Personal Statement vs Secondary Essay Content

[01923847]

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I had a question in regards to the content of the personal statement vs secondaries. I've read here that we shouldn't repeat information. I'm a little curious about what that means. Can we not repeat anything at all that was in the PS? Or is it ok to expand on something mentioned in the PS?

I'll be a bit more specific about my situation. I'm a non traditional applicant who has had a career in global health. In my statement, I briefly mention my international childhood as a factor that initially attracted me to this career. I'm most concerned about the diversity essays. Since I mention it briefly and don't get into the details about what skills/perspective it gave me, I was planning on expanding on it in the diversity essay. Would that be ok to do?

Similarly, I only briefly touch on how my previous career gave me skills relevant to medicine. I could also expand on this in the diversity essay, but had the same worry. Would it be ok to use this as a topic since I mention it in the personal statement?

Thanks in advance everyone!

 

[DrHart]

My understanding is that copy/paste for this stuff is a no-no. However, elaborating on the same experience or event in different words is okay. I've always been perplexed by the sentiment that you shouldn't repeat yourself or talk about things you've already mentioned.

(Like lol, why do some secondaries ask you to list courses and grades you already have on your primary, or talk about your most meaningful experience when I give you three good ones right here... talk about repeating)

 

[Dr.Kat]

Since I mention it briefly and don't get into the details about what skills/perspective it gave me, I was planning on expanding on it in the diversity essay. Would that be ok to do?

Yes, you can do this. I did it and just expanded and gave wayyyy more details in the secondaries.

 

[Josmio]

Question!

In my personal statement, I briefly mention my friend was diagnosed with cancer, etc. and that he passed away. This is NOT at all the main focal point of my whole personal statement story.

Would it be appropriate to expand on this in my secondaries for the adversity essays?

 

[Dr.Kat]

Question!

In my personal statement, I briefly mention my friend was diagnosed with cancer, etc. and that he passed away. This is NOT at all the main focal point of my whole personal statement story.

Would it be appropriate to expand on this in my secondaries for the adversity essays?

I'd say so, I'm sure that's had a huge impact on your life so you should talk about it when the occasion calls for it.