I'm having trouble writing my personal statement, can anyone offer me advice?

[dsh]

I've been suffering writer's block for the last two weeks straight it seems. I'd really like to get my AMCAS submitted by July 4th or 5th or so and get cracking on secondaries. For your reference, here is my brand spanking new mdapplicants profile: http://mdapplicants.com/viewprofile.php?myid=5905.

I apologize that it's a bit long and wordy, but I think pre-meds generally prefer more versus less information. You can see that I'm a good applicant, but not an excellent applicant. I have had what I think is a pretty unique college experience, or at the very least one in which I took advantage of the opportunities given to me.

I'm having trouble coming up with my personal statement, that explains who I am as a person and why I want to go to medical school, while at the same time isn't cliche. I am motivated to go into medicine because I think it's a great match for someone with my personality. In other words, I think I'd enjoy it. Medicine is a noble profession that is very scientific, involves plenty of human-human interaction, and would leave me feeling pretty good despite working a ton. Despite all the hurdles and stuff you have to go through, for me, it would be worth the sacrifice. I just can't think of a way to put this eloquently and effectively.

Does anyone have any advice for how to approach this? I know I'm off to a late start, but I just recently came back from Costa Rica and didn't have time to do much of anything over there. Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.

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[acrobat]

I've been suffering writer's block for the last two weeks straight it seems. I'd really like to get my AMCAS submitted by July 4th or 5th or so and get cracking on secondaries. For your reference, here is my brand spanking new mdapplicants profile: http://mdapplicants.com/viewprofile.php?myid=5905.

I apologize that it's a bit long and wordy, but I think pre-meds generally prefer more versus less information. You can see that I'm a good applicant, but not an excellent applicant. I have had what I think is a pretty unique college experience, or at the very least one in which I took advantage of the opportunities given to me.

I'm having trouble coming up with my personal statement, that explains who I am as a person and why I want to go to medical school, while at the same time isn't cliche. I am motivated to go into medicine because I think it's a great match for someone with my personality. In other words, I think I'd enjoy it. Medicine is a noble profession that is very scientific, involves plenty of human-human interaction, and would leave me feeling pretty good despite working a ton. Despite all the hurdles and stuff you have to go through, for me, it would be worth the sacrifice. I just can't think of a way to put this eloquently and effectively.

Does anyone have any advice for how to approach this? I know I'm off to a late start, but I just recently came back from Costa Rica and didn't have time to do much of anything over there. Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.

No I can't think of way to eloquently say all that goblety gook because you won't get if you say that. They will ask you in the interview why u want to be a doctor. They will write your answer on a piece of paper and take it to the committee. The person who wrote it will be half asleep and barely remember what u told him so be concise and say the correct anser. Without telling you the answer to the obvious question you are asking, you should be able to figure it out. If you can't u won't be getting in this year.

 

[mediocriskid]

I had great advice from a physician who looks over personal statements for potential residents: Keep it personal. Sounds easy but I found myself trying to write to an audience, which is the worst thing you can do. Let the reader draw their own conclusions and keep the compassion aspect within reason (it's become so trite amongst essays that essay readers tend to ignore or find it superficial).

 

[acrobat]

"and keep the compassion aspect within reason(it's become so trite amongst essays that essay readers tend to ignore or find it superficial)."

I strongly disagree with that advice. I mean don't put it in there if u cant say it with a straight face...but there is a reason why med schools bother reading millions of personal statements. Once again said telling you guys the correct answer without actually telling you it.

 

[Doctor~Detroit]

ps writing is soooo may 2006. come back next year and we'll help out. 😉

 

[signomi]

http://education.yahoo.com/college/essentials/articles/med/medicalschoolessaysecrets.html

 

[BlackBantie]

I'm having trouble coming up with my personal statement, that explains who I am as a person and why I want to go to medical school, while at the same time isn't cliche. I am motivated to go into medicine because I think it's a great match for someone with my personality. In other words, I think I'd enjoy it. Medicine is a noble profession that is very scientific, involves plenty of human-human interaction, and would leave me feeling pretty good despite working a ton. Despite all the hurdles and stuff you have to go through, for me, it would be worth the sacrifice. I just can't think of a way to put this eloquently and effectively.

Don't write about medicine like that. The people the read your PS already know all of the aspects of medicine. We all know it's scientific, involves interaction, etc. What the adcoms don't know is YOU. Talk about YOURSELF. What exactly is it with your personality that makes you a good match with medicine? Are you a good leader? Give examples. You like helping people? Give examples.

Do not write anything generic (what you just wrote up there). If someone else can put their name on the top of your PS and pass it away as their own, you've failed.

 

[Pancho Villa]

I strongly disagree with that advice. I mean don't put it in there if u cant say it with a straight face...but there is a reason why med schools bother reading millions of personal statements. Once again said telling you guys the correct answer without actually telling you it.

what?

 

[Darkshooter326]

A good jumping board for most people is to read other PS. There are lots of books that publish PS from successful applicants. These can give you an idea of what people write about/how they write about things. Check it out at your library or buy some. Loma Linda loves 7th day adventists. I've never met a 7th day Korean 😍