Expectations on the Personal Statement: Canada vs USA

[McGillian]

Hey everyone,

I'm about to start working on a PS for Cornell Qatar, due in about a month and a half. From the information that I've gathered on SDN, it seems that the expectations as to what the PS for US schools (and by extension, Cornell Qatar) should be greatly differs from what Canadian schools might expect.

I've written a PS that I consider to be very strong for McGill, but it follows the rather rigid structure they required:

(1) How my experiences have prepared me for a career in medicine
(2) What can be improved/strengthened [about me, my cv, etc.]?
(3) Talk about something non-CV related that is pertinent to my application/me in the context of my application

While I believe it is a strong essay, I'm not sure whether this would cut it in the USA. I'm mostly concerned about the numerous "be original", "make it a story", "have strong themes" advices I've seen around here.

I'd like to use a similar essay, or at least not overhaul the whole thing due to time constraints. Ultimately, my question is this: are conventional personal statements that follow a structure similar to the above really bad for US MD schools?

PS: I am thinking of removing part 2 altogether, and blending in part 3 into the rest of my essay to describe how my life experience/situation might help in a health care career (cultural background, experiencing war, etc).

PS2: The school being far away, would it be an advantage to spend some time (1 paragraph) talking about my ties to the Middle East, the fact that my parents live in Qatar, etc. or would that be a waste of space?

Thank you.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[mariambaby3]

Generally speaking, personal statements written for entry into US medical schools should answer the general question of "why medicine?" Most applicants tend to describe a linear/non-linear series of events that led to their decision to pursue medicine, or some major life event that motivated them to want to aspire to become doctors. Again generally speaking, personal statements for US medical schools tend to be a bit more narrative and "story-like" (although it is also usually recommended that one is direct and to-the-point).

As you've noted, the McGill essay is much more structured and should almost be interpreted as a hybrid of "why medicine," job application cover letter, and a resume.

Overall, I would submit that it is generally inappropriate to use one for both applications.

However, what you described in your first post-script does seem more or less appropriate. I think you would be able to construct a successful essay with careful polish.

 

[PlaqueBuster]

If you dont mind and are comfortable, send me your essay (cut and paste in a conversation) and I can look at it closely and give you detailed feedback. I have already applied this cycle and have II. I do like writing and people have said my essays are good.

I think you are on the right track and definetely include your ties to the Middle East. Is this school's application separate from amcas? I dont know much about it but if it is part of amcas then you may not want to focus about this one school in your PS if you are also applying to other US medical schools. I agree with removing part 2. You don't want to talk about where you need to improve in a PS. That's for secondaries.

EDIT: so I checked the school's website and it is a separate application so go ahead and talk about your connection to the Middle East. Also they give you a general suggestion of what you should include in PS on the website.

 

[McGillian]

If you dont mind and are comfortable, send me your essay (cut and paste in a conversation) and I can look at it closely and give you detailed feedback. I have already applied this cycle and have II. I do like writing and people have said my essays are good.

I think you are on the right track and definetely include your ties to the Middle East. Is this school's application separate from amcas? I dont know much about it but if it is part of amcas then you may not want to focus about this one school in your PS if you are also applying to other US medical schools. I agree with removing part 2. You don't want to talk about where you need to improve in a PS. That's for secondaries.

EDIT: so I checked the school's website and it is a separate application so go ahead and talk about your connection to the Middle East. Also they give you a general suggestion of what you should include in PS on the website.

Hi,

Sorry for the delay. This application is indeed separate from AMCAS. I saw their suggestions but found they were so general, but based on the info I've gathered around here the style required and the info to provide in the PS gives a lot of flexibility to applicants.

Thanks a lot for offering to look through my PS. I can send you my McGill one, but I'm still working on the new one.

 

[McGillian]

Generally speaking, personal statements written for entry into US medical schools should answer the general question of "why medicine?" Most applicants tend to describe a linear/non-linear series of events that led to their decision to pursue medicine, or some major life event that motivated them to want to aspire to become doctors. Again generally speaking, personal statements for US medical schools tend to be a bit more narrative and "story-like" (although it is also usually recommended that one is direct and to-the-point).

As you've noted, the McGill essay is much more structured and should almost be interpreted as a hybrid of "why medicine," job application cover letter, and a resume.

Overall, I would submit that it is generally inappropriate to use one for both applications.

However, what you described in your first post-script does seem more or less appropriate. I think you would be able to construct a successful essay with careful polish.

Yes, I've noticed the story-like character of american PSs. Thanks for the info 🙂

 

[PlaqueBuster]

Hi,

Sorry for the delay. This application is indeed separate from AMCAS. I saw their suggestions but found they were so general, but based on the info I've gathered around here the style required and the info to provide in the PS gives a lot of flexibility to applicants.

Thanks a lot for offering to look through my PS. I can send you my McGill one, but I'm still working on the new one.

Sure I can take a look at it to give yuo an idea