Making Up Stuff On Essay

[zhenka11230]

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To think that way, you have to assume that everyone will give equal care. Bad assumption.

Why they want to become a doctor is not the real question; it's more about what they are willing to do to get in....but it can be related. True, people exagerate all the time, but making up entirely untruthful stories just to get attention.......unethical? If you're doing unethical things to get in, will you still be doing unethical things once you are a doc?

Case in point: One of our hospitalists has ownership in a practice that is run by a PA. When he treats patients without a PCP, or if they ask for a referral, he refers them to the practice he owns....unless they are self pay or Medicaid. Then, they get the address of the free clinic.

OTOH, the hospitalist group I'm working with refers patients with no PCP to several different PCPs. Probably 3 out of 4 referals have insurance, so they are only asking the referals to "eat one" once in a while. And, they have no problem with it. Everyone expects to have to "eat one" on occasion.

Knowing that, I wouldn't be surprised if the first guy is doing some other shady things as well. He's clearly in it for the money-- but his patients are also recieving sub-par care, unless they have good insurance.

So, the reason why this one particular doc got into it, does make a difference in the quality of patient care in many cases.

Good post.

Unethical? Probably but not much more then it is lying to your parents about your drug use.

I consider the whole essay to be nonsense for reasons clearly expressed in the original post(i.e. people can write whatever they want). I personally sure as hell will lie on my essay because i don't want one silly essay to be in the way of me becoming a doctor. What if the truth would not get me in?(i.e i have no tragic or inspirational story to tell) What then? Just give up on being a doctor? I don't think so. I will do whatever it takes and i consider that to be a good quality.

Not all ethical violations are equal. Just because a person will lie in the essay does not mean he will conduct unethical behavior in situations where people can get hurt as a consequence. I personally lie to my parents ALL the time but i would not even consider scamming someone for money for example, yet i do care about money a great deal.

 

[Tourterm]

What if the truth would not get me in?(i.e i have no tragic or inspirational story to tell) What then? Just give up on being a doctor? I don't think so. I will do whatever it takes and i consider that to be a good quality./quote]

While the PS does carry significant weight, I think you have a distorted idea of what admissions committees are looking for. Where does this idea come from that you need this tragic or immensely inspirational story to get admitted?

They aren't looking for tragedy. Integrity on the other hand...

 

[niranjan162]

I would much rather have the guy that cares about patients treat me than the guy who just stuck with it cuz he had a ton of debt.

 

[ComputerGeek64]

Good post.

Unethical? Probably but not much more then it is lying to your parents about your drug use.

I consider the whole essay to be nonsense for reasons clearly expressed in the original post(i.e. people can write whatever they want). I personally sure as hell will lie on my essay because i don't want one silly essay to be in the way of me becoming a doctor. What if the truth would not get me in?(i.e i have no tragic or inspirational story to tell) What then? Just give up on being a doctor? I don't think so. I will do whatever it takes and i consider that to be a good quality.

Not all ethical violations are equal. Just because a person will lie in the essay does not mean he will conduct unethical behavior in situations where people can get hurt as a consequence. I personally lie to my parents ALL the time but i would not even consider scamming someone for money for example, yet i do care about money a great deal.

This type of attitude scares the hell out of me. Moral (and ethical) relativism used to justify getting what you want. Everything is fine as long as no one gets hurt. What about about the student that was honest and got overlooked because of the BS you put on your PS? If you make up crap on your PS, I hope you get called on it. Karma happens. 👎

 

[wado2]

I can't believe what i am reading. The whole process of writing an essay is making stuff up. Whoever thinks that they are actually making genuine claims about motivations has some serious psychology(especially evolutionary) to read up on. At least the original poster had the guts to admit his lies. If you really had a "noble" reason to go into medicine, you would not have to even think.

People always go for the same reason: money, status, interest, feeling good about themselves for helping others. There are exceptions but most people are full of it if they think otherwise. And that is fine!

I personally do not give a rats ass why a person became a doctor as long as he can cure me well.

Zhenka11320, that's just the craziness talking. You should be ashamed. I want to go to the medi school for the help of the people I deal with everyday.

 

[Sparda29]

What if the truth would not get me in?(i.e i have no tragic or inspirational story to tell) What then? Just give up on being a doctor? I don't think so. I will do whatever it takes and i consider that to be a good quality./quote]

While the PS does carry significant weight, I think you have a distorted idea of what admissions committees are looking for. Where does this idea come from that you need this tragic or immensely inspirational story to get admitted?

They aren't looking for tragedy. Integrity on the other hand...

Well, I figured out a method without the false tragedy. The only false statement that I have is that I was a starting player on Varsity instead of bench player.

 

[fabu1ous]

...I will do whatever it takes and i consider that to be a good quality.

Not all ethical violations are equal...

I'm glad to see you have this ethics thing down. You know, the quality of doing whatever it takes to get something done, and justifying your actions with the quality of being driven.

This line of reasoning is sad. And I don't mean that in a sarcastic way, I do mean it really is disheartening. If you are willing to compromise what is right at one time, the next time, it makes it just that easier to convince yourself you're only doing what's needed. That's not ok.

Lie on essay, because I just want to get in. Cheat on exam, because I just need to pass. Lie on chart, because I don't want to look like I forgot something and I need to make a good impression to the resident, afterall, I need a good grade on this rotation. It just goes on and on.

I think you sell yourself short if you don't believe enough in your ability to express your desire to be a physician in a creative and passionate way that is both interesting and true.

 

[JaggerPlate]

This type of attitude scares the hell out of me. Moral (and ethical) relativism used to justify getting what you want. Everything is fine as long as no one gets hurt. What about about the student that was honest and got overlooked because of the BS you put on your PS? If you make up crap on your PS, I hope you get called on it. Karma happens. 👎

Well stated. Also, everything comes around in the end. BSing your PS will eventually bite you in the @ss. When and how is for you to wait and discover.

 

[HanginInThere]

I choose.... business ethics.

This sounded familiar to me, but I'm ashamed to admit that I had to look it up.

Chlorophyll? More like BOROPHYLL!

 

[SB25]

I'm about to start writing my ps and, while I have experienced some tragic medical situations, none had much influence on my decision to become a doctor. I'm not the kid who knew from the age of 5 that she was going to become a doctor; I came to the decision relatively recently (about 2 years ago) after much research into the job and soul-searching. My question is, should I focus on the steps I took to better understand medicine as a career in order to show that I am not jumping into this career on a whim? I have confidence in my writing abilities, but I'm worried that no matter how I word it, my essay will just be boring compared to the specific (many times, tragic) events that seem to lead so many to medicine, or at least make personal statements intriguing.

 

[ComputerGeek64]

I'm about to start writing my ps and, while I have experienced some tragic medical situations, none had much influence on my decision to become a doctor. I'm not the kid who knew from the age of 5 that she was going to become a doctor; I came to the decision relatively recently (about 2 years ago) after much research into the job and soul-searching. My question is, should I focus on the steps I took to better understand medicine as a career in order to show that I am not jumping into this career on a whim? I have confidence in my writing abilities, but I'm worried that no matter how I word it, my essay will just be boring compared to the specific (many times, tragic) events that seem to lead so many to medicine, or at least make personal statements intriguing.

With the exception of those that embellish, I'd guess that most personal statements are pretty average. I seriously doubt that very many have some great tragedy to use. I also suspect the admissions committees have developed a nose for BS over the years.

I personally talked about my time as a computer geek and the realization that I wanted to do something more meaningful. It doesn't have to be Shakespeare.

 

[Bacchus]

I have a "trajedy" as in a chronic diagnosis in mine but I didn't spin it for pity. Explain the factors for your decision and you'll do great!

 

[scpod]

When all is said and done, what really matters is how well-written your statement is, not what you put in it. There's nothing you can put in it that hasn't already been said before, over and over again. The need to include something really exciting in your essay,to the point that you want to lie about it, is really an attempt to cover up your inability to tell an interesting story. Face it. Most people are NOT very good writers. A lot of them think they are, but they aren't. I worked for the Writing Center at my undergrad school for three years. I've read enough crappy essays in my day to know that most people don't have a clue about making an essay interesting.

A great essay is finely crafted. It takes weeks or even months to complete. It starts with a simple premise, perhaps just a single statement or theme. Slowly it grows; simple ideas are translated into words, then sentences, then meaningful paragraphs that guide the reader along a journey into your character. Along the way, lots of revisions take place. It grows much like a tree, anchored in the ground by strong, firm roots until it blossoms in spring, and flowers freely for all to enjoy.

Instead of focusing on some spectacular event, spend some time on it and let it grow. Take it to your Writing Center at school or to your English professors. Better yet, take it to a Creative Writing professor and ask him or her about ways to use language to our advantage. Most people don't like reading a biography. How many facts do you really remember about the life of Benjamin Franklin? I'll bet you had to read about him some time in your childhood. But, if you can tell them an interesting story, they'll listen to it and remember it for a long time.

Let everyone you know read it and offer feedback. Keep in mind, though, that you don't have to implement every suggestion. But, if Great Uncle Billy can't understand the point you are trying to make, chances are that the people on the admissions commitee won't either.

The main point is that it really doesn't matter what you put in it if it's understandable, concise and interesting. They already know about your awards and groups you were in. They know about your grades and just about everything else in your life right from the rest of your application. Take this chance to tell them who you are and what you are made of. Do it well and they will listen to you, and remember you.

 

[ichitaka86]

super

 

[TexasTriathlete]

The only thing I made up on my essay was where I said that I hit three home runs in game six of the 1977 world series, to propel the Yankees to victory.

You would have to dig pretty deep to find out that by "me" I meant "Reggie Jackson", and that I was 14 days old when it happened. I don't think anyone would go to that kind of trouble.

 

[SB25]

3 home runs...creative. 👍

Thanks so much to everyone for all the good advice! I think I just need to bite the bullet and get started on my ps. I've kind of been putting it off...I'm nervous! it's always harder to write about yourself. Right now I just feel like nothing I write could possibly catch the eye of an admissions committee...(sigh)...

Thanks again! Wish me luck!

 

[djd710]

You should really consider any ramification that you would run into for lying on such an important part in the application process....also if you are willing to lie to get to the next step what else would you be willing to do to get what you need or want? You should really sit down and give an honest story or maybe you could do some volunteer work or something major to add to your statement before you finish it. In the long run you are gonna feel a lot better knowing that when they sit down to read your application that it is the honest truth.

 

[lexrageorge]

The original post and this thread have definitely passed the chuckle test. The OP just needed to add how he/she spent his/her entire youth volunteering in African villages; being President of the Student Council, 3 separate Orchestras, and the Lacrosse and Squash Clubs; the personal demons he/she battled; and the ridicule he/she was subject as he/she single-mindedly pursued their lifelong dream to be a physician. Then the essay can get published in one of those advice/how-to books on writing admissions essays. Then someone else some years down the road can ask how "creative" they should get on their essay on SDN.

More seriously, there is nothing wrong with presenting yourself in a strong and favorable light. The key word there is "yourself". Granted, probably every applicant adds some "relish" to their stories ("yes, I learned so much volunteering in that ER, and it was great experience to boot"). Hey, it happens in the real world, too. However, there is a fine line between relish and BS, and most adcomms know the difference, and can spot the difference pretty quickly to boot.

If you get too creative in your essay, it will most likely be noticed immediately; the best you can hope for then is that the adcomm member has a good laugh as he tosses your application in the can. Anything you write in your essay is fair game at the interview. It's not hard to ask a handful of questions to quickly figure out whether the applicant is lying or not.

Bottom line: there are far better uses of your time. A simple, straight-forward, succint, well-written, honest essay is far better than attempting to write something outrageous, and is far less likely to make you look like a tool.