How much time did you spend on your PS?

[StudyShy]

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Yeah, so I have nearly finished mine. It didn't seem as bad as what people make it out to be. So, how much time did you spend writing and rewriting your PS until you felt good about it?

 

[NickNaylor]

I worked on mine on and off over a period of about six months (we had to have a PS for our committee in December and I revised that draft). I ended up not liking the initial draft about a week before it was time for submission, so I made a completely new draft and went with that one. I'd say I probably spent about 15-20 hours on it total.

 

[StudyShy]

I worked on mine on and off over a period of about six months (we had to have a PS for our committee in December and I revised that draft). I ended up not liking the initial draft about a week before it was time for submission, so I made a completely new draft and went with that one. I'd say I probably spent about 15-20 hours on it total.

Wow! Well it certainly paid off for you, Cole! I would have been shatting my pants if I changed my PS a week before it was due.

 

[CardiacIntensivist]

I spent about a month on my PS. Most of it was waiting on feedback from friends. Definitely had to do quite a few re-writes. I recommend a minimum of 2 weeks and more if you can spare it.

 

[Barcu]

Worked on it on and off for a like 6 months or so. I had to turn in one for the Committee Letter in February, but I kept working on before I submitted AMCAS in June.

My first draft was WAY different than my final submitted PS.

 

[addo]

I started brainstorming for ideas about what I was going to put on the PS since around January (last year for 2010 app). I didnt start writing it until May though. When i finally sat down to write it, it took me about 4 days, 9-10 hours, got it proof read and edited a few times, and submitted on June 6th.

 

[4ksibe]

Worked on it on and off for a like 6 months or so. I had to turn in one for the Committee Letter in February, but I kept working on before I submitted AMCAS in June.

My first draft was WAY different than my final submitted PS.

Did it the night before it was due in March for the committee....
Then pasted it on AMCAS when it was time to submit and cut/edit a few to make it fit the limit

 

[smad4]

Spent about a month on it with multiple re-writes. First draft was also way different from the final draft.

 

[dragon529]

2 months on and off. Revised 5 times before I submitted the real thing.

 

[eli20]

Probably 2-3 hours for initial write. Then another hour for self edits and probably one more once I got feedback. So 5ish hours. I'm an English major and used to writing so it didnt take me long to get it together. I got really good feedback during interview season too so I was happy.

 

[wanderer]

Probably like 3ish weeks with a few hours on it a day so maybe ~45 hours? It was all variations of 1 or 2 drafts, and I got a lot of feedback from 3-4 people throughout. I don't get it when some people say they spend a few months and several complete revisions. That's way too much effort for a 2 page essay.

 

[eli20]

Probably like 3ish weeks with a few hours on it a day so maybe ~45 hours? It was all variations of 1 or 2 drafts, and I got a lot of feedback from 3-4 people throughout. I don't get it when some people say they spend a few months and several complete revisions. That's way too much effort for a 2 page essay.

Honestly 45 hours for a 2-3 page personal statement sounds like inefficient writing to me, but I think the most important thing is that the end product is good - however much time that takes someone.

 

[Lil Mick]

Off and on for about nine months (3 essays for MD/PhD). I think I did 3 PS drafts (different structures), then revised the one I chose with in-puts from my school's writing center. For MD/PhD, I did two drafts for each essay (about 1-2 months apart).

 

[Torr]

I don't know how people keep track of the hours but I worked on mine on and off for bout 2 months.

I remember disagreeing with just about everything the pre-med advisor said about my PS final draft (I ask for help and then argue 🙄 ). She was right for the most part though, and I was satisfied with the result.

I think I had about 10 revisions.

 

[slatermd]

(I ask for help and then argue 🙄 ).

Saucy. I think you and the OP would get along in real life.

 

[Torr]

Saucy. I think you and the OP would get along in real life.

I don't know how to feel about that.

Did I miss an earlier convo that you're referring to?

Also, do you like red wine?

 

[mdeast]

Woah. 6 months? The PS is important...but not THAT important.

 

[Renaissance Man]

Did it the night before it was due in March for the committee....
Then pasted it on AMCAS when it was time to submit and cut/edit a few to make it fit the limit

By "fit the limit" do you mean there is a word count on the actual AMCAS for personal statements? Or is it a character limit?

 

[slatermd]

I don't know how to feel about that.

Did I miss an earlier convo that you're referring to?

Also, do you like red wine?

Only somebody super-saucy can't take saucy as a compliment.

No earlier convo, but the OP is a sassy lady.


Red wine? Now it's my turn to play hard to get.

 

[Torr]

Only somebody super-saucy can't take saucy as a compliment.

No earlier convo, but the OP is a sassy lady.


Red wine? Now it's my turn to play hard to get.

I've never been called saucy but I like it...and it makes me hungry.

I ain't playin hard to get. As a general rule I try not to flirt with married men. Unless you really are Sloan, in which case I will reconsider.

To answer the question though, I'm not a big drinker. Usually the designated driver .

 

[slatermd]

Yeah, I am not a big drinker at all. I enjoy a little red wine (about a glass a week), because it's supposed to improve one's lipid profile. So what if I'm this guy:
[YOUTUBE]owGykVbfgUE[/YOUTUBE]

StudyShy's PS is now Diamonds!

 

[Torr]

Yeah, I am not a big drinker at all. I enjoy a little red wine (about a glass a week), because it's supposed to improve one's lipid profile. So what if I'm this guy:
[YOUTUBE]owGykVbfgUE[/YOUTUBE]

StudyShy's PS is now Diamonds!

I love that guy!! I never saw the whole commercial. The clam with two tickets to "that thing you love"...hilarious.

 

[slatermd]

I love that guy!! I never saw the whole commercial. The clam with two tickets to "that thing you love"...hilarious.

I know...here's the next best one, just if you're curious (and if you want to swan dive into the best night of your life):

[YOUTUBE]uLTIowBF0kE[/YOUTUBE]

A not-so-distant third:

[YOUTUBE]j7e_igiPIUI[/YOUTUBE]

I know these helped me with my PS.

 

[SoyRicoSuave]

About 2ish hours on the initial write and about 3 hours editing after peer review. I personally thought about "why I want to be a doctor" for several years, so the words flowed out pretty easily.

 

[northpenn]

About a week (~3 hours per day) and then editing/revising after letting others take a peak at it.

 

[Torr]

I never saw that third one either!

I'm starting to realize I only get on SDN for funny memes and videos now. I've become part of the problem 🙁.

OP, if you'd like someone to read your PS I'd like to volunteer! I want to feel helpful again! 🙂

 

[rhcarolina]

I spent about a month