Personal statement proofreaders - 2009/2010 admissions cycle

[medicalCPA]

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Members do not see this ad.

This thread is meant to list those SDN members who have kindly volunteered to read other members' personal statements for the 2009-2010 cycle. Utterdevotion had one thread last year, and it was so good that I essentially retained what s/he wrote :

To those interested in having your Personal Statement proofread - Please note the following:

- Use caution when deciding to whom you should send your PS - on an anonymous forum, information can easily be plagiarized.
- Utilize the following list for those willing to proofread personal statements. We can at least tell that they are pharmacy students/accepted pharmacy students/pharmacists based on their posting history.
*DISCLAIMER*: But while we can look at post history to see how well a given user behaves themselves on the forums, there really is no guarantee that any user is not a shady character. Bear this in mind when considering sending your PS to a user for proofreading.
- If you have any comments, or would like to volunteer as a PS proofreader, please PM me (medicalCPA).

Proofreaders:
1. Storm90 (accepted to University of Colorado)
2. tootoo30 (accepted to Xavier)
3. laketica (accepted to UCSF)
4. patmcd (student @ U. of Colorado)

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Guidelines:
1. PLEASE DO NOT POST YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS.
2. This is NOT a place to ask for someone to send you a PS, or write your PS for you. We are here to help with suggestions, and proofreading.
3. If you want to help others with personal statements, please post a message here indicating your interest.
4. If you want help with your personal statement, PM someone on the list.
5. Please don't post your personal statement in this thread.
6. FOR OUR VOLUNTEERS: Please understand that you are giving your time free of charge. You should not expect to be paid for proofreading, and please do not attempt to solicit SDN members for monetary compensation for proofreading their personal statements. If you would like to proofread for a fee, please use the "Classifieds" section.

Happy writing!!

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A useful guides to writing a PS can be found here:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=375844

 

[medicalCPA]

On another note,

Please behave courteously to one another, and this extends to our volunteer proofreaders as well as those who would like their personal statements proofread. When a member sends you his/her PS, please send them a message acknowledging that you did indeed receive the PS, and saying when you expect to provide your feedback. It's a good thing to do, and it keeps members from feeling like they're "in limbo."

Also keep in mind that the adage "too many cooks spoil the broth" applies to personal statements as well. While it is good to have multiple people look over your PS, it IS possible to have a surfeit of opinions. It would not make any sense to send your PS to every single person on the list just to "have as many eyes on it as possible." Moreover, you would be keeping them from helping another member. While we cannot enforce it, we would certainly appreciate it if - instead of having your PS read by all seven (or whatever number it may be) volunteers - you limited yourself to a MAXIMUM of three or four.

Finally, if you would like your PS proofread, please remember what Mom said and ASK the volunteer to proofread your PS. S/he is willingly giving up free time to do this, and believe me, little things like a simple "please could you review my PS?" go a loooooong way.

And remember, volunteers, if you have any rules/guidelines/pet peeves, list them here so that others know what to expect when they send you their PS.

 

[kirang]

Okay, so I'm ready to write my personal statement however, I'm really nervous because I need readers to proof it. So, I've asked a few people to read my statement and one of them happened to be Admissions (remember him) well, I wanted to get a feedback on what I should do because I really want to be competitive and have a kick ass statement but I'm nervous to give it out to just anyone. Do we have any readers on this forum? I understand Admissions has read a few of SDN'ers statements any feedback on him? Help!

 

[HolyLights]

Last year I asked 3 readers on the forum to look over my essay. They were all really helpful and thanks again guys 😀 . They are all Pharmacy students who on their free time would love to help pre-pharm students. I'm not sure if they are still free this year to help you look over your personal statements, but it wouldn't hurt to sent them a message and ask. If they are free, i'm sure they would help.

StringTheorist

Utterdevotion

TrojanRx

 

[kirang]

Last year I asked 3 readers on the forum to look over my essay. They were all really helpful and thanks again guys 😀 . They are all Pharmacy students who on their free time would love to help pre-pharm students. I'm not sure if they are still free this year to help you look over your personal statements, but it wouldn't hurt to sent them a message and ask. If they are free, i'm sure they would help.

StringTheorist

Utterdevotion

TrojanRx

Thanks!! I'll def. hit them up!!! 👍

 

[AKN16]

Hey,

if you would like someone to read your statement, I'd love to help you out!

let me know..

 

[rycetrix]

Please look at previous thread for references:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=534303

You should be careful of who you give out your personal statement to as it can be used against you if it is out in the open.

 

[kirang]

Please look at previous thread for references:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=534303

You should be careful of who you give out your personal statement to as it can be used against you if it is out in the open.

I'm sorry if this sounds ignorant but how could it be used against me? I'm very nervous about who I give my statement out to thats why I wanted to get feedback from people on this site.

 

[pavouaxiong]

I had Admissions review my personal statement. PM me if you want his email.

I sent emailed my PS to him last night and he got back to me just now. That is a really quick feed back if you ask me. I am grateful to have another pair of eyes overlooking my PS.

By the way, I frequently check forums on pre-pharmacy at SDN and also read on the side. For me, the more information I get about pharmacy school application, the better I become.

🙂

 

[rycetrix]

I'm sorry if this sounds ignorant but how could it be used against me? I'm very nervous about who I give my statement out to thats why I wanted to get feedback from people on this site.

Plagiarism.

 

[kirang]

Plagiarism.

You're right and thats what I'm afraid of. I'm nervous that someone may take my PS and pass it along. Thanks for your advice!

 

[trailrider400]

Yeah make sure you only let people who are accepted or pharm students look at your essay. Someone could end up taking your ideas and using them. If you still need more people to look at it I'd give it a glance.

 

[Passion4Sci]

Yeah make sure you only let people who are accepted or pharm students look at your essay. Someone could end up taking your ideas and using them. If you still need more people to look at it I'd give it a glance.

Even Pharmacy students can't be trusted.

They'll do anything to help defray the debt associated with their schooling - I can see it now, Liquidice hawking personal statements on CL or eBay.

 

[kirang]

Oh my god! If I wasnt already freaking out.. I just wish I was able to find readers that have already gone through the process that aren't shaddy! Were are all you good people at?!

 

[trailrider400]

Even Pharmacy students can't be trusted.

They'll do anything to help defray the debt associated with their schooling - I can see it now, Liquidice hawking personal statements on CL or eBay.

lol yeah hes on an ad com. He gave me the BOGO deal. haha

 

[sungieality]

You could talk to people who go to the schools that you're applying to, or if you don't know anyone, if you ask around I'm sure somebody has a friend who goes to the school of your interest (I asked my sister and she knew a friend of a friend that agreed to help). I also asked around this forum and a really great member, leetodai, helped me out quite a bit and gave some wonderful advice (Thanks again!).

 

[Farmercyst]

The past 2 years (at least) we've had volunteer threads dedicated to this. We just need someone to maintain them, as over the summer people are less busy and more able to read statements, but as we head into fall and back into classes fewer people are available. Normally it's a mod since we can do somethings that regular users can't (remove posts of trolls, etc.) We generally like to limit those who are "approved" readers to accepted pharm students and current pharm students for the reasons listed above, as well as trying to get one's who have a decent sense of tact and/or decorum.

 

[aboveliquidice]

Even Pharmacy students can't be trusted.

They'll do anything to help defray the debt associated with their schooling - I can see it now, Liquidice hawking personal statements on CL or eBay.

Yeah... That guy is shady...

On a serious note: The pharmacy community is small - and you would be surprised what a stressful situation like applying for professional school can do to a person's sense of right and wrong. Do not send your PS to a prepharmacy student - it is a bad idea. Even the best of people are likely to use yours as an aid to critique their own (a bonus you are not likely to have reciprocated). As Farmer stated - utilize the sticky in the prepharmacy forum.

 

[Farmercyst]

Yeah... That guy is shady...

On a serious note: The pharmacy community is small - and you would be surprised what a stressful situation like applying for professional school can do to a person's sense of right and wrong. Do not send your PS to a prepharmacy student - it is a bad idea. Even the best of people are likely to use yours as an aid to critique their own (a bonus you are not likely to have reciprocated). As Farmer stated - utilize the sticky in the prepharmacy forum.

It was unstickied because it was a year old and all from last year's appicants. I could resticky it, but I think it would be better off starting fresh.

 

[aboveliquidice]

It was unstickied because it was a year old and all from last year's appicants. I could resticky it, but I think it would be better off starting fresh.

The shame I agree that the volunteers need to be updated - It is very difficult to keep up with the reading...

Edit: The sticky lives again...

 

[thephoenician88]

i was on that thread from last time, i don't mind reading them now, i'm on summer break. I'm also accepted, so i won't send it in as my own 😛.

 

[mildlyneurotic]

This one seemed quite poor to me:
http://www.studential.com/bio/getps.asp?ps=378

What do you think?

 

[tommyVoltage]

This one seemed quite poor to me:
http://www.studential.com/bio/getps.asp?ps=378

What do you think?

I read that yesterday. I think it's terrible. There are a handful of decent personal statements on that site, but it's rare.

 

[inquirer89]

I am willing to read over your personal statement. PM me.

 

[tommyVoltage]

***********************************

Admissions got back to me within a few hours. You don't have to worry about him stealing it... I think ha.

 

[TheMatrix92683]

Hi everyone,

How do I contact Admissions? Thank you.

Good luck to everyone!

 

[Storm90]

I am still available to read PS if need be. Lots of free time for the next 2 months at least 🙂

 

[TheMatrix92683]

I am still available to read PS if need be. Lots of free time for the next 2 months at least 🙂

Hi Storm90,

Would you be kind enough to read my rough draft personal statement?
I would greatly appreciate any suggestions and corrections you have for me.

So, what school are you going to this Fall?

 

[Farmercyst]

Stickied🙂

 

[OChemist]

woah, this became stickied.
I had mines checked by him.

 

[kirang]

Wahoo...my first Sticky! 😀

 

[Techgirl9240]

Just a general question: when it says short term goals do they mean your plans right after you complete the pharmd?

 

[avuong]

Yeah make sure you only let people who are accepted or pharm students look at your essay. Someone could end up taking your ideas and using them. If you still need more people to look at it I'd give it a glance.

• "I like chemistry" or
• "i like helping people", or
• My second cousin's great aunt, twice removed, died of cancer when i was 2 years old, and suddenly I've become inspired to pursue a health profession.

Really, how many more new ideas out there can there be?

regarding short-term goals and long-term goals, its up to you how to interpret. You can talk about what you want to do right after pharmacy school and what you ultimately want 10, 20 years after--for example becoming an independent, pursuing a specialty, or pursuing real estate, whatever you want.

 

[tootoo30]

I don't mind proofreading personal statements. I can only do it up until the first day of class and to be fair if anyone wants to view my personal statement to see how I write its cool.

HTH

 

[psi1989]

I don't mind proofreading personal statements. I can only do it up until the first day of class and to be fair if anyone wants to view my personal statement to see how I write its cool.

HTH

I don't know if thats a good idea since someone might just copy yours and turn it in as their own 🙄

 

[tootoo30]

I don't know if thats a good idea since someone might just copy yours and turn it in as their own 🙄

I don't care I've already been accepted, but just don't apply to Xavier LOL
Anyway it will only work for someone with teen pregnancy, army veteran, alot of withdrawls, alot of F's and finally made it with a BS and MS ROFL

 

[AKN16]

This one seemed quite poor to me:
http://www.studential.com/bio/getps.asp?ps=378

What do you think?

I wonder if that person got into any pharmacy schools... If so, I will tell my sister to swim across the pond to the U.K. where the pharmacy schools are insanely easy to get into..

 

[medicalCPA]

I wonder if that person got into any pharmacy schools... If so, I will tell my sister to swim across the pond to the U.K. where the pharmacy schools are insanely easy to get into..

He did. If you scroll down further, you will see that he got accepted to 5 of the 6 universities to which he applied. Regarding the quality of the statement, you have to bear in mind that this is the UK, and he's probably applying straight out of high school. He hasn't done any college prerequisites and probably does not have any experience from which he could draw as he wrote it.

 

[aboveliquidice]

• "I like chemistry" or
• "i like helping people", or
• My second cousin's great aunt died of cancer when i was 2 years old

Really, how many more new ideas out there can there be?

regarding short-term goals and long-term goals, its up to you how to interpret. You can talk about what you want to do right after pharmacy school and what you ultimately want 10, 20 years after--for example becoming an independent, pursuing a specialty, or pursuing real estate, whatever you want.

We run them through an online system that checks for plagiarism... If it isn't original - don't submit it.

 

[thephoenician88]

hey guys, i'm going out of the country for a month, so for that month i will probably get very little done. Expect a couple week turn around because i'm stuck with dialup and pay-by-minute internet heh. Yikes i know. Byyeee.

 

[fujitsux]

Are there any active proofreaders besides Storm90? I want my personal statement to be checked 😀 Thanks in advance

 

[rycetrix]

Please check the list at the top for active proofreaders.

 

[medicalCPA]

Thank you, Utterdevotion!

 

[ufdlim]

I can vouch for Utterdevotion. He proofread for me in the previous application cycle. A great help. Thanks!

 

[takethecannoli3]

Would anyone be willing to proof my personal statement?

 

[medicalCPA]

Would anyone be willing to proof my personal statement?

Seriously? Read the first post and follow the instructions, especially "Guideline" #4!

 

[takethecannoli3]

Seriously? Read the first post and follow the instructions, especially "Guideline" #4!

wow, excuuuse me! that my first post EVER in this forum...you could be a bit nicer.

 

[rycetrix]

Seriously? Read the first post and follow the instructions, especially "Guideline" #4!

medicalcpa, you should lock the thread so that people are forced to read your first post. 🙄

 

[takethecannoli3]

I am still learning to navigate my way around in here, so I'm sorry if i committed a mortal sin by posting in the wrong place. No need to chastise someone for making a mistake lol. geez.

 

[avuong]

Dont worry, You only committed a venial sin.
You can opt for a good bout of Confession or just a quick 20 minute stint in purgatory and everything will be okay.

I am still learning to navigate my way around in here, so I'm sorry if i committed a mortal sin by posting in the wrong place. geez.