talk to employeres about your disability, etc.

Good luck! Keep me up dated!