Personal statement: Did anyone actually read yours?

[IlianaSedai]

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I'm trying to give myself a head start on mine. I've looked through the sample ones posted to MedFools. And lots of them look so awful to me!

When you went on your interview trail, did anyone ever mention your personal statement? If so, what aspect did they take note of? Does anyone feel that their personal statement really helped them?

 

[Strap]

Every Program Director read my personal statement. Maybe it's because I took some time off between Med School and residency, but EVERY SINGLE ONE mentioned some very specific things about what I wrote. I intentionally made it vague, as to allow each individual reader to see what they wanted to see. It was a gamble, but I think it worked.

 

[b&ierstiefel]

My personal statement was never mentioned at interviews. Given my background, whatever was written was very predictable.

 

[alhkim]

interestingly, not one of my interviewers talked about my PS, but i received several emails from the PD regarding my PS.

 

[Smurfette]

The PS being read varies by what specialty you are aiming for. Primary care PDs as a generalization will read it and personalize communications to you by referencing it.

Surgical specialties as a generalization will not read it. Many PDs will flat out tell you they do not read personal statements. Most surgical specialty interviewers (in my experience) also do not read them, which was often evident in the interview.

Obviously there are exceptions to this (and I did have a few people on the interview trail who HAD actually read my PS), but if your chosen field is more touchy-feely, assume they will read it and take notes and ask questions about it ad nauseum. If your field is not touchy-feely, assume that they will read it (or just check to see that you actually wrote one) because you never know if your top choice program has a PD or interviewers that actually read them....but don't be disappointed if it was obviously overlooked in the review of your file or is never brought up by anyone.

 

[Winged Scapula]

There are so many reactions to PS, its hard to generalize.

When I was preparing mine, a well-known academic surgeon in the South, practically flung it across the table at me, bellowing, "this is surgery damn it, not an English composition course!".

However, when I interviewed it was mentioned by several and in particular, the PD at Hershey commented on it in detail and how it had intruiged them enough to invite me for an interview (obviously my Step 1 score wasn't causing anyone to clamour for my presence).

So, its hard to say...you should put some effort into, try and find a "hook" which will make it memorable. Easier to say than do, but I wouldn't necessarily blow it off. I read the PS I'm given for the candidates we interview and frankly, cannot help but be less impressed with someone who has come so far they have little interesting to say or simply rehash the old "why I wanna be a doctor (surgeon)" essay from their medical school application.

 

[avgjoe]

in terms of the 'hook' it has got to be way too cliche'd to start with a case or yet another 'moment' when one realized they were meant to be X. So what kinds of hooks or beginnings have you seen that actually work? (of course once you mention them here then it will become a cliche as we all start using versions 🙂 )

 

[PassinGas]

I'm headed into Anesthesia and my personal statement was mentioned to me by several interviewers and PD's in Prelim Med, Transitional, and Anesthesia interviews. You'd be amazed.

As for a hook, I would try to make your personal statement as "personal" as possible, thus the name. Remember, you are trying to stand out (for the right reasons) in the interview process, so you may want to think of some things that make you somewhat unique and include those. Have you traveled to foreign places, invented something, started your own business, been in a car wreck, all of these types of situations would be "hooks." It all depends on how you integrate them into what you are trying to convey about yourself as to whether they will work or not. Each situation mentioned above has the potential to show off you, your growth, your experience, your personality, your dedication/perseverance, your uniqueness, why you chose a particular field, your breadth as a person within and beyond medicine, etc. Having said all that, there will likely be similarities between your personal statement and other people's personal statements who are entering into your field. For example, many people going into anesthesia go into the field for its hands-on nature and the immediate results obtained from one's work. If those reasons for entering the field are in a future anesthesiologist's personal statement they will suggest that the applicant "fits." So, be personal, but show why you fit into your chosen specialty.

As a side note, I hear that tons of people start with a "profound" quote. I read many of my friends' personal statements and, to me, that "hook" got old fast. I guess that others could say the same about my suggestions above as well, but at least the beginnings above would be directly about you. Just get your reader into the personal part about you and what you are trying to convey as quickly as you can.

As someone mentioned above, their personal statement may have gotten them an interview or two. I would keep that in mind and put some effort into your personal statement. You never know just what part of your application may make the difference for you, and the personal statement is one of those things over which YOU have control.

 

[GeneGoddess]

Mine was mentioned at least once at every interview I went to (mostly top Pedi programs). Several asked detailed questions about it.

 

[Winged Scapula]

A cliched statement isn't always necessarily a bad thing, IMHO - as long as its interesting (which is obviously subjective). For example, I don't mind the cliched "I had experience X and it made me want to be a surgeon" but there are some "experiences" which seem more cliched than others": watching your father spend tireless hours with his patients which you resented as a child but grew to respect as an adult; seeing grandma die of some horrible disease and vowing to grow up and figure out how to treat the problem; having a personal health crisis. These aren't necessarily bad experiences to use in your PS but because they are SO cliched, you need to be careful to try and make them somewhat interesting and unique.

Ones I remember from this past year:

- an applicant who had been adopted from a foreign country as a child and the struggles in forging an identity in a small, Caucasian town.

- another who was entering surgery despite the objections of family and SO (who felt it was "too hard" and not family conducive for a female); we talked a long time about being female in surgery

- a candidate who had spent his younger years doing a variety of jobs - everything from construction work and fruit packing to music tutor; he had tried a little of everything and found his experiences working in the OR most uplifting and interesting

So you can see, not all PS, IMHO, need to be about why you chose medicine or your specialty. Frankly, I like the PS to tell me something about the applicant, it doesn't even have to mention medicine for all I care (but this isn't necessarily the conventional view). They are the only way on paper you can tell me about yourself.

The PSs I hated? The one(s) that duplicated their ERAS information: you don't need to tell me where you went to medical school, your board scores, class rank and comments on clinical evaluations. I already know that. Really - a few were just that and no more. One couldn't even fill the page; I got the feeling he couldn't be bothered or just assumed the PS didn't matter. It looked like they spent about 12 minutes on the darn thing. They wasted their opportunity to tell me how they stood out from everyone else with good grades, USMLE scores and LORs. Interestingly, it was often the student with the good numbers that seemed to write these type of PSs. Perhaps they thought that their numbers were enough and they didn't need the added advantage of being creative on a PS. I was turned off before I even met these applicants - it was as if they had to try harder then to impress me.

I think as a resident interviewing applicants its even more important that I get a feel for who you are and what you're like. After all, I'm working more closely with you for the next year or so than the attendings. So the PS is the part of the application I'm most interested in, and its why I chose a program that I believed felt the same.

 

[Furrball2]

It seemed that my interviewers used what I wrote in my PS as starting points for questions and conversation.

 

[ears]

It seemed that my interviewers used what I wrote in my PS as starting points for questions and conversation.

Ha. Right. Prepared interviewers commented on stuff in the PS, and used it to talk about stuff you'd done.

But there were also lots of people flipping through my file (clearly for the first time), saying, "So, tell me about yourself." (Which is what the PS is, only in verbal form.)

But viewing your statement as "Interesting Things about Myself That I'd Enjoy Discussing with Interviewers" is probably a good model.

 

[dry dre]

Info from my PS was brought up in every one of my interviews, by each interviewer (except at one program that has "closed book" interviews). I'd guesstimate that over 80% of the time I spent in an interview chair was spent discussing items from my PS.

I think that if you're applying to a competitive specialty and/or program, it really pays to be interesting on paper. The PS doesn't have to be a work of art, but it should at minimum reflect the image of someone you might like to spend a few years around (after all, they're considering hiring you and will have to do just that).

On a related note. When reviewing sample personal statements, try to note the different styles amongst specialties. For example, the grandma and apple pie stories are probably better suited for family practice than for surgery.

 

[avgjoe]

Was reading on some site that you can write a separate PS for each school? Anyone do that? I didn't realize ERAS allowed that. I can imagine it being very helpful especially for shcools one is especially interested in. Anyone have experience with that?

 

[avgjoe]

On a related note. When reviewing sample personal statements, try to note the different styles amongst specialties. For example, the grandma and apple pie stories are probably better suited for family practice than for surgery.[/QUOTE]

Where can we find good sample personal statements? I've done the google search and come up with some good sites:
http://www.medstudent.ucla.edu/current/fourthyear/?pgID=169
http://home.att.net/~ppmd/cv-ps/cv-ps.htm

Any others that you can recommend?

 

[docB]

Was reading on some site that you can write a separate PS for each school? Anyone do that? I didn't realize ERAS allowed that. I can imagine it being very helpful especially for shcools one is especially interested in. Anyone have experience with that?

I didn't do it but I had friends who did. If you're going to write "I have to go to your residency because my dad went there." you probably don't want that to be your only PS.

As for me personally they definitely read my PS. In fact the prof who wound up being my advisor told me that he hated it but I got in anyway. So I'd say yes it will be read but it's not the most important thing in the world.

One thing I've heard from some PDs and chiefs is that you want your PS to generate some bullet points for the reader. Apparently many PDs divide up the PSs with some other faculty and write bullet points on each one to summarize. Try to pick a few hallmarks of you as a student and future resident to come out of the PS like "I like research." or "I will pay you to accept me." or "I troture small animals." whatever sets you apart.

 

[Dire Straits]

PDs are not fooled by med students trying to come across as "unique". they've been in the game long enough to know that med students applying into their specialty are usually cookie cutter versions of one another when it comes right down to it. they've taken basically the same classes, rotations, exams, and have roughly the same personality as other students applying for that specific specialty. sure there will always be some GENUINE unique ones out there (in a good way), but most of what you read on paper is drama/exagerrations to make a run-of-the-mill med student look "unique". that is why a lot of PDs don't bother reading personal statements. or if they do read them, they don't put too much stock in it and will instead use it as things to talk about in the interview. they know students are just trying hard to make themselves look different from every other med student applying into that specialty when in reality they are more alike than different. same thing with the interview. they are not looking for somebody "unique" per se. more like somebody who correlates with the letters of rec written about them and somebody they wouldn't mind working with for the next few years.

 

[bobbyseal]

I'm trying to give myself a head start on mine. I've looked through the sample ones posted to MedFools. And lots of them look so awful to me!

When you went on your interview trail, did anyone ever mention your personal statement? If so, what aspect did they take note of? Does anyone feel that their personal statement really helped them?

I only had one interviewer mention my personal statement. I was kind of disappointed with that, but then again, I did interview in a surgical subspecialty. I'm not a good writer, and I felt like I did a pretty good job on it. The theme of my PS was about the awesome responsibility which a surgeon takes during each operation and how I'm suited for that. There's a freebee for those SDNers out there.

 

[PassinGas]

PDs are not fooled by med students trying to come across as "unique". they've been in the game long enough to know that med students applying into their specialty are usually cookie cutter versions of one another when it comes right down to it. they've taken basically the same classes, rotations, exams, and have roughly the same personality as other students applying for that specific specialty. sure there will always be some GENUINE unique ones out there (in a good way), but most of what you read on paper is drama/exagerrations to make a run-of-the-mill med student look "unique". that is why a lot of PDs don't bother reading personal statements. or if they do read them, they don't put too much stock in it and will instead use it as things to talk about in the interview. they know students are just trying hard to make themselves look different from every other med student applying into that specialty when in reality they are more alike than different. same thing with the interview. they are not looking for somebody "unique" per se. more like somebody who correlates with the letters of rec written about them and somebody they wouldn't mind working with for the next few years.

I understand your thoughts with regard to personal statements; however, as you pointed out, there are "some GENUINE unique" applicants out there. I, for one (not to float my own boat or anything), was a unique applicant (in a good way)--a fact which was pointed out to me over and over throughout the interview process.

My personal statement played off of the unique aspects of me as an applicant. Some of those unique qualities were also highlighted elsewhere in my application to present an overall picture of me to programs. In fact, I was asked about the same two things mentioned in my personal statement at EVERY interview. So while I agree with you that PD's are likely not being "fooled" by people who write exaggerated/overbloated personal statements, I would still try to write a personal statement that made me look personal/unique to a program. Like you mentioned, some program directors "use it as things to talk about in the interview." I for one loved knowing what my interviewers were going to focus on before walking in the room, and having them focus on those things that made me unique as an applicant was a bonus.

If someone feels like a cookie cutter version of other applicants, they should just to try to find a way to highlight their best qualities/experiences in a somewhat unique way (I completely agree with you that one wouldn't want to exaggerate/fool anyone with a personal statement). To be honest, what other option does one have than to try to highlight themselves in the best possible way?--be boring, don't try to be unique, try to blend in to the pile of other applications? Just something to think about. Although, like I said, I completely understand where you are coming from, and I would not try to fool anyone with a personal statement...as you pointed out, those reading them have "been in the game long enough to know" not to be fooled.

 

[lilycat]

This is such a good thread -- thank you!

Question to those of you who feel like you had "successful" personal statements, ie, they were mentioned in a positive light during interviews, or there were aspects that seemed to generate discussion and questions at a majority of places that you went to -- how much of it was "medically" related? I hope this doesn't come off as too simplistic of a question -- yes, I do realize that this is a PS for residency so it should have some relation to one's chosen profession. However, did you spend most of the time talking about your chosen field and how it related to you, or more time on you as an individual and then tying that to your field. I apologize for not wording this better, but if anyone has some advice, it would be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[avgjoe]

Yes thanks for all the help guys.
Here's a nitty-gritty question:
I'm working on a draft which is currently 1.5 pages long in times new roman 12. I've heard that one needs to get it down to one page. However, my draft fits the number of 'words' I've seen mentioned, which is 750-800. How does this make sense? Even using Times 10 doesn't get it to fit into one page.. Thanks!

 

[Furrball2]

Was reading on some site that you can write a separate PS for each school? Anyone do that? I didn't realize ERAS allowed that. I can imagine it being very helpful especially for shcools one is especially interested in. Anyone have experience with that?

Yes, and I did for programs I was especially interested in. I used the same body in the text and then changed my summary at the end for those programs. I also had a general summary for programs I used as backups. In ERAS you up-load your PS ('s) and then you assign the PS to the programs when you enter them. Don't worry it will all make sense once you use ERAS.

 

[Furrball2]

Yes thanks for all the help guys.
Here's a nitty-gritty question:
I'm working on a draft which is currently 1.5 pages long in times new roman 12. I've heard that one needs to get it down to one page. However, my draft fits the number of 'words' I've seen mentioned, which is 750-800. How does this make sense? Even using Times 10 doesn't get it to fit into one page.. Thanks!

It's all those long edgumedicated words ur usin' 🙂

 

[WilcoWorld]

Your PS & CV will go into ERAS, which has its own format. So fonts wont matter, unless you hand them a hard copy at the interview, which is probably too late to make much of a difference anyway. My roommate bought expensive paper and spent hours pouring over different layouts, then brought copies of his PS & CV to every interview just in case he was asked for another copy, he wasn't.

I know that my advice to not over-think the application process will fall on deaf ears here, but there's a lot less to it than you think. Not that I wasn't guilty of that last year, but in hindsight I feel silly for ruminating on it for so long.

 

[Harrie]

Yes thanks for all the help guys.
Here's a nitty-gritty question:
I'm working on a draft which is currently 1.5 pages long in times new roman 12. I've heard that one needs to get it down to one page. However, my draft fits the number of 'words' I've seen mentioned, which is 750-800. How does this make sense? Even using Times 10 doesn't get it to fit into one page.. Thanks!

You've gotta cut it down to a page. A lot of programs won't read past one page, which is problematic since your last paragraph (which should pull everything together and sell you as an applicant) will be omitted.

 

[dry dre]

Question to those of you who feel like you had "successful" personal statements, ie, they were mentioned in a positive light during interviews, or there were aspects that seemed to generate discussion and questions at a majority of places that you went to...

Every potential PS reader has their own ideal of what a good PS is.

From my perspective, hopefully you have some interesting interests or experiences outside of medicine. If those issues mesh with why you chose your specialty, even better. Talk about your hobby of extracting protamine from the natural source while applying for urology, or how Michael Jackson is your hero and peds is the field for you. I only brought up the specialty in terms of how it matches my interests, which were outlined in the rest of the PS.

Put yourself in the shoes of those who will read your PS, possiblly using the stereotypes of their personalities types, and "write for your audience." Like others have said, some fields may place less emphasis on the PS. In other fields, it may be a tool to seperate all the 240's from one another.

 

[ears]

Remember, it's a personal statement. I suspect that most readers would like the focus to be on you: who you are, what you do, what you care passionately about. If it's not obvious how those interests and values tie to the field you're applying to, then you need to connect the dots a little bit. But I doubt practicing specialists want to read your (necessarily) naive view of what their field is. One advisor told me, "I don't want to read a statement that says 'Radiology is...' I'm a radiologist; I know what radiology is."

 

[Etomidate]

You've gotta cut it down to a page. A lot of programs won't read past one page, which is problematic since your last paragraph (which should pull everything together and sell you as an applicant) will be omitted.

I find it hard to believe that a PD would stop reading after one page. I think he/she would take the extra minute or two to read the extra half page or so.

Maybe he/she would stop reading if the PS is excessively long, like 2+ pages.

 

[carol ann]

I find it hard to believe that a PD would stop reading after one page. I think he/she would take the extra minute or two to read the extra half page or so.

Maybe he/she would stop reading if the PS is excessively long, like 2+ pages.

No, I was explicitly told by 2 PDs that they WILL NOT READ more than one page of a PS. Remember a personal statement is not meant to be your life in review -- just a hook...to give them a sense of who you are and what matters to you. A longer statement IS NOT a better statement. If there is no way to communicate without going on to page 2, fine. But your chances of being read thoughtfully decrease when you move on to page 2.

 

[timtye78]

My PS was born out of frustration about two hours before I was due to meet with my Dean at my school where I was supposed to allow him to read/critique it. I had shown my 'prepared' PS to one of my best friends, and he basically told me it was crap; hence about to go through the roof with stress, I went home and wrote a new one, almost from scratch about 2 hours before it was due. All this to say, I found that I wrote more powerfully under a deadline, and with stronger feeling. Although I hesitate anyone to put off their PS to the last minute, my dean literally told me among the 'thousands' of personal statements he had read, mine was among the best he'd seen. Mine was never brought up at interviews for anesthesiology.

My basic outline was to, in simple terms, 'paint a picture' in these people's minds of what I am ASSIDE of all the numbers, grades, LORs, etc. I told people a bit of about where and how I grew up, how I arrived at the choice of the study of medicine, and the choice of field. I also tried to paint a picture of what type of resident I would be if and when chosen. Do you follow instructions, do you obey and ask questions later, do you 'fit in' as part of the team, are you team player or a maverick? Try to avoid using cliched phrases like team player, and substitute phrases like "Realizes the multitude of health professionals and is able to learn from everyone." etc. This translates as more credible because you understand/feel concepts rather than looked for 'catch phrases' or 'buzzwords' help from some essay coaching book from the local bookstore.

Rather than writing an essay delving in to the 'way it ought to be;' talk about yourself, and use the word "I" a lot. This IS about you, and if someone actually does read this, you are in every sense, selling yourself.

I would recommend attempting to demonstrate some 'zest' for learning, hard work, and acheiving specific goals. Some students rely on their board scores, or medical school title, and mistakenly assume that will be enough. This should give hope for the more average or less than average (grades) graduate who can communicate a more interesting personality.

All this gave more me more confidence during my interviews. I would recommend saving a copy for your review while you are on interviews, it gives you a nice little boost of identity of who you are and your feelings for the needed reminder when fatigued.

 

[soon2bdoc2003]

I took the time to write a creative, slightly wacky personal statement. Almost every person that interviewed me brought it up and they all liked it. I interviewed at a program in TX that paid for my airfare to come out, when I went to meet the PD he had my application in front of him "loved your personal statement so much just wanted to read it again before I met you". I did a few interviews last year for my program and I looked at 3 things, med school, step 1 score, and personal statement. Hope this answers your question.

 

[Harrie]

I find it hard to believe that a PD would stop reading after one page. I think he/she would take the extra minute or two to read the extra half page or so.

Maybe he/she would stop reading if the PS is excessively long, like 2+ pages.

I think its more than just the few extra minutes. Sure, there are plenty of programs that will read on without a problem. Others will get pissed because you can't follow directions. They may wonder - "Why do you think that you should get a page and a half when the instructions say one page. Do you think you are more important?" This is just what I've been told. No, I haven't done a randomized controlled study, but I cut my 2 page statement into a page. I didn't want to tempt fate. Do you?

 

[blocks]

You'd be surprised, some do/some don't. Generally, I found that the lower on the totem pole (residents, new faculty) the more likely they are to have read it. But I was pleasantly surprised at several program directors commenting on details of the PS. Take home point: don't blow it off. It can make a difference...

 

[Etomidate]

I think its more than just the few extra minutes. Sure, there are plenty of programs that will read on without a problem. Others will get pissed because you can't follow directions. They may wonder - "Why do you think that you should get a page and a half when the instructions say one page. Do you think you are more important?" This is just what I've been told. No, I haven't done a randomized controlled study, but I cut my 2 page statement into a page. I didn't want to tempt fate. Do you?

I looked at the ERAS website concerning personal statements and have not seen anything that mentions a one-page limit. Where does it list this requirement?

And in an effort to shorten my PS, does anyone know if you should leave a blank line in between paragraphs or simply indent? Also, do you indent with the tab key or the space bar? This information could help me shorten it quite a bit.

Thanks.

 

[alhkim]

this may be a speciality-specific question...for IM, my PS was a 1.5 pages, and read by most PDs at programs I applied to (but not by any of my interviewers, as my first post stated). I'm sure in surgery, the PS counts for much less.

No, I was explicitly told by 2 PDs that they WILL NOT READ more than one page of a PS. Remember a personal statement is not meant to be your life in review -- just a hook...to give them a sense of who you are and what matters to you. A longer statement IS NOT a better statement. If there is no way to communicate without going on to page 2, fine. But your chances of being read thoughtfully decrease when you move on to page 2.

 

[Strap]

I wouldn't worry about the PS being too long or short, just as long as it's effective. When the program downloads the PS, it gets printed in very small print with extended margins. One PD showed me my PS during my interview, complimenting me on my ability to convey meaningful information in such a short space. I was shocked because it was literally just a few lines long on the sheet she was looking at, whereas when i loaded it into the system it was a full (double-spaced) page. She said I got the award for shortest PS ever.

This just happened to be the program I ranked first and to which I matched, so one never knows. 🙂

 

[Doczilla]

Our PD here (in EM) says that the PS usually falls into one of 3 categories:
80% are run of the mill, nothing special
10% are exceptional: interesting, fun to read, says a lot about the candidate
10% are psychotic.

I received several comments on my personal statement during every one of my interviews. Agree with previous statements about tailoring it to the particular specialty. It is also important that you have someone who can critique your statement rather brutally.

'zilla