** 2013-2014 Personal Statements **

[396592]

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I just recently submitted my AACOMAS application and noticed that I still had access to my personal statement. Does this mean I can rewrite & resubmit my personal statement?

 

[Didierdrogba]

for you and other applicants out there, one word answer:

YES

 

[fluorescing]

If I were to use a particular exp I had in the ER as a scribe which made me more passionate about medicine in my personal statement, would that in any way make my application weaker due to the fact that I am describing how I enjoy ER medicine since DO schools are looking to fill in the shortage of primary care physicians

Would they think that "Oh this guy basically wants to be a ER physician but this guy love primary care.."

You can easily spin your ER experience if you want to highlight your desire to do primary care--if you think that will make you a more favorable candidate. You can talk about how in the ER, you got to see the problems caused by insufficient access to primary care. You can talk about how you will be another physician to fill that void in the future.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

If I were you, I would focus more about how scribing sparked your love for medicine, and not your love for EM. As a premed, especially since you haven't seen everything, adcoms may say "well this guy only wants one specialty, a specialty that makes one of the highest hourly pay with the least amount of hours, he must be going in for the wrong reasons." At least that is my opinion.

 

[Lys Ile Glu Leu]

Bad idea? No. Worked for me just fine. I even highlighted that EM is an interest and prospect for me. Just keep your flow of ideas logical and sound.

 

[TheNewGuy8]

So I'm struggling with my PS. I dont have many people around me that know beans about medicine/med school/or are writers. Are there any services that can help me edit my personal statement that people trust?

thanks all,

 

[HopefulReapp]

There are many premium services online, but I've always heard that admission committees can recognize paid assistance. The substance in your PS should match what you write in your secondaries, and that will be difficult unless you have thousands of dollars to spend on other people editing 30 different essays in the next month.

I am graduating with an engineering degree and only took one writing course in the last 4 years. I am awful at writing. What has helped me make solid drafts (given I do have other people review it and give me suggestions) is getting a pad of paper and writing out what the overall goal of the paper should be. Make an outline just like you did in high school, then write a few details under each point. Type up whatever you can even if it sounds stupid. After you make a draft, the most important thing for me personally is printing it with 1.5 or 2 spacing. Grab a pen and pretend you are a teacher trying to edit a paper. Rinse and repeat until you have an acceptable paper, then try to find someone to critique it again.

I think the effort will be worth it in the end, but I don't know yet 🙂

 

[GatsbyK]

There are numerous users on SDN that have created threads to help students read their PS. Try to look around and see if theres any one willing to help you on the readers list.

 

[GatsbyK]

I wouldn't think any clinical experience is bad unless you were trying to apply for a specific program. Any clinical experience and passion in medicine is better than having no experience in medicine.

 

[r0703]

I'm currently working on both do and md applications, is anyone copying & pasting parts of one essay onto another? Is that plagiarism?

 

[Starry]

I'm currently working on both do and md applications, is anyone copying & pasting parts of one essay onto another? Is that plagiarism?

No, it's not plagiarism. Most people copy-paste. Don't worry about it.

 

[r0703]

No, it's not plagiarism. Most people copy-paste. Don't worry about it.

okay thanks! i wasn't sure if they were gonna run it through a program like safe assignment

 

[guylewis]

.

 

[guylewis]

okay thanks! i wasn't sure if they were gonna run it through a program like safe assignment

you can't plagiarize yourself...unless you're schizophrenic

 

[ShyRem]

For everything PS this cycle. Y'all know the rules. Edit carefully, write well, and good luck.

 

[brobinson4392]

I am reading personal statements if anyone needs any advice!

Info on me...I am an accepted student. Interviewed at multiple schools across the US and received an acceptance at each school I visited for an interview. I can assure you my success wasn't because I had high stats or an incredible story. My interviewers each told me that my PS was exceptional and most of my interviews hinged around the content in my PS. I think, more than anything, that the PS is the hidden "piece" behind an interview invitation and eventually, an offer for admission. Therefore, you should confront the PS with the same vigor and skill that you use to prepare for the MCAT. As for me, I'm a grammar guy. Both of my parents teach English. Guess you can say it comes natural! I also consider flow, content, and theme very important components of the PS. To avoid making you take an extra dose of Prozac or Zoloft, I will be rounded in my comments, meaning that I will comment on positives and negatives. If you do send me a PS, include whether you are applying MD, DO, or combined program. I will do my best to respond quickly! 😀