Personal Statement = BORING

[asianbunny]

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So I have this friend who got into University of Florida College of Pharmacy. She had a 2.9 cGPA and she also got a D in her organic chemistry classes. She basically got in because of her KILLER personal statement. Her dad was suffering with lung cancer and unfortunately passed away. She really exaggerated on her father's death in her personal statement, and that's what basically got her into one of the best schools in the nation.
My personal statement will probably be like everyones personal statement: Talking about EC, why pharmacy, blah blah blah. Thank God I didn't have a tragic death, like my friend's, but basically my overall personal statement will be boring. Any advice on how to spice it up and make it somewhat interesting?

Thanks!

 

[xNeenax]

So I have this friend who got into University of Florida College of Pharmacy. She had a 2.9 cGPA and she also got a D in her organic chemistry classes. She basically got in because of her KILLER personal statement. Her dad was suffering with lung cancer and unfortunately passed away. She really exaggerated on her father's death in her personal statement, and that's what basically got her into one of the best schools in the nation.
My personal statement will probably be like everyones personal statement: Talking about EC, why pharmacy, blah blah blah. Thank God I didn't have a tragic death, like my friend's, but basically my overall personal statement will be boring. Any advice on how to spice it up and make it somewhat interesting?

Thanks!

Have you tried Owle?

 

[Indypharm]

I made mine funny. I also spent lots of time focusing on what made me unique. There's something special about you, you just have to find it. And no, nothing tragic happened to me to set me apart. Unless you count getting layed off while on maternity leave.

Have you tried Owle?

 

[owlegrad]

I am going to let you in on a secret. PS' are boring. Seriously. Everyone says the same crap. Just make it as personal as you can and be done with it.

Your friend did not get because if a PS. I would put money on it.

I like Indy's advice.

 

[asianbunny]

I am going to let you in on a secret. PS' are boring. Seriously. Everyone says the same crap. Just make it as personal as you can and be done with it.

Your friend did not get because if a PS. I would put money on it.

I like Indy's advice.

Maybe my friend getting an 80 composite PCAT has a little impact in getting her into pharmacy school. 😛 I would of thought that with a low cGPA, you would almost need to ace the PCAT; apparently not.

 

[JonPrePharmD]

Maybe my friend getting an 80 composite PCAT has a little impact in getting her into pharmacy school. 😛 I would of thought that with a low cGPA, you would almost need to ace the PCAT; apparently not.

Doesn't sound like you think too highly of this 'friend'. She could have just been a "well rounded" candidate...some schools don't focus too much on cGPA, others don't focus too much on PCAT scores. Someone I know personally got in with a 3.8cGPA and a 31 PCAT, and they're doing incredible in pharm school.

I doubt they just felt sorry for her and let her in. She didn't get accepted on accident. A lot of people talk about death of a loved one in their personal statements because that does indeed motivate some to pursue a medical related field.

 

[asianbunny]

Doesn't sound like you think too highly of this 'friend'. She could have just been a "well rounded" candidate...some schools don't focus too much on cGPA, others don't focus too much on PCAT scores. Someone I know personally got in with a 3.8cGPA and a 31 PCAT, and they're doing incredible in pharm school.

I doubt they just felt sorry for her and let her in. She didn't get accepted on accident. A lot of people talk about death of a loved one in their personal statements because that does indeed motivate some to pursue a medical related field.

She's a very smart girl, but the fact that she got into the best school in Florida with that GPA and PCAT score is ridiculous. People I know are struggling to get into that school, even with a 3.8 GPA and 70-ish PCAT. Oh well, we'll see.

 

[kcwang]

I think it is obvious that the admission saw something in her that you didn't. Did she show you her PS or just told you about it? ECs and accomplishments can say a lot about you than a number. I am pretty sure a lot of ppl have relatives and close one that passed away due to illness, which gave them strong determination to pursue this career. Fortunately for you, you have not lost any close one in your family, but you probably have an equally important reason for your motivation. Now the question is, what did each of you accomplish.
There is a difference between participation in EC and making a difference through EC. Your friend might have accomplished something great, which could also explain her poor grade.

I am sure you joined those EC not because they are boring and makes your application looks great, you joined for a good reason. Write about that reason and what you learned through EC.

 

[asianbunny]

I think it is obvious that the admission saw something in her that you didn't. Did she show you her PS or just told you about it? ECs and accomplishments can say a lot about you than a number. I am pretty sure a lot of ppl have relatives and close one that passed away due to illness, which gave them strong determination to pursue this career. Fortunately for you, you have not lost any close one in your family, but you probably have an equally important reason for your motivation. Now the question is, what did each of you accomplish.
There is a difference between participation in EC and making a difference through EC. Your friend might have accomplished something great, which could also explain her poor grade.

I am sure you joined those EC not because they are boring and makes your application looks great, you joined for a good reason. Write about that reason and what you learned through EC.

I agree 100%. You just gave me hope that my PS would be pretty good and interesting now, haha. Thanks! 👍

 

[iBeast]

Don't worry about how your friend got in.

And your avatar... you still aren't playing RS are you?

 

[asianbunny]

Don't worry about how your friend got in.

And your avatar... you still aren't playing RS are you?

HAHA. I'm addicted 😳 It'll lessen once I'm in pharmacy school.

 

[kcwang]

The best advice would be make it as personal as you can (like owlegrad mentioned)

If you are still stuck on the ps, you might want to check out Graduate Admissions Essays: Write Your Way into the Graduate School of Your Choice by Donald Asher. It helped me a lot when I first started on my ps. They also gave you a sample of 50 ps for med school, law school, grad program etc.

 

[ACE Rx]

So I have this friend who got into University of Florida College of Pharmacy. She had a 2.9 cGPA and she also got a D in her organic chemistry classes. She basically got in because of her KILLER personal statement. Her dad was suffering with lung cancer and unfortunately passed away. She really exaggerated on her father's death in her personal statement, and that's what basically got her into one of the best schools in the nation.
My personal statement will probably be like everyones personal statement: Talking about EC, why pharmacy, blah blah blah. Thank God I didn't have a tragic death, like my friend's, but basically my overall personal statement will be boring. Any advice on how to spice it up and make it somewhat interesting?

Thanks!

I would say to just completely ignore what your friend is saying and think about you! A personal statement is just that. Just try your best to paint the best picture you can of yourself on paper. Give a little history about yourself, what attracted you to pharmacy, what you did at that point to improve yourself personally and professionally, and tie it all into why you want to be in pharmacy school. Good luck OP! 🙂

 

[Notecard]

HAHA. I'm addicted 😳 It'll lessen once I'm in pharmacy school.

You should stop playing now lol. I quit when I started college and it was the best decision I think I made in college.

 

[rjosh33]

Someone I know personally got in with a 3.8cGPA and a 31 PCAT, and they're doing incredible in pharm school.

Sorry to be off-topic, but I never understood scores like this. How can someone study hard enough to earn nearly all A's in their pre-reqs, yet do that poorly on a test covering essentially the same material? I would think a 50 would be absolutely bare minimum for someone with a 3.8.

 

[xNeenax]

Sorry to be off-topic, but I never understood scores like this. How can someone study hard enough to earn nearly all A's in their pre-reqs, yet do that poorly on a test covering essentially the same material? I would think a 50 would be absolutely bare minimum for someone with a 3.8.

They take easy professors to get a high gpa (and of course not learn much and lack off on studying for the PCAT) or they couldn't concentrate when taking the PCAT or something bad happened on test day.

Or people who took a lot of retakes can have a gpa of 3.8 because their school has academic forgiveness, so because they took the same class before the second time they take it it's an easy A. I know a narcissist who did this (and took easy professors) to get a high gpa, I know she doesn't deserve it but she successfully beat the system to get what she wants.

 

[david05]

Sorry to be off-topic, but I never understood scores like this. How can someone study hard enough to earn nearly all A's in their pre-reqs, yet do that poorly on a test covering essentially the same material? I would think a 50 would be absolutely bare minimum for someone with a 3.8.

My GPA is above 3.7;however, my PCAT is 52. My Bio, Math, Chem is above 70, but RC is 18, and VA is 26. English is my second language 😀.

 

[rjosh33]

My GPA is above 3.7;however, my PCAT is 52. My Bio, Math, Chem is above 70, but RC is 18, and VA is 26. English is my second language 😀.

This is pretty much exactly what I had in mind when I said 50. Verbal and RC are tough enough when English is your first language; I can't imagine attempting those in a foreign language. Yet someone with a high 3 GPA should have a strong enough foundation in the sciences to offset the other low scores.

I mean, I realize not all GPAs are created equal. I went to a sh*tty community college where getting an A required only a moderate amount of work. But still, a PCAT score around 30 suggests to me serious deficiencies in the sciences -- deficiencies that should've absolutely been addressed while the student was getting mostly A's in their coursework.

 

[kcwang]

IMO, PCAT is more of a exam for test taking skill. A person with mastery on science would not necessary get a decent score on the science section.

In addition, not everyone will put the same amount of effort for studying PCAT.