Personal Statement - Fitting major things in

[ta8901]

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Hi everyone,

Apologies if this has been asked before, as it probably has been.

Currently, I am in the process of writing, rewriting, and revising my personal statement. I have included in it my passion for serving underprivileged communities and cite my work abroad (2 countries) and in inner cities in the USA.

However, another major thing that I have been involved with has been research. I spend about 20 hrs/week working in the lab for the last 2.5 years and it is definitely a big part of my application. I am getting a (strong) LOR from my PI, am conducting 2 independent projects, and am writing a manuscript for publication.

My major issue is that I am having a tough time incorporating research in the general theme of my essay. Is it acceptable if I do not include research in my PS, and then mark it as 'significant' in my work/activities page? Alternatively, should I just suck it up and try to figure out a way to put research into my main PS?

I *am* applying to research heavy schools, so I do not want it to count against me.

appreciate all advice!

 

[Lamel]

You obviously can't put everything in your PS. So make sure it answers the question "Why medicine?" and outlines your journey toward the career, which is really the main goal of the PS.

Research is important to me as well, but I could only mention it for a few lines in my PS; my plan is to expand more upon my research as a meaningful activity.

 

[singads]

I also initially had thought about talking about my research in my PS. But after much consideration, I put it in as one of my most significant activities. Research was definitely one of the highlights of my college career but still it did not fit in with the theme of my PS. So if you can work it in or fits in with your essay, then go ahead and put it.

 

[ta8901]

Yes, I think I am going to select 2 things to talk about in my PS and really talk about them, while selecting 3 *DIFFERENT* activities to talk about in my 'meaningful activities' section. But IDK! Most PS's i've read cover a little bit of everything

 

[infinitessimal]

Yes, I think I am going to select 2 things to talk about in my PS and really talk about them, while selecting 3 *DIFFERENT* activities to talk about in my 'meaningful activities' section. But IDK! Most PS's i've read cover a little bit of everything

This is obviously just my opinion, but I think it's better not to cover everything. You have allocated space to describe each EC and what you learned from it, so why would you waste time repeating all this in the PS? It's like if you were writing a cover letter, would you try to include a little bit of everything from your resume? Probably not...

 

[Heplayer92]

I've been told that most PSs "fall into the trap" of becoming a listing of ECs. Since research is listed in another part of your application (2025 characters under works/activities if you designate it as most meaningful), why use up space in your PS for it? Not like it makes it "unimportant to you" if you do not talk about it in your PS. Good luck!