How to stand out?

[bozz]

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My major advisor is always scaring me (his intentions are good ofcourse)

my ECs are basically: research, volunteer work... intramural sports, tutoring kids

nothing EXCITING in there... but my advisor (who has been involved in the admissions process) basically said that they look at the first paragraph of your PS.. and THAT's basically it. If you don't have anything exciting in there.. it can hurt you.

He always gives me examples of students who excel at pottery, the violin etc... he recommends that I do something unique in order for my application to even be considered seriously. He said, "you darn well know the pottery kid is going to have something about pottery in the first sentence... and you know the adcom is going to remember his essay."

In my case, I feel I can weave a nice essay out of my experiences with patients first hand (through volunteer work).. and that this could perhaps be my first paragraph. Then again so will 50,000 other premeds... do I really need to do something out of the way solely to stand out? He recommended that I take a trip to another country.. perhaps on one of those medical mission trips... for my own sake.. and also so that it'll help me write a unique essay. I'd be interested in doing it... but is it worth is to spend thousands of dollars to simply have a catchy first line in your essay?

 

[Phenol312]

Well...in my PS i used the first paragraph to talk about how i first got interested in medicine. Around the age of 5 or so i saw my grandmother fall and break her hip. I was kinda standing there helpless while i watched the paramedics take her away and when she finally came home from surgery she died that night. I talked about what a huge impression that made on me. So I dont think you need to talk about something you spent a load of money on to catch someones attention it just has to be something that moved you and you're telling the adcoms about it in the hopes it will move them.

So far though in my case i dont think my motivations have struck a cord with any of the adcoms. 🙁

 

[Textuality]

I'd say not to do something just so you can write about it (and travel to other countries is fairly common these days it seems). Try finding something you really, genuinely enjoy and would rave about if given the chance!

Good luck!

 

[Concordia]

You might not have what your advisor would consider EXCITING ECs that make you stand out, but that doesn't mean that you should take up a hobby of something just so you can have a great first paragraph to you PS. If you approach your "ordinary" ECs from a unique perspective, you will be just fine. There is something to be said for those who have a knack for writing--they can make anything sound new and exciting if they approach it from a novel perspective or using strong language.

 

[braluk]

Use your PS to stand out since its a little late in the game now to get involved in activities that will make you stand out. Be vivid in your writing and make it visually stimulating. Those types of essays tend to stand out much more than others.

 

[ChubbyChaser]

now why would anyone talk about Pottery in a med school essay, I couldnt even begin to think how to weave that into medicine. I have been a muscian for a long time, but I dont think it really influenced me to go the medicine route. Am I missing something here?

 

[braluk]

Could be something worth mentioning, albeit briefly, and only if you can work it in.

 

[ChubbyChaser]

Could be something worth mentioning, albeit briefly, and only if you can work it in.

Yeah, that would be hard. I just dont see why pottery would make an ADCOM go "wow" lets get this guy an interview.

 

[Textuality]

I could see doing a spin on pottery. I've done a lot of artwork, and you could argue how it gives you the ability to appreciate and utilize potential, get a keen eye for observation, learn focus/patience/the value of lots of practice, learn to accept constructive criticism on things you might find personal, develop creativity, etc... I'm sure you can find a way to relate almost anything to how it has contributed qualities that might make you a better physicians.

 

[ChubbyChaser]

Hmm, Think think think

Yeah, just not creative

 

[Isoprop]

one of those med school essay books had a PS start something about "african healing drums." it wasn't a good essay in the long run though.

i found that writing a PS about something I cared about sounded better than faking like i cared about something.

 

[Bartelby]

My PS was basically my story, how I ended up where I am and why I want to be (and would be a good) doctor. It would have been awkward to work in "also I do these really cool and unique ECs" in the first paragraph. I have, however, gotten many compliments on my PS at interviews. I guess they made it past the first paragraph.

As for ECs, though, I think it does help to do something that lets you stand out. It is good if anyone reading your application can immediately remember you as the fighting kite champion, or the novelist, or the scuba diving instructor, or the guy who biked across the United States. Pick something that sounds cool and just do it, and I bet you will be glad you did (and not just because it improves your application).

 

[167649]

My major advisor is always scaring me (his intentions are good ofcourse)

my ECs are basically: research, volunteer work... intramural sports, tutoring kids

nothing EXCITING in there... but my advisor (who has been involved in the admissions process) basically said that they look at the first paragraph of your PS.. and THAT's basically it. If you don't have anything exciting in there.. it can hurt you.

This is not just for the admissions process, but applies to short literature in general. When you read an essay or a short story, the first paragraph can make or break it. If you are hooked into the story, you are likely to read all of it and remember more of it. If you are bored out of your mind with the first paragraph, you are likely to either stop reading or, if you had to finish it, space out and not pay attention to what you are reading. At the least you wouldn't remember as much of it.

Now imagine if you had to read 25 short stories a day, hundreds, maybe thousands a year. And you had to pick the best of the best. Is it worth your time to read one that is cliched, stereotype, and boring? Of course not. And you can usually tell by how well it is opened.

He always gives me examples of students who excel at pottery, the violin etc... he recommends that I do something unique in order for my application to even be considered seriously. He said, "you darn well know the pottery kid is going to have something about pottery in the first sentence... and you know the adcom is going to remember his essay."

In my case, I feel I can weave a nice essay out of my experiences with patients first hand (through volunteer work).. and that this could perhaps be my first paragraph. Then again so will 50,000 other premeds... do I really need to do something out of the way solely to stand out? He recommended that I take a trip to another country.. perhaps on one of those medical mission trips... for my own sake.. and also so that it'll help me write a unique essay. I'd be interested in doing it... but is it worth is to spend thousands of dollars to simply have a catchy first line in your essay?

Only do this if you are truely interested in it. It would never be worth the money if that was not what you wanted to be doing. And it will only help you if you were into it.

Look at uniqueness this way: There are 50,000 applicants, you are 1 of them. Many of those 50,000 look the same, like they are robots from some factory, because they did what they thought an ideal applicant does. And therefore many are surprised that they don't get attention from medical schools because they look the same as 10,000 others. So uniqueness is important, but its not as hard to be unique as us many may think. Although some things like good grades, tests, and clinical experience are going to be common amongst all succesfull applicants, what many fail to realize is that everyone is inherrently unique, because we all like different things, we all think differently. Do some serious soul searching and thinking, find what you like to do, and do it. It doesn't have to be pottery or a violin, but anything you like to do. If you embrace what you are and dedicate yourself to fulfilling your passions, you will become unique.

 

[LizzyM]

Often we adcoms want to know what you are like aside from research, volunteer work, a job, and the other "stuff" you do to prepare yourself for medical school. Often, the last couple of activities on the experience list of the AMCAS application will be the things that you do for fun. They are at the bottom of the list because you started doing them when you were a youngster and continue to the present. This might include a musical instrument or other performing art, an athletic activity, a craft. Do you have a long standing interest "for fun"?

For some, it isn't a long standing interest but a newer development such as having played in a professoinal poker tournament or taken up skydiving. It might not be unique but it isn't something that we see in 80% of the applicants so it might set you apart.

 

[lord_jeebus]

Now that I've had the opportunity to read many essays, I have a few observations.

1. Most essays aren't that great, so you have a chance to stand out.
2. The best essays communicate the personality of the writer through narration as well as content, and read like short stories.
3. Focus on why you did things, what you thought, what you learned -- not just what you did.
4. Be who you are and not who you think we want you to be.
5. Be bold! If you want to be a radiologist or a neurosurgeon just say so. What you have to say about that is much more interesting than general observations of the medical field as a whole.

 

[Drogba]

now why would anyone talk about Pottery in a med school essay, I couldnt even begin to think how to weave that into medicine. I have been a muscian for a long time, but I dont think it really influenced me to go the medicine route. Am I missing something here?

Metaphorical writing my friend. My PS for undergrad, believe it or not, was about a single dining experience.

 

[LizzyM]

Metaphorical writing my friend. My PS for undergrad, believe it or not, was about a single dining experience.

The audience for undergrad is much different than the med adcom. Keep in mind that most med adcom members are medical school faculty (sometimes upper level med students are included). They may or may not be physicians as those who teach the basic sciences and other curriculum are also eligible to serve on the adcom. I've seen metaphors fall flat with some of the docs on my committee.

Having a theme is good. I still remember an applicant who tied his campus job, his lab work and his volunteer gig to a single word. The third tie-in was a stretch and a bit humerous (something like fire being related to a quit smoking support program (matches & cigarettes)). Each of the three activities helped the applicant to test his commitment to medicine. That's what the adcom is looking for: pithy and memorable.

One more tip: if you were inspired by a sick, injured, dying or deceased relative (or self), mention it but show how you've tested your interest in the care of those whom you don't know. We all want to help our grannies but do you have any interest in treating a stranger who did something stupid?

 

[Drogba]

The audience for undergrad is much different than the med adcom. Keep in mind that most med adcom members are medical school faculty (sometimes upper level med students are included). They may or may not be physicians as those who teach the basic sciences and other curriculum are also eligible to serve on the adcom. I've seen metaphors fall flat with some of the docs on my committee.

Having a theme is good. I still remember an applicant who tied his campus job, his lab work and his volunteer gig to a single word. The third tie-in was a stretch and a bit humerous (something like fire being related to a quit smoking support program (matches & cigarettes)). Each of the three activities helped the applicant to test his commitment to medicine. That's what the adcom is looking for: pithy and memorable.

One more tip: if you were inspired by a sick, injured, dying or deceased relative (or self), mention it but show how you've tested your interest in the care of those whom you don't know. We all want to help our grannies but do you have any interest in treating a stranger who did something stupid?

Of course. I would never think of submitting the PS I wrote for my undergrad applications to med schools. Nevertheless, metaphors and symbols are powerful literary tools that apply to any form of writing. Of course the chosen device must be appropriate. I would not try and relate my interest in medicine to this great dinner I once had, but it was relavent to how I was trying to represent myself as an undergrad. Everyone can relate to food too.

 

[lord_jeebus]

Yeah, that would be hard. I just dont see why pottery would make an ADCOM go "wow" lets get this guy an interview.

I have never potted (is that the word?) so bear with me if I say something that isn't true

"Pottery is more than a bowl -- it is the fiery sintering of abstract scupture with practical function. As I shape cold, fluid clay into a vessel, I balance imperfection, which adds character and warmth, with perfection, which makes my work useful. All bowls must hold water, but within that limitation I am free to skew the base or curve the rim. Through such actions, pottery becomes beautiful and unique -- much like man.

For the human body has evolved as an elegant functional machine, but random imperfection is what distinguishes us -- what makes us US. My dream is to shape and work with the beautiful imperfections of man as I optimize his function. Much as I enjoy observing the subtle characteristics of a fine work of ceramic, which emerge through quiet inspection, I enjoy listening to the stories of people and their unique issues. Such has been my experience at ____ Nursing Home, where I came to learn that each person there (seemingly just like any "old person" at a glance) has their own rich personality!

The physician is most privileged to work with these unique aspects of individuality as they endeavor to restore function through physical health. And among physicians, I have seen through my shadowing at ______ Hospital that anesthesiologists are the most like potters. Using their hands, they manipulate the fluids and the physiologic systems of man, as they preserve function through surgery. Potters and anesthesiolgists both have elegant tools, and are able to apply them with a personal style. The potter's wheel and the vaporizer are not so unalike! Yet, as I saw one day in pain clinic, they must also observe and work with the individual personalities and pathologies to perfect their art. They are truly artists who apply their skills for practical function. Among them, I have found my place."

 

[Old Grunt]

Relative to the traditional PS, I had a lot of interesting material to write about in my PS (experiences in Afghanistan and how that directed me to try to become a doctor), and writing it was still painful.

Writing about yourself is definately a chore, so good luck.

 

[LizzyM]

Of course. I would never think of submitting the PS I wrote for my undergrad applications to med schools. Nevertheless, metaphors and symbols are powerful literary tools that apply to any form of writing. Of course the chosen device must be appropriate. I would not try and relate my interest in medicine to this great dinner I once had, but it was relavent to how I was trying to represent myself as an undergrad. Everyone can relate to food too.

Just watch out... some readers miss the metaphor and ask, "why was the entire essay about tennis?"

 

[Drogba]

Just watch out... some readers miss the metaphor and ask, "why was the entire essay about tennis?"

Haha thanks for the advice. Maybe I'll write my PS with logic notation rationally proving my interest and ability, no scientist will miss that.

 

[coldweatherblue]

well.. I'm not accepted yet so I can't say that I wrote the best personal statement in the world..

BUT I'll be honest that I didn't say anything about my personal unique qualities in my statement. I pretty much was just honest about why I want to study/practice medicine, what medicine means to me, why medicine fits my personality, etc.

I have a couple unique things (music major - guitar, piano, cello, 1 yr. volunteering as ESL teacher in Czech Republic) etc but I didn't say anything about that in my PS because I thought it would be ostentatious.

 

[luv2sd]

now why would anyone talk about Pottery in a med school essay, I couldnt even begin to think how to weave that into medicine. I have been a muscian for a long time, but I dont think it really influenced me to go the medicine route. Am I missing something here?

yeah you are missing a lot

you should talk about what you are passionate about in PS

 

[ChubbyChaser]

I have never potted (is that the word?) so bear with me if I say something that isn't true

"Pottery is more than a bowl -- it is the fiery sintering of abstract scupture with practical function. As I shape cold, fluid clay into a vessel, I balance imperfection, which adds character and warmth, with perfection, which makes my work useful. All bowls must hold water, but within that limitation I am free to skew the base or curve the rim. Through such actions, pottery becomes beautiful and unique -- much like man.

For the human body has evolved as an elegant functional machine, but random imperfection is what distinguishes us -- what makes us US. My dream is to shape and work with the beautiful imperfections of man as I optimize his function. Much as I enjoy observing the subtle characteristics of a fine work of ceramic, which emerge through quiet inspection, I enjoy listening to the stories of people and their unique issues. Such has been my experience at ____ Nursing Home, where I came to learn that each person there (seemingly just like any "old person" at a glance) has their own rich personality!

The physician is most privileged to work with these unique aspects of individuality as they endeavor to restore function through physical health. And among physicians, I have seen through my shadowing at ______ Hospital that anesthesiologists are the most like potters. Using their hands, they manipulate the fluids and the physiologic systems of man, as they preserve function through surgery. Potters and anesthesiolgists both have elegant tools, and are able to apply them with a personal style. The potter's wheel and the vaporizer are not so unalike! Yet, as I saw one day in pain clinic, they must also observe and work with the individual personalities and pathologies to perfect their art. They are truly artists who apply their skills for practical function. Among them, I have found my place."

Wow, you're a wonderful writer.

 

[littlealex]

Stand out by walking away from the crowd, not with it. No real advice you get here will help you stand out.

 

[Gut Shot]

... but my advisor (who has been involved in the admissions process) basically said that they look at the first paragraph of your PS.. and THAT's basically it. If you don't have anything exciting in there.. it can hurt you.

Sounds like another tool with a pet theory. I'd ask for his qualifications.

 

[MyInitialsAreJC]

My first paragraph was a narration of how i visited my adviser to tell her i want to be a doctor and her telling me to "Get real" after looking at my transcripts.

 

[fastboyslim]

It seems like most people are saying you can do one of two things to stand out:

1. Write a great personal statement
2. Have a really cool hobby, something unrelated to science/medicine/volunteer/research but something you really enjoy

My question is what activities can you do to stand out within science/medicine/volunteering/research?

 

[DrWookie]

It seems like most people are saying you can do one of two things to stand out:

1. Write a great personal statement
2. Have a really cool hobby, something unrelated to science/medicine/volunteer/research but something you really enjoy

My question is what activities can you do to stand out within science/medicine/volunteering/research?

Perform open heart surgery with a ballpoint pen.


Has anyone else seen that commercial? It was really good until I realized it was advertising some car website.

In all seriousness though,

All of your volunteering and research experiences will be UNIQUE to you, unless you did the exact same thing with someone else at the same time. You just have to make sure you explain how your experiences were unique (how it effected you on a personal level, or even just anecdotal experiences that are unique). Research especially will always be different from one person to another (you will be working on a different question or project...unless by some weird coincidence two people on opposite sides of the country are thinking of the EXACT same experiments and testing the EXACT same things at the EXACT same time...). You just need to spin it and make it unique to you. It doesn't have to stand out, it just has to seem like something that had a profound effect on you.

 

[UVAbme2009]

At first I didn't realize this was more than a year old, but it's a good thread for those getting ready to apply to see.

I echo using the PS to stand out. I also think your application should have a common theme throughout.

 

[Rach83]

Well now I'm even more confused! I have tons of unique experiences (music lessons, half-marathon training, advanced diver, etc) but I've tried to write my essay about semi-unique experiences that have directly impacted my desire to be a doc. I'm way over on characters already. How is it possible to fit in a unique example/story that isn't related to medicine, without losing the "why I want to be a doctor" parts?😕

 

[fastboyslim]

I talked to a doctor who is on the admissions committee for a local medical school, and he said that one of the most common mistakes he sees is that people get distracted and beat around the bush in the personal statement without actually saying why they want to be a doctor.

Tying in some unrelated unique hobby in the personal statement may border into falling into this mistake if the applicant isn't careful.

 

[fastboyslim]

Perform open heart surgery with a ballpoint pen.


Has anyone else seen that commercial? It was really good until I realized it was advertising some car website.

In all seriousness though,

All of your volunteering and research experiences will be UNIQUE to you, unless you did the exact same thing with someone else at the same time. You just have to make sure you explain how your experiences were unique (how it effected you on a personal level, or even just anecdotal experiences that are unique). Research especially will always be different from one person to another (you will be working on a different question or project...unless by some weird coincidence two people on opposite sides of the country are thinking of the EXACT same experiments and testing the EXACT same things at the EXACT same time...). You just need to spin it and make it unique to you. It doesn't have to stand out, it just has to seem like something that had a profound effect on you.

Well, insofar as no two people do EXACTLY the same thing, I suppose you're right in saying everyone is unique. But if an admissions committee member sees hundreds of candidates, all of whom research, shadow, and volunteer and all of whom each claim to be unique, what can a person do to really put oneself in a separate category? I mean if there are 150 spots and 300 candidates all are talking about how profoundly they have been impacted by their research/volunteer/shadow work, something has to give.

 

[DrWookie]

Well, insofar as no two people do EXACTLY the same thing, I suppose you're right in saying everyone is unique. But if an admissions committee member sees hundreds of candidates, all of whom research, shadow, and volunteer and all of whom each claim to be unique, what can a person do to really put oneself in a separate category? I mean if there are 150 spots and 300 candidates all are talking about how profoundly they have been impacted by their research/volunteer/shadow work, something has to give.

My point was you can make yourself unique while still doing the "same activities" by the way you talk about the activity and its impact on you. Obviously if you say something like "I was profoundly impacted by volunteering at a hospital" it is going to sound like everyone else. Try to think of SPECIFIC examples in research/volunteer/shadowing that had a specific impact on you, and describe what you felt. Those specific examples will never be the same, and so they will make you stand out.

 

[Greonis]

I think the notion of "standing out" is overrated. Even if you do pick EC's that seem unusual and write a personal statement from a "different" perspective, can you really be sure that what you have will be sufficient enough to separate you from thousands of other applicants? I would say no.

It is far better to focus on being balanced in my opinion. That is, you demonstrate a strong interest in medicine, prove that you are capable of handling the rigors of medical school, and show that you are a well-rounded person (IE: there's more to you than academics). If you do that, then I think you'll be very successful at this game, even if you don't "stand out" from everyone else.

 

[SiR99]

Now that I've had the opportunity to read many essays, I have a few observations.

1. Most essays aren't that great, so you have a chance to stand out.
2. The best essays communicate the personality of the writer through narration as well as content, and read like short stories.
3. Focus on why you did things, what you thought, what you learned -- not just what you did.
4. Be who you are and not who you think we want you to be.
5. Be bold! If you want to be a radiologist or a neurosurgeon just say so. What you have to say about that is much more interesting than general observations of the medical field as a whole.

What if you mention a certain specialty and are accepted to the school, but after your education and exposure to different medical sepcialties you change your mind? Is that fine or are the faculty going to question your motives?

 

[DrYoda]

What if you mention a certain specialty and are accepted to the school, but after your education and exposure to different medical sepecialties you change your mind? Is that fine or are the faculty going to question your motives?

What are they going to do to you once you're accepted?Just look at the percentage of those wanting to service the underserved during interviews and the percent that actually do it.

Bozz, my man, crush the MCAT. Best way to stand out there is.

 

[Kickback]

I could see doing a spin on pottery

Am I the only one that caught that little bit o' irony?

 

[fizzle]

I think the notion of "standing out" is overrated. Even if you do pick EC's that seem unusual and write a personal statement from a "different" perspective, can you really be sure that what you have will be sufficient enough to separate you from thousands of other applicants? I would say no.

It is far better to focus on being balanced in my opinion. That is, you demonstrate a strong interest in medicine, prove that you are capable of handling the rigors of medical school, and show that you are a well-rounded person (IE: there's more to you than academics). If you do that, then I think you'll be very successful at this game, even if you don't "stand out" from everyone else.

Rather than being overrated, I think the notion of "standing out" is misunderstood. People tend to think that piling on the unusual activities and presenting themselves as a combination of odd experiences/abilities is going to be what makes them stand out, when in fact there's a more subjective element in terms of perspective and understanding how these activities fit into your life.

I've often thought it amusing how similar getting into med school is like winning over a girl (if you're a guy): In the end, it's not your loads of money, your great looks, or your great personality that's necessarily going to make her fall for you (all analogous to a high GPA, high MCAT score, and long list of ECs; of course, they all help in attracting some of the shallower, lower-tier med schools, but they're not the final determining factors), but rather that spark, that little bit of chemistry in your personal statement that will make her come over to you over all the thousands of other suitors. Many pre-meds tend to use the personal statement to tell the school about their accomplishments and make a laundry list; that's very much like going to a girl and talking all about your accomplishments as a list (and I'm sure you've heard all about the type of guy who can't stop talking about himself when he meets a girl, just to try to impress her).

 

[DOquestions]

Can't a person just simply state how they became interested in medicine and why they wan't to become a doctor?

- Became interested in medicine when I got a job at a hospital in 2002.

- Spent time in the medical library reading about health conditions the patients had that I was working with. I became amazed with how our body functions.

- Started to explore careers in research and medicine

- Started out at a community college

- Transferred to a four year college (worked as a lab assistant, teaching assistant, tutor, and did a summer research internship).

- 200 hours of shadowing doctors and other allied healthcare workers

- Did a 1 1/2 year long internship at a hospital purging patient charts

- Worked as a crises counselor for 1 1/2 years for families in the community

Now I work as a CNA, Research Associate, and Medical Freelance Writer.

I don't have any other experiences to talk about and I'm not going to try and go out there and do other stuff just to put a few more words on a medical school PS as the above is what I have done with my life and what I have done has cemented my believe in becoming a doctor.

I talked to admission counselors at the schools I plan on applying to and they all really liked that I know exactly what I want to do. Some times not trying to be creative makes you appealing.

 

[MyGoalIsMD]

Rather than being overrated, I think the notion of "standing out" is misunderstood. People tend to think that piling on the unusual activities and presenting themselves as a combination of odd experiences/abilities is going to be what makes them stand out, when in fact there's a more subjective element in terms of perspective and understanding how these activities fit into your life.

I've often thought it amusing how similar getting into med school is like winning over a girl (if you're a guy): In the end, it's not your loads of money, your great looks, or your great personality that's necessarily going to make her fall for you (all analogous to a high GPA, high MCAT score, and long list of ECs; of course, they all help in attracting some of the shallower, lower-tier med schools, but they're not the final determining factors), but rather that spark, that little bit of chemistry in your personal statement that will make her come over to you over all the thousands of other suitors. Many pre-meds tend to use the personal statement to tell the school about their accomplishments and make a laundry list; that's very much like going to a girl and talking all about your accomplishments as a list (and I'm sure you've heard all about the type of guy who can't stop talking about himself when he meets a girl, just to try to impress her).

GREAT advice. 👍

 

[Caprica6]

I haven't started writing my PS, but freak out when I think about it. Ive always enjoyed science and currently am a research assistant, I know that I do not want to bench reasearch forever. I originally, thought I wanted to go into veterinary medicine, and spend a lot of time working in a veterinary clinic. I decided, however, to go into medicine. Mostly due to the fact that I've had some very important people in my life that struggle with a variety of medical issues. Is it alright to bring these individuals up. This is supposed to me a personal statement about ME, not others.

 

[chemnerd89]

Once you get to the interview, look around, then deck the biggest fellow interviewee there. They'll know you play for keeps after that.

 

[Greonis]

I haven't started writing my PS, but freak out when I think about it. Ive always enjoyed science and currently am a research assistant, I know that I do not want to bench reasearch forever. I originally, thought I wanted to go into veterinary medicine, and spend a lot of time working in a veterinary clinic. I decided, however, to go into medicine. Mostly due to the fact that I've had some very important people in my life that struggle with a variety of medical issues. Is it alright to bring these individuals up. This is supposed to me a personal statement about ME, not others.

If their struggles influenced your decision to go into medicine, then yes, you definitely should.

 

[LizzyM]

Can't a person just simply state how they became interested in medicine and why they wan't to become a doctor?

- Became interested in medicine when I got a job at a hospital in 2002.

- Spent time in the medical library reading about health conditions the patients had that I was working with. I became amazed with how our body functions.

- Started to explore careers in research and medicine

- Started out at a community college

- Transferred to a four year college (worked as a lab assistant, teaching assistant, tutor, and did a summer research internship).

- 200 hours of shadowing doctors and other allied healthcare workers

- Did a 1 1/2 year long internship at a hospital purging patient charts

- Worked as a crises counselor for 1 1/2 years for families in the community

Now I work as a CNA, Research Associate, and Medical Freelance Writer.

I don't have any other experiences to talk about and I'm not going to try and go out there and do other stuff just to put a few more words on a medical school PS as the above is what I have done with my life and what I have done has cemented my believe in becoming a doctor.

I talked to admission counselors at the schools I plan on applying to and they all really liked that I know exactly what I want to do. Some times not trying to be creative makes you appealing.

OK, but what do you do for fun? What do you do to unwind? Outside of work, what are you passionate about?

 

[lord_jeebus]

What if you mention a certain specialty and are accepted to the school, but after your education and exposure to different medical sepcialties you change your mind? Is that fine or are the faculty going to question your motives?

No one is going to remember your essay or track you down.

 

[DOquestions]

OK, but what do you do for fun? What do you do to unwind? Outside of work, what are you passionate about?

I play sports and participate in fantasy football.

I could talk hours on length about college football and the NFL.

 

[zenlike]

I find it amusing how important it is to have a gimmick to set yourself apart. It seems like it's more important than being a solid student with credentials that actually apply toward a career in medicine.

 

[DOquestions]

I went to college at a small liberal arts college. I had several classmates that wanted to become doctors. I estimate that about 13 out of 15 of the regular classmates wanted to go to medical school. As of right now, zero have even applied. They all wanted to become doctors because they found it interesting and because of the pay. I never once heard any of them explain why they wanted to become doctors beyond the pay and finding the job interesting. Every single biology professor I had in college knew exactly why I wanted to become a doctor. That can't be said about any of the other students.