Why X or DS? Forum

[omega918]

I am an older applicant, with a variety of work experiences (teaching, acting, working with my wife to create and run her own successful business). Many of my experiences have overlapped, allowing me to become used to working 60-70 hours a week, and become successful in each field. I also own my own home, and have dealt with negotiating mortgage interest rates, and the contracts and offer/counter-offer process of real estate.

I understand that none of this makes me as diverse as race/religion/SES disadvantage/etc, but I do believe they provide me with some unique qualities and insights that I could add to a school's entering class. Would these be better addressed in a DS, or in a Why X essay, tying them to specific programs/visions within certain schools?

[roguewave19]

Could you put it in your PS?

[theadvancededit]

This may be more applicable to a PS. As a DS, you might have to present additional, more specific circumstances that truly make your experience a diverse one-- older applicants are more common than you think, especially ITE.

If you somehow can relate this to a particular school, you could try it as a "Why X" essay, but it would probably serve you best in a PS, IMO.

[omega918]

Thanks. I can try to weave it into my PS. The problems I have been running into with that is either glossing over everything, or losing focus and becoming a choppy restatement of my resume. Time to go back to the drawing board...

[theadvancededit]

If you're worried about it becoming a regurgitation of your resume, try thinking of central themes. If you come up with an overall argument for your statement, it won't seem as choppy.

For more: http://theadvancededit.com/admissions/h ... nt-part-1/