Is this personal statement the end of me?

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Yes. It's all over.

...Just kidding. Unless you accidentally said something awful.
 
randommedstudent8 said:
I feel like it doesn't answer the "why medicine?" question sufficiently. All I talked about is my love to serve others
Click to expand...

I don't think you should beat yourself up over it. Try and compensate for what you feel was lacking in your PS in your secondaries.
 
It could be worse. Loving to serve others is a great thing. Does the other stuff in your application, i.e. work and activities, do anything to explain why you want to do medicine, specifically?
 
randommedstudent8 said:
I feel like it doesn't answer the "why medicine?" question sufficiently. All I talked about is my love to serve others
Click to expand...
From what I understand, the "why medicine" prompt is very broad and there are a number of ways to approach it. I don't think you can objectively judge your own paper, so I'm open to reading yours. I'm not an expert, but my PI and adviser gave mine back with no revisions so... yeah. I think I'd do an all right job in looking at it.
 
There are a number of ways to answer the "why medicine" question. You can do it obliquely, like through your discussion of loving to serving others. I doubt this will kill your chances. Just make sure to emphasize medicine in your secondaries. Hopefully your ECs indicate interest in medicine as well.
 
Yes, my activities explain more specifically why I want to go into medicine. Could someone else please read over my personal statement?
 
I'm sure you will be fine. It doesn't sound like you said anything that will work against you.
 
LizzyM said:
You should know by New Year's whether it was a complete disaster or not. What makes you think it was so bad you'll never get an interview?
Click to expand...

What is the impact that a personal statement has on an application anyways? Is it true that most of the time it doesn't really change the strength of an applicant?
 
Wow. We're now reading PS's for the feels?

3 things -

1) The statement does not get anyone in. It's effectively a screen for general ability to coherently express thoughts and to make sure you're not a complete pscyhopath. I'm being facetious, but as someone who edits this stuff professionally and would benefit tremendously from trumped up importance of personal statements, even I have to downplay its significance for you neurotics.

2) It's unfixable now. Just learn that you need to be better prepared next time (...if you even need a next time) and seek out objective and effective criticism of your writing in the future. Ie. not mom, dad, random pre-med/med student on SDN. Apply ad nauseum for all future writing of importance, such as residency and fellowship applications.

3) You want to be a doctor? There's gonna be lots of bumps in the road. This is minor even if you don't think it is, so don't freak. Seeking out affirmative consolation/reassurance in medicine is like searching for El Dorado. You'll get led astray and disappear into a swampy morass.
 
I agree with caffeinemia that there's no point in having us read the PS now since you already sent it in. Better to focus your energy on secondaries now, no?
 
A bad PS can sink your app. A great one will not make up for poor EC'S or stats. But a great PS does get noticed by readers, and might help salvage a borderline candidate.

LuluLovesMe said:
What is the impact that a personal statement has on an application anyways? Is it true that most of the time it doesn't really change the strength of an applicant?
Click to expand...
 
Goro said:
A bad PS can sink your app. A great one will not make up for poor EC'S or stats. But a great PS does get noticed by readers, and might help salvage a borderline candidate.
Click to expand...

What constitutes a bad PS? Would a PS that feels a bit forced but has a generic basic message and no grammatical mistakes be a bad PS? Or would you have to write something really bad?
 
Has any or all of the following (and yes, we've seen these, ad nauseum):

  • Poorly written
  • Exudes sense of entitlement
  • Exudes superficiality
  • Doesn't answer "Who Am I?" and "Why Medicine?" adequately
  • Stating that you want to go to School X when the app is for School Y
  • Overuses clichés
  • Tries to be "too clever by half" by using writing gimmicks



LuluLovesMe said:
What constitutes a bad PS? Would a PS that feels a bit forced but has a generic basic message and no grammatical mistakes be a bad PS? Or would you have to write something really bad?
Click to expand...
 
Goro said:
Has any or all of the following (and yes, we've seen these, ad nauseum):

  • Poorly written
  • Exudes sense of entitlement
  • Exudes superficiality
  • Doesn't answer "Who Am I?" and "Why Medicine?" adequately
  • Stating that you want to go to School X when the app is for School Y
  • Overuses clichés
  • Tries to be "too clever by half" by using writing gimmicks
Click to expand...

I'd think people would be able to identify things that made them look entitled and not include them in their PS. What sorts of things might they say to give off this impression?

What kinds of things do people say in the PS that make them appear superficial? I'm sure there are lots of people who use the same basic message that they want to help people.
 
You underestimate the ability of people to be introspective, much less avoid outright cluelessness.

I've seen so many that they all blur. I can't give specific examples.

LuluLovesMe said:
I'd think people would be able to identify things that made them look entitled and not include them in their PS. What sorts of things might they say to give off this impression?

What kinds of things do people say in the PS that make them appear superficial? I'm sure there are lots of people who use the same basic message that they want to help people.
Click to expand...
 
LuluLovesMe said:
I'd think people would be able to identify things that made them look entitled and not include them in their PS. What sorts of things might they say to give off this impression?

What kinds of things do people say in the PS that make them appear superficial? I'm sure there are lots of people who use the same basic message that they want to help people.
Click to expand...
I'm no adcom, but I can tell you that some people are incapable of doing this just because of some truly appalling things I've heard people say. For example, I've heard: "If I include that my parents are both doctors, everyone will know that they have to accept me." If a person truly feels that entitled, I can't imagine they'd be self-aware enough to write about having physician parents in a way that doesn't make them sound entitled.
 
To follow up on this sage post, just browse through the thread on "stupid pre-med sayings". I forget the exact title, hopefully one of you can dig it up?


nwts said:
I'm no adcom, but I can tell you that some people are incapable of doing this just because of some truly appalling things I've heard people say. For example, I've heard: "If I include that my parents are both doctors, everyone will know that they have to accept me." If a person truly feels that entitled, I can't imagine they'd be self-aware enough to write about having physician parents in a way that doesn't make them sound entitled.
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

I
Personal statement
Replies
2
Views
1K
Rachapkis
Rachapkis
yeehaw10
Personal Statement Content
Replies
3
Views
1K
yeehaw10
yeehaw10
S
  • Locked
What counts as the end of the 2-week deadline?
Replies
4
Views
718
ganm
ganm
Captain Duckie
Personal Statement Review
Replies
2
Views
702
Captain Duckie
Captain Duckie
premed17fl
  • Locked
personal statement review
Replies
2
Views
694
chilly_md
chilly_md
Top