Interesting Personal Statement Idea

[allanMED15]

I am trying to finalize the theme of my personal statement and wanted to get an idea of which would be the best route to go.

1) I pretty much go through events that have led me to medicine and solidified that thought throughout the way. Very clear cut method with imagery along the way.

2) One of my advisors mentioned this the other day and I can't help but think it may help set me apart.
I have been strongly influence by music since middle school and have been heavily involved with it even through undergrad and now into graduate school. Bringing this into my statement, I would like to tell the story of how I came to decide on medicine by relating that journey to different parts of a music piece, capturing the ups and the downs of the entire process.

Would this be too far out there? If done well, could this be successful?
My thoughts on it are that certain things may not be known to anyone that reads it and the purpose will be lost.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[On Eagle's Wings]

Number 2 sounds much more interesting to read. I have read about people doing #2 before on a personal statement and getting accepted, so it can be a great personal statement as long as you successfully weave why you want to do medicine into your essay on music. Music and medicine sounds like a great combo!

 

[hoihaie]

both can be good if done well. #2 seem like a more interesting idea, but you have to be careful so as to not be corny

 

[allanMED15]

Number 2 sounds much more interesting to read. I have read about people doing #2 before on a personal statement and getting accepted, so it can be a great personal statement as long as you successfully weave why you want to do medicine into your essay on music. Music and medicine sounds like a great combo!

That is what I am thinking. For example, a time when I was going through some issues academically when I first started college could be related to an elegy or some piece of music that shows despair but hope at the same time. And even relating learning of science to practicing music may also be another route to go along side all of that.

 

[allanMED15]

both can be good if done well. #2 seem like a more interesting idea, but you have to be careful so as to not be corny

Exactly! That is why I had always thought about a clear cut story through my experiences over anything more abstract.

I have read the statements of some Stanford med students and one of them related training as a runner to medicine, which is obviously much closer to science than music. But I think that the idea could be conveyed that way as well.

 

[hoihaie]

Exactly! That is why I had always thought about a clear cut story through my experiences over anything more abstract.

I have read the statements of some Stanford med students and one of them related training as a runner to medicine, which is obviously much closer to science than music. But I think that the idea could be conveyed that way as well.

On a side note, this TED talk might interest you:

 

[gyngyn]

Strained metaphor is among the more common findings in medical school personal statements.

“The disadvantage of strained metaphor is not that it is necessarily sentimental…but that it carries the mind to a diffuse everywhere and leaves it nowhere.”
Zukofsky, Louis. "Sincerity and Objectification: With Special Reference to the Work of Charles Reznikoff." Poetry (1931): 272-285.

 

[resiroth]

Don't be afraid to get creative...but completely agree with @gyngyn..just seems a bit forced.

In general I wonder how much being creative gets you or doesn't get you.

I think I was a bit of a "weird" candidate on my AMCAS and that probably opened some doors to schools that weren't otherwise interested in me...but ended up with waitlists. Going creative seems to be riskier but potentially more rewarding, although I would recommend being more creative outside of the personal statement (most meaningful for ex.)

I don't know how people at top places can take it...I'm sure they have ~1500 applications a year with usual ECs and >35 mcat >3.7 GPA and probably 90% of them coalesce into an amorphous pile...probably why only 10% of those guys make it 😛.

 

[allanMED15]

On a side note, this TED talk might interest you:

Wow. That was awesome.

 

[Goro]

Go with 2!!!

I am trying to finalize the theme of my personal statement and wanted to get an idea of which would be the best route to go.

1) I pretty much go through events that have led me to medicine and solidified that thought throughout the way. Very clear cut method with imagery along the way.

2) One of my advisors mentioned this the other day and I can't help but think it may help set me apart.
I have been strongly influence by music since middle school and have been heavily involved with it even through undergrad and now into graduate school. Bringing this into my statement, I would like to tell the story of how I came to decide on medicine by relating that journey to different parts of a music piece, capturing the ups and the downs of the entire process.

Would this be too far out there? If done well, could this be successful?
My thoughts on it are that certain things may not be known to anyone that reads it and the purpose will be lost.

 

[eatingcake]

Strained metaphor is among the more common findings in medical school personal statements.

“The disadvantage of strained metaphor is not that it is necessarily sentimental…but that it carries the mind to a diffuse everywhere and leaves it nowhere.”

Zukofsky, Louis. "Sincerity and Objectification: With Special Reference to the Work of Charles Reznikoff." Poetry (1931): 272-285.

I agree with Mr. Zukofsky. I'm not suggesting you abandon option 2, as it does sounds much more interesting to read and will probably be more fun and challenging to write, but if you go with it you really need to hit it out of the park. It could be fabulous, or it could be a soup sandwich.

A couple of suggestions:

• Prewrite and organize your ideas thoughtfully and thoroughly before you start writing your first draft. Google "prewriting strategies" and find one that helps set the stage for your PS.
• After you've completed a draft, enlist the eyes and minds of multiple proofreaders, including people you really trust as writers who will give you honest, constructive feedback. There is an SDN thread where volunteers offer to read PSes and provide feedback, which I definitely recommend. The more eyes on your work, the better.
• If it really isn't working, don't force it. You still have the first option you mentioned that sounds like it could work well, too.

Good luck!

 

[eatingcake]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/thr...ment-guide-and-reader-list-2015-2016.1125995/

 

[allanMED15]

Strained metaphor is among the more common findings in medical school personal statements.

“The disadvantage of strained metaphor is not that it is necessarily sentimental…but that it carries the mind to a diffuse everywhere and leaves it nowhere.”

Zukofsky, Louis. "Sincerity and Objectification: With Special Reference to the Work of Charles Reznikoff." Poetry (1931): 272-285.

Yes. That is exactly what I am trying to avoid. I want to stand out by being creative with it, but if the writing just doesn't seem natural, it is probably not worth it.

Don't be afraid to get creative...but completely agree with @gyngyn..just seems a bit forced.

In general I wonder how much being creative gets you or doesn't get you.

I think I was a bit of a "weird" candidate on my AMCAS and that probably opened some doors to schools that weren't otherwise interested in me...but ended up with waitlists. Going creative seems to be riskier but potentially more rewarding, although I would recommend being more creative outside of the personal statement (most meaningful for ex.)

I don't know how people at top places can take it...I'm sure they have ~1500 applications a year with usual ECs and >35 mcat >3.7 GPA and probably 90% of them coalesce into an amorphous pile...probably why only 10% of those guys make it 😛.

Just have to love this whole process right? I can't even imagine having to be a part of that screening. Definitely want my writing to be as natural as I can make it. I think the 2nd idea is a bit too much of a stretch.

I agree with Mr. Zukofsky. I'm not suggesting you abandon option 2, as it does sounds much more interesting to read and will probably be more fun and challenging to write, but if you go with it you really need to hit it out of the park. It could be fabulous, or it could be a soup sandwich.

A couple of suggestions:

• Prewrite and organize your ideas thoughtfully and thoroughly before you start writing your first draft. Google "prewriting strategies" and find one that helps set the stage for your PS.
• After you've completed a draft, enlist the eyes and minds of multiple proofreaders, including people you really trust as writers who will give you honest, constructive feedback. There is an SDN thread where volunteers offer to read PSes and provide feedback, which I definitely recommend. The more eyes on your work, the better.
• If it really isn't working, don't force it. You still have the first option you mentioned that sounds like it could work well, too.

Good luck!

Thanks for that! Luckily I already have the intro written for the first idea. I will definitely use that resource when it comes time to really get down to it.

 

[resiroth]

Yes. That is exactly what I am trying to avoid. I want to stand out by being creative with it, but if the writing just doesn't seem natural, it is probably not worth it.




Just have to love this whole process right? I can't even imagine having to be a part of that screening. Definitely want my writing to be as natural as I can make it. I think the 2nd idea is a bit too much of a stretch.



Thanks for that! Luckily I already have the intro written for the first idea. I will definitely use that resource when it comes time to really get down to it.

If you do opt for a more risky approach I'd recommend applying to more schools. Taking more risks with your app is fine, just know it may polarize people a bit (which honestly might not be a bad thing, as people that come across as a bit boring rarely are interviewed!)

 

[allanMED15]

If you do opt for a more risky approach I'd recommend applying to more schools. Taking more risks with your app is fine, just know it may polarize people a bit (which honestly might not be a bad thing, as people that come across as a bit boring rarely are interviewed!)

Right. I already plan to apply broadly. I am sure I will find the best method for me. Luckily I still have a little bit of time.

 

[allanMED15]

I like the second option, but you have to find a good balance between music and medicine. Your personal statement can only be so long, so you can't afford to waste any words. Everything you say needs to be on point. I think the easiest mistake you could make here would be to describe your musical journey in too much detail without relating it back to medicine. As long as you don't do that, and you're not absurdly corny, I think a lot of people would find you relatable. But be careful not to overplay it. There are a lot of music majors out there who are also applying to medical school.

Sure. And I also am not a music major. I may be wrong in thinking, but I wonder if that would set me apart from other applicants who have a Biology degree by writing my statement on something they may not have had exposure to.

 

[gyngyn]

Sure. And I also am not a music major. I may be wrong in thinking, but I wonder if that would set me apart from other applicants who have a Biology degree by writing my statement on something they may not have had exposure to.

We actually get quite a few PS's in which this device is attempted.
It takes a skilled writer to pull it off.

 

[Catalystik]

Sure. And I also am not a music major. I may be wrong in thinking, but I wonder if that would set me apart from other applicants who have a Biology degree by writing my statement on something they may not have had exposure to.

You wouldn't want to "set yourself apart" in a negative way by using musical terminology which a portion of your intended audience doesn't understand. They will get bored. If they snooze, you lose.

 

[allanMED15]

You wouldn't want to "set yourself apart" in a negative way by using musical terminology which a portion of your intended audience doesn't understand. They will get bored. If they snooze, you lose.

Exactly. That is what I want to avoid.