Personal Statement Paranoia

[PA_dud3]

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I've been thinking a lot lately about my reasons for wanting to go to medical school, after I was asked by my Nephrologist friend's partner. I know I want to be a "leader" in the field of medicine and treat patients from the point of view I have seen shadowing physicians. But I can't really articulate everything how I think I should. I want to help people who are seen in a poor situation and otherwise might feel "hopeless" (think dialysis pts) and I like the multifaceted practice style which Nephrology has, where there is a lot of short term/acute stuff but a lot of managing very sick people and giving them some semblance of a normal life (by managing different aspects of their health as a whole, mental and physical if needed) and this sort of care appeals to me because this is an often neglected or "grim" patient population, atleast in the public eye. But then I also want to incorporate all of this into a rural and underserved area due to my background and what I saw growing up. Should I maybe start drafting or listing some reasons of "Why Medicine?" To maybe get a jump on my PS and have time to rework it as needed? If not when should I? Would I sound like an idiot if I wrote something similar to the above?

Thanks, just kinda confused right now! I appreciate any help or guidance, as usual.

 

[Dr panda]

Why medicine and why medical school are 2 different questions, based on your post I think you might be happy to work as a paramedic.
"We always ask – "what are the motives for entering a medical university?"
- "The desire to do good with your own hands."
Fine! But there are a lot of other places where you can help people. And what is behind this answer? Romance, a kind of adaptability - the willingness to write what is expected of you?
-"The desire to alleviate the suffering of people"
So, this is closer. But where did we get the idea of medicine only as a sphere of work with people suffering? It turns out that healthy people do not need a doctor?"
Then there are few "right" answers that I will not disclose
So, why medicine anyway?
I think you should start drafting your PS and may be find more specific reasons why exactly you want to be a doctor, you have good motives and life experience, but honestly, if I was an adcom I would like to see something more besides this.

 

[Moko]

I've been thinking a lot lately about my reasons for wanting to go to medical school, after I was asked by my Nephrologist friend's partner. I know I want to be a "leader" in the field of medicine and treat patients from the point of view I have seen shadowing physicians. But I can't really articulate everything how I think I should. I want to help people who are seen in a poor situation and otherwise might feel "hopeless" (think dialysis pts) and I like the multifaceted practice style which Nephrology has, where there is a lot of short term/acute stuff but a lot of managing very sick people and giving them some semblance of a normal life (by managing different aspects of their health as a whole, mental and physical if needed) and this sort of care appeals to me because this is an often neglected or "grim" patient population, atleast in the public eye. But then I also want to incorporate all of this into a rural and underserved area due to my background and what I saw growing up. Should I maybe start drafting or listing some reasons of "Why Medicine?" To maybe get a jump on my PS and have time to rework it as needed? If not when should I? Would I sound like an idiot if I wrote something similar to the above?

Thanks, just kinda confused right now! I appreciate any help or guidance, as usual.

Never too early to start drafting your personal statement. Every person is different. It took me several iterations to reach something that resembled my finished personal statement. YMMV.

 

[907914]

Never too early to start drafting your personal statement. Every person is different. It took me several iterations to reach something that resembled my finished personal statement. YMMV.

Can concur. Started mine last July, final draft not done until May 28th of this year. Never too early.

 

[Dr panda]

Can concur. Started mine last July, final draft not done until May 28th of this year. Never too early.

Me: *reading this thread and creating new Word file*

 

[PA_dud3]

So, should I just avoud all of what I jotted down above and start with new ideas? How should I proceed with forming more specific reasons?

 

[gyngyn]

Can concur. Started mine last July, final draft not done until May 28th of this year. Never too early.

It seems like only yesterday.

 

[Moko]

So, should I just avoud all of what I jotted down above and start with new ideas? How should I proceed with forming more specific reasons?

The ideas you brought up could make for fine personal statement topics. It's all about how you use your experiences to demonstrate and support your desire to become a physician. I'd recommend just writing a draft, seeing what sticks and what doesn't, and then going from there.

Regardless of the examples and themes used, wanting to help others should be at the core of any successful personal statement.

 

[907914]

The ideas you brought up could make for fine personal statement topics. It's all about how you use your experiences to demonstrate and support your desire to become a physician. I'd recommend just writing a draft, seeing what sticks and what doesn't, and then going from there.

Try approaching it from a different angle. If it is truly your inspiration then spin it in a way that shapes up.
Example time:
Topic: Observing an autopsy

Option 1) This is gnarly, science and human bodies are rad

Option 2) observed the realities of patients with otherwise preventable conditions that inspired you to pursue further action with these populations.

See, same topic with two completely different angles of approach. Try the same with yours first before you scrap it.

 

[PA_dud3]

So, speaking about Nephrology and my desires to help people in a rural setting are not necessarily bad? I was just worried it may come off as naive.

 

[907914]

So, speaking about Nephrology and my desires to help people in a rural setting are not necessarily bad? I was just worried it may come off as naive.

Don’t necessarily come out like “Kidneys are dope! Dialysis sucks! These people need better!”

As far as specialties go, an ADCOM wants to see that you are wanting to be a doctor. Aside from pediatrics and primary care, mentioning specific specialties may come off as naive.

Also, rural setting is a Cush topic.

 

[PA_dud3]

Don’t necessarily come out like “Kidneys are dope! Dialysis sucks! These people need better!”

As far as specialties go, an ADCOM wants to see that you are wanting to be a doctor. Aside from pediatrics and primary care, mentioning specific specialties may come off as naive.

Also, rural setting is a Cush topic.

Cush? Like easy to talk about? Sorry hahaha Im just not sure what you meant.

 

[Moko]

So, speaking about Nephrology and my desires to help people in a rural setting are not necessarily bad? I was just worried it may come off as naive.

Medicine needs more US-trained nephrologists and those interested in practicing in rural settings. In a sea of budding neuro-, cardiac and orthopedic surgeons who secretly want to practice in NYC, it's rather refreshing.

Ultimately, your personal statement needs to reflect your reasons for wanting to pursue medicine. If it's because of your interest in patients with ESRD and in rural medicine, then these should be in your personal statement. To avoid appearing naive and starry-eyed, you back up your words with examples from your experiences (personal, volunteering, shadowing, work-related, research, etc) to demonstrate an appropriate appreciation and understanding of the field of medicine.

 

[907914]

Cush? Like easy to talk about? Sorry hahaha Im just not sure what you meant.

Like, a good topic to talk about.

 

[PA_dud3]

Great! I have some food for thought and will start writing down some notes. About how long should I be looking for? Also is the typical essay structure desired? A single body paragraph or multiple? Intro and conclusion?

 

[907914]

Great! I have some food for thought and will start writing down some notes. About how long should I be looking for? Also is the typical essay structure desired? A single body paragraph or multiple? Intro and conclusion?

Most personal statements turn out right around 5100-5300 characters. However, if you can say all that you need to say in a shorter length then do so. On that note, <3500-4000 characters would seem dangerously small and you might be too vague or not conveying a convincing argument. As far as structure, an intro, body paragraphs, and conclusion is typical and standard, but if you can create a cohesive story/narrative that is better. But no matter what, the part that matters most is that you address why medicine.