different personal statements for every school

[user2222]

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for pass i see that every school has a personal statement page. is it okay if i tweak the personal statement for some schools? or is it supposed to be all the same?

 

[FutureDent020]

for pass i see that every school has a personal statement page. is it okay if i tweak the personal statement for some schools? or is it supposed to be all the same?

If I remember correctly, some programs will want a little pitch about why their school. In that case, when it comes to uploading the statements for each school, you’ll want to upload one with a little extra paragraph about why them. Then for the schools that don’t have specific requests just upload the same one.

Short answer: Yes, it’s ok to tweak the statement to satisfy their requests.

 

[MIIMtodent]

Not sure what program you are applying to, but I asked the director of the ortho program at my school lol the same thing and he said not to change the personal statement for each school. He said when you have something specific included about their school, they know that you have a different one for each school and it seems disingenuous. For example you can put in each one that their school is your top choice and really lay it on thick of why you want to go there, but they will realize you obviously didn’t send that to each school and it might seem “fake” if that makes sense. The ones that want to know “why our school” will include it as a supplemental question on PASS or ask you in the interview.

 

[T00thDr]

I would only change it for schools that look at your app and think "why on earth is this person applying here?".. Maybe the school is located in the middle of nowhere and your personal statement will discuss how you were raised in that area of the country whereas the rest of your app doesn't mention it.

Otherwise, I would send the same ones to each school unless they ask for something special. Harvard doesn't need to know why you want to go there, they know.

 

[shendo]

Not sure what program you are applying to, but I asked the director of the ortho program at my school lol the same thing and he said not to change the personal statement for each school. He said when you have something specific included about their school, they know that you have a different one for each school and it seems disingenuous. For example you can put in each one that their school is your top choice and really lay it on thick of why you want to go there, but they will realize you obviously didn’t send that to each school and it might seem “fake” if that makes sense. The ones that want to know “why our school” will include it as a supplemental question on PASS or ask you in the interview.

Our endo program just finished interviewing applicants for this round, I was one of the faculty on the admissions committee. For me and some other members of the committee, we actually appreciated the effort it took if an applicant had tailored their personal statement towards our school- for example addressing it to the program director, or highlighting some of the reasons why they would like our program. However there is a line between tailoring it for each program and laying it on thick and claiming to each school, they are your top choice.

 

[MIIMtodent]

Our endo program just finished interviewing applicants for this round, I was one of the faculty on the admissions committee. For me and some other members of the committee, we actually appreciated the effort it took if an applicant had tailored their personal statement towards our school- for example addressing it to the program director, or highlighting some of the reasons why they would like our program. However there is a line between tailoring it for each program and laying it on thick and claiming to each school, they are your top choice.

Yeah of course, naming some things you like about the program or something wouldn’t be as overly obvious as what I mentioned. And I’m sure there are different opinions for every school and every program!