Non trad personal statement general question

[nibhighfootballrules]

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Should personal statements for non trads focus more on how they went from one career to pursuing medicine or what they have done since deciding to change careers that lends them to being quality physicians?

 

[GreenDuck12]

I don’t think there is a right answer to your specific question. Your personal statement needs to tell your story about why you want to pursue a medical career and highlight some attributes you bring to the table. I do think nontrads need to have more substantial responses than the usual “want to help people” line that some younger applicants may get cut some slack for having.

In my personal statement I talked about why I entered the career that I did, how it influenced my desire to pursue a medical career, what I hope to accomplish as a physician, and some skills/values I developed along the way.

 

[nibhighfootballrules]

I don’t think there is a right answer to your specific question. Your personal statement needs to tell your story about why you want to pursue a medical career and highlight some attributes you bring to the table. I do think nontrads need to have more substantial responses than the usual “want to help people” line that some younger applicants may get cut some slack for having.

In my personal statement I talked about why I entered the career that I did, how it influenced my desire to pursue a medical career, what I hope to accomplish as a physician, and some skills/values I developed along the way.

Thank you for the response. I realize after writing a couple drafts the personal statement is so unique for each individual and there are many angles to attack it from. No way of really knowing how any specific person will respond to it. Thanks again for the insight!

 

[StudentDoGter]

In my PS, I really focused on “Why Medicine” and then drew from my experiences, including those from my workplace. I very briefly explained how my experiences at work contributed to my “why” and how skills/things that I learned at work will contribute to my future in medicine. Good luck!

 

[Goro]

Should personal statements for non trads focus more on how they went from one career to pursuing medicine or what they have done since deciding to change careers that lends them to being quality physicians?

No,. you should explain "why Medicine"?

EDIT: It's OK to explain how unfulfilled you were in your previous careers.

 

[NontradICUdoc]

Remember, the adcoms are reading an incredible number of essays. Generally they will start reading and unless you capture their attention quickly, they may not read the rest. You don't want to be the typical essay that starts by saying "I have always wanted to help people and medicine is my calling..."

Someone I used to know started their personal statement with "Prior to starting college I worked as a bouncer at the local bar." He is also non traditional and he is now an anesthesiologist. Now tell me that this would not cause the reader to continue on the essay. At the same time, don't be hokey. Explain WHY now, after your first career do you want to put that behind you, become unemployed, take out a ton of money in loans and then work for low wages during residency. A journey that will take at least 7 years (4 years of school and a minimum of 3 years for residency). What is it about medicine that you are willing to not only put yourself through that but your family as well.

In other words, convince me that I should bet on you and not some kid who got it right the first time.

 

[sw99]

Should personal statements for non trads focus more on how they went from one career to pursuing medicine or what they have done since deciding to change careers that lends them to being quality physicians?

Both of the above