Is Sept. 11 PS suicide? Forum

[btr77]

I want to pursue a career in national defense/homeland security. I've worked for the government for the last two years, was a White House intern, designed my own undergraduate major to focus on natdef, and wrote my thesis on counterinsurgency strategy. Much of my background fits into that focus, but I wanted to have a small part of my PS state where this focus came from (no more than a paragraph.) My father is a firefighter and my uncle is a Port Authority police officer, both of whom responded after tower 2 went down. Thankfully, my family suffered no loss and I have no personally traumatic stories to tell. However, from then on I became very interested in natdef and the wars, and it was always talked about with my dad. I merely want to relay how this had an effect on me, and more importantly how it compelled me to shape my undergraduate pursuits, my job, and now my plans for law school.

I know a lot of time has passed, but I am just leery that a reader will be thinking, "Ugh, annnnother 9/11." I am in now way trying to wave a bloody shirt, cry patriotism, or overdramatize. I always felt that the only real requirement of a PS was sincerity, and I don't think without my family history I would have the interests I do. Still, I am afraid that regardless of this, that won't come through in the statement?

So, am I shooting myself in the foot? Should I talk about my interests and leave this out completely? Any input is greatly appreciated.

[btr77]

anyone....?

[gbpackerbacker]

If you can spin it right then I would do it. It appears that you might be able to do it. I can easily see it going south, though...

[bergg007]

I want to pursue a career in national defense/homeland security. I've worked for the government for the last two years, was a White House intern, designed my own undergraduate major to focus on natdef, and wrote my thesis on counterinsurgency strategy. Much of my background fits into that focus, but I wanted to have a small part of my PS state where this focus came from (no more than a paragraph.) My father is a firefighter and my uncle is a Port Authority police officer, both of whom responded after tower 2 went down. Thankfully, my family suffered no loss and I have no personally traumatic stories to tell. However, from then on I became very interested in natdef and the wars, and it was always talked about with my dad. I merely want to relay how this had an effect on me, and more importantly how it compelled me to shape my undergraduate pursuits, my job, and now my plans for law school.

I know a lot of time has passed, but I am just leery that a reader will be thinking, "Ugh, annnnother 9/11." I am in now way trying to wave a bloody shirt, cry patriotism, or overdramatize. I always felt that the only real requirement of a PS was sincerity, and I don't think without my family history I would have the interests I do. Still, I am afraid that regardless of this, that won't come through in the statement?

So, am I shooting myself in the foot? Should I talk about my interests and leave this out completely? Any input is greatly appreciated.

I might go with a casual passing reference at most, a full paragraph seems excessive for something that wasn't personally traumatic as it was for so many people. (i mean in the loss of a loved one or you now have mesothelioma from the asbestos, or something) just my opinion

[cartercl]

Is it really necessary to discuss those who influenced your interests? If it's necessary to advance your story I suppose there's no way around it; however, I do not think you should spend an entire paragraph on your father and uncle. It could easily seem disingenuous if done incorrectly...

Edit: Seems the poster above me already mentioned something about writing an entire paragraph.

[DamnLSAT]

I want to pursue a career in national defense/homeland security. I've worked for the government for the last two years, was a White House intern, designed my own undergraduate major to focus on natdef, and wrote my thesis on counterinsurgency strategy. Much of my background fits into that focus, but I wanted to have a small part of my PS state where this focus came from (no more than a paragraph.) My father is a firefighter and my uncle is a Port Authority police officer, both of whom responded after tower 2 went down. Thankfully, my family suffered no loss and I have no personally traumatic stories to tell. However, from then on I became very interested in natdef and the wars, and it was always talked about with my dad. I merely want to relay how this had an effect on me, and more importantly how it compelled me to shape my undergraduate pursuits, my job, and now my plans for law school.

I know a lot of time has passed, but I am just leery that a reader will be thinking, "Ugh, annnnother 9/11." I am in now way trying to wave a bloody shirt, cry patriotism, or overdramatize. I always felt that the only real requirement of a PS was sincerity, and I don't think without my family history I would have the interests I do. Still, I am afraid that regardless of this, that won't come through in the statement?

So, am I shooting myself in the foot? Should I talk about my interests and leave this out completely? Any input is greatly appreciated.

I would reference your family's role as a firefighter or port authority officer and THEN lead into a casual reference of 9/11. If you mention the tragedy first, you might risk losing your reader; but, if you make them make the connection, you might get the "ah ha" moment you're looking fore.