Personal Statement

[increasedmonoamines]

I'm very new to the student doctor forum! Can anyone provide me any guidance on restrictions for a personal statement for post-bacc/SMP/MS?

For example, I'm aware of what can be too personal in personal statement essays ie. mental illnesses. Is there any other restrictions you would advise?

Also, if a school indicates that the personal statement is 500 words, should I remain in the 500-word capacity, or can I go over this? I've seen a few personal statement examples using 800-900 word counts.

Please answer kindly! Thank you.

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[gyngyn]

Stay within the recommendations.

 

[Inspired Chaos]

I personally wouldn't talk about sexual assault, as I have seen come up. In fact, I wouldn't talk about being the victim of any crime.

 

[increasedmonoamines]

Stay within the recommendations.

Thank you! I was hoping to hear I could go beyond the 500 word count as there is so much to say.

 

[increasedmonoamines]

I personally wouldn't talk about sexual assault, as I have seen come up. In fact, I wouldn't talk about being the victim of any crime.

Great example! Thank you so much.

 

[Goro]

I'm very new to the student doctor forum! Can anyone provide me any guidance on restrictions for a personal statement for post-bacc/SMP/MS?

For example, I'm aware of what can be too personal in personal statement essays ie. mental illnesses. Is there any other restrictions you would advise?

Also, if a school indicates that the personal statement is 500 words, should I remain in the 500-word capacity, or can I go over this? I've seen a few personal statement examples using 800-900 word counts.

Please answer kindly! Thank you.

Mention you goals and why that program, and what specifically you are looking for in from that program.

 

[increasedmonoamines]

Mention you goals and why that program, and what specifically you are looking for in from that program.

Thank you for the advice! What is your opinion on expanding beyond 500 word limit?

 

[Goro]

Thank you for the advice! What is your opinion on expanding beyond 500 word limit?

I can't sugar coat this: I'd say that you had trouble following very simple instructions, or were a special snowflake who thought that the rules didn't apply to themselves.

Really, what part of "500 word limit" don't you understand?

 

[increasedmonoamines]

I can't sugar coat this: I'd say that you had trouble following very simple instructions, or were a special snowflake who thought that the rules didn't apply to themselves.

Really, what part of "500 word limit" don't you understand?

No need to be rude. As I mentioned before, I've seen other examples that have gone over 800-900 words. Have a good day.

 

[TelemarketingEnigma]

No need to be rude. As I mentioned before, I've seen other examples that have gone over 800-900 words. Have a good day.

were these other examples responding to the same prompt? 800-900 words is WAY over a 500 word limit, and a very bad idea. A few words over (like, 5)? Not gonna hurt you, unless the application format has a strict text-entry cut off.

 

[Goro]

No need to be rude. As I mentioned before, I've seen other examples that have gone over 800-900 words. Have a good day.

Just because other prompts let you have > 500 words, it doesn't mean that the same applies to a 500 word limit prompt.

 

[increasedmonoamines]

were these other examples responding to the same prompt? 800-900 words is WAY over a 500 word limit, and a very bad idea. A few words over (like, 5)? Not gonna hurt you, unless the application format has a strict text-entry cut off.

Thank you for the clarification. I was really curious since is my first personal statement for graduate programs.