Personal Statement Help?

[deleted969405]

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I'm having some tough writer's block, and was wondering if any current MD medical students could PM me a copy of their personal statement (or ones that are edited to some degree to allow for an anonymous user to see the pattern/layout).
The ones I found online all seemed to be written to stand out, which obviously has some risk associated with it in that it could stand out positively or negatively. Instead, my main goal with my personal statement is to not stand out negatively (rather than to stand out positively), as I believe the rest of my app (GPA, MCAT, extra-curriculars, LOR) would do the talking for me.

 

[907914]

I'm having some tough writer's block, and was wondering if any current MD medical students could PM me a copy of their personal statement (or ones that are edited to some degree to allow for an anonymous user to see the pattern/layout).
The ones I found online all seemed to be written to stand out, which obviously has some risk associated with it in that it could stand out positively or negatively. Instead, my main goal with my personal statement is to not stand out negatively (rather than to stand out positively), as I believe the rest of my app (GPA, MCAT, extra-curriculars, LOR) would do the talking for me.

I am not a current MD student, but my PS has been edited by about 20 people to fit the bill of “pleasently forgettable.” If you want it for review, let me know.

 

[Zen Arcade]

I am not a current MD student, but my PS has been edited by about 20 people to fit the bill of “pleasently forgettable.” If you want it for review, let me know.

Would you be able to PM it to me as well? Thanks!

 

[907914]

Would you be able to PM it to me as well? Thanks!

Same situation?

 

[theKingLT]

I am not a current MD student, but my PS has been edited by about 20 people to fit the bill of “pleasently forgettable.” If you want it for review, let me know.

If you have not yet applied, I would recommend not sending your PS to random people on the internet. There is absolutely nothing that keeps them from copying entire paragraphs, or even the whole thing, and just changing around some experiences to fit their app. Imagine if you then apply to the same school as that person...

 

[907914]

If you have not yet applied, I would recommend not sending your PS to random people on the internet. There is absolutely nothing that keeps them from copying entire paragraphs, or even the whole thing, and just changing around some experiences to fit their app. Imagine if you then apply to the same school as that person...

Point taken. Granted, probably 30 people on here have seen my PS when looking for PS reviewers....

 

[907914]

If you have not yet applied, I would recommend not sending your PS to random people on the internet. There is absolutely nothing that keeps them from copying entire paragraphs, or even the whole thing, and just changing around some experiences to fit their app. Imagine if you then apply to the same school as that person...

What is the likelihood of fraud like this?

 

[theKingLT]

What is the likelihood of fraud like this?

I would hope very low, but the potential consequences are very high. Personally if I were 1.) a dishonest person and 2.) a particularly bad writer, I would 100% go on to SDN to ask for personal statements to plagiarize. Not saying that's what OP is doing, but the chance is always there. Send them an outline or something if you want to help

 

[theKingLT]

Point taken. Granted, probably 30 people on here have seen my PS when looking for PS reviewers....

You're right which is why PS reviewing is always a tough call. I would just try to limit it to people who have a history with it and/or are proven faculty/MD/students etc.

 

[907914]

I would hope very low, but the potential consequences are very high. Personally if I were 1.) a dishonest person and 2.) a particularly bad writer, I would 100% go on to SDN to ask for personal statements to plagiarize. Not saying that's what OP is doing, but the chance is always therem. Send them an outline or something if you want to help

Thankfully my PS involves military, autopsy and mental health volunteering throughout so there aren’t too many portions that can be plagiarized.

To OP and other - If you send me what you have I can edit it/provide feedback. Or, if y’all would like, I have a particularly well written/unique paragraph that very clearly demonstrates the ideal structure of “show, don’t tell”