Address in personal statement?

[tkhopeful]

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Hey there, so I am applying EM with 238 USMLE, 600 COMLEX. I am in the middle half of class percentile with no failures of any classes apart from 1 bioethics course (with remediation) due to missing one sign in sheet (mandatory attendance). Should I address this in my personal statement? or just leave it for if it comes up with any interview (if i get one)?
Thanks!

 

[IntheClouds4ever]

personally, I would leave it out but be fully prepared to discuss it when it comes up on interview.

 

[deleted610572]

Ya it’s not worth it. You will be asked and it gives you a talking point in the interview. Personal statement should be about you. Unless this bioethics failure defines you I wouldnt

 

[BorntobeDO?]

Hey there, so I am applying EM with 238 USMLE, 600 COMLEX. I am in the middle half of class percentile with no failures of any classes apart from 1 bioethics course (with remediation) due to missing one sign in sheet (mandatory attendance). Should I address this in my personal statement? or just leave it for if it comes up with any interview (if i get one)?
Thanks!

I wouldn't address it. Just have a ethics joke ready for when they ask about it. For example:

'Well I was doing fine till I found that copying other student's test was unethical, my grade really dropped after that!' Then laugh and pivot by admiting that you actually missed a mandatory sign in and that you made sure to never do that again afterwards.

By comparing your actual reason of failure to something much more concerning you make it seem more trivial, and then you follow that up with the life lesson you learned. Should have dispatched that line of questioning within 30 seconds. But there are many ways to deal with it, and many right answers. I just don't think its worth wasting personal statement space on.

 

[tkhopeful]

I wouldn't address it. Just have a ethics joke ready for when they ask about it. For example:

'Well I was doing fine till I found that copying other student's test was unethical, my grade really dropped after that!' Then laugh and pivot by admiting that you actually missed a mandatory sign in and that you made sure to never do that again afterwards.

By comparing your actual reason of failure to something much more concerning you make it seem more trivial, and then you follow that up with the life lesson you learned. Should have dispatched that line of questioning within 30 seconds. But there are many ways to deal with it, and many right answers. I just don't think its worth wasting personal statement space on.

Awesome idea. Thank you!