anyone accepted based on PS alone?

[javandane]

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alright, obviously no one is accepted strictly because of a good PS. i'm really wondering if anyone believes that their PS made a significant impact on their application.

 

[exmike]

My theory is the lower your stats, the greater the importance of your PS, but no PS will save you from crappy stats.

 

[Asclepius]

I'm pretty convinced that mine helped - significantly - to get me money.

 

[PMED99]

I think mine really helped...

Of course I did put my bank account number in it and told them that I tend to "lose" a thousand dollars per adcom member.

Not sure what it was that helped me. 😉

 

[Eraserhead]

I think the PS is to get your foot in the door. That's about it.

 

[Lux Aeterna]

Yeah, I think a strong PS will help you land interviews. My science gpa was a 3.3 overall but I interviewed at 4 top 10s and most of my interviewers commented favorably on my PS. I mean, a 3.3 isn't that bad (I mean I'm sure some SDNers would tend to disagree 😉 ), considering I started with like a 2.4 science gpa, but it ain't straight top-10 material, so you have to supplement your application in every other field. Esp when the averages at those schools are like a 3.7-3.8.

 

[Eraserhead]

Yeah, I think a strong PS will help you land interviews. My science gpa was a 3.3 overall but I interviewed at 4 top 10s and most of my interviewers commented favorably on my PS. I mean, a 3.3 isn't that bad (I mean I'm sure some SDNers would tend to disagree 😉 ), considering I started with like a 2.4 science gpa, but it ain't straight top-10 material, so you have to supplement your application in every other field. Esp when the averages at those schools are like a 3.7-3.8.

I agree 100%. It seems like we had similar experiences with many similar schools too.

 

[premyo2002]

I agree 100%. It seems like we had similar experiences with many similar schools too.

Looks like if im lucky, i'll be in the same boat ( I have the GPA trend)..
Eraserhead, while growing up to be a debaser, did you meet Allison?

 

[orthoman5000]

Yes, the PS is very important but don't overlook the BS, VR, and WS.

You are talking about the Physical Sciences section of the MCAT, right? No one has used the words personal statement so I assume that is the case 😀

 

[Eraserhead]

Looks like if im lucky, i'll be in the same boat ( I have the GPA trend)..
Eraserhead, while growing up to be a debaser, did you meet Allison?

Allison! Allison!

 

[stoleyerscrubz]

Is there a post or a web site that could give me general guidlines for writing a Personal Statement? I will be applying in the summer of 2005 but I want to start working on a my PS just a little. Thanks!

JoJo

 

[Mr Reddly]

Is there a post or a web site that could give me general guidlines for writing a Personal Statement? I will be applying in the summer of 2005 but I want to start working on a my PS just a little. Thanks!

JoJo

Hmmm... maybe you could sign up in the "offering to read personal statements" thread. Reading some others may help them and you. 😉

Also, I suggest you look for secondary questions. There are some floating around on this board. Someguy even has a link to a website in his signature that has a bunch of secondaries on it.

 

[bigbaubdi]

Yeah, I think a strong PS will help you land interviews.

I agree with this. Put yourself in the shoes of an adcom member, who screens thousands of applications. A really strong PS can help you stand out amongst the hordes of other applicants with similar stats and extracurriculars. If an adcom comes across a really creative and unique PS, then he/she might be more likely to give that particular applicant an interview. Also when decision time comes up, a unique PS might come up when an admissions committee discusses a particular interviewee.

 

[Neuronix]

In my mind, the PS is like the interview. 90% of people will write good statements. They won't matter in the grand scheme of things. 5% of people will write horrible statements, and it will hurt them. Then there's some small percentage that have amazing statements, and it will help. Of course, the reason their statements are amazing is because they have alot of interesting stuff to put in it. So, if you don't have some amazing stories to tell, this just isn't going to apply to you.

In interviews it's pretty much the same thing.

Even knowing this, the personal statement is such a small part of the app that it's not going to overcome a low GPA and/or MCAT.

 

[SpiritiualDuck]

My PS saved me. It was consistently talked about. I even got interviews at places that I thought wouldn't consider me. My story was original though. And I must confess, I had help on my essay, editing service, wife, friends and some people on here read it too. But it was my essay. And, in the end, it rocked. If any one wants to read it, PM me. It might give you and idea.

 

[BassDominator]

The vast majority of personal statements suck really hard. If yours is actually good, it will definitely get you noticed. The whole point of the essay is to make you stand out from the crowd.

 

[nottooshabby]

Yeah, I know my PS helped me out big time. It was brought up at all but one of my interviews, and I didn't have a lot going for me in terms of standing out from the crowd (Asian male from Hopkins, 3.4 overall, 3.2 science, 27S). True, I revised it completely around 6-7 times and put MUCH time into it, but think it was worth it because, as I'm convinced, it was a "difference maker". 👍

 

[Mr Reddly]

I don't think mine helped too much this year. The comment I got from a female medstudent I interviewed with was something along the lines of "gee, you're nothing like I imagined you. I was expecting a dorky nerd type guy"... uhh, thanks.