Candid Answers to Personal Questions in Admissions Forms

July 19, 2005 10:05 AM

I'm applying to a 1 year 2nd Bachelors nursing program at a well-regarded university. One of the essay questions on the admissions form reads "Describe a setback or ethical dilemma you have faced..."

Having led a fairly untroubled life, the only setback I find worth reflection is a long bout of panic attacks associated with social phobia that hit as I approached middle age. Though I remain a hopeless introvert, I've come to find the social interaction necessary for my recovery extremely rewarding.

Given the social demands of a career in nursing, how do you think an essay on this setback would be viewed by the admissions board? Do I want to risk this being included in some impending student database? Are admissions essays just extended literacy tests, or are the readers really looking for personal insight?

posted by klarck to Education (6 answers total)

Best answer: I would leave out the panic attacks. Why? Many boards of nursing want to know if you have a psychiatric history, (I am licensed in about eight states). I instead would come up with something with a previous job--one where you made the right decision and could live with yourself afterwards.

My take on these have been it is a combination of literacy tests and personal insight. Nursing is very stressful, don't give them reason to not admit you. I understand you are recovering, and I congratulate you. If it were me, I just wouldn't advertise in on my essay for admissions.
posted by 6:1 at 10:24 AM on July 19, 2005

I think they are looking for how you overcame adversity. Show your strength. Write about some setback that caused you to dig deep into yourself and come out on top.
posted by caddis at 10:25 AM on July 19, 2005

setback or ethical dilemma

I'd go with the ethical dilemma option instead. It avoids a discussion of personal medical history, and is a chance to highlight your professionalism.
posted by nakedcodemonkey at 10:55 AM on July 19, 2005

This sounds like one of those questions where the admission folks want to hear something like "I was in situation X where I could've done the easy/expedient thing, but instead I did the ethical thing, and here's how I worked it out." Given what you're aiming for, maybe you'd want to try to come up with some time in your life where you helped someone with something even though you weren't required to, etc.
posted by jasper411 at 12:01 PM on July 19, 2005

I was impressed just reading your question. I would have thought that people in nursing are likely to be the most receptive and empathetic to such a situation and will either relate personally in some way or admire your wherewithall and honesty. Further, they may well view that sort of background as a great strength, in so far as you'll be better able to relate to patients under stress.
That's not advice, that's just this non-American nurse's opinion. But I would probably not play up the phobic/panic attack side myself.
posted by peacay at 12:12 PM on July 19, 2005

Response by poster: Thank you. Each of your answers has been very helpful.
posted by klarck at 9:55 AM on July 20, 2005