Dumb Question Time - LOR wants a personal statement. What am I writing him?

[TheBiologist]

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Members don't see this ad.

My recommenders want a "personal statement"

can someone explain what that is? how long should it be? can it be the same one that goes on your application?

thanks and don't call me an idiot

 

[theonlytycrane]

They are likely referring to your PS that you would use for applying to medical school answering the question: Why medicine?

It sounds like you haven't written your PS yet, so this could be a good opportunity to draft one describing your journey to wanting to become a doctor. The official length used by AMCAS is 5300 characters.

 

[efle]

Yeah they mean the PS used for AMCAS

 

[LizzyM]

May I suggest that you provide the following which can be downloaded as a brochure or handout (or send the link in an email).
https://www.aamc.org/initiatives/admissionsinitiative/letters/

The adcom wants the writer's evaluation of YOU, not a rehash or an assessment of your PS. The person should know you well enough that they can provide information about behavior they have witnessed etc, not what you have written in a PS. If the person does not know you well enough to write such a letter, then find someone else.

You could also add that you have not yet completed your PS because it will not be submitted until June of next year.