* * 2011-2012 Personal Statement Thread * *

Discover Your Odds of Getting into Medical School
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when do we get to know the personal statement prompt? or will it just be the usual "why do you want to be a d.o. doc?"
 
Is there a thread for people willing to read/critique personal statements?

Thanks!!
 
I am looking exactly for this. Anyone interested in reviewing my ps??
 
how long is the PS supposed to be? I am hoping to write one for both AACOMAS and AMCAS. I had heard somewhere about 4800 characters but can anyone confirm?
 
FrkyBgStok said:
how long is the PS supposed to be? I am hoping to write one for both AACOMAS and AMCAS. I had heard somewhere about 4800 characters but can anyone confirm?
Click to expand...

I saved last year's AACOMAS instructions, and it says 4500 characters including spaces and punctuation.
 
Unless things have changed, I believe AACOMAS = 4500, AMCAS = 5300, TMDHSHSNAH = 5000.
 
i am available to read any PS, I am not an English major but I can lookout for content and basic mistakes. 🙂
 
i have had a number of people read my personal statement and have been happy with the input. i have heard numerous times not to single yourself out to a specialty, and it makes sense. I am heavily interested in pediatrics. should I still adhere to the same advice or should I emphasize my interest for a primary care field. I don't want to appear that I am trying ""beat the system" and most of my shadowing (and most recent) is from a pediatrician. just curious.
 
I have what several people have told me is a really good PS that I am submitting to AMCAS. Would it be OK to just use the same (modified to fit the space limit) for my DO PS? Or is it really important to specifically address why DO, and not just why physician?
 
Morzh said:
I have what several people have told me is a really good PS that I am submitting to AMCAS. Would it be OK to just use the same (modified to fit the space limit) for my DO PS? Or is it really important to specifically address why DO, and not just why physician?
Click to expand...

I didn't address 'why do' just because that question always comes up in secondaries (I don't want them to sound too redundant) so I don't think it's bad idea if you left it out.
 
Morzh said:
I have what several people have told me is a really good PS that I am submitting to AMCAS. Would it be OK to just use the same (modified to fit the space limit) for my DO PS? Or is it really important to specifically address why DO, and not just why physician?
Click to expand...
Could I read your PS? 😛 Thanks.
 
Just curious, when I'm referencing an activity that's a big part of my PS, for example if it's called "Disparities in Healthcare" could I enter it the first time out like that and then put it in as (DIH) for the rest of the time? It takes up useful space, so I was just wondering. Thanks! 🙂
 
Alright so I am just about done with my personal statement but I still haven't really tackled why DO...both my parents are chiropractors so I want to tie that in somehow but I am having severe writer's block.

Does anybody have any ideas on how I should do this?
 
linebackeru6 said:
Alright so I am just about done with my personal statement but I still haven't really tackled why DO...both my parents are chiropractors so I want to tie that in somehow but I am having severe writer's block.

Does anybody have any ideas on how I should do this?
Click to expand...


sweet. maybe you can help me with this too. Let's make a deal. If I peer review your statement, will you review mine? Any suggestions are helpful.
 
Ya that sounds good to me...I still have to write in that part so I'm not ready but if you PM me yours I can take a look.
 
Morzh said:
I have what several people have told me is a really good PS that I am submitting to AMCAS. Would it be OK to just use the same (modified to fit the space limit) for my DO PS? Or is it really important to specifically address why DO, and not just why physician?
Click to expand...

my impression from reading previous threads is that you do not have to answer 'why DO' in your PS. this generally comes in the secondaries and interviews for most schools. therefore, your MD and DO PS's can be the same.
 
linebackeru6 said:
Alright so I am just about done with my personal statement but I still haven't really tackled why DO...both my parents are chiropractors so I want to tie that in somehow but I am having severe writer's block.

Does anybody have any ideas on how I should do this?
Click to expand...

OK so DO's aren't to keen on being compared to chiropractors, so before you go down that road I would really do some research on OMM before I would make that comparison.
 
I would be careful treading the road of saying that chiropractors are like DOs. If you must tie things that way, I suggest you strongly outline your understanding of the differences in profession.

If you need a proof reader, you can send it my way through PM.
 
Alright thanks, I have been doing a little research and it seems like some of their general philosophy of the body can heal by itself and stuff like that is similar so I think I just want to stick to that
 
linebackeru6 said:
Alright thanks, I have been doing a little research and it seems like some of their general philosophy of the body can heal by itself and stuff like that is similar so I think I just want to stick to that
Click to expand...
:wtf:

Good luck with that...
 
linebackeru6 said:
Alright thanks, I have been doing a little research and it seems like some of their general philosophy of the body can heal by itself and stuff like that is similar so I think I just want to stick to that
Click to expand...

Dude this really isn't a road you want to go down with adcoms there is no positive outcome. Honestly looking back at my personal statement I didn't address why DO at all (really isn't necessary at this point anyways). Once you get secondaries then you can start the why DO thing and believe me everyone freakin' secondary has a why DO in some shape or form. If you haven't started on the why DO yet then just leave it out and I know, I know what would I know being accepted and all.
 
how about the whole sphere of influence thing. You can work with that. chiropractors want other to have a sense of well being with health. though, DOs and chiropractors help other achieve it both in different ways. just don't compare them with the profession.
 
Thanks for the input...I haven't changed anything yet I've just been feeling it out and it seems that the majoritiy of people think its a bad idea.
 
I am a first time applicant and this is my first post. I am looking to apply to DO schools and have relatively average grades. I am taking the MCAT the first week of july. However, i am looking for something to help me stand out a little. I am a girl, NY resident and extremely interested in Orthopedics and sports medicine. I have played sports my entire life and received ankle surgery myself. I shadowed the NY Islanders orthopedist, and have volunteered for the islanders and rangers.

I would like to put that i am very interested in orthopedics and sports in my personal statement, as it has been a passion of mine for a long time. I read that only 11% of orthopedics are women and thought it could help me stand out a little, but i dont know if medical schools are going to like that i put what i want to do with out going through medical school, and think that i will change my mind (granted they have a right to think so because most people do)

PLEASE HELP 🙂 Thanks so much!
 
I would not necessarily specify your interest in a specialty. Your interest in sports and experiences with them have certainly impacted your decision to become a physician and it could be a unifying theme for your personal statement. You should be able to discuss all the aspects of how sports have gotten you interested in medicine without having to come out and say that you want to be in sports medicine.
 
agreed. i hinted in my personal statement that I was interested in pediatrics, but i didn't flat out say it. but we are talking primary care. saying that you are interested in orthopedics, whatever the real reason, looks like you are interested in one of the best paying fields there is. definitely include sports, but saying you are interested in orthopedics will not make you stand out in a good way. i would pass.
 
I applied to 5 MD schools in 2009 and didn't get accepted into any of them, so I'm trying to update my PS to include significant events from the past two years.

Do I somehow need to include that I applied before and was rejected? I believe I will only be applying to DO schools this time around.
 
amberisma said:
I applied to 5 MD schools in 2009 and didn't get accepted into any of them, so I'm trying to update my PS to include significant events from the past two years.

Do I somehow need to include that I applied before and was rejected? I believe I will only be applying to DO schools this time around.
Click to expand...

No you should not include this in your ps. some secondaries will ask you and you will need to disclose it then, but if you put it on your ps it may look like you are only applying DO because you didn't get into MD.
 
FutureDoc1988 said:
No you should not include this in your ps. some secondaries will ask you and you will need to disclose it then, but if you put it on your ps it may look like you are only applying DO because you didn't get into MD.
Click to expand...


Okay, thanks! I was hoping I wouldn't have to, but I didn't know if I was supposed to explain why I still felt med school was right for me after being rejected. Perfect!
 
Anyone want to read my PS?

I revised it quite a bit, but still don't think it's perfect....kind of long and ordinary but then again nothing about me is extraordinary so I'm just nervous and scared about applying...but with determination to get in, hard work, your feedback, and some luck...I might get in :/

Please message me if you can read my PS and give me feedback/suggestions🙂

Thanks!!🙂

I am willing to read anyone's as well, just message me and we can transfer emails.
 
Mzeep said:
Just curious, when I'm referencing an activity that's a big part of my PS, for example if it's called "Disparities in Healthcare" could I enter it the first time out like that and then put it in as (DIH) for the rest of the time? It takes up useful space, so I was just wondering. Thanks! 🙂
Click to expand...

Bumping my post in case anyone has an opinion 🙂 I'm running short on space lol. Thanks!
 
cabinbuilder said:
Do not go over a page, that is too long for people to read.
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What's the verdict on this? I see one camp saying don't go over one page (approximately 3000 characters), while the other camp is saying that it is wise to get right up to the limit of 4,500 characters.
 
Ferocity said:
What's the verdict on this? I see one camp saying don't go over one page (approximately 3000 characters), while the other camp is saying that it is wise to get right up to the limit of 4,500 characters.
Click to expand...

Depends on if you're writing to make sure you get to 4,500 characters by rambling on or if you're cutting stuff out to make it 3,000. It all depends on the essay, put what you think should be in there just make sure it's under 4,500 after that no need to worry.
 
Hi!
We're a week out from submitting, and I'm wondering if anyone would be willing to read my PS (both DO/MD possibly) to see if I can submit it? It should be pretty good, but I'm always looking for feedback...
 
Mzeep said:
Bumping my post in case anyone has an opinion 🙂 I'm running short on space lol. Thanks!
Click to expand...

I'm going to say that any 'acronyms' that aren't widely used, as in NSP (national ski patrol) etc should be avoided. Can you just reference them as "these disparities"
 
Does anyone have some advice about writing a good personal statement? I am only starting mine and any comments would help, thanks.
 
SBB2016 said:
I'm going to say that any 'acronyms' that aren't widely used, as in NSP (national ski patrol) etc should be avoided. Can you just reference them as "these disparities"
Click to expand...

Thanks for the response! I'm thinking of doing that now or rephrasing it, it was getting too repetitive. 🙂
 
obliViate21 said:
Does anyone have some advice about writing a good personal statement? I am only starting mine and any comments would help, thanks.
Click to expand...

I hope you're not starting just now for the app cycle this year...

At any rate, you want to show what your experiences are that support your claims to why you want to be a doctor... there are threads with examples and if you search for FamilyAerospace they have a good instruction set on writing one
 
Ferocity said:
What's the verdict on this? I see one camp saying don't go over one page (approximately 3000 characters), while the other camp is saying that it is wise to get right up to the limit of 4,500 characters.
Click to expand...

I say this because adcoms read thousands of personal statements over the application cycles. If it's too long and just drags on, it doesn't help your case. Remember that medicine is all about the charting and if you can be specific and concise, that will only help you.
 
The length of your essay can depend greatly on what you may or may not need to explain. For example, my first semester in college was lousy, and I am currently finishing a Ph.D. before I start in August. My essay was around 4000, but for me that works, that may not be the case for everyone. Above all do not ramble.

Also, just a general reminder, whether you like to think it or not, you are in (hopefully friendly) competition with others on this forum for spots in medical school; DO NOT send copies of your essay to people to proofread. This could result in stolen ideas, or in a worst case scenario, plagiarism.
 
Last edited:
tigerdude said:
The length of your essay can depend greatly on what you may or may not need to explain. For example, my first semester in college was lousy, and I am currently finishing a Ph.D. before I start in August. My essay was around 4000, but for me that works, that may not be the case for everyone. Above all do not ramble.

Also, just a general reminder, whether you like to think it or not, you are in (hopefully friendly) competition with others on this forum for spots in medical school; DO NOT send copies of your essay to people to proofread. This could result in stolen ideas, or in a worst case scenario, plagiarism.
Click to expand...

oh snap, you're right. I didn't think about plagiarism. That looks terrible in any situation.
 
I think it goes without saying that if you plagiarise a persons letter your a sh ithead and youll be caught. additionally, how would the whole forum with all of us reading for one another have any benefit if there weren't people willing to read essays??
 
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