personal statement for JSGME

[benjiboy]

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i have a question for those that are applying this year or have been through the military match in the past. i am writing my personal statement and am wondering how much i should focus on my reasons for joining the military. the AF only wants 1 double-spaced page and i used that up in my first draft just talking about why i want to do my chosen specialty. do i have to talk military or can i just send in a statement about myself and my goals in medicine?

 

[zeusdoc]

Once you're in the military on scholarship, they don't care why you came in. Don't waste space (1 page double spaced is very short) telling the board why you entered the military unless it's connected with why you should be chosen for the specialty of your choice.

The PS is a chance for you to communicate with the board why you should be chosen for the specialty over the man next to you. Some spots are very competitive, and you have to be able to sell yourself. Good luck.

 

[Zoomer]

Make sure you convey any special circumstance (ie my wife is going to X for residency too) and convey the reason for any weird looking choices (ie I want X as my first choice of residency but if I don't get it, then I want Y as a residency because I really need to train in such and such area because my mother is terminally ill.) When the board sits down, they really do their best within limitation to take every factor you have provided them into consideration. Problem is there are only limited spots in certain specialties and residencies (ie 90 something applicants for 18 Emerg Med Slots). Remember, if you don't tell them, they won't know.

 

[Homunculus]

Make sure you convey any special circumstance (ie my wife is going to X for residency too) and convey the reason for any weird looking choices (ie I want X as my first choice of residency but if I don't get it, then I want Y as a residency because I really need to train in such and such area because my mother is terminally ill.) When the board sits down, they really do their best within limitation to take every factor you have provided them into consideration. Problem is there are only limited spots in certain specialties and residencies (ie 90 something applicants for 18 Emerg Med Slots). Remember, if you don't tell them, they won't know.

good advice.

i sat in on the pre-selection process for our program last year, and there really is a concerted effort between all the PD's to get people where they want to go. And a word to the wise-- the PD's all talk to each other, so try not to get caught telling everyone "you're my number one". the military GME world ain't that big . . .

--your friendly neighborhood didn't even send a photo with his application caveman