AMCAS 2003 Personal Statements

[MD/PhDApplicant]

I would like to start this thread to facilitate us MD/PhD applicants who are writing our personal statements.

The AMCAS personal statement is even more tough for us MD/PhD applicants because we have to incorporate our extensive research experiences. The 5300 character limit is a real killer. Are your personal statements focused more on clinical or research aspect? Mine is 60% clinical and 40% research.

Also, does anyone know if there are any sample AMCAS personal statements from MD/PhD applicants on the web that we can read?

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[jot]

from what i've heard, you should include both, but not as much research as clinical. this is still a medical school essay. you will make your case for research later. you want to certianly mention it (in my opinion, but the success of my reasoning is still to be tested), perhaps more than mention it, but definately focus on clinical. at harvrd and ucsf you have to be accepted md first to be considered for md/phd. though i'm not terribly worried that i might be accepted by them, it is a mindset one should consider i think. but as original said, there are ways to incorporate both a humanistic aspect and research etc... whatever, i'm still reworking mine. what do others think?

 

[dl2dp2]

Dude, I say **** that **** and relax. I'm on like the Nth version of my essay and I'm totally sick of it. <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" /> Forget the clinical/reserach **** i'm tellin' ya who the hell cares anyway?

 

[jot]

hah ... are you fedup or something? :wink: its just started man! good luck on finals.

 

[Bikini Princess]

I suspect that the personal statement should be fairly general.

This may mean avoiding stating that you want to become an MSTP, if there are MD programs you are also applying to...

 

[none]

Yeah, don't ever forget goal 1 is to get into medical school, goal 2 is MSTP... You can, after all, enter MD/PhD later on or just do research with the MD.

 

[isidella]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by none:
•Yeah, don't ever forget goal 1 is to get into medical school, goal 2 is MSTP... You can, after all, enter MD/PhD later on or just do research with the MD.•••••If I do not get into MD/PhD programs, I am going just PhD, not MD. Is anyone else in that boat?
Isid

 

[none]

Wow! If you can tell the adcoms that you would do the PhD if not accepted and mean it...that'll be impressive. You're in the minority and how exactly are you accomplishing that? Are you concurrently launching PhD apps to the same schools? That should be interesting!

 

[jot]

i'm applying to all md/phd ... if i didn't get in i'm not sure what i'd do. i guess i'd work in lab for a year and try again. damn i'd be torn. hmm, hopefully won't have to worry about that.
-jot

 

[isidella]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by none:
•Wow! If you can tell the adcoms that you would do the PhD if not accepted and mean it...that'll be impressive. You're in the minority and how exactly are you accomplishing that? Are you concurrently launching PhD apps to the same schools? That should be interesting!•••••I have not let adcoms know this. Do you think I should put it in my personal statement? And no, I am not applying to PhD alone yet. Say if I do not get MD/PhD, chances are I may get accepted to an MD program. I will decline that, but ask I the PhD program at that school will have me. Hopefully I will have enough of a rapport with these schools that I can wiggle into a PhD program. If I still must have an MD to do clinical based research, I will pursue it post-PhD.

 

[Fixed Gear]

Isidella-

I am in your back up plan right now. I didn't get in MD/PhD but will be starting a PhD program at Wash U in a couple weeks. My advice is to do all the MSTP stuff first- mostly becuase interviews and deadlines will come sooner. Get that squared away, then focus on submitting your PhD applications. Most are easier and less time consuming, though not all.

As far as what to tell adcoms, I think many MSTPs are worried that a student will peter out on the PhD portion and will not do research. If you are honest, I think they will respect you are think quite highly of your commitment and motivation towards research. You also might want to look at Mount Sinai and Cornell. They offer pathways for PhD students to either transfer into the MD/PhD program (MSSM) or start medical school after defending (Cornell)

Best of luck
Mastodon

 

[Bikini Princess]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by isidella:
• •••quote:•••Originally posted by none:
•Yeah, don't ever forget goal 1 is to get into medical school, goal 2 is MSTP... You can, after all, enter MD/PhD later on or just do research with the MD.•••••If I do not get into MD/PhD programs, I am going just PhD, not MD. Is anyone else in that boat?
Isid•••••Isidella: I think you're forgetting that some med students get into MSTP after their first or second year of med school. You may be neglecting to account for this opportunity by committing so strongly like this.