How long did it take you to finalize your personal statement?

[Merlin0082]

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1 week, 2 weekss??

 

[chiz2kul]

couple months

 

[TexasPhysician]

I did the whole thing in a couple weeks. I got a friend of mine (Georgetown Law student) to help and proof read.

I had to take her to a really fancy dinner after, but it was worth it.

 

[chemnerd89]

2 weeks. Mainly from passing it around so much to get help.

 

[DrYoda]

It took me a few months from start to finish. I was working alot at the time so I did it slowly, and then forced a bunch of people to read it over.

 

[muggle911]

a couple months

 

[justdoit31]

I spent about 3 weeks- 2 weeks were just formatting it and trying multiple ideas... then the last week was having my mom and aunt edit it (mom is a teacher and aunt is an author)...

ended up that my aunt changed the first half in less than 24 hours and added the ending... thank the Lord for helpful family members!

 

[justmoi]

I spent about 1-2 months on it, but not focusing on it 24/7. I wrote the first draft in about a week, and then I sent it out to a few people I wanted to get feedback from (something to keep in mind: do not send your PS to too many people. Choose people who know you well and who you respect for editing/comments). My final product was ready in time for applications and I was very happy with it...it wasn't much different from the first draft, but tweaked and tightened and smooth.
I think it really varies from person to person and what kind of writer you are, and what you're trying to say. Don't worry how long it takes you: a week or a year, you should be comfortable with it.

 

[GoSpursGo]

I probably spent 3-4 weeks on it; it was the last thing ready with my application. I got my LORs lined up in the spring and had everything entered into AMCAS and TMDSAS early in June... but I really drug my feet on the PS. Those 3-4 weeks I threw my PS together... and I wound up not liking it, but felt that I should just go ahead and submit since it was late July (bordering on no longer being "early").

If I would do it again, I'd definitely give myself two months at least, just in case I decide I hate the whole thing and want to start over.

 

[jult24er]

Pretty much a month in which I did nothing else. 🙁

Make it a poll!

 

[PremedIowa]

I made 11 revisions, each of which involved having a different person read it and me making corrections afterward. Probably 2-3 weeks-ish.

 

[Arzt67]

mine took me about two weeks to write and about a month before to procrastinate

 

[thegetupkid]

3 days -- but I really, really wish I had taken more time.

It was late May, and my neurotic friend told me she was going to apply right when AMCAS opened. I replied, "When's that?"
"Oh, a couple days..."

"SHDIAWDHAWO @#$@#$@#"

So I rushed to pump out a personal statement, got my best friend and brother to proofread it, and submitted my AMCAS. I think it was just dumb luck that my PS was coherent and intelligible ...

 

[efitzpat]

I took a while. After the 7th draft, I lost track of how many revisions I made... but it was at least a month. Finally I think i just had to tel myself that it was Ok and stop.

 

[aznb0y129]

Mine took 3-4 months from start to finish, though I only ended up with one new draft each month. I think it helps to take some time off from writing it so that you come back to it later with a fresh perspective.

 

[DrWookie]

About a week writing and then a week sending it out to people to proofread.

I had a bunch of friends read it for me. (Two english majors, two people already in medical school, my girlfriend and a couple others).

I really tried to just be completely honest for the whole thing (that has been my motto during this whole process). I didn't try to make myself the best person I could be,I just talked about my situation, my experiences, and how I ended up where I am.

My honestly didn't hurt, I've got a few acceptances to choose from (and still waiting on a waitlist).

 

[silverhorse84]

I'm the kind of person that thinks about an essay for a while before even starting to write it down. I started thinking about what I wanted to say in Aug/Sept, then sat down and wrote it in April. By the time I wrote it, it only took me a day to write because I already had it pretty hammered out in my head.

Then I sent it to various people to proof-read. That took about a week (from sending it to them to getting it back and making changes).