Individual personal statments for programs within same speciality?

[chitown82]

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Anyone have thoughts on writing pseudo-individual personal statements for various programs (within the same specialty) that you apply to?

Iserson mentions that it might be a good idea to personalize the PS (and that this is underutilized by applicants). For instance, edit one paragraph where you specifically address something related to a particular program.

Anyone doing this?

 

[kenshin1]

At least in internal medicine, I don't feel like the ps is of that much importance, as long as you do not write anything truly bizarre. Individualized statements may help slightly but are probably not worth the effort

 

[NotAProgDirector]

It depends what you mean by "personalize".

I have certainly seen people have a sentance: "I would love to train at Man's Best Hospital." in their PS. It's obvious that they simply change the name of the hospital for each PS. IMHO, this is at best useless, and at worst annoying. It's about as warm and fuzzy as a form letter with my name mail merged into the Dear line.

If you really want to write a whole paragraph about what really sets my program apart, that would be reasonable but is overkill.

I'd simply write a single PS and leave it at that.

 

[chitown82]

It depends what you mean by "personalize".

I have certainly seen people have a sentance: "I would love to train at Man's Best Hospital." in their PS. It's obvious that they simply change the name of the hospital for each PS. IMHO, this is at best useless, and at worst annoying. It's about as warm and fuzzy as a form letter with my name mail merged into the Dear line.

If you really want to write a whole paragraph about what really sets my program apart, that would be reasonable but is overkill.

I'd simply write a single PS and leave it at that.

Thanks! 👍

 

[gutonc]

Anyone have thoughts on writing pseudo-individual personal statements for various programs (within the same specialty) that you apply to?

Iserson mentions that it might be a good idea to personalize the PS (and that this is underutilized by applicants). For instance, edit one paragraph where you specifically address something related to a particular program.

Anyone doing this?

aPD has already answered this quite well but I'll throw in my bit. If you're applying to somewhat specialized programs (e.g. Research Pathway) it is probably a good idea. I had 4 or 5 different PS' when I applied. A generic one, a research oriented one and a couple that were designed to answer specific program's questions (I'm looking at you Cornell, Stanford and UCSF). If there's something about a particular program that you think you can target with a specific PS then go for it.

Adding "I think that training at X Univ will make the best doctor in the galaxy" is a waste of time though.

 

[diosa428]

What if, for example, you go to school in the south but want to move back to the northeast where your family is. Worth mentioning in the PS for the schools in the northeast? Or save it for the interview?

 

[veenut]

What if, for example, you go to school in the south but want to move back to the northeast where your family is. Worth mentioning in the PS for the schools in the northeast? Or save it for the interview?

bump b/c i have the same question

 

[gutonc]

bump b/c i have the same question

Probably unnecessary. Probably won't hurt.

If you're in NYC/Boston/Chicago and applying only to programs in the sticks it's probably worth explaining why in your PS.