personal statement

[khybs]

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Sorry for the lame q, but is it ok to go over the 1 page limit we've all been told? I have a lot of stuff in my personal statement and of course, it's all important but it's two pages long...

 

[COhiker]

Others can likely better answer the question but based on my experience interviewing, I felt lucky if people had made it through my one page PS. Keep it really short and address the three big issues: how you came to rad onc, why rad onc is right for you, and what you're looking for in a program.

 

[jbernar1]

I felt lucky if people had made it through my one page PS.

That's so true. Most of my interviewers had not read my statement at all or read parts of it during the actual interview. Those that had read it had forgotten it by the time we interviewed. If you can get everything in one page, I would recommend that.

 

[Thaiger75]

That's so true. Most of my interviewers had not read my statement at all or read parts of it during the actual interview. Those that had read it had forgotten it by the time we interviewed. If you can get everything in one page, I would recommend that.

Yes, remember that interviewers will have piles of applications and essays to read. Particularly for rad onc, don't get too fancy on your PS. Get to the point and keep it concise.

 

[khybs]

Did most of you address 'what you are looking for in a program'? Not quite sure how to answer that question... can't talk too much about bsci research, I'll turn too many programs off... how do most people tackle that one?

Others can likely better answer the question but based on my experience interviewing, I felt lucky if people had made it through my one page PS. Keep it really short and address the three big issues: how you came to rad onc, why rad onc is right for you, and what you're looking for in a program.

 

[pikachu]

Did most of you address 'what you are looking for in a program'?

Only in the broadest of platitudes like "diverse clinical experience" and "opportunities for learning and professional growth." You should talk very specifically about your own experiences and what makes you stand out as an applicant, but unless you are tailoring your statement to specific programs, I would keep "what you are looking for" very general in tone. You don't want to lock yourself out of any interviews.

 

[COhiker]

I fully agree that you should keep what you're looking for general. You can also "tone" it up or down in different versions of the PS if you get fancy. I put it in there becuase I think it can show that you're a serious and thoughtful candidate who knows what they're looking for (generally).

As with most other things in the PS, I was frequently asked questions pertaining to what I was looking for as if they hadn't read a thing about me. I don't mean to be hard on programs at all - I understand that people are busy and have other (better) things to do with there time. No, I mention this only to encourage those who are currently sweating over the PS to note that it is only *part* of the whole application.

To answer the specific question: I wrote about "commitment to education" and "research resources" in a way that could apply to most places. When asked in person, I usually added "gut feeling" and "fitting in."

Hope this helps