Personal Statement Theme?

[yokiguz]

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I have done some reading on personal statements and frequent advice I see is to have a consistent theme. I even here this advice in reference to entire applications. What exactly does this mean?

Thanks

 

[deleted1064759]

Are you service-oriented? Do you love research? Did you overcome significant obstacles (could also be addressed in adversity essays)?

LizzyM has said that a clear, not-overly-dramatic, and chronological PS on your path to medicine is always a safe bet.

 

[deleted1032897]

What specifically makes you truly passionate about pursuing medicine? How did you discover this? (Personal Statement) What's the "paper trail" of activities you have to back up this claim? (Work and Activities).

For example, I am passionate especially about health education, and I had a lot of activities pertaining to education, mentorship, etc.

 

[yokiguz]

Are you service-oriented? Do you love research? Did you overcome significant obstacles (could also be addressed in adversity essays)?

LizzyM has said that a clear, not-overly-dramatic, and chronological PS on your path to medicine is always a safe bet.

I do enjoy research a lot and science in general. I've always been the first to help out my peers when they need help with work. Could I run wit this? I've done tutoring, and lots of other experiences to back this up.

Also what does service oriented exactly mean?

Thanks!

 

[yokiguz]

What specifically makes you truly passionate about pursuing medicine? How did you discover this? (Personal Statement) What's the "paper trail" of activities you have to back up this claim? (Work and Activities).

For example, I am passionate especially about health education, and I had a lot of activities pertaining to education, mentorship, etc.

I can answer the 'spark' in my intro paragraph, but what should "bundle" everything together?

 

[deleted1064759]

I do enjoy research a lot and science in general. I've always been the first to help out my peers when they need help with work. Could I run wit this? I've done tutoring, and lots of other experiences to back this up.

Also what does service oriented exactly mean?

Thanks!

The thing about research is that while everyone should have it, the schools you apply to dictate how much you should discuss it.

For example: if you apply to t20s, they'll probably want a research-heavy app ideally with pubs (very uncommon). For lower-tier schools, they'll want more service-oriented applications and could care less about your productivity as long as you demonstrated participation in the scientific method.

IIRC aren't you international with higher stats? I'm not really sure how it would work for you. You could make your PS basic why medicine and then tailor your secondaries if you are applying broadly to all tiers.

 

[GreenDuck12]

Your personal statement should have a clear opening with a strong thesis statement / statement of purpose to guide and orient your reader. Don't worry about "grabbing attention" as most folks ultimately do use a lot of space without really providing useful information. Remember, your goal is to tell your story: why you want to be a doctor, what you want to accomplish as a doctor, why you will make an excellent provider, and the skills you have developed that lend themselves to a successful practitioner. It's not a rehash of your activities section but a statement that clearly connects what you want to do and why.

 

[yokiguz]

The thing about research is that while everyone should have it, the schools you apply to dictate how much you should discuss it.

For example: if you apply to t20s, they'll probably want a research-heavy app ideally with pubs (very uncommon). For lower-tier schools, they'll want more service-oriented applications and could care less about your productivity as long as you demonstrated participation in the scientific method.

IIRC aren't you international with higher stats? I'm not really sure how it would work for you. You could make your PS basic why medicine and then tailor your secondaries if you are applying broadly to all tiers.

Yeah that's the thing that is troubling me. I think I can spin it a couple different ways. And when it comes to research does it need to be clinical? I have 2 pubs and an abstract but I'm not applying to PHD/MDs.

Also follow-up. I see service oreinted thrown around a lot. What exactly does that mean?

 

[deleted1032897]

I would bundle it by backing up the spark through describing how your experiences reinforced and informed your initial interest. This should not just be a rehashing of your work and activities. Identify the common thread between your activities. Research gave me the experience to evaluate health claims myself and understand what goes into publishing quality science. Working with patients in the ER gave me experience identifying a lack of understanding of patient's own health and a realization of how hard it can be for the average person to know what is health fact or fiction. Growing up in a rural area made me understand how easy it can be not to trust health fact that is right under your nose. Mentorship of younger generations gave me experience educating others about what really is true, and thoroughly enjoying being successful at helping people become more self-sufficient in their health and observing firsthand how understanding your own body empowers you. Boom, things not necessarily related on paper are now related through my experience- parts of a sum which got me to who I was when applying. Dig deep!

 

[yokiguz]

Your personal statement should have a clear opening with a strong thesis statement / statement of purpose to guide and orient your reader. Don't worry about "grabbing attention" as most folks ultimately do use a lot of space without really providing useful information. Remember, your goal is to tell your story: why you want to be a doctor, what you want to accomplish as a doctor, why you will make an excellent provider, and the skills you have developed that lend themselves to a successful practitioner. It's not a rehash of your activities section but a statement that clearly connects what you want to do and why.

Thank you for this GreenDuck12!

 

[yokiguz]

I would bundle it by backing up the spark through describing how your experiences reinforced and informed your initial interest. This should not just be a rehashing of your work and activities. Identify the common thread between your activities. Research gave me the experience to evaluate health claims myself and understand what goes into publishing quality science. Working with patients in the ER gave me experience identifying a lack of understanding of patient's own health and a realization of how hard it can be for the average person to know what is health fact or fiction. Growing up in a rural area made me understand how easy it can be not to trust health fact that is right under your nose. Mentorship of younger generations gave me experience educating others about what really is true, and thoroughly enjoying being successful at helping people become more self-sufficient in their health and observing firsthand how understanding your own body empowers you. Boom, things not necessarily related on paper are now related through my experience- parts of a sum which got me to who I was when applying. Dig deep!

This is a great example. Thank you so much!