calling all newbies

Started by JaneDough
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JaneDough

JaneDough

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I know that the veterans will be bored w/ this thread, but for those of us out there who are currently in the throes of residency application, let's commiserate!

I just want to compain about the PS for a minute. I feel like Stuart Smally. I may as well write, "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and gosh-darn it, people like me."

I really wish I had finsihed writing the PS sooner. (sigh)

Ok, I'm done.
 
Buttercupp said:
I just want to compain about the PS for a minute. I feel like Stuart Smally. I may as well write, "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and gosh-darn it, people like me."
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I know exactly how you feel! It is very difficult to try and present yourself positively without sounding arrogant.
 
I feel your pain. My PS seems very generic and boring ( I like the Stuart Smally reference, though 😉 ).
 
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Brian Pavlovitz said:
I feel your pain. My PS seems very generic and boring ( I like the Stuart Smally reference, though 😉 ).
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ok i have a question for the more seasoned pro s here.

Is it necessary to put in an influencing event of your life? Like how you got inspired by so and so etc etc....seems so damn corny to me....

I also have heard of a few styles being used predominantly....thematic, dramatic and chronological.....

Does Path have any preferences for a particular style?
 
quant said:
ok i have a question for the more seasoned pro s here.

Is it necessary to put in an influencing event of your life? Like how you got inspired by so and so etc etc....seems so damn corny to me....

I also have heard of a few styles being used predominantly....thematic, dramatic and chronological.....

Does Path have any preferences for a particular style?
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Necessary? Probably not. Don't feel obligated to write an emotionally charged essay of how you were inspired by a community pathologist who diagnosed a case of sarcomatoid sarcomosarcoma of the sarcomatous type in a really cute 4 year old kid from Rwanda.

If the inspiring, influencing event ties in well with your interest in pathology, by all means include it...but yeah, you have the right instincts...don't make it corny.

I don't think Pathology has a "preference" for any kind of style really. I went chronological but that's just me. By no means do you have to do it that way. Poems and haikus are right out.

I've read a "thematic" pathology PS which worked well for him. It was actually quite humorous but the underlying message was about his personal characteristics, drive, and work ethic.

Ultimately, it is your life and/or clinical experiences that will best shape your personal statement. There is no magic formula (except for don't make it corny, and don't submit poetry or nude pictures). Since I'm a bit familiar with your background and we've conversed about applications in the past, I'd be happy to give honest feedback regarding your personal statement.
 
Hey Andy and Nana,
Thanks for the replies. Nana, Your concise opinion on points to be included in a personal statement was QUITE helpful. I made a few changes in my PS after i saw your tips.

Andy, I just PM ed you.

Quant
 
I'm definitely going with the non-controversial re-iteration of my past experiences and future goals. Almost everyone that I talk to tells me that the PS is more of a chance to identify people that think/communicate in a bizarre manner, sort of a pre-interview screen.

At least we only have to write one statement, remember applying to undergrad when every school wanted you to write something different?? 🙂
 
After all my sniveling, I finally went with the personal narrative approach. It has worked for me in the past, and I just feel like a tool when I write in the thematic style. I use the technique mainly to capture the readers interest, only to lure them into my trite daily affirmation about how nice and smart I am. Tee-hee 😛

Despite the fact that I am oh-so-proud of myself for completing the first paragraph, there is no way I will be done by Sept. 1. Oh, well.

Any of you guys going to be ready? I want to experience the pushing of the button vicariously through your posts... 😍
 
Ok Some more questions to the pro s around.Nana, In your link you say DO NOT use wishy washy beginnings like " Ifeel, I believe etc"

But then without the usage of these words, there is a very real danger of sounding pissy and arrogant. For example, compare

"As a ______ trained in so and so, i am uniquely qualified to undertake ______ and chart new directions in _______"

versus


"As a ______ trained in so and so, i FEEL i am uniquely qualified to undertake ______ and chart new directions in _______"

The second one sounds to me more gentle and mature than the first one which comes off as being arrogant.Or am i being overly polite? What are your opinions?

Is your rule more contextual or generalized nana?
 
"To be humble, or not to be: that is the question!"..... 😀 😀

With apologies to you-know-who.....
 
Quant-
Our assistant dean (has a PhD in psych or something) says you don't need to tiptoe around it too much. He suggested that you simply write something like "this is what I will bring to your program". In a way you are trying to sell yourself (w/o being too much of a used car salesman)

Sorry, I know you specifically asked for nanner... I'm a chatty Cathy, I can't help it 😳 Answer away, banana!
 
sounds plain boring....it's frustrating ...yeah and I had wanted to 'press the button' on the 1st...oh well, i don't even know how I can make it more exciting.

Can someone please read my P.S. ?
 
Buttercupp said:
Quant-
Our assistant dean (has a PhD in psych or something) says you don't need to tiptoe around it too much. He suggested that you simply write something like "this is what I will bring to your program". In a way you are trying to sell yourself (w/o being too much of a used car salesman)

Sorry, I know you specifically asked for nanner... I'm a chatty Cathy, I can't help it 😳 Answer away, banana!
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Hey Buttercup....(It sends shivers down me spine everytime i say it.... 😀 😀 )

No, i appreciate your advice. Its just that i come from a background where tiptoeing around your achievements is a nice thing to do. So when i write the PS sans "feel" "believe" i feel im being a pompous ass.....

lol
Regards
Quant
 
quant said:
Ok Some more questions to the pro s around.Nana, In your link you say DO NOT use wishy washy beginnings like " Ifeel, I believe etc"

But then without the usage of these words, there is a very real danger of sounding pissy and arrogant. For example, compare

"As a ______ trained in so and so, i am uniquely qualified to undertake ______ and chart new directions in _______"

versus


"As a ______ trained in so and so, i FEEL i am uniquely qualified to undertake ______ and chart new directions in _______"

The second one sounds to me more gentle and mature than the first one which comes off as being arrogant.Or am i being overly polite? What are your opinions?

Is your rule more contextual or generalized nana?
Click to expand...
The declarative sentance's topic should be the state of your qualifications, not the state of your feelings. You have a position to take. Either you are uniquely qualified, or you are not. Ideally, you present your qualifications as a fact, then follow up with specific supporting details, leaving the reader with no doubts. If you have the evidence to back up your claims, modesty is just a show. If you haven't got the evidence, you shouldn't be asserting the position you are. So, it's a given that your modesty is false, right? 😉 The worst thing about modesty is that it makes you seem more open to others not sharing your opinion on your position. You want to come across as being confident that anyone who reads your supporting evidence will share your conclusions. Modesty is not a virtue, at least not in your personal statement. It should be avoided as a rule.

Now, do you feel better about being a pompous ass? :laugh: 😛 Seriously, you should not be embarassed to advocate strongly for yourself.
 
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bananaface said:
The declarative sentance's topic should be the state of your qualifications, not the state of your feelings. You have a position to take. Either you are uniquely qualified, or you are not. Ideally, you present your qualifications as a fact, then follow up with specific supporting details, leaving the reader with no doubts. If you have the evidence to back up your claims, modesty is just a show. If you haven't got the evidence, you shouldn't be asserting the position you are. So, it's a given that your modesty is false, right? 😉 The worst thing about modesty is that it makes you seem more open to others not sharing your opinion on your position. You want to come across as being confident that anyone who reads your supporting evidence will share your conclusions. Modesty is not a virtue, at least not in your personal statement. It should be avoided as a rule.

Now, do you feel better about being a pompous ass? :laugh: 😛 Seriously, you should not be embarassed to advocate strongly for yourself.
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eloquently put nana.....eloquently put!.....

AWRIGHTTTTTTTTTTT...................no more modesty!

Seriously though, it also makes me realize how cultural upbringing can make such an impact on how we view things. I refer to the (false??) norms of modesty which are so prevalent in Asian societies.....
 
bananaface said:
If you haven't got the evidence, you shouldn't be asserting the position you are.

Now, do you feel better about being a pompous ass? :laugh: 😛 Seriously, you should not be embarassed to advocate strongly for yourself.
Click to expand...


The evidence is there alright!..... 🙂 🙂

I still feel bad about being a pompous ass....but hey, ingrained habits take a while to change, don't they?.... 😀 😀
 
LADoc00 said:
can I be a noob too? Please...
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LaDOC!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......

Now what is YOUR take on this? What's up with the maryjane thing?.....
 
sq_cplay_xy_capitol.jpg
 
quant, I got your email. I'll read it tonight and get some feedback to you.

regarding using "wishy-washy" words like "believe" or "feel", I think people are making too big of a deal out of it. but if you feel hesitant still, use words like "strive" or "determined".
 
Buttercupp said:
After all my sniveling, I finally went with the personal narrative approach. It has worked for me in the past, and I just feel like a tool when I write in the thematic style. I use the technique mainly to capture the readers interest, only to lure them into my trite daily affirmation about how nice and smart I am. Tee-hee 😛

Despite the fact that I am oh-so-proud of myself for completing the first paragraph, there is no way I will be done by Sept. 1. Oh, well.

Any of you guys going to be ready? I want to experience the pushing of the button vicariously through your posts... 😍
Click to expand...

You'll probably get it done by then. I was surprised at how, once I finally got rolling, the majority of the P.S. quickly developed. Mine is also a personal narrative. No point in trying to be Walt Whitman, I suppose.

Ready or not, I will be "pushing the button" this September 1st. 😀
 
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sweet n sour said:
sounds plain boring....it's frustrating ...yeah and I had wanted to 'press the button' on the 1st...oh well, i don't even know how I can make it more exciting.

Can someone please read my P.S. ?
Click to expand...

Be glad to!
 
Well folks. I just noticed that Sept 1st is coming up quite fast. Just wanted to say good luck.

By the power of Forest Whittaker's droopy left eyelid, may all of you kick some major ass this year!
 
deschutes said:
Yes hang on to your hats, it's a wild ride - kinda like falling in love for the first time 😉
Click to expand...

But hopefully it won't leave you bitter and scarred, your emotions and ability to trust others having withered into a semi-permanent catatonia.
 
AndyMilonakis said:
Well folks. I just noticed that Sept 1st is coming up quite fast. Just wanted to say good luck.

By the power of Forest Whittaker's droopy left eyelid, may all of you kick some major ass this year!
Click to expand...

Thanks, Andy 🙂
 
AndyMilonakis said:
Well folks. I just noticed that Sept 1st is coming up quite fast. Just wanted to say good luck.

By the power of Forest Whittaker's droopy left eyelid, may all of you kick some major ass this year!
Click to expand...

Much obliged.. all possible preparations have been made.. Just over 24 hours to go... 😀
 
Havarti666 said:
But hopefully it won't leave you bitter and scarred, your emotions and ability to trust others having withered into a semi-permanent catatonia.
Click to expand...

I'm on my surgery rotation. This has already happened to me. Falling in love for the first time has nothing on this.
 
beary said:
I'm on my surgery rotation. This has already happened to me. Falling in love for the first time has nothing on this.
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Which? Falling into a state of catatonia, or having your emotions wither? If it is latter, don't feel bad. Most of your residents probably had theirs surgically removed during the first month of their intern year. I'm just kidding. i love surgeons (its that whole bad boy/jerk kind of thing, you know how it is). 😉 😍
 
That's sarcasm, people. I am engaged to a teacher 🙂 Most surgeons I have met are mean.

So, I met with our assistant dean today to go over my PS (he does it w/ all of us). I am now rewriting it, because we decided that what I had was bland. Since I am not a bland person, the concensus was that it was not reflecting my personality and that I should start over. I think I would rather have my liver pecked out by an eagle while chained to a rock.

Oh, well. Here I go again... 🙁

To everybody that got it right the first time and is sending it out tomorrow,
Congrats!! 🙂 🙂 Remember to tell the rest of us what it is like.
 
Buttercupp said:
That's sarcasm, people. I am engaged to a teacher 🙂 Most surgeons I have met are mean.

So, I met with our assistant dean today to go over my PS (he does it w/ all of us). I am now rewriting it, because we decided that what I had was bland. Since I am not a bland person, the concensus was that it was not reflecting my personality and that I should start over. I think I would rather have my liver pecked out by an eagle while chained to a rock.

Oh, well. Here I go again... 🙁

To everybody that got it right the first time and is sending it out tomorrow,
Congrats!! 🙂 🙂 Remember to tell the rest of us what it is like.
Click to expand...

Well, I don't necessarily consider myself bland, but I think my PS is rather underwhelming. My Dean thought it was good, so there's that. I figure they'll see first hand what my personality is like if they grant me an interview (and look at my letters). 😉

I'm sure yours is wonderful!!
 
Awwww, that's sweet. I'm sure your PS is not bland. I would bet that it is really quite lovely.
I don't know why they make such a big deal about PS here, but it's like our assistant dean's crusade for us to have a spiffy PS. If this next one sucks too, I'm just going to submit anyway.
 
Buttercupp said:
That's sarcasm, people. I am engaged to a teacher 🙂 Most surgeons I have met are mean.
Click to expand...


teacher!!!.....

That IS really nice!....i think next to parents, they are people worthy of the highest praise. I love teaching too, i like the thought of teaching young people, challenging them and harassing them into learning..... 😀

I like teacher student contact much more than patient doctor contact.....at least students dont sue if you screw up!!!!.... 😀 😀 😀
 
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Brian Pavlovitz said:
Well, I don't necessarily consider myself bland, but I think my PS is rather underwhelming. My Dean thought it was good, so there's that. I figure they'll see first hand what my personality is like if they grant me an interview (and look at my letters). 😉

I'm sure yours is wonderful!!
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Hey Brian
You have the background for path right? you d be a natural to write a PS. Im sure its fine.....
 
quant said:
teacher!!!.....

That IS really nice!....i think next to parents, they are people worthy of the highest praise. I love teaching too, i like the thought of teaching young people, challenging them and harassing them into learning..... 😀

I like teacher student contact much more than patient doctor contact.....at least students dont sue if you screw up!!!!.... 😀 😀 😀
Click to expand...


He teaches special Ed in the High School specializing in students w/ emotional impairments. The retaliate w/ far worse methods than lawyers. :scared:
He is really good with them, I personally think he has a gift. He actually reaches some of them, which makes me love him more 😍

You guys can go puke now.
 
Buttercupp said:
He teaches special Ed in the High School specializing in students w/ emotional impairments. The retaliate w/ far worse methods than lawyers. :scared:
He is really good with them, I personally think he has a gift. He actually reaches some of them, which makes me love him more 😍

You guys can go puke now.
Click to expand...

Awww... that is so sweet!! 😍

It definitely takes a special kind of person to do that job. Sounds like you are both very fortunate! 😉
 
beary said:
Awww... that is so sweet!! 😍

It definitely takes a special kind of person to do that job. Sounds like you are both very fortunate! 😉
Click to expand...

Congratulations Buttercup!! I am so happy for you 🙂 It's so sad how after 2nd year we all kinda lose track of one another... it's always great to hear such good news!

Goodness, please don't worry too much about your personal statement! I've been told by a great many people that although your asst. dean is wonderful and means the best to each and every person... that he has a slight tendency to put WAY too much emphasis on the PS. I think that your interpretive dance idea may just be what he's looking for 😉 But seriously, this isn't rewriting the Iliad or anything- I highly doubt that lines of perfectly metered rhyme or images of bunnies hopping through the field really make the perfect statement (if there is such a thing). You're very talented- I'm sure that it will be great!

Best of luck to everyone on getting these blasted things done and turned in! 🙂
 
Supersheep said:
Congratulations Buttercup!! I am so happy for you 🙂 It's so sad how after 2nd year we all kinda lose track of one another... it's always great to hear such good news!

Goodness, please don't worry too much about your personal statement! I've been told by a great many people that although your asst. dean is wonderful and means the best to each and every person... that he has a slight tendency to put WAY too much emphasis on the PS. I think that your interpretive dance idea may just be what he's looking for 😉 But seriously, this isn't rewriting the Iliad or anything- I highly doubt that lines of perfectly metered rhyme or images of bunnies hopping through the field really make the perfect statement (if there is such a thing). You're very talented- I'm sure that it will be great!

Best of luck to everyone on getting these blasted things done and turned in! 🙂
Click to expand...

I think our school is the same way. I wonder how much time they actually spend reading these things...my guess is 30 seconds or so?

Buttercupp, your husband sounds like an absolute saint! We need more teachers with his talents, that's for sure!

Quant--although I have been involved with Pathology for many years, my PS still sounds boring to me. Too bad! At 9am, it's being sent to ERAS.

Good luck everyone!!
 
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