Personal Data Record Question

[turtle7584]

Hello all,

I have questions regarding two of the "Additional Information"
prompts.

"Have you ever experienced any exceptional adversity that we should know about?"
What determines "exceptional adversity"? I've moved around plenty of times throughout my life being in a military family and it's been quite hard adapting to new environments but does this qualify for what their asking? I'd rather not leave this question blank but I also don't want to come off the wrong way.


"Have you had a unique life experience of which we should be aware?"
Can someone give me an example of a "unique life experience"? I have no clue as to what qualifies as one of these. Again, I'd rather not leave this blank but I also don't know what it's asking.

Thank you

 

[Heatherg21]

Our DS had similar thoughts on these questions last month. He ended up writing about his dad's medical problems. 3 years ago he had massive heart problems and was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. He is doing well considering, but it changed how all of us think about our day to day lives. Our son wrote about that as an adverse experience. I didn't read it, so not sure on details. Not sure if he did answer the 2nd one. Good luck to you

 

[unkown1961]

My wife, the retired AF nurse, said that based on her time in the AF, a question about adversity could red flag a mental health issue so she was hesitant to have my son answer. In my mind, this question on a college app deals more with what an applicant had to overcome and deal with that might have made their achievements harder to attain - single parent family, multiple moves, etc.

 

[MidCakePa]

If you found the situation or circumstances to be adverse, and they fundamentally changed you or your way of thinking, then write about it. Nothing to lose. If the SA doesn’t find it particularly compelling, no worries. Think of it this way: they may give you “points” for it, but they won’t take away any. The questions are, after all, “optional.”

 

[usnabgo08]

These questions are asked to potentially explain a gap or change in performance in a candidate’s record. For example, someone having to work to support their family might explain why there are no ECAs; an immediate family member passing away; serious injury preventing attendance at school or in ECAs/sports; etc. There is no exact answer, but the gist is it should have impacted the record in some way. So for the OP, numerous military moves might be a cause to explain in the “unique life experience,” especially if it affected consistency in ECAs/sports or academics. NOTE (for all candidates who fit in this category): don’t make excuses and, if applicable, tell admissions how you mitigated the challenges to the best of your ability.

 

[Old Navy BGO]

Don't overthink it..it's not a trick question. BGO08 is spot on, they are looking to fill in the gaps in your story. As noted, don't use it to make excuses, but rather use it to show how you've overcome obstacles in life.

a question about adversity could red flag a mental health issue

.
Guess what, Admissions isn't going to overthink it either ! The Admissions packet is read by the Admissions Officers, and the Admission Board. They read thousands of applications, and aren't going to try to read between the lines and see if you have a mental health issue.

 

[unkown1961]

Don't overthink it..it's not a trick question. BGO08 is spot on, they are looking to fill in the gaps in your story. As noted, don't use it to make excuses, but rather use it to show how you've overcome obstacles in life.

a question about adversity could red flag a mental health issue

.
Guess what, Admissions isn't going to overthink it either ! The Admissions packet is read by the Admissions Officers, and the Admission Board. They read thousands of applications, and aren't going to try to read between the lines and see if you have a mental health issue.

I tried to explain that to her...

 

[usna1985]

I had a candidate years ago whose house had burned down right before the candidate's senior year, and the family lived in a hotel room for more than 6 months. Because the candidate's parents did not speak English, and the candidate was the oldest child, the candidate handled all of the contact with the insurance company.

Another candidate's father was a geographic bachelor and mother worked long hours. This candidate was responsible for getting the younger siblings fed, dressed and to school each morning then picking them up from school/bus stop, preparing dinner and helping with homework, etc. This limited the opportunity for ECAs.

The above would be examples of a response to one or both questions. However, many candidates have "normal" lives. There is no need to create/embellish something simply to provide an answer. If nothing comes to mind, there may be nothing to say, which is perfectly fine.