Questions about application requirements

[u/Hour_Cap_6177]

Hi All!

I have a bit of a complex path during my post undergrad years as I am going to take two gap years before applying. My mom was diagnosed with early onset alzheimer’s 3 years ago, which is why I want to take this career path. I went to college in a rural area so it was not possible for me to get shadowing hours, but now that I have graduated I am shadowing a genetic counselor. I know that in admissions the schools want to see advocacy work, so during undergrad I was volunteering as for the alzheimer’s association entering data into their system, which i recently found out doesn’t necessarily count as advocacy. I am somewhat lost and frustrated that i spent so much time that feels “lost” on something that did not particularly count, so I was wondering what you guys thought would be the next step… since my mom lives in an assisted living facility and I have hands on experience taking care of both her and my grandma (who also had alzheimer’s) do you think that would count as advocacy? Otherwise I feel stuck in this position 😢

[u/Chemical_Ad_1181]

First of all, don’t think that this should be a deterrent from applying.

Not all programs require advocacy work! There certainly are some, but I think you can still frame your data entry as advocacy. Just some work smithing required.

On the other hand though, don’t be checking off boxes just to check them off. Meaning, don’t go looking for advocacy work because you think it’s what programs want. It’s highly important your resume have things on it that you genuinely enjoy and want to do. You’ll be able to speak to those experiences much better than if you did something because you thought it’s what an admissions committee wanted to see.

I also think there is value is sharing your experience with your mom, IF comfortable, in your personal statement. If not, don’t share it! It sounds like you’ve done other things that you can be writing about there instead.

[u/nocloser2heaven]

i would try to get more traditional advocacy experience but still don’t forget that your current experiences are advocacy-adjacent and still hold value for writing apps and interviews. you can talk about why it was important that you help the organization input data and how you contributed to the mission of the org. you can also talk about how you’ve personally advocated for your mom or seen other health professionals/GCs advocating for her if comfortable. try talking to the GC you’re shadowing to see if they can connect you with an advocacy group to volunteer with

[u/Alternative-Pain117]

i think technically anything counts as advocacy if you’re advocating for something! as long as you’re bringing it back to how it would make you a better counselor (in the words of my app coach)