Personal Statement Dillema

[Jennyollio]

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I've been rewriting and rewriting my personal statement and coming across some problems, so I hope someone can help me! First of all, my original statement seemed very boring and generic. (i.e. Science is interesting because blah blah blah). Someone suggested I try adding a personal story which I thought was a great idea. I finally ended up writing about how I struggled a lot in 11th grade math but through hard work I managed to lift my grades and found that the challenge and overcoming it were much more satisfying than a perfect grade. When I asked my parents to read over it they said that starting out talking about struggling in math sounded negative and I should just leave it out. This makes no sense to me because it's not like the admissions people are going to think I struggle in school all the time being I gave a very high GPA. I figured using this story to show why I love learning was better than just saying it straight out as my parents suggested I do.

My second problem is I originally planned to become a doctor, and in my personal statement I mentioned that I changed my mind after shawdowing a few doctors. I huge part of the reason I decided not to go to med school is the crazy hours and lack of time for things like a family when you are a doctor. Will this sound bad if I say these reasons for changing my mind? I don't want them to think I'm lazy and I also don't have pharmacy experience to say that I found that experience more positive.

Thanks for any help!

 

[binghamkid]

I've been rewriting and rewriting my personal statement and coming across some problems, so I hope someone can help me! First of all, my original statement seemed very boring and generic. (i.e. Science is interesting because blah blah blah). Someone suggested I try adding a personal story which I thought was a great idea. I finally ended up writing about how I struggled a lot in 11th grade math but through hard work I managed to lift my grades and found that the challenge and overcoming it were much more satisfying than a perfect grade. When I asked my parents to read over it they said that starting out talking about struggling in math sounded negative and I should just leave it out. This makes no sense to me because it's not like the admissions people are going to think I struggle in school all the time being I gave a very high GPA. I figured using this story to show why I love learning was better than just saying it straight out as my parents suggested I do.

My second problem is I originally planned to become a doctor, and in my personal statement I mentioned that I changed my mind after shawdowing a few doctors. I huge part of the reason I decided not to go to med school is the crazy hours and lack of time for things like a family when you are a doctor. Will this sound bad if I say these reasons for changing my mind? I don't want them to think I'm lazy and I also don't have pharmacy experience to say that I found that experience more positive.

Thanks for any help!

When you are talking about why you are changing your mind, remember what you are portraying is not only your interest in pharmacy, but your sense of professionalism in general. As you probably are aware (if you've shadowed several physicians), the health professions are becoming more and more integrated and interdisciplinary practices are quite common; it won't do to talk negatively about a profession that you "don't want to do". I would suggest instead talking about any experiences you may have had (they don't necessarily have to be pharmacy oriented), that may have actually driven you to pharmacy. Only you know the reason why you want to now become a pharmacist, so portray that positively.


Also in your personal statement, I would suggest not just talking generically about "science". Talk about the profession; talk about who you are, talk about your vision for your future profession; talk about your activities which make you a mature professional candidate. There's lots to talk about unless all you've done is sit on your butt through undergrad.

Another thing that you might want to consider is using a different example. Professional schools are interested in what you have done in undergrad...11th grade coursework is generally considered more insignificant; the only exception is if you are trying to apply to a 0+6 program straight out of high school.

 

[Farmercyst]

When you are talking about why you are changing your mind, remember what you are portraying is not only your interest in pharmacy, but your sense of professionalism in general. As you probably are aware (if you've shadowed several physicians), the health professions are becoming more and more integrated and interdisciplinary practices are quite common; it won't do to talk negatively about a profession that you "don't want to do". I would suggest instead talking about any experiences you may have had (they don't necessarily have to be pharmacy oriented), that may have actually driven you to pharmacy. Only you know the reason why you want to now become a pharmacist, so portray that positively.


Also in your personal statement, I would suggest not just talking generically about "science". Talk about the profession; talk about who you are, talk about your vision for your future profession; talk about your activities which make you a mature professional candidate. There's lots to talk about unless all you've done is sit on your butt through undergrad.

Another thing that you might want to consider is using a different example. Professional schools are interested in what you have done in undergrad...11th grade coursework is generally considered more insignificant; the only exception is if you are trying to apply to a 0+6 program straight out of high school.

Definitely don't disrepect other health professionals. Decide what it was that shifted your interest from MD/DO to PharmD, not what made you decide not MD, but why PharmD and not PA, nurse, DPH (public health), etc. Pharmacy is not the only healthcare option if you don't want MD. That's what they're more interested in. Why Pharmacy, not why not ____? Why not ____ is the easy question, they want the answer to the hard one.

As bingham said, try to find something more recent than 11th grade if you can. Something in a volunteer/leadership position would be great. If you don't have that, something work related, school related, anything that shows responsibility, integrity, or any attribute you feel should be exhibited by a Pharmacy professional.

 

[Jennyollio]

Just to clarify, by no means did I or do I plan to disrespect doctors. I'm just trying to think of a good way to say that I changed my mind about becoming one when a good deal of my reasoning is that I'm not willing to put in the long hours and sacrifices.

Also, I don't really dwell on the 11th grade thing. It is just kind of an introduction to talking about how I like being challenged and how I think pharmacy will challenge me through both school and througout my career. I also go into things I've done like the research I am doing right now and how the job I have now has given me skills useful to being a pharmacist. Is my brief story still out of place?

 

[timbutt2]

"I finally ended up writing about how I struggled a lot in 11th grade math but through hard work I managed to lift my grades and found that the challenge and overcoming it were much more satisfying than a perfect grade. "

I think this is a great story, but unless you are able to connect it to a career in pharmacy right off the bat--I don't think the beginning is the right place for it.

Was there an "Ah ha!" moment when you realized you wanted to be a pharmacist? These types of moments belong in the 1st paragraph.

 

[no-see-um]

"I finally ended up writing about how I struggled a lot in 11th grade math but through hard work I managed to lift my grades and found that the challenge and overcoming it were much more satisfying than a perfect grade. "

I think this is a great story, but unless you are able to connect it to a career in pharmacy right off the bat--I don't think the beginning is the right place for it.

Was there an "Ah ha!" moment when you realized you wanted to be a pharmacist? These types of moments belong in the 1st paragraph.

Agreed. Put that in the middle somewhere to further the discussion of what you wish to do while in pharmacy school, or wherever you may see a fit (but as previously mentioned, I would also recommend leaving out HS talk).

But to start off a personal statement, write something personal! You could talk about an 'Ah ha' or 'eureka' moment that occurred while you were a pre-med while still being diplomatic enough to not disrespect another health profession and any mentors you may have had along the way (in fact, discuss how much they may have taught you!). It all depends on how genuine that moment was and how well you can portray it through your writing.

My own personal statement, as far as I can remember, followed this formula.

You're on the verge of something good. Folks wouldn't be replying if you weren't. Better to gamble a little by putting yourself out there with an interesting turn in the course of your life, than to write a personal statement that reads like a dictionary entry.

Now as Sean Connery once said: punch the keys!

 

[pulsedriver]

Sorry I didn't read the above posts, TLDR.
I think the most important thing is to write what you are comfortable talking about in your interviews and subjects you can elaborate on.