Last 3 years questions for UIC's secondary:
1. Describe a situation in which you were really stressed. Tell us how you dealt with it. Please detail your reaction(s), and how it affected you. If this situation, or a similar one, were to happen again, how would you handle it? (DO NOT EXCEED 250 words)
2. Describe a hobby or activity other than something in medicine, in which you have a keen interest. Why? (do not exceed 250)
3. Optional: Describe any advantages and/or complications you encountered during your progression in education. Please include any noteworthy achievements and/or obstacles. (Examples: Acute or chronic illnesses, employment, financial difficulty, managerial role in household, etc.) (Don't exceed 150 words) If you did not experience an advantage and/or complication during your education please indicate 'Not Applicable'.
I seek your opinions/advice on 3 parts of this...
1. Is it "taboo" or otherwise not wise to discuss my mother's passing away for #1? She died last year after a 5-year long cancer battle, while I was working full-time and in school full time. I thought I would have to drop all my classes, but I made it through with 4.0 that semester, and actually was recruited by my Ochem professor to become a 'peer leader'. I am now doing that paid job, teaching seminars for the dept. Anyway, I was just wondering what you think. I do not wish to come across as "using" her death, or whiny or morbid. It was the most stressful experience of my life.
2. What if my main "hobby" was already included as an AMCAS activity? I don't want to be repetitive, but it seems like so many of these prompts are basically already answered in the primary.
3. Should I fill out #3 if I already wrote a disadvantaged statement for AMCAS?
Thank you