2008-2009 Personal Statement Questions Thread

[ghumkumari]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hey All:

I'd be glad to help out as a reader. I'm an English/Creative Writing tutor on campus (in addition to being a biomed grad student and tutoring in physics and calc) and scored a perfect T on the essay section of the MCAT on both of the 2 different occasions during which I took said exam.

I also scored a 5 on AP English in High-School and have won several scholarships and writing contests in the recent past.

Translation: I know how to write very well, and would be glad to take a look at people's essays and help them out as much as I can given my work-load.

Just PM me with your preferred e-mail addy, and I'll write you back from mine; from there, you can send me your document directly pasted into the email client or as an attached Word .doc 👍

I am so glad .. can you please help me out? [email protected]

 

[BirenJ]

Hey folks, I have a very specific question about submitting the PS on AACOM application.

When I cut and paste, it comes out to 4508 characters...about 8 more characters than the limit. However, I can delete the indentations and make it under 4500 characters easily because I have about 10+ paragraphs with indentations.

The problem is, it migh be difficult to read because it looks like this:

This is my personal statement. This is my personal statement. This is my personal statement. This is my personal statement. This is my personal statement. This is my personal statement. This is my personal statement. This is my personal statement.
This is my personal statement. This is my personal statement. This is my personal statement. This is my personal statement. This is my personal statement.

Ok you can clearly see where the paragraphs seperate but if I use the indentations, it goes over the limit.

Should I just go ahead and cut out some 8 characters AND use the indentations so it's legible and easy to read? Or I should just delete the indentations and hope that the schools will space them out and read it?

I know it's an odd question, and I know what I need to do...I just needed a second or a different opinion. 👍

 

[diggintheDOs]

Hey folks, I have a very specific question about submitting the PS on AACOM application.

When I cut and paste, it comes out to 4508 characters...about 8 more characters than the limit. However, I can delete the indentations and make it under 4500 characters easily because I have about 10+ paragraphs with indentations.

The problem is, it migh be difficult to read because it looks like this:



Ok you can clearly see where the paragraphs seperate but if I use the indentations, it goes over the limit.

Should I just go ahead and cut out some 8 characters AND use the indentations so it's legible and easy to read? Or I should just delete the indentations and hope that the schools will space them out and read it?

I know it's an odd question, and I know what I need to do...I just needed a second or a different opinion. 👍

If you're like me, you'll probably easily find 8 extra adjectives or punctuations that you don't necessarily need in the statement. If I were in your shoes, I'd look for things to take out, just so it makes for an easier read. They have to read sooo many of these at once, I just wouldn't want to frustrate/anger them at my expense!

Good luck!

 

[dangit]

I am finishing up my PS, but there is one section that I need to take care of. I am trying to explain my low GPA, which I have rehabilitated after two years of post-bacc work, thank you 🙂 anyway, how should i explain myself? do i try to be positive and say i learned to prioritize my time better, or go into specific details of how i actually did study better to raise my grades? i explained why my gpa was low (ie immature, not ready for the rigors of science at the university level)... please help! thank you 🙂

 

[chromosomeone]

Do I have to talk about osteopathic philosophy in my personal statement? Is it highly recommended, or can I just discuss in my interview?

 

[chromosomeone]

Also, how are those services like essayedge.com? Worth my money?

 

[pilotony]

I'm in the process of completing my AACOM personal statement. my personal statement is 3801 characters and 681 words. is that enough?

 

[coffeeeandtea]

I can honestly say that the PS was the most difficult part of the application process for me, even worse than MCAT. Not only was it an arduous task, but so difficult to be satistfied that you are fully represented by it in a meaningful way. I hated mine and will never look back on it since it would make me cringe to hear me babble on about myself and my story.
I think you should be fine, your stats and EC's are great. You will have a choice in schools 👍

hahaha i totally agree. after having other people look at it and give me feedback, i finally submitted.. and now i can't look back because it makes me cringe. i also seem to have trouble listening to my voice on the answering machine and watching myself on video too.. hmmm..

 

[jdla]

Can someone read my Personal Statement?

 

[Atlas80]

For my personal statement I tacked on two sentences about osteopathic medicine from my MD statement. They are about wanting to go into primary care because of the primary care focus and prevention and coincide with the rest perfectly. Is this acceptable?

 

[DaBlackRose]

for those of you that requested someone to help read through personal statements, i am available. I am a journalism major and can get through most of the grammar and try to help with ideas.

my email: [email protected]

To keep discussion going i'm interested in what most people say in their essays? Should you discuss WHY DO or wait until later?

 

[stn1983]

Hi I am currently trying to write my personal statement and in need of some advice. My personal statement does not mention anything about my clinical experience (ie; shadowing, volunteering at the local hospital). I figure since I have already listed my shadowing and volunteering experience with a brief description of both in my applications, I would not necessarily have to talk about it in my personal statement. Has anyone here not mentioned anything about their clinical experiences in their personal statement? Should I briefly talk about my clinical experiences in my PS? Any help will be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[ILikeFood]

For my PS, I described how my clinical experience played a factor in my decision to become a doctor.

If you can answer "Why medical school" without mentioning clinical experience, you are a better writer than I.

 

[BrakngLyv]

You should write your personal statement with some clearly defined goals:

1) Write engagingly. Draw the reader in to your story.
2) Answer questions. How have you come to this point in your life?
Why you want to become a physician?
3) Tie up lose ends. How do your unique qualities and experiences,
combined with the possibility of becoming a physician benefit society
at-large?

Including your clinical experience is not essential, as long as you answer the questions. A given applicant may have a chronic medical condition that serves as the motivation to medicine. In this case, clinical experience may only reinforce the desire, but is not the primary motivation. However, if clinical experience is your primary contact with medicine, you might reconsider its inclusion.

 

[stonewall22]

Hi I am currently trying to write my personal statement and in need of some advice. My personal statement does not mention anything about my clinical experience (ie; shadowing, volunteering at the local hospital). I figure since I have already listed my shadowing and volunteering experience with a brief description of both in my applications, I would not necessarily have to talk about it in my personal statement. Has anyone here not mentioned anything about their clinical experiences in their personal statement? Should I briefly talk about my clinical experiences in my PS? Any help will be appreciated. Thank you.

I have been involved with countless service organizations and lived in South America for a couple years. Those experiences, more than my clinical experiences, are why I want to enter medicine, and so those are what I discussed.

 

[Kateb4]

I think that including your clinical experience is very useful. Your grades show that you can handle med school, but your experience and people skills show that you can be a good doctor. I would definately explain why you think that you would be a good doctor, and that hopefully will include how you really felt that your experience dealing with patients drives you to want to be a physician, or even how your experience shadowing a physician made you feel that this is the right career for you. They want to see that you are compassionate, genuine and good with people. Clinical experience is a big plus for most people, so you may be taking away from your application if you don't include this. Also, there are some interviews where they do not see your stats, yet do see your PS, so aside from your GPA/MCAT try to hit the big plusses in your PS.

 

[ShyRem]

 

[bhee]

Pls, can anyone give me a hint on how i can incorporate the DO philosophy in my statement. I intend to use my amcas essay but reduce it...and most importantly incorporate the DO philosophy. I have read so much about osteopathy and since am not the greatest writer, i can seem to incorporate it. For amcas, you dont have to incorporate allopathic ideas, it was just why you want to be a doctor which i didnt have problem with.
Pls, any hint as to how to incorporate it, i will be glad.
thanks

 

[RySerr21]

don't feel like its necessary to mention the DO philosophy during your personal statement. Its not a requirement. If you can't artciulate it well on paper, then don't. Just save it for the interviews where you DEFINITELY will be asked "why DO?"

There is no prompt for the DO personal statement. You can write about whatever you want. Lots of people use the same statement for both (i did) and its not a problem.

THe one thing you should be aware of is the character limit. You have fewer characters to work with for the DO personal statement than you do for the MD personal statmeent (i think 5200 compared to 4300 characters including spaces).

 

[p30doc]

I saved the why DO for the secondary/interview questions about it, I used same essay that I did for the AMCAS primary with some parts trimmed to fit the character limit.

 

[Bacchus]

Any secondary that has you write essays will ask "Why DO?" If the secondary doesn't ask, expect the interviewer(s) to.

 

[forks4spoons]

And another thing, just in case applying has made you absentminded like myself - Don't forget, the character limit includes spaces.

*blush*

 

[bhee]

I feel much better now. I had completed the application since july, well before my MD application but the statement is my set back but now, i'll just do trim my amcas and send it. Hopefully, i get as far as interview and i can tell them why DO!!
thanks once again.

 

[BlackTalon]

Hi everyone, I am applying to Duke for the 2009 intake, but am having major problems with my PS. I have significant research experience, and for most of the PS I explained why I was attracted to research, and how 2 experiences pushed me towards medicine-research. This might settle the question on WHY I want to be a doctor. Problem is, I am at the word limit, and cannot incorporate experiences to show that I am QUALIFIED or EXCEPTIONAL. Additionally, I applied to volunteer at a hospital, but that would be in Jan 2009, after the submission deadline. How can I include this? Any help would be much appreciated!

For ref: MCAT score: P 10, V 10, B 15, Writing S, GPA 3.6/4.0

 

[Chocolate Bear]

Hi everyone, I am applying to Duke for the 2009 intake, but am having major problems with my PS. I have significant research experience, and for most of the PS I explained why I was attracted to research, and how 2 experiences pushed me towards medicine-research. This might settle the question on WHY I want to be a doctor. Problem is, I am at the word limit, and cannot incorporate experiences to show that I am QUALIFIED or EXCEPTIONAL. Additionally, I applied to volunteer at a hospital, but that would be in Jan 2009, after the submission deadline. How can I include this? Any help would be much appreciated!

For ref: MCAT score: P 10, V 10, B 15, Writing S, GPA 3.6/4.0

You're in the Pre-Osteopathic forum. Try Pre-Allo for help with MD applications.

 

[BlackTalon]

Haha, thanks man.

 

[mbe36]

1.) Should I mention Osteopathic Medicine?

2.) Do I need to explain why I went to a community college for freshman year? Is it that big of an issue?

3.) Should I explain poor grades? I would focus on my modifications and improvement. (I have a 3.48c/3.33s with a strong upward trend after sophomore year. 10bs 10ps 9vr )

I am really stuck between #2 and #3 due to a space constraint. I have my MD personal statement and will be pulling material from that.

 

[Chocolate Bear]

1.) Should I mention Osteopathic Medicine?

2.) Do I need to explain why I went to a community college for freshman year? Is it that big of an issue?

3.) Should I explain poor grades? I would focus on my modifications and improvement. (I have a 3.48c/3.33s with a strong upward trend after sophomore year. 10bs 10ps 9vr )

I am really stuck between #2 and #3 due to a space constraint. I have my MD personal statement and will be pulling material from that.

1. The CIB recommends it. I did it. Lots of others did and lots didn't. Feel free to do so, but it's nice to have some new things to say when your secondaries ask "Why DO?"

2. No. Do not mention this. They won't care. If they are curious, they'll ask in the interview. Many applicants have some CC credits.

3. Do not mention grades, with that GPA and upward trend.

Focus on the positive aspects of your motivation and desires, supported by your experience.

 

[Bacchus]

I say no to all three. You will be able to say in most secondaries why DO. Also, don't focus on weak parts of your application unless its significant. With your stats you should be fine.

 

[tideleonheart]

1) Be honest... if it truly is a big deal to you, then put it in there (which it sounds like you don't care that much since you're applying to both DO and MD)

2) There's nothing wrong with community college. Don't mention it.

3) Your GPA tells itself - they look at all your coursework and WILL see an upward trend. If YOU think it is a big deal and really want to say something about it, you could mention it in a follow-up e-mail or phone call.