A SDN PS Database? Would you donate?

[copingmethods]

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Actually, I'm sure they would. It's a matter of how much you can be held accountable for your actions. You get caught copying some kid on the internet, who cares? You get caught copying a book that's been published...yeah.

Really, you think no one would care? I can't imagine a single medical school that wouldn't see that as plagiarism, immediately reject you, and then probably inform the rest of the schools/AMCAS that the PS was plagiarized.

 

[coffeebeanjenn]

While I like the idea, I had to vote "No" because I wouldn't/couldn't do it. Similar to breeak my PS is very personal and revealing of information that would easily identify me. I would not feel comfortable having that data, coupled with my thoughts, feelings, and dreams, floating around the internet. That's just too much exposure for me. I mulled over whether I could just change those details, but my PS doesn't really make sense without them. However, I feel like I probably would have had an easier time drafting mine had I been able to read a few more real examples.

The idea of copying is interesting. I seriously doubt anyone would copy verbatim, but in general our PS's probably address a lot of the same topics (why medicine, clinical experience, etc). It wouldn't be hard to use the database as a sort of PS mad-libs. Is that inherently bad? Maybe. But if you wait until you've already been accepted it doesn't hurt YOU specifically. So you'd be simultaneously hurting and benefiting strangers. I think it would come down to a personal choice over whether or not to donate the PS--do you want to reinforce the intrepid premeds who write their own statements, or do you want to support the savvy premeds who discovered the resource and use it to their advantage?

I think over time it would just undermine the PS as a determining factor in the application process, because eventually they would all sound the same. And NOW, back to studying physics.

 

[TupacalipseT96]

The number of people against it doesnt matter. So they won't submit their PS's...

Meanwhile, the 30+ people who already ARE down will. And with 30+ PS's, I could write a book. So make the damn thing already 🙂

You know what would also be fun... we could make a SDN PS Mad Lib Library. Maybe select a few of those PS's and remove all the verbs/nouns? You could just fill in the blanks, and we'd have the ultimately PS template. Woot.

I'll start.

"I knew I wanted to be a doctor when ________ asked me to ________ with his _______. The honor of _______ing his ________ and the satisfaction of _________ under the __________ told me this was the career for me."

 

[dienekes88]

I would, but I don't suggest reading other PS's before writing your own.

Cryptomnesia is quite close to plagiarism.

 

[njbmd]

Premed issue and moved to preallo. If allopathic medical students want to contribute, they can follow and post over there.

 

[MilkmanAl]

You're joking right? No one does any of these things with the expectation of getting caught so this is completely irrelevant.

No, I'm quite serious. Expecting to get caught and weighing possible consequences are extremely different. Again, living with the fact that I plagiarized would in no way compare to potentially jeopardizing my career plans where bad outcomes are concerned. I appreciate you trying to make me look silly by twisting my meaning, though. 😉

The number of people against it doesnt matter. So they won't submit their PS's...

Meanwhile, the 30+ people who already ARE down will. And with 30+ PS's, I could write a book. So make the damn thing already 🙂

Seconded. Plagiarize away, guys. 😛

 

[Raryn]

Premed issue and moved to preallo. If allopathic medical students want to contribute, they can follow and post over there.

Is it just me or has this post been in pre-allo the entire time? I swear I read it here this morning...

 

[HumidBeing]

Is it just me or has this post been in pre-allo the entire time? I swear I read it here this morning...

It WAS here this morning, but the duplicate thread was moved here because this is a pre-allo topic. The duplicate threads have been merged.

 

[ChairmanMao]

You're not thinking about the longterm consequences of this. Once it's posted it on the internet, it's out for the world to see - FOREVER. Even if the essay is anonymous, it wouldn't be difficult to figure who wrote it based on the activities and leadership roles that might be mentioned in the essay. What you wrote on the essay could come back to haunt you. I mean, imagine if your patients, colleagues, and spouse could read what you wrote years ago. Not only that, but the residency director and attending physicians might read it for kicks - which would be bad because these types of essays tend to sound naively childish.

And then there's always the liability issue. What if you were involved in a malpractice suit and the lawyers dig through your file and discover that you mentioned a DUI charge in your essay? What if you decide to run for office one day or get appointed by the president or Congress? The media will find out about any involvement that you had in college with any controversial, idealogical groups (pro-abortion, socialized medicine, etc) and these things might hamper your chances of being elected or appointed for whatever job it is you're looking for.

 

[schismal]

You're not thinking about the longterm consequences of this. Once it's posted it on the internet, it's out for the world to see - FOREVER. Even if the essay is anonymous, it wouldn't be difficult to figure who wrote it based on the activities and leadership roles that might be mentioned in the essay. What you wrote on the essay could come back to haunt you. I mean, imagine if your patients, colleagues, and spouse could read what you wrote years ago. Not only that, but the residency director and attending physicians might read it for kicks - which would be bad because these types of essays tend to sound naively childish.

And then there's always the liability issue. What if you were involved in a malpractice suit and the lawyers dig through your file and discover that you mentioned a DUI charge in your essay? What if you decide to run for office one day or get appointed by the president or Congress? Don't think for a minute that the media and the public won't put your essay under the microscope. They will find out about any involvement that you had in college with any controversial, idealogical groups (pro-abortion, socialized medicine, etc) and these things might hamper your chances of being elected or appointed for whatever job it is you're looking for.

Seriously?

 

[ChairmanMao]

Seriously?

Nah... just playing with you!

Medical school essays tend to be a bore and no one would be interested enough about what you wrote on your college application essay anyway.

 

[schismal]

Nah... just playing with you!

Medical school essays tend to be a bore and no one would be interested enough about what you wrote on your college application essay anyway.

Just making sure. Otherwise I would've had to channel Dr. Cox and bludgeon you with amusing wit.