Impactful vs Most Meaningful Experience Descriptions
Without fail, when I ask a new applicant if they have considered writing an Impactful Experience description, they immediately assume I'm speaking about the Most Meaningful description. These are two very different pieces of writing, in different spaces, and used for different purposes by the screener. Let's break it down.
*This information is only relevant for allopathic medical applicants
Impactful Experience
Purpose
Only about 30% of accepted applicants wrote an Impactful Experience description. This section is not required nor necesssary for all applicants. In the past, this section was called the "Disadvantaged Statement" and those who selected that box were screened separately, compared against one another; therefore, it would not be advantageous for someone who wasn't disadvantaged to identify as such. Impactful Experiences are treated similarly. Write an Impactful Experience description only if you have a significant life experience (not work experience). Do not try to make more of something just to be able to write this section. On the other hand, we see applicants who were clearly disadvantaged growing up, who do not identify as such, but should. Many times, these applicants say, "I don't want to trauma dump." I assure you that if your statement is written correctly, no one will feel that way about it.
The Impactful section creates context for the rest of the application. If you came from an economically disadvantaged background, they might understand why you worked more than you volunteered. If you experienced a traumatic event later in life, they might understand a dip in grades. These don't need to be explicitly explained here, but telling them what happened helps them understand you. It also gives them more insight into the value that you bring in terms of perspective or insight (ie your ability to serve certain communities well).
ABOUT THE IMPACTFUL EXPERIENCE DESCRIPTION
Found in the Biographic Information Section
1325 Characters
Describes something from your childhood or young adult life that has significantly impacted your journey.
Written in one paragraph, but not a story.
Matter of factly describe the circumstances. The last line should state the impact it's had on you (positive if possible, but not 100% required depending on event).
Examples include:
Growing up in poverty
Experiencing/Witnessing abuse of any type
Witnessing or being affected by substance abuse (alcoholism in the home)
Living in an unsafe environment/community
Having experienced a major health crisis yourself (cancer/eating disorder)
Living in America undocumented or with undocumented parents
Losing a parent
Being Bullied (due to any identity, such as language, culture, LGBTQ, weight)
What I Advise You NOT talk about:
Being a first generation college student
Parents divorcing as the main disadvantage
Personal mental health struggles
ADHD/Learning Disabilities
Moving to America (most people would not perceive this as a disadvantage)
There are MANY examples of Impactful Experiences, but here is one example that worked for this applicant:
Most Meaningful Experiences
Purpose
Every applicant should write all three Most Meaningful Descriptions. The question to answer for these paragraphs is, "What was the transformative nature of this experience?" or How did this change you? Think competencies, attributes, skills and insights when you reflect on the change. The reflection should not be, "This experience reinforced my desire to be a physician."
Screeners often filter the Most Meaningful to appear at the top of your experiences in AMCAS. The purpose of having these three indicated is to let you show the schools what impacted you the most and what mattered most to you. You have three of them, and all three should showcase a different "takeaway" or how it changed you. You have three opportunities here to show them three skills you now possess. Compare these against what you show via your personal statement. Make sure they align with but do not repeat or contradict those paragraphs.
ABOUT THE MOST MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCE DESCRIPTION
Found in the Work & Activities Section
1325 Characters
Choose activities that impacted you in a significant way
Written in one paragraph as a story
Last sentence is a reflection
Examples include:
Clinical Experience
Research
Community Service
Sports/Artistic Endeavor (if significant)
Leadership (if significant)
Paid Employment
What I Advise You to NOT write about:
Hobby
Study Abroad
Immigrating
Personal Experience
Every paragraph in your application carries tremendous value in helping your reader understand who you are as a person and the value you bring. It's important to be intentional and strategic about how we use each of these spaces in correlation with one another. We do not want to repeat information, but we can build upon what we share in the Impactful Experience. In another blog post, I will write more about these seven paragraphs.
If you would like your writing edited, you can book an Editing Session, and send your Personal Statement, Impactful Experience, and Three Most Meaningful to have them looked at together.
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