help on personal statement

[anguyen531]

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i am beginning my application process for 2007 (yes early, but I am trying my best) and i was wondering if anyone had advice on personal statements or any website i could see a sample of one related to optometry. if anyone wanted to post theirs as a sample that would also be great! i guess the hardest part is knowing where to start! thanks for any input!

 

[georgeyboy]

Just write about why you want to be an optometrist and why you feel you will make a good one. Talk about some of the experience you have in the field. Don't worry about making it super fancy because in the 5 interviews I had, it was never talked about once.

 

[S_SEEN2020]

First of all I want to commend you on wanting to get an early start. I agree with the previous post in that you personal statement is like a brief auto biography. Focus on how you got interested in optometry, and the journey you have taken to learn more and prepare yourself (key experiences, clubs, programs, etc), and what you set out to do with your degree. Normally one essay should fulfill the prompts to many different schools. Unlike the previous poster, my interviewers made reference to my personal statement and commended me on how well written it was. So whether or not it may come up in your interview, it is a reflection of you and may make the difference of being offered and interview, or being accepted on the spot. Good Luck

 

[swiftiii]

So whether or not it may come up in your interview, it is a reflection of you and may make the difference of being offered and interview, or being accepted on the spot. Good Luck

My thoughts exactly. The essay, though brief, can have a huge impact in making up for other parts of your application that may be lacking strength. I add that in addition to the importance of the substance of your essay is the importance of its structure: it should be gramatically correct, concise, passionate and professional. As I mentioned, it can also give you a chance to explain your shortcomings (should you have any) though it should not lend itself to excuses.

Of course, if your stats are strong, its emphasis will be greatly reduced, but its no reason not to work hard on it 🙂