How to write a Personal Statement

[Tyrius]

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How do you write a personal statement? Do you just explain bad grades in a positive manner and introduce yourself? How do you use a personal statement to make yourself more competitive?

 

[imprecious]

How do you write a personal statement? Do you just explain bad grades in a positive manner and introduce yourself? How do you use a personal statement to make yourself more competitive?

The topic for the personal statement I submitted to pharmCAS last year was why I wanted to be a pharmacist. I think that it's a very personal response that is unique for each individual applicant. Be honest as to why you want to be a pharmacist. That's the best advice I can give you with the personal statement. Good luck.

In addition, schools may also have supplemental applications in which additional essays will be submitted. You may have a chance to explain bad grades there if it's necessary. 🙂

 

[csa78]

out of thousands of applicants, what makes you unique? why should we pick you out of the countless other applicants that have a high GPA and have a high PCAT score. if you have a lower GPA and lower PCAT score, why should we consider interviewing you, maybe even accept you? stand out, make yourself shine ... a good personal statement can go pretty far

 

[dreaminofpharmd]

Does anyone have suggestions on how to approach this question: "describe an academic challenge." What if you don't have any drastically low grades to explain? Is there a way of answering this without talking about grades? Thanks!

 

[cheesygal]

Does anyone have suggestions on how to approach this question: "describe an academic challenge." What if you don't have any drastically low grades to explain? Is there a way of answering this without talking about grades? Thanks!

I think an academic challenge doesn't necessarily have to do with grades. Maybe you can talk about a research project, the challenges that you encountered and how you overcame it? Or how a professor might have taught something that countered what you knew? Something like that.

 

[imprecious]

Does anyone have suggestions on how to approach this question: "describe an academic challenge." What if you don't have any drastically low grades to explain? Is there a way of answering this without talking about grades? Thanks!

I remember this question for the supplemental application for UCSD. I talked about graduating high school in three years and discussed my experience there. Another example of an academic challenge could be how I got a pharm tech certificate while still keeping up 16-20 units each semester. I agree w/ chessygal-- it doesn't necessarily have to do with explaining low grades. Academic challenge can be anything that you were faced with that you think is significant for the committee to consider.