Potentially Problematic Quote in Personal Statement

[TheMaverick]

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So I found a quote that sums fits my personal statement conclusion almost perfectly: “A doctor’s highest calling, his only calling, is to make sick people healthy.” Thing is, the doctor who said that, Samuel Hahnemann, is famous primarily for inventing...homeopathy. I don't attribute the quote in the essay, but I'm worried that someone on an adcom might look it up and think I'm believe very highly diluted aqueous solutions have therapeutic properties (I most certainly do not).

Is my fear valid? If so, does anyone have a similar quote I can replace it with?

 

[PreMedOrDead]

You could cut the quote altogether and look into your own beliefs as well.

I think quotes are the definition of cliche...

 

[thlaxer]

So I found a quote that sums fits my personal statement conclusion almost perfectly: “A doctor’s highest calling, his only calling, is to make sick people healthy.” Thing is, the doctor who said that, Samuel Hahnemann, is famous primarily for inventing...homeopathy. I don't attribute the quote in the essay, but I'm worried that someone on an adcom might look it up and think I'm believe very highly diluted aqueous solutions have therapeutic properties (I most certainly do not).

Is my fear valid? If so, does anyone have a similar quote I can replace it with?

Just my opinion, but I feel that it's better to use your own words rather than a quote from someone else to sum up your motivations. Personally, I'd also omit the "only calling" part.

 

[Richard Dawkins]

are you writing a personal statement for samuel hahnemann or for yourself?

 

[PingPongPro]

I personally feel like quotes are rarely effective in personal statements. They often come off as cliche and impersonal.

I also think its a little risky to state what you believe a doctor's highest calling is because there is a good chance that your reader might not agree with the statement. I know many school's that would disagree with your quote based on their mission statement alone.

 

[Geebeejay]

I also hope your PS isn't formatted to Mr. Essay Man

 

[LizzyM]

I personally feel like quotes are rarely effective in personal statements. They often come off as cliche and impersonal.

I also think its a little risky to state what you believe a doctor's highest calling is because there is a good chance that your reader might not agree with the statement. I know many school's that would disagree with your quote based on their mission statement alone.

^this

What about preventive care? Well baby and well child visits? What about hospice, palliative care and autopsies? What about investigations of emerging infections and other activities at the interface of medicine and public health?

Yeah, it is pretty easy to find fault with that statement.

 

[Charles Darwin]

You could cut the quote altogether and look into your own beliefs as well.

I think quotes are the definition of cliche...

So are definitions.

 

[Richard Dawkins]

So are definitions.

my personal statements starts off: "Webster's defines altruism as 'unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others." do you think that will hurt me?

 

[LizzyM]

my personal statements starts off: "Webster's defines altruism as 'unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others." do you think that will hurt me?

It isn't optimal. It seems to assume that the reader needs a refresher on the definition. It is filler.

 

[Mazdave]

If you're going to use a quotation, make sure you attribute it. Especially if someone knows who said it or figures it out, you definitely don't want them thinking you're trying to take credit for coming up with it.

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

You could cut the quote altogether and look into your own beliefs as well.

I think quotes are the definition of cliche...

Yeah it sounds pretty cliche to me OP.

 

[TheMaverick]

Thanks all for the feedback! I think I'll take your advice and cut the quote. Good thing I decided to use it in the conclusion not introduction or I'd probably have to rewrite the whole essay.

 

[Praefectus]

If you have to rely on quotes, you haven't found enough personal information.

 

[gmcguitar4]

ughh..never use a quote. It looks so stupid/cheesy. You should be able to sum up yourself and your aspirations yourself without some other persons words. Just write clear, concise, and the truth and that is all your PS needs to be. A catchy opener doesn't hurt either.

 

[Richard Dawkins]

ughh..never use a quote. It looks so stupid/cheesy. You should be able to sum up yourself and your aspirations yourself without some other persons words. Just write clear, concise, and the truth and that is all your PS needs to be. A catchy opener doesn't hurt either.

says the person with an abraham lincoln quote in their signature!

 

[music2doc]

So I found a quote that sums fits my personal statement conclusion almost perfectly: "A doctor's highest calling, his only calling, is to make sick people healthy." Thing is, the doctor who said that, Samuel Hahnemann, is famous primarily for inventing...homeopathy. I don't attribute the quote in the essay, but I'm worried that someone on an adcom might look it up and think I'm believe very highly diluted aqueous solutions have therapeutic properties (I most certainly do not).

Is my fear valid? If so, does anyone have a similar quote I can replace it with?

Realize that ANYTHING you say in your PS is fair game for the interview. A close acquaintance of mine who is the Director of Admissions at a med school is quite fond of this fact (esp. in terms of quotes). If you happen to interview at her school (and esp. w/ her or one of her staff), expect to get pummeled on that one. I'd leave out quotes unless you agree with that person overall AND you know a heck of a lot about the person, situation, context of the quote, etc. (and still fully agree w it). The PS is about YOU, not Mr. Hahnemann.

 

[Charles Darwin]

my personal statements starts off: "Webster's defines altruism as 'unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others." do you think that will hurt me?

I'd get rid of that. It makes your PS sound like it was written by an 8th grader.

 

[FattySlug]

Using a quote is all right but pick a better one. That one sounds really cliche. "Only calling?" I don't understand the hate on quotes around here. Some people are immortalized for what they put into words. Shakespeare for example. If somebody's words inspire you then go ahead and use it.

my personal statements starts off: "Webster's defines altruism as 'unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others." do you think that will hurt me?

That's a terrible way to open a PS.

 

[TheMaverick]

Using a quote is all right but pick a better one. That one sounds really cliche. "Only calling?" I don't understand the hate on quotes around here..

I was using the quote (which was the only one I used in the statement) more as a writing tool than anything else. A slightly different version, said by someone who had contributed positively towards medicine, might have done the trick, but i couldn't find one. Thanks again everyone for helping me out.

my personal statements starts off: "Webster's defines altruism as 'unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others."

You could actually make a similar thing work, along the lines of "the dictionary definition of altruism is..., but for me the meaning is (something amazing, altruistic, and inspiring you or a doctor you know did)." But that's still hard to pull off.

 

[mimelim]

Quotes are fine for personal statements. Anyone who tells you otherwise is speaking in generalities that they shouldn't be. Most people are condemning using quotes because they can be used inappropriately and integrated poorly.

Don't use a quote for the sake of using a quote. Don't search for quotes to fit what you are trying to say. The risk you run with anything in your personal statement is message effectiveness vs. space/time used. Quotes can be used effectively. There is a reason people repeat other's words. Be prepared to defend anything you say in your personal statement. In the end it is about you, not who you quote. If it is in your personal statement, just like ANY component, you should have a damn good reason to put it there.

 

[Claudin]

Quotes are fine for personal statements. Anyone who tells you otherwise is speaking in generalities that they shouldn't be. Most people are condemning using quotes because they can be used inappropriately and integrated poorly.

Don't use a quote for the sake of using a quote. Don't search for quotes to fit what you are trying to say. The risk you run with anything in your personal statement is message effectiveness vs. space/time used. Quotes can be used effectively. There is a reason people repeat other's words. Be prepared to defend anything you say in your personal statement. In the end it is about you, not who you quote. If it is in your personal statement, just like ANY component, you should have a damn good reason to put it there.

+1 👍 I'm going to read your every post from now on LOL