Some flare is better than others. 15 extra pieces of dog **** pinned to your shirt isn't the same as 2 extra gold nuggest pinned to your shirt. I don't like to read a packet with tons of recommendation letters. Lots of people have them but most of those letters sound impersonal and say the same thing.
Extra letters MUST be written by an oral surgeon. If you send something from a periodontist I swear to god
... Also, if you're going to force me to glance at, much less read, something extra I'd like it to be unique. Hopefully the writer can tell me something about you. BTW, "he is one of the top 5 percent of students I have trained", "he will be a great addition to your program", and "he has impressed me with his work ethic and maturity" are not unique to you. I promise. There is one cliche I don't mind: "we will have a spot for him at our program if he decides to stay" or something similar.
Let's talk about personal statements. First, I read these things with a red pen. Don't be the guy with spelling, punctuation, or grammar mistakes. Just don't. If you've done something special in your life, tell me. I don't care if you ran a marathon or went to Europe, so shut up. However, if you've done something that shows me your dedication to oral surgery and/or hard work (yeah, a marathon is hard but people who do them like to run--no one loves tooth calls at 3:00am) tell me. Your goal with the statement is to convince me that you're going to work hard so I don't have to pick up your slack AND to make me like you (not make me feel sorry for you, a popular theme last year). I'm a narcissist and have obsessive compulsive personality disorder (DSM-IV verified). I like other people who think the same (omsres for example), if that helps.
Your combinations of numbers and connections will get you an interview. Some extracurriculars can help get the interview, as can an externship (both of these make up for dings in the numbers). Externships and personal statements can also both block an interview. If you are a tool don't expect an interview from your externship. If you don't interview anywhere you externed, you're a tool--get a clue. If your personal statement is bad, filled with cliches, sob storries, or touchy-feely crap, don't expect many interviews.
More important than getting the interview is the actual interview. Once you're here you're equal to everyone else. Whipe that #1, 4.0, 99/100 smile off your face b/c I don't care anymore. I'm trying to answer one question when I interview you: do I like this person? All I'm trying to do is rank each of you according to how much I like you. Therefore, be cool. Also, be confident but not arrogant. IF YOU ARE A MAN DO NOT, FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS HOLY, TELL ME YOUR HOBBY IS SHOPPING. Do not bore me with your hobbies if I have no interest in them. Don't sit there like a bump on a log. Don't force me to talk all the time, but you don't need to talk all the time either. Don't discuss politics with me unless you love God, mamma, apple pie, and GW Bush (this applies in the south, in the north feel free to discuss the benefits of communism).
Finally, a word for the ladies. If this offends you, please PM me so I can cross you off my list. The following is reality--get over it. When you come to interview understand that I think you're either real cool, like one of the boys, immature/dorky, or a real bitch. In my opinion, those are the only types of girls in medicine. I don't like bitches or immature dorky girls. Girls, be confident on your interview but don't even let me think you have an once of women's lib in you. You figure it out.
