Non-traditional Student PS help

[glangerud]

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Hi all!

I am a non-traditional student going back to school after 6 years. I have put together two drafts for my personal statement that highlight two distinct experiences but am having a hard time narrowing down which one will be the best. If anyone is willing to read them and offer feedback I'd really appreciate it! I am open to general feedback in the comments about which direction you think I should go.

PS 1: Highlights an emergency medical situation where I was the clinician and discusses the impact that had on me. I demonstrate what I was lacking in this role and the interactions I had with physicians that helped me decide to pursue medical school. It is more "medicine" focused but I am worried it could feel similar to other PS since so many people have these types of situations.

PS2: More of a descriptive narrative of a unique experience I had in the medical field. It focuses less on me performing medical care and more on the situations I was in and why that drove me to want to become a physician. I think this demonstrates my personality better and has the chance to stand out but it does not focus on my medical experience so much.

I'd love feedback! and anyone willing to actually read them would be a huge help!

 

[Z_C]

check here

 

[AJS59]

Go PS2. Sounds more unique and depending on what you wrote in PS1, you could be running into the territory of opening up questions about your authority to do so.

 

[LindaAccepted]

Hi all!

I am a non-traditional student going back to school after 6 years. I have put together two drafts for my personal statement that highlight two distinct experiences but am having a hard time narrowing down which one will be the best. If anyone is willing to read them and offer feedback I'd really appreciate it! I am open to general feedback in the comments about which direction you think I should go.

PS 1: Highlights an emergency medical situation where I was the clinician and discusses the impact that had on me. I demonstrate what I was lacking in this role and the interactions I had with physicians that helped me decide to pursue medical school. It is more "medicine" focused but I am worried it could feel similar to other PS since so many people have these types of situations.

PS2: More of a descriptive narrative of a unique experience I had in the medical field. It focuses less on me performing medical care and more on the situations I was in and why that drove me to want to become a physician. I think this demonstrates my personality better and has the chance to stand out but it does not focus on my medical experience so much.

I'd love feedback! and anyone willing to actually read them would be a huge help!

I'd also say go with PS 2.

Remember that your PS is not read in a vacuum. You have the MMEs and the other activity descriptions that should complement the PS and highlight experiences and reinforce or introduce attributes that may not come out so clearly in the PS.

 

[walnutfloor]

hello, feel free to pm me. non-trad w/ similar gap years. current MD student!

 

[chilly_md]

Please refer to our volunteer PS reader threader:

Forum Members Thread '*~*~*~*~*~*Official Personal Statement Guide and Reader List 2025-2026*~*~*~*~*~*'

Mar 3, 2025

It's that time of year again! This thread is for applicants who are writing, revising, and polishing their personal statement for the 2025-2026 application cycle! Like in prior years, this thread will be self-regulated. When volunteering as a reader (or contacting a reader for assistance), please refer only to the most recent post for a list of our current available volunteers!

Other helpful resources: Official Personal Statement Guide thread, Alejandro's Personal Statement Advice, and Depakote's Personal Statement Guide/Tips.

If you...

• Moko
• Replies: 52
• Forum: Pre-Medical (MD)

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