- Joined
- Dec 20, 2024
- Messages
- 159
- Reaction score
- 115
Yesterday, you read your application out loud. Today, ask yourself a tough question:
Do I believe what I wrote? Would someone else?
This application isn’t about sounding impressive. It’s about being real, focused, and credible. You’re writing in a very specific genre—persuasive personal presentation. That means showing sound thinking, strong values, and a track record that makes sense.
Think about it this way: A physician has to speak with patients in a real, focused, and credible way. You can't lie to a patient's family about your certifications and experience. Your expertise and competence as a clinician should speak for themselves. ADCOMs admit people who are truthful and who've put time and effort into their activities and life. Leadership, overcoming struggle, advocacy success, research advancement, community connection, etc. - these are all things that speak for themselves.
So today’s task: reread your personal statement and Work & Activities section with one question in mind—
There’s a difference between confidence and overreach. The best writing says just enough, with clarity and control. When applicants over-polish or stretch too far, it becomes obvious. Likewise, leaving headroom in the primary allows applicants to discuss the full scope of their accomplishments in secondaries. This is a tried-and-true technique for boosting your application.
DRILL THESE INTO YOUR MIND AND WATCH FOR:
At Asclepius Advising, we don’t believe in selling yourself—we believe in presenting yourself well. That means writing that is honest, purposeful, and believable.
If you’ve got strong stats, all the more reason your writing should match your level. That’s why we’re offering extended 45-minute review sessions this week. These are designed for final polish, tone checking, and clarity revision—not rewrites, but real sharpening.
If you want to stand out for the right reasons, we’d love to help.
📅 Book a final review session — and submit with writing that supports your future, not just your file!
Tomorrow: Day 5 — The Tabletop Test
Do I believe what I wrote? Would someone else?
This application isn’t about sounding impressive. It’s about being real, focused, and credible. You’re writing in a very specific genre—persuasive personal presentation. That means showing sound thinking, strong values, and a track record that makes sense.
Think about it this way: A physician has to speak with patients in a real, focused, and credible way. You can't lie to a patient's family about your certifications and experience. Your expertise and competence as a clinician should speak for themselves. ADCOMs admit people who are truthful and who've put time and effort into their activities and life. Leadership, overcoming struggle, advocacy success, research advancement, community connection, etc. - these are all things that speak for themselves.
So today’s task: reread your personal statement and Work & Activities section with one question in mind—
There’s a difference between confidence and overreach. The best writing says just enough, with clarity and control. When applicants over-polish or stretch too far, it becomes obvious. Likewise, leaving headroom in the primary allows applicants to discuss the full scope of their accomplishments in secondaries. This is a tried-and-true technique for boosting your application.
DRILL THESE INTO YOUR MIND AND WATCH FOR:
- Big claims with no proof ("I learned the true meaning of leadership...")
- Buzzwords without context ("passion," "resilience," "teamwork")
- Tone shifts that suddenly get stiff, over-formal, or unnatural
- Stories that sound generic, vague, or too neat
- Accomplishments that feel inflated or forced
- Writing that tries to “sound like an applicant” instead of sounding like you
At Asclepius Advising, we don’t believe in selling yourself—we believe in presenting yourself well. That means writing that is honest, purposeful, and believable.
If you’ve got strong stats, all the more reason your writing should match your level. That’s why we’re offering extended 45-minute review sessions this week. These are designed for final polish, tone checking, and clarity revision—not rewrites, but real sharpening.
If you want to stand out for the right reasons, we’d love to help.
📅 Book a final review session — and submit with writing that supports your future, not just your file!
Tomorrow: Day 5 — The Tabletop Test
