Temporarily Unavailable (Please do NOT contact these members for PS help. They are unwilling to read PSes at the time):
pianola - Willing to read personal statements over winter break (may or may not have time during the school year). Double majored in humanities areas. Currently a graduate student; accepted for the class of 2013. R on the writing sample, 12 on VR MCAT, and 800 on the GRE verbal. I probably won't be able to generate a 'perfect' statement for you, but I'll read for content and mechanics, and give what helpful advice I am able to give.
Crb717 - I will read. Credentials: Many professors and advisors have told me I am a great writer and have requested to keep several of my essays for reference to future students. Advisors and proof reader's have told me my PS was excellent. A lot of Informally advised academic writing. A firm grasp of PS guidelines, suggestions, tips and no-no's. I enjoy reading. I have many leather-bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany. Grammatical error recognition and Sentence flow cognition skills. And last but not least, a willingness to help my fellow SDNers.
oneandonlylo - I'm also willing to read, especially given how much my SDN readers helped me out this past summer... having an objective eye really helps! A little bit about me... I'm a long-time tutor and a Kaplan teacher, and have spent a number of years as a newspaper editor, so I'm good for grammar etc. I've been told that my PS was particularly creative, and I had one interviewer tell me to consider a side career as a writer. Anyway, I'd probably be the most useful at helping your PS to stand out and be a little less "standard"
ryserr21 - I don't have any special credentials. I think I wrote a pretty good personal statement, but I seriously had about 8 thoroughly revised versions. If anybody would like to read it as an example, I am willing to share. I'll also read whatever you have and give feedback on content. I can also read for grammar and wording or sentence structure.
phospho - will read PS's - no credentials other than being successful in this application cycle with average scores (i'd like to think it was my PS)...also, i got a T if that helps...
julyjones - Sure, I'll try to help a couple of us out. I've already been accepted so you don't have to worry about plagiarism/competition/whatever crazy premeds do. My strengths would probably be more big-picture criticism (that's constructive!) and encouragement throughout this wacky process.
rowerlauren - I am willing to read personal statements. Although I will admit to not being an English major, I am very good at cutting out the BS. Sentence flow and a logical progression of the argument... aka why you should be a doctor and the main focuses I have when I read/edit/rework personal statements. If someone doesn't sound genuine or believable I will say this. Yes it may be harsh, but hearing from me, or someone like me, is much better than not getting interviews!
Proctodoc - I'd be glad to help out. I know this process is grueling and now that I'm accepted, I've love to help hopefuls out. I love reading and writing for fun and I've ripped apart lots of friends' writings before for classes, applications, resumes, etc. I have no preference for writing style so I'm open to anything. I just to be moved by writing so I'll be honest with you in what I see and feel.
DRLyss - It's that time of year again I see. I'd be happy to lend a hand!
Writing has always been one of my strengths. I was a philosophy major so I've had to do lots and lots of essays throughout my college years. I'm good with grammar and very strong with content, flow and style. I think my PS was my secret to success this cycle and has been complimented on by many interviewers. I'd be happy to give some constructive criticism.
BambiMD - I'll be able to read personal statements, too. (I'll be available after January 10th.)
I can read for both grammar and content. While I do not have any formal qualifications, I am a grammar Nazi and, back in the day, I composed some mean essays for writing contests. I also drafted a strong PS this cycle (or so I was told by my rec letter writers, my pre-med advisor, and the countless friends who read over my essay).
funkydrmonkey - If you are feeling really down about your essay, I will read, but I find it really hard to give constructive criticism... instead I usually end up praising the person, so I can read if you wanna know the good points of your essay. I am a darn good writer when I actually care about the topic...basically my comments will be an e-hug.
ChubbyChaser - Just a chemistry major here so don't expect much help on grammar, but I will be happy to read some and will try to lead you in the right direction. I wrote a pretty good one, or so Ive been told.
RoadRunner17 - Willing to spend some time to read personal statements, at least until late spring when I'll be busy with moving/finaid/getting ready for medical school. I've been accepted to multiple schools with relatively low GPA and high MCAT, and I believe I owe some of my success to my personal statement and secondary essays. It's my opinion that everyone has relatively unique motivations for going into medicine, but you have to be able to articulate them well in order to craft an effective personal statement.
I'm not a stickler for grammar or spelling, but if I see something that's clearly out of whack, I will tell you correct it. I tend to be more of a big picture person, and that's the kind of advice I can give you. I might respond with a couple questions about you, so I have a better idea of what it is about you that can make for a powerful personal statement. Maybe I can stir something up and help you figure out the direction you want to go in. Ultimately though, the hard work (might require more self-reflection) will be up to you. So be ready to put on your thinking cap.
If you're up for it, send me a PM and if I'm not busy, I'll give you an email to send your .doc to. Make sure you're reasonably far along in the process of writing it, and you need some direction. Be forewarned, I WILL give you my full, unfiltered opinion about your PS. Don't take it personally if I tell you its a load of crap. It's just my opinion and it's your personal statement.. so don't waste my time and yours if you're just looking for affirmation.
Doc Henry - I will read, I really appreciated this resource when I was writing mine. I am good with overall writing style, flow, transitioning from topic to topic, etc. Not good about punctuation, pretty good with grammar and spelling. No credentials other than being accepted this year and I have always been called an "excellent writer".
MILK07 - I'll read. I got a lot of help from SDN this past cycle, and I got into school with a 3.4 cumulative GPA. I got a few compliments on my PS. I am big on grammar and making the essay concise. Would love to help. Plus, I need something to do at my (sometimes boring) research job while I'm waiting for school to start!
Kakoy - I can read. Since I did get accepted this cycle, there should be no conflicts of interest. As the editor-in-chief of an award-winning yearbook and being a literacy specialist right now, I should be able to give advice on content, flow, logic, etc. I am awful at catching grammatical errors, though.
IHeartIraGlass - Having applied more than once (and being successful this year!), I've seen my fair share of application essays, of all sorts, and would love to help out.
Qualifications:
*Double humanities minor, A's in all my college english classes
*800 SAT II (Back when writing was a separate test!), aka grammar and writing style
*S on MCAT writing, both times
*Private tutor/test prep teacher in some capacity for nearly 10 years, have worked for some pretty prominent test prep companies
*Back in the day, when I was writing my own, I compiled a cache of readers, professors, doctors, medical students, english majors, public policy grad students, etc., some on adcoms, some not, and spent a crucible of a month forging my own PS.
Extras:
*I'm not in school
*Interviewers referred to my PS for questions
*I'm pretty sure my experiences/essays were an important component to my acceptances/compensated somewhat for my numbers
Good luck, 2014!
gujudoc - I'll read PSes for the new cycle.
A little bit about myself. Although I only finally applied this year, I've been around SDN for awhile. As a result, many have come to entrust me with their PSes even when I was not on the list officially to read PSes. That was during the cycle for the class of 2011. That year I also helped review the personal statements of a few close friends at USF. The following summer (summer 2007) I was added to the personal statement readers list and reviewed several PSes. I've also reviewed several this year from people who've PMed me despite not putting myself on this past year's list. I've also reviewed a few secondary essays. Therefore I've got ample experience in advising and reviewing Pses. I'm very to the point and can be brutal so don't take it offensive if I rip it to two. but
I'll give you great pointers for content, flow, and general advice on how to approach the PS. What I will not do is edit for grammar issues as I'm not sure I'm the best person to do that.
PS I'm free this semester, completely free so feel free to send it any time.
JuliaGulia2789 - Hey, I'd be happy to read AND copy edit PSes for 2010 applicants. I'm a non-trad and may be able to offer the most help to others with a circuitous path to medicine. My qualifications include the ability to complete the Saturday NY Times crossword puzzle, former spelling bee champ, extensive writing in my current job, and a big red pen (figuratively speaking). I tend to have a heavy hand, so if you are especially sensitive I may not be the best reader for you
. Please put me on temporarily unavailable. I have a number of responsibilities at work right now limiting my time. Thanks!
Azadre - I was read, I will read.
shemarty - I'll read, but I am *not* a copy-editor. Check your spelling, grammar, etc, before you send it to me. I don't know how great my own PS was, but it was apparently good enough to get interviews. I got a R in writing, but I don't think it's that relevant. I work with a lot of premeds and have read a lot of applications for our physician shadowing program, so I can give you some general feedback about the topics you chose to write about, the flow from paragraph to paragraph, the overall tone, the impression of you that I get from the essay, etc.
temporarily unavailable... been too swamped to keep up lately... 
Greonis - I'd be willing to help out. Qualifications: humanities major (quite a bit of essay writing), T on the MCAT writing sample, "compelling" personal statement/secondary essays (adjective used by one reader). In terms of how I read, I will tend to focus more on the "overall picture" than the minutiae (grammar, individual words used, etc...)
I need to place myself on the "unavailable" list at this time, as I have been swamped lately and have had very little time for PS reading.
I'll try my best to get to those that have already messaged me, but I cannot make any promises.
aznb0y129 - Sure why not. As for credentials, my interviewer at Downstate (only acceptance so far) kept talking about how strong my personal statement was. Also, many advisors gave me excellent ratings for my PS.
I will finish reading the ones I currently have in my queue, but I am also placing myself on the "Temporarily Unavailable" list because the volume is just getting to be too much.
ami1983 - I'm willing to read. I'm non-trad, very adept at professional & scientific writing, I've edited many many people's PS. Just PM me.
I've gotten 8 requests so far- let me finish these and I'll accept more. Add me to the temporarily not accepting list Sorry!
Nevadanteater - I'll read.
I've gotten (accepted) to (a GREAT) medical school through an unusual path and that was reflected in my personal statement. I wrote about transgenderism, punk rock music and hippies. As such, I'd probably be best (content-wise) dealing with PSs that are more non-traditional in nature, though a good PS is a good PS and I can help you get there regardless.
Temporarily Unavailable!
I just got swamped with PS requests. Will chug through them everyone!
Stixman28 - Im in my glide year, and I love reading and editing essays. I am a very critical reader and will put plenty of time into the essay, if you have done so yourself. If you email me a crap essay though, don't be offended when I let you know that you should rethink your premise. Just PM em to me and I can get em back to you within a week, probably less.
It's been a good couple of months, and you all have kept me BUSY! I hope I have been of help to those of you whose papers I read. If you haven't heard back from me yet, I will get your PS's back to you asap.
In the mean time, please move me to temporarily unavailable.
muggle911 - I'll read. Have lots of free time since all I'm doing is waiting for results from schools. I'm a tutor, Kaplan instructor, etc. Can help stylistically and w/ editing content of statement, but not so much w/ grammar.
Please add me to temporarily unavailable. Thanks!
w8ting2exhale - I'd love to read PSes and help in any way I can. I'll give advice on mechanics, content, and flow. Qualifications: I'm a philospohy minor and I'm into creative writing.
Add me to the temporarily unvailable list. I have too many PSes to go through.
chameleonknight - I will read a few, as my responsibilities are slim to none this close to graduation.
Please move me to unavailable. Trying to get caught up on the personal statements I have now.
drelizabeth292 - I will be very happy to read PS for people. I have a TON of time since I just received my B.S. and have nothing to do until Med School starts in August.
im going to have to stop reading ps for now. thanks
riceman04-Hi! Riceman04 here...I was successful in this application cycle and received great feedback on my PS in non-blind interviews
I can definitely read
I have a full load right now...so I guess I am temp unavailable
shnuffles - I'd love to read, at least until school begins mid-Jan! I've been doing this for a lot of my pre-health friends lately, and its a blast! Probably not the best person to turn to for grammar but can certainly steer you in the right direction. Good luck!
Please put me on the temporarily unavailable list.
jamesq - I can read if anyone wants to send me a PM with their PS. I got a S on the writing section and consider myself a good essay writer. More than fixing grammatical errors, i will probably give you a better idea of how your PS reflects your passion as a future physician.
please put me on the temporarily unavailable list
spelledout - I would be willing to read personal statements for both content and grammar (I am very big on grammar) and can offer constructive criticism. In writing, I tend to try and keep things interesting and pertinent, with a penchant for the offbeat (my own personal statement was indeed just that, but I got many compliments on how well written it was). I think that it's important for your personal statement to be interesting and to be an insight not just into your achievements, but into your personality as well.
please put me on the temporarily unavailable list.
sevenmints - A little bit about me: Senior in college in Cambridge, MA. Biology concentrator. Currently finishing the app cycle. I don't post much on the forums because most of the topics are trivial speculation and argument etc.
Qualifications: I know how to write a PS (and essays in general). I applied to 27 or 28 schools, so I have a lot of practice. I worked extensively with an HMS M2 on my own personal statement, so I know the benefits of having excellent guidance and honest but constructive criticism during the writing process. I've helped students write personal statements for college before. I even worked with an international student whose linguistic idiosyncrasies made comprehending and revising his essays particularly challenging.
I am also currently learning screenwriting. You might be surprised how writing for film requires clear and concise imagery and discipline in terms of format and style. In case anyone is wondering, I got an O on the MCAT. No excuses and no explanation. If you really think writing in a time constrained environment is a worthwhile metric of expressive ability, then I may not be able to help you. Also, just PM me for contact information if you are interested.
Please remove me for the time being. I'm graduating and things are a bit hectic.
hoya09 - I'll gladly read anyone's personal statement for content as well as form. That being said, I'd prefer a polished draft (read: please use spellcheck and proof it for grammatical errors before sending). I'm a Biochem/Linguistics double major, so I may have a rather unique perspective. See my MDapps for further info regarding my publications and other credentials of interest.
I have a HUGE pile of statements to read and not much time to read them in, so could you please put me on the temporarily unavailable list? Thanks.
OpalOnyx-I have written several essays over the past few years for scholarships and grad school. I'm willing to read personal statements for content and provide feedback. PM me.
please put me on the temporarily unavailable list
Catching up with personal statements pending review.
drhouse42 - I'd be glad to read it and try and make suggestions. I don't exactly have anything special to offer, but I do have my eyes and brain.
please put me on the temporarily unavailable list
thanks
joyus195 - I am willing to read essays as I had great help when I was writing my essay for grad school. I have degrees in Biology and Psychology so I had to write a lot of essays during undergrad. I did not apply to medical school (will be attending school for Occupational Therapy) but would love to help out!
Please put me on the temporarily unavailable list.
thatcalgal -- I am not in school right now, just working and interviewing so I have a lot of free time to read! I am not the best at grammar but good at editing content and picking apart inconsistencies, so I can be a useful tool for those who are starting out first drafts of their ps.
please take me off the list. I will be out of the country in a few days on vacation and will be asked to be put back on the list when I am back in mid june. Thanks!
whitefang21 - Please add me to the list, i reviewed my personal statement and help some friends reviewed their personal statements. The main thing about your personal statement is that it should convey your ideas .
please put me on temporarily unavailable
sidalexis --I am available to read personal statements for content and grammar.
Credentials:
I consider myself to be a strong writer and I have a knack for creative and sincere writing. Since these are the things I think are most important for the personal statement, you will see it a bit in my critique. I had several interviewers comment on the strength of my personal statement and gained multiple acceptances.
Good luck to those of you applying
Okay so I've gotten a ton of essays. For now, I'm not going to accept anymore so that I can give each essay the time that it deserves. For those of you that have already contacted me, I've read your personal statements and I'm in the process of sending them back to you
Bernoull --I'll volunteer to read and constructively critique ur PS..
As a Scientist I do a lot of technical writing, and I'll focus on grammar, logical flow, coherence and cogency...
Goodluck
I'm TEMPORARILY not accepting PS critique requests. I'm over-committed right now, as I complete reviewing pending requests, I'll accept new requests.
Legacy87 --I am willing to read PS. I generally look for flow and content. PM me and I will definitely respond in a timely manner. PM me first and I will send you my email. Please do not PM directly with your PS because I rather edit with word doc. Thanks.
As of now, I am flooded with PS and my final is coming up. As such, I am temporarily unavailable to read anymore personal statements.
GoSpursGo -- I honestly don't have much credentials beyond the fact that my essay was apparently good enough to get me in, even though I really didn't think it was the greatest. I can help mostly with grammar and mechanics and a few general things like that, but I don't really know that I can let you know if you have a "strong" subject matter or not; for that you may need to get someone else's opinion. So go ahead and PM me if you want someone to read your PS over. Please don't be offended if I wind up telling you that I'm too busy... you may just catch me at a bad time where a bunch of other people had already sent me one, or you might catch me during my week of finals. I do promise that if I CAN read for you, I will.
I'm taking a break from PSs right now.
kac714-- hey, I've got some down time now, you can add me to the list!
can you take me off temporarily? I'm really backed up.
LilHouse --I can read a few personal statements to help out.
I'm pretty good with grammar, but I'll be looking for content and higher order issues. I'll try to look at it from an adcom member's point of view as well. I have been accepted, and I'll try to pass on any feedback I've heard along the way.
Anyway, best of luck to you all.
I need to take a break for awhile. I've been getting like 10 per day, and I can't keep that pace up. Maybe I'll look to read some more in a week or so, but until then, I can read any. (I will finish the ones in my inbox though from today)
Muffinpuff --Feel free to send over your personal statements to me. I'm starting med school in like 3 wks and in the meanwhile I'm bored outta my mind. So send it over and I'll do my best
Currently I'm swamped with enough to last me for a week and half. So I won't be taking any more for now. If you would like some general writing tips, I posted a set earlier on this thread, on (page 6), so take a look at that if it helps. Thanks and gluck everyone!
chunkimunki -- i can also read PS for about a month ... i can provide help for grammar, sentence structure, etc
if you want to know more about my credentials or anything else about me, just PM me!
I will be out of the country for a couple weeks. Please put me on the temporarily unavailable list! Thanks!
mmmcdowe-- Now that its summer, I'm lonely and crave human contact. I'll read some Personal Statements and offer advice. My ps played heavily on my family (parents are a doctor and a nurse. It taught me about medicine outside of the whitecoat), my dancing and artistic experiences, and my experience saving a man who had had a heart attack and drowned. I also wrote a lot of essays due to my stupidity in applying to 30 schools. Essays included my research on ants, my growing up with minor disabilities, my experiences with a specific patient, and my interests in defining "good medicine" and medical history's role in this now and in the past. I didn't really get many comments about the quality of my essays (Harvard interviewers wanted to know about saving the guy, Yale interviewer wanted to psychoanalyze the role my father had in going into medicine. They didn't really comment on the quality though, nor did any other school), so I can't really tell you if I am "good" at it. I will help with grammar, etc, but I make no promises on catching them all. I consider myself pretty strong in that department, and got an S on the writing sample. I grade essays for Kaplan, as well as teach.
I'm no longer accepting personal statements until I've had a vacation from them.
LolaMD -- I would love to read!!!
I need to be put on the temporarily unavailable list. I'm doing a summer program that is taking up all of my time.
Overfloater --I am available to read through some PS's. Content advice would be my strength.
Please no more PS for now. I recently became very busy and am backed up on reading them. To anyone who has sent me I will get around to it. Sorry for the wait.
Currents --I learned about this forum from my students in Writing sample classes.I don't mind reading through some of the personal statements and give some personal comments.
olemissbabydoc -- I'll read. I was one class short of an english minor, did well on the writing section of the MCAT and 36 on the english portion of the ACT. 4.0 for english and grammar classes... grammar and spelling are my strengths, transitions are my weakness.
If anyone wants help, let me know.
I am no longer available to read NEW PSes due to the fact that I am moving and starting medical school.
If I have previously read your statement and have personally told you I would read additional drafts, feel free to continue to send those to me - it just may take a little extra time for me to check them.
Best of luck to you all!
JC2--I am willing to read personal statements. Just send it over to me (no need to ask) and if I can't read I'll let you know within 24 hours.
alright I actually didn't expect the response to be so heavy so you can feel free to put me on 'temporary available' for the moment.
.Sandlot13.. - I'll read any PS too! I was a peer reader at my undergrad for three years, and read a few PS last year during the cycle. I tend to focus on style, theme, and personality while I look at papers, and can figure out flow problems as well. My own personal statement was a little "creative", so I am not one to shy away from trying new ideas or pushing some of the typical limits that most people adhere to.. contact me first through PM to see if I am available before sending me the PS. Thanks!
Im back in action for a few days, send those PS's (or secondaries) my way and I'll try to get to as many as I can while still relaxing
can I also comment that I am much more inclined to help people who are active and contributing members to the forums (as opposed to those people who have 0 or 1 post to their name)
Please put me on the Temporarily Unavailable list for now... Im trying to catch up and Im on my way to wyoming for a week of fishing and relaxing! thanks!
schismal--I have time to read a few statements over the next couple of weeks, although my time is limited. I'm a little late to the PS game, but I know there are some stragglers around since I was in the same boat last year. I'm excellent with grammar, and read/write enough to have a coherent grasp of effective stylistic elements.
Linked here is my philosophy on stepping beyond the "formal" tone of the PS, posted last year before I applied, and the comments I received from schools have only intensified that belief. I edited an undergrad journal throughout college, and enjoy using the red ink. Don't ask me if you can't take criticism well.
My inbox is swamped right now, so I'm going to have to be unavailable until I work through the backlog.
Remuneration--I'd be happy to review some personal statements. I have a fair bit of informal editing experience, and considerable classroom writing experience. I'm decent at picking up grammatical errors, but tend to focus on stylistic and structural issues.
Feeling a bit burnt out. Have secondaries incoming in the next week or so. If you've already sent me your essays, I'll read them, but I'm not going to take any new ones for a bit.
tomfadial --I'll read a few. I don't have any professional editing experience, but I have a decent eye for grammar/spelling. I'll also give my personal thoughts on the content.
I'd like to have mine read too, so I figured I'd contribute a bit
I'm busy with work and secondaries now, could I be taken off the list?
hahaha I love this!
