Cookies are required for login or registration. Please read and agree to our cookie policy to continue.

Newest Member: SnowyOwl

Off Topic :
How to answer "What is your weakness" essay question?

This Topic is Archived
question

 Want2help (original poster member #20547) posted at 7:23 PM on Friday, May 2nd, 2014

I'm a university student applying for a Scholars Program that prepares first generation graduate students for PhD programs (I will be pursuing my PhD in Epidemiology).

The program matches you with a mentor in your field, gives you the tools that you need to succeed in the research field, and pays you a stipend to conduct your own research. Should I be chosen for this program, my research topic will focus on maternal/child nutrition, and it's link to infectious disease, and will be conducted while I am interning in Uganda next year.

However, I need to write an essay detailing my research goals, and also my "strengths" and "weaknesses". I THINK I know what o say for my strengths (I work well with diverse populations, I have great written and oral communication skills, I'm ambitious) but I'm so nervous about listing WEAKNESSES.

Previously I had always heard to disguise a strength as a weakness (as in "I'm a perfectionist, I like all of my work to be perfect."). I took an informal Facebook poll of professional friends who say NO, don't do that. It's insincere.

Most of these people who gave the advice(made of of classmates I have become friends with, colleagues, and former coworkers) offered the opinion that my biggest weakness is my tendency to second guess myself, and not see my worth. I would agree with this, I rely way too much on external validation (i.e. I never look at my work and think "That's good!" until someone tells me so).

The drawbacks are:

1) I feel like it's more a personality flaw then a weakness.

2) I feel like it's talking them out of choosing me. Who wants someone who second guesses their work?

The pros are:

1) This is something I have truly been working on since I began school, so I can mention that.

2) This feeling of unworthiness likely stems from the fact that I was a high school drop out when I began college (I didn't even have a GED), and I can work that into my essay, to show how far I've come and what I've accomplished since then.

I'd love some opinions, from the collective wisdom of SI. You guys have never steered me wrong.

(Oh, and the essay needs to be turned in on Monday).

ETA: If you could also send me some mojo, in hopes that I will be selected for this opportunity, that would be awesome as well!

[This message edited by Want2help at 10:26 AM, May 3rd (Saturday)]

FBS/WS- me.
F(serial)WS/BS- him.

Madhatters. More Ddays than birthdays, at this point. His OC, my OC...

UPDATE: Divorcing after almost 20 years.

posts: 2588   ·   registered: Aug. 7th, 2008
id 6783350
default

Crescita ( member #32616) posted at 7:36 PM on Friday, May 2nd, 2014

I think 2nd guessing yourself is a great topic if you go into how you feel it has held you back and what you are doing to overcome it.

And given you are posting this question here, I see you are still second guessing what you already know is a good topic

You've got this, and your program sounds fascinating!

“Happiness cannot be pursued; it must ensue.” ― Viktor E. Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning

posts: 3640   ·   registered: Jun. 28th, 2011   ·   location: The Valley of the Sun
id 6783361
default

marchmadness ( member #6475) posted at 7:39 PM on Friday, May 2nd, 2014

I think this sounds like an amazing program. To answer your question, I think that the weakness that you are focusing on will work for this assignment. Both of your "pros" are areas that you should explore in the essay. If you can, I would try to explain how this specific weakness will affect your research project and what steps you can take to counter it.

DDay 4/6/04 - 9 month A with COW
Me - BS
Him -WS - SA who finally got caught

Divorced 10/22/18

posts: 756   ·   registered: Feb. 16th, 2005   ·   location: pa
id 6783366
default

million pieces ( member #27539) posted at 8:02 PM on Friday, May 2nd, 2014

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYZEYsOeRDM

Totally honest job interview.

Don't watch if you are easily offended

Me - 52 D-Day 2/5/10, separated 3 wks later, Divorced 11/15/11!!!!

posts: 2040   ·   registered: Feb. 10th, 2010   ·   location: MD
id 6783400
default

caregiver9000 ( member #28622) posted at 9:24 PM on Friday, May 2nd, 2014

I would call it self confidence rather than second guessing.

I think that honesty here is a good idea. The fact that you are over coming perceived difficulties to now succeed will help in the self confidence. The first step to fixing a problem is identifying it. You can always say that every success and achievement contributes to "fixing" this weakness.

It also tells them that you will work well with a leader who praises and recognizes the strengths in others. A selfish grand standing SOB won't hire you and that will be good for both of you!!!

Me: fortysomething, independent, happy,
XH "Stretch" (and Skew!) ;)
two kids, teens. Old enough I am truly NO CONTACT w/ NPD zebraduck
S 5/2010
D 12/2012

posts: 7063   ·   registered: May. 27th, 2010   ·   location: a better place
id 6783533
default

cayc ( member #21964) posted at 10:29 PM on Friday, May 2nd, 2014

The interview question about weakness is designed to figure out how well you know yourself. The key is that when you state your weakness, you follow it with your coping strategy.

So it's "my weakness is that I sometimes hesitate to act decisively when my decision will greatly impact a lot of my co-workers (code for 2nd guessing yourself). I handle this weakness by making sure in those situations I talk to a few other people and alleviate the concern that my choice won't be well received.

Or something like that.

posts: 3446   ·   registered: Dec. 8th, 2008   ·   location: Mexico
id 6783602
default

NaiveAgain ( member #20849) posted at 3:25 AM on Saturday, May 3rd, 2014

My biggest weakness is my tendency to overextend myself and not practice enough self-care. So I usually give that as my weaknesses but talk about how I am limiting how much I take on and that I make sure I have 30 minutes to myself every day to exercise or read a book, etc......

Original WS D-Day July 10, 2008. Kept lying, he is gone.
New WS (2 EA's, no PA) 12-3-13
If you don't like where you are, then change it. You are not a tree.

posts: 16236   ·   registered: Aug. 31st, 2008   ·   location: Ohio
id 6783877
default

 Want2help (original poster member #20547) posted at 4:25 PM on Saturday, May 3rd, 2014

Thank you, everyone! I knew you'd all be insightful!

I begin writing my essay today, and turn in all of my materials (and there are a LOT) on Monday.

If you could all send me some of that good old SI mojo, that'd be awesome! This program is a tremendous opportunity.

million pieces, I cackled wildly through the whole thing!

[This message edited by Want2help at 10:41 AM, May 3rd (Saturday)]

FBS/WS- me.
F(serial)WS/BS- him.

Madhatters. More Ddays than birthdays, at this point. His OC, my OC...

UPDATE: Divorcing after almost 20 years.

posts: 2588   ·   registered: Aug. 7th, 2008
id 6784274
default

asurvivor ( member #32368) posted at 6:08 PM on Saturday, May 3rd, 2014

Here's an idea: "My weakness is honesty and quite honestly that's a dumb ass question"

I've wiped the shit off. It can be wiped off you know.


posts: 642   ·   registered: Jun. 3rd, 2011
id 6784360
default

 Want2help (original poster member #20547) posted at 6:33 PM on Saturday, May 3rd, 2014

Here's an idea: "My weakness is honesty and quite honestly that's a dumb ass question"

Oh, it's funny because it's true!

My little brother says "You can't walk away from a fight [argument]. If you know someone or something is wrong, you're powerless to walk away."

Somehow I don't think that would fly with the panel of Ph.D.s who will be looking over my application.

FBS/WS- me.
F(serial)WS/BS- him.

Madhatters. More Ddays than birthdays, at this point. His OC, my OC...

UPDATE: Divorcing after almost 20 years.

posts: 2588   ·   registered: Aug. 7th, 2008
id 6784376
default

norabird ( member #42092) posted at 4:28 PM on Sunday, May 4th, 2014

Mojo!!!! Sounds like a great program and your essay on your greatest weakness will be awesome too

Sit. Feast on your life.

posts: 4324   ·   registered: Jan. 16th, 2014   ·   location: NYC
id 6785154
default

cayc ( member #21964) posted at 5:42 PM on Sunday, May 4th, 2014

I had a friend that once answered that question with the answer "kryptonite". It was for a job in Hollywood, and he got the job lol.

posts: 3446   ·   registered: Dec. 8th, 2008   ·   location: Mexico
id 6785199
default

 Want2help (original poster member #20547) posted at 7:19 PM on Sunday, May 4th, 2014

Cayce, that's hilarious!

Norabird, thank you. I've put it off until today. I'm shaking in my boots just thinking about it.

Also, fear of of rejection. Just thinking about getting a rejection letter is keeping me from writing this essay. Gah!

FBS/WS- me.
F(serial)WS/BS- him.

Madhatters. More Ddays than birthdays, at this point. His OC, my OC...

UPDATE: Divorcing after almost 20 years.

posts: 2588   ·   registered: Aug. 7th, 2008
id 6785286
default

Kajem ( member #36134) posted at 4:16 AM on Monday, May 5th, 2014

Since the essay is (hopefully) written by now. I'll send mojo for the results!

I trust you is a better compliment than I love you, because you may not trust the person you love, but you can always love the person you trust. - UnknownRelationships are like sharing a book, it doesn't work if you're not on the same page.

posts: 6708   ·   registered: Jul. 15th, 2012   ·   location: Florida
id 6785703
default

 Want2help (original poster member #20547) posted at 4:23 AM on Monday, May 5th, 2014

Ugh, I'm still trying to write it! I have 5 mini essays to write, and normally I'm the type who can bust out any essay in 20 minutes, but I'm just so stuck! Nothing I type feels good enough. Gaaahhh!!!

FBS/WS- me.
F(serial)WS/BS- him.

Madhatters. More Ddays than birthdays, at this point. His OC, my OC...

UPDATE: Divorcing after almost 20 years.

posts: 2588   ·   registered: Aug. 7th, 2008
id 6785706
default

mainlyinpain ( member #39134) posted at 5:08 AM on Monday, May 5th, 2014

Mojo Mojo Mojo Mojo Mojo >>>>>>>>>>>Want2help

posts: 602   ·   registered: Apr. 30th, 2013
id 6785724
default

 Want2help (original poster member #20547) posted at 7:59 AM on Monday, May 5th, 2014

Thanks mainlyinpain and Kajem! They are written! Now I have to submit my application tomorrow, hope that they have received the (snail mailed) letter of recommendation, turn in my other two letters, and then cross my fingers until I find out!

FBS/WS- me.
F(serial)WS/BS- him.

Madhatters. More Ddays than birthdays, at this point. His OC, my OC...

UPDATE: Divorcing after almost 20 years.

posts: 2588   ·   registered: Aug. 7th, 2008
id 6785814
This Topic is Archived
Cookies on SurvivingInfidelity.com®

SurvivingInfidelity.com® uses cookies to enhance your visit to our website. This is a requirement for participants to login, post and use other features. Visitors may opt out, but the website will be less functional for you.

v.1.001.20250404a 2002-2025 SurvivingInfidelity.com® All Rights Reserved. • Privacy Policy