Personal Statement

I mentioned why I want to be a doctor and explained several things I consider that were important, such as a W grade and the reason that I did not apply to medical school right after college.



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NSU 2002
([email protected]@-)

 

I concur with Henry (I used it to cover the same things). Also explained a bit about my research exp., and some other low grades.

If you have had some bad things happen to you in life, and they've affected your studies or have given you a reason to go into medicine, use the info to your advantage. Don't get 'emotional' in the essay; approach the issue in a semi-detached manner, and hilite the positives that you learned from the experience. And be brief (unlike this response!)

 

I told a very vivid short story about how I left NYC and went away to college, and how it changed my life, my outlook on life, and the attitude of my poverty minded family.

The story was very unconventional for an application (I used slang and curses), but every interviewer that read it had a positive comment about it. If I get accepted anywhere, I will post it.

 

Mine was also unconventional; but notas well accepted as Sheon's. The responses I received on it were polarized...they either loved it or were unimpressed. I told the story, a VERY true story, of a single night in the pedsICU that changed my life and confirmed my choice to become a Doc. My pre-med advisor felt that due to its emotional content, that many of the, and I quote,"stodgy old farts on the AdComs will interpet it as either being bull****ty or too touchy-feely."

Overall, the DO schools were far more receptive to it, not so much the case at the MD programs.

E-mail me privately and I'll sendyou a copy if you wish.

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Old Man Dave
KCOM, Class of 2003

 

Dave,
I was wondering if i could get a copy of your personal statement. If you don't mind. Email at [email protected]

 

Dave,
I was wondering if i could get a copy of your personal statement. If you don't mind. Email at [email protected]

 

My personal statement, as were the statements or practicaly everyone I knew, focused on why we wanted to go to medical school and become physicians. It's a fairly standard way of using the personal statement spot on the AMCAS/AACOMAS applications, I think.


Tim of New York City.

 

Tim of NYC,

I'm just curious. Where are you (or did you go) to med school? From reading your posts, I think my situation is similar to how yours was: I'm applying to both MD and DO schools in and around NY. In my interviews I've really been impressed with the DO schools and I feel I click with them better than MD schools in terms of students and curricula. However, the MD schools I've seen are also really nice. I was just wondering how you decided to go where you did? Thanks.

-RDO

 

I used my "Personal Statement" to construct an image of myself that was solid, independent, dynamic, and diligent (when describing the lack of blemishes in my transcript). I thought explaining why I would be a good physician was more appropriate than writing why I want to be a physician. I chose not to focus on singular events that somehow molded a desire to practice medicine. I honestly can't see how using derogatory language (which I view as a cheap way to prompt a response) on a document that many would regard to be a professional and important attempt at presenting oneself would be effective. I'm convinced that a better approach would be to contribute in this section any outstanding work experience that you thought was meaningful to pursue or continue to use examples present in your past that would shape you to be an honest, punctual, responsible candidate. Remember... Admissions Committees aren't selecting applicants that they believe would make the best physicians, but rather, they select applicants that would likely succeed in Medical School. It is the job of the faculty and staff of each particular Medical School (as well as personal conviction) that should confer the skills necessary to graduate as a proper, qualified physician.

[This message has been edited by Vegeta (edited 11-01-1999).]

 

I had applied once already before I came across "Essays that Will Get You Into Medical School", which was a huge blessing. The first time I applied, I wrote probably what thousands of others wrote, about why I wanted to go to medical school and all my good qualities. That book really helped be rethink and reconfigure my whole approach to the personal statement. It also has interview tips and suggestions. I checked it out from the library and copied the pages I needed, but I would suggest buying it if you've got the money (I don't think it's very expensive and there's a link for it on the SDN homepage). Apparently my changes worked because I start med school in a month! Good luck!

 

Wow! Look at how many posts Old Man Dave had back in '99. ONLY 44!!

Turtleboard had a measly 1400.

sorry, but I'm slow in the ER tonight.

later

 

i wrote about fishing...it's a long story...in a nutshell, i told a story that tooted the old horn ever so slightly, explained why i wanna be a doc, and gave a few notes about my experiences/how i've tested my interest in the field while still incorporating my fave thing to do...fish

 

Fishing done scientifically?--weather--good, bad--fish behavior in realtion to, how to catch under them? Now THAT is one I have never heard of being used. Cool.

 

I told a story about snowboarding for about 1/4 of it, and then talked briefly about academics, work ethic, blablabla; then one leadership role I had; then one volunteering thing I did; then went back to snowboarding to tie it together and segued into the last paragraph talking about my motivation. My premed advisor thought it was acceptable, and I would concur.