A question about ambition

[chiddler]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Compared to some friends, my interest in medicine really started during my 4th undergrad year. I just graduated and am applying at the end of this year.

My question is simple: is this a bad thing? It will be on my personal statement and i'm worried that it will not be very apparent that I want to study medicine.

Thanks very much.

 

[music2doc]

Compared to some friends, my interest in medicine really started during my 4th undergrad year. I just graduated and am applying at the end of this year.

My question is simple: is this a bad thing? It will be on my personal statement and i'm worried that it will not be very apparent that I want to study medicine.

Thanks very much.

Not necessarily a bad thing. It's all in how you present it, including what you led to you to the change, etc. You will need to demonstrate that this was not just a "I flipped a coin and..." type of decision, however.

 

[chiddler]

Not necessarily a bad thing. It's all in how you present it, including what you led to you to the change, etc. You will need to demonstrate that this was not just a "I flipped a coin and..." type of decision, however.

Very good.

I'll write briefly about what happened. I'd like to know if this is adequate:

Mother is a medical assistant suggested it. Head lady I volunteer with is a dentist and suggested medicine. PI of lab is an MD/pHD and I looked up to him. I started shadowing and volunteering and enjoyed it.

What do you think?

 

[Ismet]

Very good.

I'll write briefly about what happened. I'd like to know if this is adequate:

Mother is a medical assistant suggested it. Head lady I volunteer with is a dentist and suggested medicine. PI of lab is an MD/pHD and I looked up to him. I started shadowing and volunteering and enjoyed it.

What do you think?

I'm not sure if that's strong enough for a good PS. Is there one shadowing or volunteering experience that really affected you and made you decide for sure that medicine was what you wanted to do?

 

[chiddler]

I'm not sure if that's strong enough for a good PS. Is there one shadowing or volunteering experience that really affected you and made you decide for sure that medicine was what you wanted to do?

I see what you mean. Honestly I can think of many little experiences but nothing dramatic/interesting that is PS worthy.

I've still a while to go till applications and i'm still at it. Lets see if I change my mind! :-3

thanks for the responses. very appreciated.

 

[music2doc]

I'm not sure if that's strong enough for a good PS. Is there one shadowing or volunteering experience that really affected you and made you decide for sure that medicine was what you wanted to do?

Agreed.


You want a story. You want someone to want to meet you because you are interesting. Your background (including previous career goal and any internships, etc.) is quite valuable in coming up with your story.

 

[elblackwell]

You don't need your PS to be dramatic. The only thing it has to do is demonstrate why you want to go in to medicine and give concrete examples to back it up. Don't write anything negative about yourself or your interest in medicine. If you became interested in medicine because someone suggested it to you, you need to ask yourself why that suggestion impacted you. You have probably received advice about various possible career choices, so why did you give medicine serious consideration? the answer to that should go in to your personal statement and then back it up with your experiences shadowing, volunteering, research, etc. Also, some people may disagree, but I don't think you should even mention when you decided. If it comes up later on, you can explain but why give anyone a reason to doubt your commitment?

 

[samirmehta]

I think it's a good thing, medical schools are trying to push away the drones who are geared to do medicine based off of parental pressure over their own passion. If you can show them that you genuinely found the interest in medicine via your personal statement you'll be fine.

 

[chiddler]

very helpful responses. thanks very much.