- Joined
- May 26, 2006
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This worked out so nicely last year I decided to start a fresh thread this year since there's been a fair bit of turnover. Reply on-thread or PM me to be added to the list. 
General guidelines:
1. Give your readers plenty of time. This is universal to all PS readers, but is even more relevant for non-traditionals who tend to have busier and complex lives.
2. It's good practice to PM them first to see if they have time/bandwidth to read your PS and give you feedback. Don't just pick someone off this list and send a PM bomb.
3. It's very helpful if you can tell someone what kind of feedback you are seeking: i.e. general commentary, grammar/spelling/structure, thematic advice, etc.
Readers:
AGLAIA: "I have taken technical writing and am hyper-conscious about spelling, grammar, and flow. Grandma was a school teacher."
BigBoosting: "I'd like to help reading for MD/DO non-trads. I'll read for grammar and content, be honest, and throw in advice where I can, especially for those battling to overcome a low GPA. PM me for my e-mail address."
catswym: "I am also willing to help. MD/DO only, non-trad only. I'd say expect up to a week turnaround time but it will most likely be shorter.
PM me for my email address. I will be looking at mostly content."
Dianyla: "I'm non-traditional myself and will happily give feedback. I have a sharp eye for grammar but my real preference is in tone/content/interpretation. I am known for being brutally honest, so you've been warned. Need 2-3 weeks turnaround time. MD/DO only, non-traditional only. Note I have a new rule to make my life as a volunteer editor easier: Send me a PM to request my email address, and then put a copy (not the original) of your PS into Google docs and share this document with me."
drimpossible: Sign me up as a reader. I'm happy to help out. I have extensive experience working as a professional writer in life. Grammar is more of a gut feeling for me but my strength really lies in writing punchy copy that pops off the page. I was told by a few advising and admissions people that my PS was one of the best they'd ever read, and I believe that it got me interviews at institutions where my numbers alone couldn't have. In addition, I've read and edited half-a-dozen of my peers' personal statements over the past year.
familyaerospace: "I've published several journal articles and presented at several conferences. I was a copy editor for several years mostly for science non-profits. I've copy edited books, 300+ personal statements (college, med school, law and graduate), and have been a peer reviewer more than a few times.
I also have a blog entry on how to write a personal statement. Almost 2000 views. Most of the points directly mention most of the mistakes I've seen among statements I've read.
I generally do turn around in a few days, but I ask that you please give me a week if possible. I'm applying this cycle as well and when it comes time for secondaries, I will need a lot of time and when the secondaries come in, I might beg/ask to trade editing with me."
islabear: "I am willing to read personal statements (MD/DO, prefer non-trads) sent to me by PM."
mauberley: "I can review personal statements if anyone wants as well. My only real qualification in this context that I could point to is that I helped a friend with her PS and she later commented to me that an adcom member told her that her statement was especially well-written. (But I suppose that for all I know, she chucked my suggestions and had someone else help her.
)
I generally review technical documents, so I like to think I am a good judge of clarity. I won't tell you what to write, but I will ask you what you're trying to tell me and I will in turn let you know if that message is coming through. A note of caution -- I am mercilessly pedantic about spelling and grammar. I'd anticipate an initial turnaround time of no longer than one week."
mommy2three: "i would be happy to do this again. md or do applicants only as that is the only application process i am familiar with. i have personal experience with reapplication status, addressing failing grades and the family issue so if anyone needs to address those i would be happy to look. i can give advice on grammer/content/flow as well as editing for character counts i can be honest and straightforward, no sugarcoating here. pm me for my email address. expect turnaround time to be a week or so depending on exam schedule."
PharMed2016: "Also, I don't mind helping out with PS but my specialty would probably be for content/flow. I have read a few PS during my time both for pharmacy and medical - beware... I can be brutal. "
QofQuimica: "First, for those of you who want your PS draft read, please be respectful of the readers. In particular, you should ask first before you send your PS along. Having some person I've never even spoken to before send me their PS without permission always makes a bad first impression on me. Also, please don't send your PS the day before you want to submit your app. Plan ahead--you should give your reader at least a week, preferably two, to read the PS.
Second, with those caveats, I am happy to sign up for the list. Credentials: besides having gotten into med school myself, I have been a student adcom for the last three years and have read hundreds of PS's, both on SDN and IRL.
Please do not ask me to read PSes for applications to other professional schools besides medical (MD or DO) schools. I don't have any experience whatsoever with the app process for dentistry, pharmacy, podiatry, or other health professions. If you are applying for one of these professions and would like to have someone read your essay, please contact one of the mods in the appropriate forum to find out who the knowledgeable PS readers in your field are. Sorry for any inconvenience this causes.
[...]can read essays during February through April."
Quik: "My experience includes editor of published Federal NEPA documents, "editor-in-chief" of finance market reports, and generally a tech writing nazi. Prefer MD/DO Non-trads, but if I have time don't mind proofing others. Expect a minimum of one week turn-around."
teddy bear doc: "I will be as honest as possible, hopefully without completely demoralizing the writer. I am nontrad myself, have been an informal writing tutor for a number of years, and have a background in language(s). I will proofread for grammar if need be, but also will comment on tone, structure, etc. 1-3 day turnaround estimate as of now."
General guidelines:
1. Give your readers plenty of time. This is universal to all PS readers, but is even more relevant for non-traditionals who tend to have busier and complex lives.
2. It's good practice to PM them first to see if they have time/bandwidth to read your PS and give you feedback. Don't just pick someone off this list and send a PM bomb.
3. It's very helpful if you can tell someone what kind of feedback you are seeking: i.e. general commentary, grammar/spelling/structure, thematic advice, etc.
Readers:
AGLAIA: "I have taken technical writing and am hyper-conscious about spelling, grammar, and flow. Grandma was a school teacher.
"BigBoosting: "I'd like to help reading for MD/DO non-trads. I'll read for grammar and content, be honest, and throw in advice where I can, especially for those battling to overcome a low GPA. PM me for my e-mail address."
catswym: "I am also willing to help. MD/DO only, non-trad only. I'd say expect up to a week turnaround time but it will most likely be shorter.
PM me for my email address. I will be looking at mostly content."
Dianyla: "I'm non-traditional myself and will happily give feedback. I have a sharp eye for grammar but my real preference is in tone/content/interpretation. I am known for being brutally honest, so you've been warned. Need 2-3 weeks turnaround time. MD/DO only, non-traditional only. Note I have a new rule to make my life as a volunteer editor easier: Send me a PM to request my email address, and then put a copy (not the original) of your PS into Google docs and share this document with me."
drimpossible: Sign me up as a reader. I'm happy to help out. I have extensive experience working as a professional writer in life. Grammar is more of a gut feeling for me but my strength really lies in writing punchy copy that pops off the page. I was told by a few advising and admissions people that my PS was one of the best they'd ever read, and I believe that it got me interviews at institutions where my numbers alone couldn't have. In addition, I've read and edited half-a-dozen of my peers' personal statements over the past year.
familyaerospace: "I've published several journal articles and presented at several conferences. I was a copy editor for several years mostly for science non-profits. I've copy edited books, 300+ personal statements (college, med school, law and graduate), and have been a peer reviewer more than a few times.
I also have a blog entry on how to write a personal statement. Almost 2000 views. Most of the points directly mention most of the mistakes I've seen among statements I've read.
I generally do turn around in a few days, but I ask that you please give me a week if possible. I'm applying this cycle as well and when it comes time for secondaries, I will need a lot of time and when the secondaries come in, I might beg/ask to trade editing with me."
islabear: "I am willing to read personal statements (MD/DO, prefer non-trads) sent to me by PM."
mauberley: "I can review personal statements if anyone wants as well. My only real qualification in this context that I could point to is that I helped a friend with her PS and she later commented to me that an adcom member told her that her statement was especially well-written. (But I suppose that for all I know, she chucked my suggestions and had someone else help her.
) I generally review technical documents, so I like to think I am a good judge of clarity. I won't tell you what to write, but I will ask you what you're trying to tell me and I will in turn let you know if that message is coming through. A note of caution -- I am mercilessly pedantic about spelling and grammar.
I'd anticipate an initial turnaround time of no longer than one week."mommy2three: "i would be happy to do this again. md or do applicants only as that is the only application process i am familiar with. i have personal experience with reapplication status, addressing failing grades and the family issue so if anyone needs to address those i would be happy to look. i can give advice on grammer/content/flow as well as editing for character counts
i can be honest and straightforward, no sugarcoating here. pm me for my email address. expect turnaround time to be a week or so depending on exam schedule."PharMed2016: "Also, I don't mind helping out with PS but my specialty would probably be for content/flow. I have read a few PS during my time both for pharmacy and medical - beware... I can be brutal. "
QofQuimica: "First, for those of you who want your PS draft read, please be respectful of the readers. In particular, you should ask first before you send your PS along. Having some person I've never even spoken to before send me their PS without permission always makes a bad first impression on me. Also, please don't send your PS the day before you want to submit your app. Plan ahead--you should give your reader at least a week, preferably two, to read the PS.
Second, with those caveats, I am happy to sign up for the list. Credentials: besides having gotten into med school myself, I have been a student adcom for the last three years and have read hundreds of PS's, both on SDN and IRL.
Please do not ask me to read PSes for applications to other professional schools besides medical (MD or DO) schools. I don't have any experience whatsoever with the app process for dentistry, pharmacy, podiatry, or other health professions. If you are applying for one of these professions and would like to have someone read your essay, please contact one of the mods in the appropriate forum to find out who the knowledgeable PS readers in your field are. Sorry for any inconvenience this causes.
[...]can read essays during February through April."
Quik: "My experience includes editor of published Federal NEPA documents, "editor-in-chief" of finance market reports, and generally a tech writing nazi. Prefer MD/DO Non-trads, but if I have time don't mind proofing others. Expect a minimum of one week turn-around."
teddy bear doc: "I will be as honest as possible, hopefully without completely demoralizing the writer.
I am nontrad myself, have been an informal writing tutor for a number of years, and have a background in language(s). I will proofread for grammar if need be, but also will comment on tone, structure, etc. 1-3 day turnaround estimate as of now."
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