Content of PS vs. most meaningful activities

[wontonsoup]

If I designate activities as most meaningful, should I also write about them in my personal statement? A strong theme of my application is teaching (2 major ECs, and a strong rec letter), but I didn't really mention it much in my personal statement because teaching itself was not my strongest motivator to pursue medicine; rather it was a by-product of my desire to serve the community (although I recognize the importance of teaching in medicine). Will this look strange to adcoms?

Also, I talked about a specific experience in an activity for my personal statement and I want to use the same activity for one of my most meaningful activities, except highlighting a second important experience from the same activity. Is this ok?

A third question: if applying to research heavy schools, if I don't choose research as a meaningful activity, will it hurt me? I'm currently on the fence between 2 choices for the last spot for most meaningful and I am having a very hard time deciding.

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[CyrilFiggis]

Your PS answers "why medicine." It's the one thing you're guaranteed that every single AdCom will read. It needs to be personal (surprise, surprise) and thoughtful and state the case. Your ECs are the way for an AdCom to see how your activities align with your motivations/passions. If you want to double down on an activity because it was that important, do it. But you need to make sure that you are highlighting yourself within the best context of your PS.

 

[Terror Billy]

Don't worry about overlap in your PS and most meaningful activities (I did it and I know plenty of others who did as well). The big thing is that you make sure you answer "why medicine" as the post above states.

An alternative to highlighting a second experience for the meaningful activity would be to give a general overview of why it was so meaningful and important to you; and how it has enhanced your desire to pursue medical school.

 

[DetroitDoc1993]

I don't think its a problem as long as you answer "why medicine" as the person above said. But for example I used an experience I had from 2 of my most meaningful activities and incorporated that into the "why do you want to be a doctor" question. If you can do that then I think its fine.