Is it a no-no to talk about an area you want to specialize in your PS?

[Clinicall]

---

Members do not see this ad.

.

 

[DaenarysDuhh]

I ask this because I've worked in the cardiac cath lab, and taught cardiac classes at a community college for almost 7 years. My background is pretty heavy into it, so would it still be considered a no-no? My advisor said that I SHOULD be specific about my intentions in my PS, and try and not make the application about "just wanting to just get in to medical school", but instead stating where you want to go. I truely do want to go into cardiology, which I reference from occasionally and imply, but the personal statement is describing my interest in becoming a physician in general. What are your opinions?

I think you can and should definitely state what your specific interests are and why (obviously in a well-written/interesting manner). An anecdote from your specific experiences that highlights why cardio would likely be solid.

I stated a specific interest in medicine because it helped to explain why medicine for me. In interviews, I humbled myself a bit to acknowledge that I haven't been to medical school and experienced all I could so my interests might change, but again highlighted that my specific interest was what brought me here.

Do whatever you can to differentiate yourself from the other general "why medicine" PS's

 

[Law2Doc]

I ask this because I've worked in the cardiac cath lab, and taught cardiac classes at a community college for almost 7 years. My background is pretty heavy into it, so would it still be considered a no-no? My advisor said that I SHOULD be specific about my intentions in my PS, and try and not make the application about "just wanting to just get in to medical school", but instead stating where you want to go. I truely do want to go into cardiology, which I reference from occasionally and imply, but the personal statement is describing my interest in becoming a physician in general. What are your opinions?

Phrase it as having a "leaning" IMHO, rather than "knowing" what you want to go into or n intention. Most med student change their minds at least once, you have an imperfect idea of what the field is like until you do a rotation and often will find you hate the things you thought you'd like and enjoy the things you thought you'd hate. And finally, Step 1 tends to open and close various doors -- it not really 100% about choice.

 

[LizzyM]

What is it that attracts you to that aside from the fact that cardiac care appears to have been your only experience? It is the combination of high tech (caths) and high touch (health ed)? Could you see yourself in a specialty that combines those two -- maybe cardiology but maybe something else that will provide that combination of experiences.

 

[AspiringERMD]

I definitely indicated that I'm strongly leaning toward emergency medicine (with reasons), but I made sure to indicate in both my PS and the shadowing part of "work/activities" that I'm open to the idea of pursuing other areas.

 

[Keladry]

Just make sure you indicate that you're open to changing your mind and realize you have a lot to learn. But you're certainly allowed to say that you have an interest in it, with experience to back it up.

 

[Goro]

I like it better when an open mind is displayed.

I ask this because I've worked in the cardiac cath lab, and taught cardiac classes at a community college for almost 7 years. My background is pretty heavy into it, so would it still be considered a no-no? My advisor said that I SHOULD be specific about my intentions in my PS, and try and not make the application about "just wanting to just get in to medical school", but instead stating where you want to go. I truely do want to go into cardiology, which I reference from occasionally and imply, but the personal statement is describing my interest in becoming a physician in general. What are your opinions?

 

[surfguy84]

I like it better when an open mind is displayed.

Does this extend to individuals who KNOW they want to work as a PCP?

 

[GomerPyle]

As another poster has stated - use the word "leaning" rather than "knowing". You don't know anything about medical specialties yet, so don't act like you know what you want to do in a field you have really no experience in. Make sure you come across as "open" while having an early interest in cardiology because of your experiences in undergrad.

 

[Goro]

Nope, because that's my school's mission. Tailoring your interest to a school's mission shows them you've done your homework.

Does this extend to individuals who KNOW they want to work as a PCP?

 

[surfguy84]

Nope, because that's my school's mission. Tailoring your interest to a school's mission shows them you've done your homework.

Though I assume tailoring one's interest to a school's mission would be accomplished in the secondary moreso than in the personal statement?

I mentioned wanting to do primary care in my PS, but I'm hoping I really get to expand on this in secondaries...

 

[snowflakes]

In my personal statement, I discussed three experiences (clinical and research) that involved a particular specialty. I never explicitly stated an interest in the field but lots of interviewers connected the dots and asked me if I could see myself in that field. I always said yes, I had a preliminary interest in the field, but it was also the only field I was really exposed to, so I wanted to keep an open mind in med school. Seemed to work fine--this way you're implying an interest in a cardiology just by discussing your experiences in that field, but it doesn't come across that you've already pigeonholed yourself.

 

[Goro]

that's fine.

Though I assume tailoring one's interest to a school's mission would be accomplished in the secondary moreso than in the personal statement?

I mentioned wanting to do primary care in my PS, but I'm hoping I really get to expand on this in secondaries...

 

[nabilesmail]

As another poster has stated - use the word "leaning" rather than "knowing". You don't know anything about medical specialties yet, so don't act like you know what you want to do in a field you have really no experience in. Make sure you come across as "open" while having an early interest in cardiology because of your experiences in undergrad.

He teaches college cardic classes. I'm pretty sure he knows more than a premed with 1 yr of cardiology research + 10 hours shadowing