Personal Statement Humor.

[ulalalalaboy]

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I'm writing my PS and want to include a funny story to present my personality. the short funny story does not relate to medicine, just an insight to me as a person. the rest of the PS relate to medicine. Is this a good idea? Has anyone done this before and what was the result? thanks ahead.

 

[Docmike2006]

I'm writing my PS and want to include a funny story to present my personality. the short funny story does not relate to medicine, just an insight to me as a person. the rest of the PS relate to medicine. Is this a good idea? Has anyone done this before and what was the result? thanks ahead.

Yes and no. If you are certain that your humor is actually funny and clean (unfortunately it also must be politically correct), then it may work well and serve as a nice distraction from the usual self-promoting and tear-jerking essays. However, you must show it to many people and make sure your humor is not liable to be objectionable.

Hope this helps.

 

[kevster2001]

I think if it doesnt add to the overall picture it's just distracting. Make sure it flows well with teh rest of the PS

 

[Thundrstorm]

This question has been asked several times recently. Do a search. I used humor in mine, and my ps was received well.

 

[Law2Doc]

I'm writing my PS and want to include a funny story to present my personality. the short funny story does not relate to medicine, just an insight to me as a person. the rest of the PS relate to medicine. Is this a good idea? Has anyone done this before and what was the result? thanks ahead.

Just bear in mind that what you find funny at your age and level of experience may not sound as humorous to adcom members who tend to be 50+ year old clinicians. Additionally, we all know people who think they are funny but aren't. So use funny anecdotes at your own risk, and have your PS read by someone impartial and older just in case.

 

[omgwtfbbq?]

go for a true funny story that shows that you can look at yourself and laugh a bit, or at a situation.... don't go for jokes, or an overly funny ha-ha paragraph, as humor is different from person to person.

I used humor in mine and it was received very well, but I used a short paragraph referring to an event that happened when I was a kid. and I focused on looking at something that seemed very serious at the time from a "boy, i was a little crazed and neurotic back then" point of view. I got a few comments on it from interviewers. Post what you've written if you're comfortable and see what people think of the humor level. (not your whole ps, just this opening)

 

[notdeadyet]

Just bear in mind that what you find funny at your age and level of experience may not sound as humorous to adcom members who tend to be 50+ year old clinicians. Additionally, we all know people who think they are funny but aren't. So use funny anecdotes at your own risk, and have your PS read by someone impartial and older just in case.

Amen, amen, amen. And people who love or even like you much do not count as impartial. It's hard to tell someone you care about that they're just not funny.

 

[Thundrstorm]

go for a true funny story that shows that you can look at yourself and laugh a bit, or at a situation.... don't go for jokes, or an overly funny ha-ha paragraph, as humor is different from person to person.

I used humor in mine and it was received very well, but I used a short paragraph referring to an event that happened when I was a kid. and I focused on looking at something that seemed very serious at the time from a "boy, i was a little crazed and neurotic back then" point of view. I got a few comments on it from interviewers. Post what you've written if you're comfortable and see what people think of the humor level. (not your whole ps, just this opening)

That's similar to what I did.

Fortunately, I'm just as funny as I think I am. 😀

 

[Dr. Pepper]

Just bear in mind that what you find funny at your age and level of experience may not sound as humorous to adcom members who tend to be 50+ year old clinicians. Additionally, we all know people who think they are funny but aren't. So use funny anecdotes at your own risk, and have your PS read by someone impartial and older just in case.

...what you talkin' 'bout, Willis? I mean Law2Doc

BTW, I agree with Law. Use humor through antecdotes if you must...no one-liners and keep it kosher. But use humor at your own risk and only if it represents your actual character.

Best of luck.
-Dr. P.