*Official Personal Statement Guide and Reader List 2011*

Discover Your Odds of Getting into Medical School
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Hi, I am available to read MD/PhD essays.
Applicant this past cycle. Got into UCSF, Tri-I, and Columbia MSTP.
Biochem and Stat major, so I'm probably not the best person for small details, but I can read for overall picture, perspective of essay, and MD/PhD related questions.
 
Hello,

I'm an MSTP applicant and did well this cycle despite having only slightly higher-than-average numbers. I think the strength of my application was being able to bring my research experience, career goals, and extracurriculars together. I'll read for content and style, but I edit many essays by second language speakers and will also edit for clarity, spelling, and grammar whether you like it or not 😛.

That said, a few of my MD interviewers said I had a very strong essay; I'd be glad to read AMCAS essays/secondaries too.

Finally able to give back to SDN a little 🙂
 
I'm going to be pretty busy for a while, please remove me from the readers list for now. Thanks!
 
Hi! I would be happy to read ps for content and flow. Will have to give me a week to get back to you with comments though🙂
 
Is this only for medical school personal statements? Or can we upload postbacc ps's as well?
 
You can ask people on the list, just be aware that some people might not be willing/able to read it. A few have specifically stated that they don't want to look at these, so please take their wishes into consideration when PMing.
 
JJMrK said:
You can ask people on the list, just be aware that some people might not be willing/able to read it. A few have specifically stated that they don't want to look at these, so please take their wishes into consideration when PMing.
Click to expand...


Ah, I see. I should have explored this thread a little more. Thanks!
 
I guess I'll volunteer too :laugh:
I be happy to read for content 😀
going to medical school in aug, gone through the whole experience, interview few different places ... hopefully I can help
pm me 😀 cheers
 
I'll read a few PS.

I was accepted to a few schools this cycle, and was told that I had a good PS. Please include a brief bullet point activities list as well, so that I know what pool of experiences you could put into your writing . Also, my expertise is in MPH, and MD/MPH types of PS, but I am happy to help with general MD/DO PSs.
 
Ok, I am ready to get off the bench! Thanks. 🙂
 
Anyone who got in want to post their PS on this forum for examples?

Obviously it has to be good since it got you admit and doesn't really have chances of being copied because every individual is different.

Just to help out the current list of applicants.. please

thanks!
 
Hi all:hello:

I would be more than happy to read it for content and structure but NOT for grammar [I suck at grammar]. I have been helping a lot of people at my school too.

I will be available over the summer too to help with the secondaries [no help in content here, just the structure and clarity] or anyone submitting their AMCAS/AACOMS late.

However, I will only be able to do 1 or 2 per week until school ends [May 15ish], depending on school work load, so if I cannot do yours, then I will PM you right back letting you know you that I can’t [I promise to check my PMs atleast once a day].
I got waitlisted at allo and still waiting on some and got into a DO [in case you wanted to know], so I can read both.

So go ahead and PM me so I can give you my email address [I don’t want a gigantic PM] so you can email me your Ps, along with a resume or at least a list of activities.

Good luck to all of you this cycle.:luck:
 
I applied last year and didn't get in anywhere. I applied to 6 schools, got secondaries to all 6 and landed 3 interviews. End result 2 rejections and 1 waitlist. Would reusing last years personal statement be a mistake in you guys opinion. I'm considering saving most of it, and just changing around a couple of sentences to keep it up to date.
I feel that what held me back was that I just didn't apply broadly enough. That will be corrected this year, but I'm wondering if the schools I applied to last year will look down on me reusing the old statement.
 
WoWdoc said:
I applied last year and didn't get in anywhere. I applied to 6 schools, got secondaries to all 6 and landed 3 interviews. End result 2 rejections and 1 waitlist. Would reusing last years personal statement be a mistake in you guys opinion. I'm considering saving most of it, and just changing around a couple of sentences to keep it up to date.
I feel that what held me back was that I just didn't apply broadly enough. That will be corrected this year, but I'm wondering if the schools I applied to last year will look down on me reusing the old statement.
Click to expand...

I'm guessing you will find you've gained personal perspectives about your application since last year and will be able to confidently improve your PS.

As far as schools looking down on an old PS, I doubt it. (sounds like it did it's job since you got interviewed at 50%). Use your old PS as a template and don't sweat it. Btw, be sure to include what you spent your last year doing and how it made you a better applicant... that will matter.

Applying more broadly sounds like a good strategy for you.
 
This post is actually for anyone who has written a successful PS (ie. you got accepted!), but is more directed for the readers, I guess. Is there anyone that would be willing to PM your successful PS to me? You can remove all identifying info if you want. I swear there will be no copying of any kind; I have my own, VERY unique story to tell.... I really just want to get a feel for the tone, structure, etc. of what a successful PS looks like. I would be eternally grateful.

FYI, another reason why I am asking is that I actually applied this year, but didn't get in. I didn't apply that broadly (or wisely, for that matter), but I only got 1 interview out of 8 schools and didn't get in. I thought my PS was really good last year, got feedback and everyone else that read it thought it was good too. Apparently, though, it wasn't good enough, so maybe it would help me to know what direction to take the new one in. Thanks in advance for anyone kind enough to do this.
 
JJMrK, would you put me on a the "hold" category. I think I have too many in my inbox.
 
Is there anyone that could read, edit, and comment on my PS quickly? I need to get it turned into my pre-med committee asap! Message me or reply back on here if you're willing to. Thanks!
 
Can I be temporarily taken off the the reader list. I just got swamped with a bunch at once and need some time to get through them. Thanks!
 
Hey JJ, can you temporarily put me on hold for the reader's list? I just got a ton this week that I need to get through before I can take any more. Thanks! 🙂
 
I don't mind reading a few. I've already helped some people here, but I can take a couple more. Just PM me.

Spent maybe 3-4 months on the PS and had several people help me. I can pass on what advice I was given.

(Helped 4 people so far! I can always do more. Just PM me)
 
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Send them away. I offer good advice, I think my essay was decent this cycle, and I got a T in MCAT writing (so I must have some communication skills). I won't edit for grammar or content, but give you opinions on directions, overall, big picture ideas.
 
i'm down to help out too! i applied this cycle, received lots of help in general from sdn and ended up with a few acceptances, so time to pay it forward. i focus more on grammar, but will provide comments on the big picture and general flow of the statement. i also used to be an editor for a school paper, if that makes me seem more legit, haha.
 
I can read some! I'll proofread or give my thoughts on content, whatever you'd like 🙂
 
Hey JJ,
I had to miss a whole week of school and spent it in the hospital due to my dad's health and now everything is backed up including school. Take me off the list for now, but I promise to join as soon as things calm down.
Thanks so much!
 
I'm willing to read, work with content, and will correct grammar. I won't write personal statements but I can help you think about which aspects of your life you want to emphasize and how your statement might be viewed by a committee.

Creds: I'm a non-trad who has been a recruiter and run resume workshops for a large company. Also was accepted this year 😀
 
I'm willing to read a few personal statements. I read for content and grammar and overall effectiveness of the PS. I've read quite a few personal statements for students at my UG previously. I'm especially good with research-related content, but have good experience reading PSs with many different styles. I had excellent feedback about my PS and got interview invites to almost half the schools I applied to with it. I was a science and humanities major so I exercised and developed my writing skills a lot in college. It helps to include a very brief list of ECs or life experiences so that if your current version is a little weak on points, I may be able to suggest something to help with it. But not at all required. I do not give out my own PS to anyone, so please don't ask. Finally, I will get back to you quickly (usually within 24 hrs) and I will be honest. Thanks!
 
I'm willing to read some PS. Please do not expect me to rewrite your PS. I will, however, give constructive substantive comments. I have worked in career services as a pre-med advisor. 🙂
 
I don't mind reading a few. I've already helped some people here, but I can take a couple more. Just PM me.

Spent maybe 3-4 months on the PS and had several people help me. I can pass on what advice I was given.

(Helped 4 people so far! I can always do more. Just PM me)
 
I got a lot of help from people on SDN, so I'd be more than happy to read a few. Just PM me with any requests.

FYI, I work a TON (read 80hrs/wk), so if I don't get back to you within 30 seconds, don't worry. I always get back to people with edits. That being said, I can't do 90 in one sitting either... I like to be thorough.

PS - It definitely helps to have some pertinent / background information to put into context anything in the PS... So send that along as well!
 
Hi everyone,

I'm applying to med school this summer and I'm looking for someone to evaluate my personal statement and be really honest about it. In other words, I want someone who will be able to critique it for content, flow, organization etc.

I want someone who is already accepted into medical school or better yet, in medical school currently. Please let me know if you are able and willing to spend a solid chunk of time to help me out. I would really appreciate it.

Thanks.
 
I can also read/edit some personal statements. I've helped a lot of people write/edit personal statements in the past, and I think the things I'm good at include helping people find an overall "theme" to their essay, making sure it flows, and making sure the prompt gets answered.

I suppose I can read for grammar/syntax/word choice, too, but that's kind of boring.
 
I'll volunteer to read... I have a lot of free time from now until the end of summer basically. I can comment on grammar, style/flow, and even content (in terms of its impression on ME the reader).

No official credentials other than taking a lot of writing classes. I received a T in MCAT for what it's worth. I read A LOT of PS's from friends, SDN users, and from PS compendiums they sell at bookstores over the past year. I believe I had a pretty decent PS (from feedback, and receiving interviews at UCs and competitive schools with average stats).
 
I'd be more than happy to read PSs and secondaries. I'll mostly try to comment on content and tone, but will also help with sentence structure and syntax.
I did a music history and theory major which involved a lot of essay writing. I've gotten pretty good at it over the past 4 years *checks post for any errors to avoid looking like idiot*

I'm to assume that my own PS and secondaries were strong as I was relatively successful in landing interviews. I'll be at Columbia next year.
 
After getting nearly 100 traditional applicants saying the same thing, can I please be moved to non-traditional only? I can give advice to trads on how to make themselves different, but I can't read another trad personal statement.
 
Hey JJ!

Would love to continue reviewing personal statements! I will read for content, style, flow, structure, and overall feel/effectiveness. Should be able to get back to the writer within 3 days or so.

Thanks! Tommy55
 
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