i think it depends on your field. Is your former addiction relevant to majoring in theoretical physics relevant? probably not. Is it relevant to a social service or helping profession? definitely. I also believe its all in the phrasing, If you said something like "As a former crack whore I learned XYZ" I might look at your essay differently then something like "After over coming my addiction to crack cocaine with the help of a social worker I became committed to helping other addicts into recovery"
PhD in English Lit. So it's not like I'm going into social services or anything. Mostly, it's a "I fucked up a lot, and I looked down some very different paths, but then I got my life back on track through hard work, self-awareness, and a desire to do something awesome. "
I gotta be honest - I think in this case I'd not go into details (unless your intended research is directly related to it.) It's one of those things that could go one way, could go another, and you can't know which way it's going to swing, you know?
Without really knowing your situation, my vote is for no. Unless you can find a way to directly link your personal situation to your academic RESEARCH interests (not just your interest in academia), I wouldn't recommend it.
Another way to weigh this decision:
1. What are the potential benefits of explaining this situation? (Does it help to place a weakness in your application--GRE scores or GPA or whatnot--in context?). If you have "nothing to explain," I wouldn't take the risk that this might not be received favorably.
2. What are the potential drawbacks? Obviously, you've already been considering these. Do they outweigh the possible benefits?
You've taken down your post, but I'll pass on the advice that I tend to give for people who have overcome severe personal issues -- if you really feel that you MUST include it in your application (which, as others have said, is not mandatory), I think this kind of thing sounds much better coming from a trusted professor in an LOR than it does coming from you. Another person can evaluate your strengths and weaknesses, your challenges and how you've overcome them, more objectively. Coming from you it might sound like making excuses. If you haven't shared this with anyone at your university, then I see no reason to start by sharing it with your graduate school.
Comments 10
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Another way to weigh this decision:
1. What are the potential benefits of explaining this situation? (Does it help to place a weakness in your application--GRE scores or GPA or whatnot--in context?). If you have "nothing to explain," I wouldn't take the risk that this might not be received favorably.
2. What are the potential drawbacks? Obviously, you've already been considering these. Do they outweigh the possible benefits?
Good luck.
Reply
Best of luck to you in your applications.
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment