How to draft a compound p. statement for a complicated life

[rekrul]

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[ridethecliche]

https://www.aamc.org/download/321518/data/2013factstable25-4.pdf

Wow, chances are better than I expected. Who knew...

 

[hoihaie]

you definitely need to make theme 3 the strongest point. Theme 1 and 2 can be addressed in disadvantaged essay (if you chose to claim so) or secondaries. There are ALOT of secondaries that ask you what challenges you've over come and what diversity you can bering to the school, so your PS should be a focus on point 3 instead of point 1 and 2 (PS is not a place to explain your GPA).

As for How to answser why medicine - what events illustrates your ambition to help people? what experiences make you think being a doctor is "cool" (please don't say TV)? Use what you've personally experienced or achieved to illustrate why you want ot do medicine. You don't need to limit your PS to things after high school. If you reasons for pursuing medicine started in childhood, then talk about that.

If you have no concrete reasons for pursuing medicine, thinking about exposoing yourself to more clinical settings to find the reasons/examples you can use.

 

[rekrul]

Ridethecliche's original response is exactly why I'm thinking at least addressing point 1 is important. A low gpa and high MCAT (although better than low gpa low mcat haha) may lead people to think I'm just lazy, where the truth is I almost killed myself just making it out of college. I guess that's a moot point if I'm gonna check the disadvantaged box and write that statment, but at this point I'm not sure that's a wise move so let's assume the only background adcoms will see is in the personal statement.

I'm actually curious about this point:
If you have no concrete reasons for pursuing medicine, thinking about exposoing yourself to more clinical settings to find the reasons/examples you can use.

Is the prevailing wisdom that only things you experienced count as good reasons to do medicine? Obviously, the reason most of us even seek out clinical experience is because we have already decided that medicine is something we want to do. In other words, medicine is the goal long before the majority of premeds ever set foot in a clinic, so the motivation for the most part is inherent to the applicant rather than to a particular experience that applicant gathered while volunteering. I've volunteered as an interpreter and this has given me exposure to very intimate physician patient interaction, but I don't want to write the bulk of my PS about just one type of volunteering that I did and ignore the rest of my life/motivations.

 

[hoihaie]

Ridethecliche's original response is exactly why I'm thinking at least addressing point 1 is important. A low gpa and high MCAT (although better than low gpa low mcat haha) may lead people to think I'm just lazy, where the truth is I almost killed myself just making it out of college. I guess that's a moot point if I'm gonna check the disadvantaged box and write that statment, but at this point I'm not sure that's a wise move so let's assume the only background adcoms will see is in the personal statement.

I'm actually curious about this point:
If you have no concrete reasons for pursuing medicine, thinking about exposoing yourself to more clinical settings to find the reasons/examples you can use.

Is the prevailing wisdom that only things you experienced count as good reasons to do medicine? Obviously, the reason most of us even seek out clinical experience is because we have already decided that medicine is something we want to do. In other words, medicine is the goal long before the majority of premeds ever set foot in a clinic, so the motivation for the most part is inherent to the applicant rather than to a particular experience that applicant gathered while volunteering. I've volunteered as an interpreter and this has given me exposure to very intimate physician patient interaction, but I don't want to write the bulk of my PS about just one type of volunteering that I did and ignore the rest of my life/motivations.

I think i misread yoru original post. I thought you meant you have no concrete reason/motivation to pursue medicine except for an abstract idea of helping people. So the clinical volunteering is just one idea to get you the actual experiences from which you can isolate your reasons for pursuing medicine.

IF you have other motivations you should definitely talk about it. Make the PS a flowing story about "Why medicine." If explaining your low GPA or talking about your background challenges fits with the "why medicine" story (perhaps the challenges you faced motivates you to help people), then by all means talk about them. However, you shouldn't have a random paragraph in there that tries to explain your low GPA without tying it to your overall story of pursuing medicine - that would totally ruin the flow of your PS.

 

[claduva94]

Are you planning to apply this year?

 

[rekrul]

Yep, I'm submitting my AMCAS on Monday. I know its late but whatcha gonna do. I'm only applying to a handful of schools-those I have any shot at whatsoever-so if I fail there is always next cycle. I would defer my matriculation until 2016 anyway, were I accepted this year.

I'm almost done cranking this thing out. Is anyone interested in taking a look and giving me some feedback later?

 

[hoihaie]

If you're deferring why don't you just wait till next cycle to apply?

Either way, I can read it if you're done with it.

 

[rekrul]

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[claduva94]

Just to let you know if schools become aware that you plan to defer, your chances at acceptance are essentially 0. They are seeking to fill this class not the next one.

 

[rekrul]

^^Hmm, that's interesting. Why even offer an option to defer if you're not going to accept those that choose to take it up. Do schools usually ask during the interview if you're planning to defer? Or, can your acceptance be rescinded when you tell them you're deferring?

@Hoiehaie
I pm'd you my ps.

 

[allantois]

It sounds like your trip to China is more important to you than getting into medical school.

Btw you need to have a very good reason asking for a deferment.

 

[claduva94]

^^Hmm, that's interesting. Why even offer an option to defer if you're not going to accept those that choose to take it up. Do schools usually ask during the interview if you're planning to defer? Or, can your acceptance be rescinded when you tell them you're deferring?

@Hoiehaie
I pm'd you my ps.

They understand there are extenuating circumstances. Yours isn't one. But, while they offer deferral, they are in no way obligated to honor everyone's request. It likely won't come up in an interview unless you bring it up, but you could definitely burn some bridges if you don't handle it right once you are accepted. Honestly, if you are definitely going to be deferring, you shouldn't be applying this year.

 

[rekrul]

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