University of Chicago

Essay Question 2. Tell us about a difficult or challenging situation you have encountered and
how you dealt with it. In your response, identify both the coping skills you called upon to
resolve the dilemma, and the support person(s) from whom you sought advice. We suggest that
you limit your essay to about 400 words.

“If you hadn’t brought her in here, she could have died at any moment.” Both of our mouths
dropped as we stared blankly at the attending physician. Bi-lateral pulmonary embolism. How
could a 19-year old female have blood clots in both her lungs? How could this happen to my best
friend? At 4 A.M., as the diagnosis slowly sank in, the fact that I just spent the past 7 hours in the
world’s most uncomfortable ER chair and that I had class in a few hours suddenly became the
least of my worries.

My shock gave away to grief. I turned to my friend and saw her struggling but failing to hold
back tears. Seeing her in such pain put things in perspective and helped me quickly adapt to this
grim situation; what I felt could only pale in comparison to what she was feeling. My first
instinct was to take action. Sitting idly was helping no one. I separated what was in and out of
my control, and did my best to address the former. “What do you need? Is there anyone I should
call?” She had no response, only a stream tears and a blank expression. I told her I would stay
with her in the hospital as long as she needed and that I would retrieve a few necessities from her
room.

As I ran back to her room, the crisp autumn air allowed me to clear my mind. I knew first-hand
how vulnerable it feels to be in a near-death experience. What she needed right now was not only
a friend, but also an anchor. I had to remain calm and positive for her sake and mine. To do this,
I used a meditation technique that focused my attention on my breathing to reduce my stress-
response and lower my heart rate.

That particular night and the handful of hospital visits afterwards were hectic. My closest friends,
parents, and mentors were the first people I called on for support. I kept my best friends updated
on the situation and their warm regards kept me composed. I sought medical advice from my
mother, an internal medicine physician, and Dr. Salas, my research mentor, for potential causes
and problematic symptoms to look out for in the future. Knowing that they would have my back
at any time, for whatever reason, is a key coping mechanism I rely on in tough times, and a
gesture I endeavor to return many times over.