personal statement help

[Keza]

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hi guys

Io I've gotten the basic layout of my personal statement, but the thing i'm having most trouble with is prioritizing (?) or structuring the main events that lead up to me deciding on becoming a doctor. I know that this is putting myself out there, but I really need help and I've been struggling with this for a long time now.

I've had two major tragedies in my live where i first lost my father to a heart attack and then two of my older brothers. I know either of them are not less important, but the dilemma is, both of them equally inspired me yet I don't want to sound a like a complete pity show stating right after the other that I've lost my family members in such ways.

Anyways, any ideas??? Need more details on essay?

 

[KING3]

I had a similar situation to you. I got a lot of complements on my personal statement from my interviewers. I suggest start with how all those incidents sparked your interest in medicine and why. Was it your interactions with the docs or what? Then pivot away from that and discuss your shaddowing and health care work experience and how you have learned from all those situations that will help you be a caring and compassionate doctor. Those are my two cents and it worked for me. Good luck.

 

[Keza]

I had a similar situation to you. I got a lot of complements on my personal statement from my interviewers. I suggest start with how all those incidents sparked your interest in medicine and why. Was it your interactions with the docs or what? Then pivot away from that and discuss your shaddowing and health care work experience and how you have learned from all those situations that will help you be a caring and compassionate doctor. Those are my two cents and it worked for me. Good luck.

the structure you just suggested is actually what I have right now. I guess then the trouble is connecting the events.

 

[hmockingbird]

I kind-of agree about focusing on one, it might give you a better story. If you wanted to prioritize in some way maybe think about which you would be more comfortable talking about with a stranger, since you could get questions about your PS in your interviews. The last thing you want is to start crying or something like that on the interviewer! I point this out because that happened to me during one of my undergrad interviews... lol.

If you wanted to include both maybe a compare and contrast approach? Like maybe two different hospitals, or something like you expected one death but not the other, etc. (Just throwing random things out there; I'm sure you can think of one that actually applies to your situation.) That way you can pull little stories from each experience but have a common thread between them and talk about how the similarities and differences influenced your desire to become a doctor.

 

[turkaglew]

Just FYI, somewhere on this forum (maybe closer to AMCAS submitting season) there is a list of PS reviewers... Basically people who are willing to help with your PS. I used this last year, which was my second time applying. I got a LOT of help from people. It was nice to have a set of anonymous eyes review my statement. They really helped much more than those who actually know me. Although my PS was never a masterpiece, I can tell you it definitely improved from the year before and I did get compliments on it at interviews...

Also, I agree with the first poster. Start with the issue of losing family members, then transition to your experiences preparing for medical school, then bring it all together.

 

[Keza]

I kind-of agree about focusing on one, it might give you a better story. If you wanted to prioritize in some way maybe think about which you would be more comfortable talking about with a stranger, since you could get questions about your PS in your interviews. The last thing you want is to start crying or something like that on the interviewer! I point this out because that happened to me during one of my undergrad interviews... lol.

If you wanted to include both maybe a compare and contrast approach? Like maybe two different hospitals, or something like you expected one death but not the other, etc. (Just throwing random things out there; I'm sure you can think of one that actually applies to your situation.) That way you can pull little stories from each experience but have a common thread between them and talk about how the similarities and differences influenced your desire to become a doctor.

yea i agree, i don't want to end up crying lol. I kinda like the comparison idea, yet I'm trying to stay away from doing that as both incidents kind of pushed me towards my decision.

hmm, thank you for your ideas

 

[Keza]

Just FYI, somewhere on this forum (maybe closer to AMCAS submitting season) there is a list of PS reviewers... Basically people who are willing to help with your PS. I used this last year, which was my second time applying. I got a LOT of help from people. It was nice to have a set of anonymous eyes review my statement. They really helped much more than those who actually know me. Although my PS was never a masterpiece, I can tell you it definitely improved from the year before and I did get compliments on it at interviews...

Also, I agree with the first poster. Start with the issue of losing family members, then transition to your experiences preparing for medical school, then bring it all together.

around june/july time?? do you know where I could go to get that help??

 

[Sammich117]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=683792

I'm not sure if any of those people are still willing, but you might be able to try.

There are also links there to some personal statement guides.

 

[Keza]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=683792

I'm not sure if any of those people are still willing, but you might be able to try.

There are also links there to some personal statement guides.

THANK YOUUU!!

now hopefully someone can help me 🙂