Personal Statement Help

[helpmeout382100]

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I am starting to write my personal statement which and im having trouble with what I should include. My gpa is low at 3.0 and after graduating this semester it should be 3.1. I know that grad schools are looking for hardships in your personal statement and I dont have any. I haven't had an personal hardships. I messed up in school because I didn't really know what I was doing, I always knew I wanted to do optometry and didn't do well in science classes because I didn't dedicate myself. I am very passionate about this profession however. I just need advice about how to go about this personal statement. To include that I got bad grades cause I didn't dedicate myself? But I can now? Or is that a bad approach. Any advice will be helpful. Thank you!!!

 

[monica__t_]

I wouldn’t take that approach - and they’re not always looking for a harship story. Focus on the strongest point here, which is your passion for the profession. Talk about what got you interested in optometry and what quailities you have that would make you stand out as a doctor. Also maybe include something about how what you see on paper doesn’t paint the whole picture about a person (without using cliches) or maybe how you improved or learned from mistakes you made in undergrad, but don’t center the essay around something negative

 

[LUC78]

I wouldn't mention my gpa or grades at all. Some schools have supplementals/interview questions that will ask you to explain that later.
I wouldn't say grad schools are specifically looking for hardships in your personal statement. I'd just focus on truly telling your story and why optometry is your calling.

 

[helpmeout382100]

Thank you guys for such positive reinforcement !

 

[Vokounfan]

I like to think of personal statements as story time. This is a time to let the adcom know what makes you different than the statement they just read before yours. Answer questions such as who, what, when, where, why, etc. There will ALWAYS be other places to explain certain aspects of your application that appear weak. For now, tell me the juicy details that made your eyebrows raise. If I can feel your passion, you're doing it right. I'll be more than happy to read over your final draft.

 

[pineapple1]

My GPA is about the same as yours, and I got into all the schools I applied to. I structured my personal statement by introducing how I became interested in optometry, my experience in the field (working as a tech, shadowing, etc.), how my experiences have benefitted me (patient interaction, understanding general eye knowledge), my personal skills/qualities not science-related and how they would make me a good optometrist, and my future goals in optometry. I agree with the people above, no need to explain your grades, and expressing your passion is key.

 

[choc_ginger]

HI, I know this is off-topic but I am applying to PA school and I was wondering if anyone could help me edit my personal statement.

 

[Vokounfan]

HI, I know this is off-topic but I am applying to PA school and I was wondering if anyone could help me edit my personal statement.

I'd be happy to

 

[BKnida]

Fiverr is a pretty good resource to get help from professionals.

There are even a couple of neurosurgeons who are willing to read over personal statements: