Personal Statement edit exchange

[umass rower]

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So I was wondering if anyone here on the Peds board would be interested in doing an exchange of personal statements for edits and critiques. I'm working on mine right now, hoping to have a decent draft finished by the end of the day, and I think it would be nice to have like-minded people offering tips on what each thinks would improve the other's essay.

Anyway, I'll be at the computer all day most likely, so either PM me or post here and I'll get back to you.

Also, if anyone is kindly enough to give advice without wanting/requiring me to do the same, that's cool too.

 

[m1234d]

ah, personal statements. I'm glad I never have to write one again...

oh wait... (fellowship, and grants and who knows what else..)


(even though this isn't what you asked for, i just wanted to share general advice)
I would say the most helpful things I learned from last year is that once you have your PS and it's been evaluated etc. I would take it to a completely new person just to make sure it makes sense on first read- since that's how your interviewers will be coming to the PS, and sometimes after many drafts, it's hard to look at it like that, for you or for any input you have from others.

Also, I would stay away from re-hashing your CV in your PS. That's a common thing people do. What I did was talk about a couple personal things that lead me towards wanting to be an intensivist and a pediatrician, and then talked about career goals- at which point I mentioned work from my CV, but did not rehash it.

Good luck and enjoy fourth year!

 

[umass rower]

I think my general setup is decent. I'm starting off with a story that leads into a brief description of my work in Africa for the last three months starting a pediatric malnutrition program. I'm going to tie that work into the question of "Why pediatrics?", and then finish off with plans for this year (I'm an extended student) and beyond. I think that should hit all the points that need to be addressed.

Still not quite done, though. The story and work description were easy, but now I'm at the part where I pretty much have to talk about myself directly, and that's always a challenge for me.