Problem in Personal Statement?

[Dr Gerrard]

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In my personal statement, I mention how I witnessed people abroad who were denied health care by a doctor for someone who was a little more wealthy. This isn't where they were just given less quality, they were flat out denied. I mean maybe they went back the next day to try again, but they certainly weren't lucky enough that particular day.

Anyways, this has influenced me to be a very ethical physician, to do all I can to serve those who need it and might not be able to readily access health care. I also really want to do Doctor's without Borders.

Is mentioning this in my personal statement bad? I am worried my state schools might not like it because they might expect me to stay there and serve, rather than go to an underserved area or do Doctor's without Borders.

Also, I am worried that mentioning things like Doctor's without Borders might be a problem because that is so far ahead. Adcoms and such might say that I say that now, but it is not founded on anything because money is not an issue yet, stuff like that.

What do you all think?

 

[Druggernaut]

If you're concerned that your state school won't accept you because you'd be indicating a desire to practice overseas, you can just generalize to helping the underserved in general. They aren't only from other countries, and I'd imagine that whatever medical center your school is affiliated with is flooded with them. If you feel the need to mention it, I'd go at it from this angle.

 

[Dr Gerrard]

Yeah, that makes sense, so basically would my state school not like the idea of me doing Doctors Without Borders? Would they care that I want to do this even though I do not know what its like to be in the real world yet?

 

[NeuroChaos]

I would suggest refrain from mentioning specific orgs such as DWB. That is probably 10-15 years in to your future and you really have no idea where you will be 10-15 years from now (even though you may think you do). Ur interests may change etc...

You may want to communicate that in your interview, but keep it general in ur PS.

 

[Asystole]

I would suggest refrain from mentioning specific orgs such as DWB. That is probably 10-15 years in to your future and you really have no idea where you will be 10-15 years from now (even though you may think you do). Ur interests may change etc...

You may want to communicate that in your interview, but keep it general in ur PS.

I have to disagree with NeuroChaos.... "where do you envision yourself 10-15 years down the road" is a very common interview question. Yes, your priorities may change but I think its a good idea to let adcoms know that you have put some thought into what you'd like to be doing once you're out of medical school. Also, they call it a personal statement for a reason... make it as personal as you can so they get a good idea of who you are and what you want out of this.

You might also point out that while you witnessed some severely underserved people while you were abroad, it also made you more aware of the ways in which people are underserved (although perhaps not as acutely) right in your home state.

 

[Dr Gerrard]

Yeah, you don't think it would affect decisions my state school would make, perhaps by looking at their mission statement or something like that.

 

[TexasPhysician]

I can't see schools faulting you for wanting to do some work in other countries. That would just be sad......

 

[sevenmints]

it's nice to see that my advice to you was also given here. 😛

 

[235009]

are you planning on posting the same topic every month?

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=607164

 

[Dr Gerrard]

Well this time I am more curious about the effect this would have in relation to the missions of each individual school. State schools are there to breed their own doctors, so would my desire to do something like DWB show them that I am not committed to the state and thus hurt my application?

 

[fizzle]

In my personal statement, I mention how I witnessed people abroad who were denied health care by a doctor for someone who was a little more wealthy. This isn't where they were just given less quality, they were flat out denied. I mean maybe they went back the next day to try again, but they certainly weren't lucky enough that particular day.

Anyways, this has influenced me to be a very ethical physician, to do all I can to serve those who need it and might not be able to readily access health care. I also really want to do Doctor's without Borders.

Is mentioning this in my personal statement bad? I am worried my state schools might not like it because they might expect me to stay there and serve, rather than go to an underserved area or do Doctor's without Borders.

Also, I am worried that mentioning things like Doctor's without Borders might be a problem because that is so far ahead. Adcoms and such might say that I say that now, but it is not founded on anything because money is not an issue yet, stuff like that.

What do you all think?

It's not so much what you say as it is how you say it. For your topic, I'd be very careful not to cross the line into naivety, which is how the "desire to be a very ethical physician" (which could subtly imply that most current physicians are not very ethical) can come off as. Otherwise, though, if you can describe the situation in which you saw the indigent being denied healthcare and how it affected you and motivates you in medicine, then it sounds like a good story for a personal statement.

 

[deleted212936]

If you're concerned that your state school won't accept you because you'd be indicating a desire to practice overseas, you can just generalize to helping the underserved in general. They aren't only from other countries, and I'd imagine that whatever medical center your school is affiliated with is flooded with them. If you feel the need to mention it, I'd go at it from this angle.

I've always been curious about whether all schools are interested in serving the underserved. Any exception?

 

[flip26]

In my personal statement, I mention how I witnessed people abroad who were denied health care by a doctor for someone who was a little more wealthy. This isn't where they were just given less quality, they were flat out denied. I mean maybe they went back the next day to try again, but they certainly weren't lucky enough that particular day.

Anyways, this has influenced me to be a very ethical physician, to do all I can to serve those who need it and might not be able to readily access health care. I also really want to do Doctor's without Borders.

Is mentioning this in my personal statement bad? I am worried my state schools might not like it because they might expect me to stay there and serve, rather than go to an underserved area or do Doctor's without Borders.

Also, I am worried that mentioning things like Doctor's without Borders might be a problem because that is so far ahead. Adcoms and such might say that I say that now, but it is not founded on anything because money is not an issue yet, stuff like that.

What do you all think?

Come up with a better PS theme.

If I read your app, I might question why you don't want to become an international social worker - maybe Peace Corps for starters, or the WHO - and start doing it right now and not 10+ years hence.

The PS you are describing is, well, snoozers, and it may also cast your app in a bad light.

 

[flip26]

I've always been curious about whether all schools are interested in serving the underserved. Any exception?

Some of the research schools seem to pay it lip service.

I would think that most if not all public schools, and certainly the less research oriented of these schools, are definitely interested in it.

 

[melanoleuca]

In my personal statement, I mention how I witnessed people abroad who were denied health care by a doctor for someone who was a little more wealthy. This isn't where they were just given less quality, they were flat out denied. I mean maybe they went back the next day to try again, but they certainly weren't lucky enough that particular day.

Anyways, this has influenced me to be a very ethical physician, to do all I can to serve those who need it and might not be able to readily access health care. I also really want to do Doctor's without Borders.

Is mentioning this in my personal statement bad? I am worried my state schools might not like it because they might expect me to stay there and serve, rather than go to an underserved area or do Doctor's without Borders.

Also, I am worried that mentioning things like Doctor's without Borders might be a problem because that is so far ahead. Adcoms and such might say that I say that now, but it is not founded on anything because money is not an issue yet, stuff like that.

What do you all think?

I think you blew it. The people reading your personal statement will roll their eyes and say, "Good Lord, another self-righteous pre-med." Since most doctors work for money and most also don't take patients who can't pay except on a case-by-case basis and strictly for charity's sake, you have managed to insult almost every doctor in the United States.

 

[melanoleuca]

It's not so much what you say as it is how you say it. For your topic, I'd be very careful not to cross the line into naivety, which is how the "desire to be a very ethical physician" (which could subtly imply that most current physicians are not very ethical) can come off as. Otherwise, though, if you can describe the situation in which you saw the indigent being denied healthcare and how it affected you and motivates you in medicine, then it sounds like a good story for a personal statement.

Man, the way I see the indigent and the Holy Underserved using health care makes me want hire bouncers to throw them out of the hospital. Either that or assign them to mow my lawn or clean my house in exchange for all the free medical care they receive from me.

I mean, just so those bastards get some skin in the game; something they have none of now.

 

[Moonspun]

I think you blew it. The people reading your personal statement will roll their eyes and say, "Good Lord, another self-righteous pre-med." Since most doctors work for money and most also don't take patients who can't pay except on a case-by-case basis and strictly for charity's sake, you have managed to insult almost every doctor in the United States.

I don't think this is true. I agree that the way you say it is the key here. My PS was actually pretty similar, about how I found it very fulfilling working abroad and how many things I saw there. How it had changed me. How it made me want to be a great physician and also influence health systems to improve health care access for underserved communities.

I didn't have a problem. Got into my state school. And all my interviewers wanted to talk about the experience and what I had learned. Certain schools will find it very compelling. Just be careful you don't step on anyone's toes with the "ethical physician" comment. Be wary of insulting other physicians (hence my emphasis on health systems...)

 

[Ariadne]

It's not so much what you say as it is how you say it. For your topic, I'd be very careful not to cross the line into naivety, which is how the "desire to be a very ethical physician" (which could subtly imply that most current physicians are not very ethical) can come off as. Otherwise, though, if you can describe the situation in which you saw the indigent being denied healthcare and how it affected you and motivates you in medicine, then it sounds like a good story for a personal statement.

👍

Almost no topic on its own is either horrible or wonderful (or "snoozers") for a personal statement. What matters is how you present it in relation to you motivations, etc. for medicine.

Well this time I am more curious about the effect this would have in relation to the missions of each individual school. State schools are there to breed their own doctors, so would my desire to do something like DWB show them that I am not committed to the state and thus hurt my application?

If you're worried, just change the approach a little. You can talk about your international experiences and how they impacted your decision to go into medicine in general without specifically saying, "I want to do DWB, see ya suckers." 😉

 

[melanoleuca]

At my interviews many years ago I talked about how welfare cheats and freeloaders were destroying the country and turning this once great nation into nothing but a crappy nursing home for the care and feeding of the helpless, paid for by the Chinese and Arabs who are still stupid enough to buy our debt.

Try putting that in your personal statement.

 

[Doodledog]

In my personal statement, I mention how I witnessed people abroad who were denied health care by a doctor for someone who was a little more wealthy. This isn't where they were just given less quality, they were flat out denied. I mean maybe they went back the next day to try again, but they certainly weren't lucky enough that particular day.

There is no problem with using international experiences of this sort in your PS. HOWEVER, you need to come across, partly in the essays and partly in person as having a realistic understanding of what is possible and financially feasible. When someone says "I want to run a clinic in Africa", we might ask "How will you pay for it and who will pay your salary?" You need to have a balanced understanding of what it means to do global health from a personal and financial basis

I think you blew it. The people reading your personal statement will roll their eyes and say, "Good Lord, another self-righteous pre-med." Since most doctors work for money and most also don't take patients who can't pay except on a case-by-case basis and strictly for charity's sake, you have managed to insult almost every doctor in the United States.

In the United States, a patient, especially a child or pregnant woman who is turned down for primary care by a physician can always find someone - in a clinic or elsewhere, to provide these services. This may or may not be ideal, but, as you well know, we don't turn people down for basic medical care in the US. In many developing countries, this simply isn't true. Therefore, refusal to provide care to an indigent person, especially a child, is much more likely to have severe consequences in a developing country setting. I personally have seen this happen many times. It is very hard for an American to understand this phenomenon without a detailed understanding of the health care dynamics in that country.

We will not be insulted by this type of essay, we may ask how YOU (the applicant) think the situation can be improved in developing countries (or how you would seek to help) given the lack of resources and limited funding available in the public sector for health care in most countries.

Bottom line is to come across with a mature understanding of the situation that exists in the world, have realistic goals for your career, but don't hesitate to indicate that you have a global perspective. Of course, DABs in your statement help too.😉 (with a tip of the hat to PB 😛).

 

[melanoleuca]

Apropos of nothing, medical school admission is extremely ridiculous and getting more ridiculous every single year. Submitting a CV or a resume for consideration is one thing but requiring applicants to spill their guts and construct what are essentially lies to justify why they deserve to lay hands on the Holy and Unwashed Underserved is humiliating and you folks have my deepest sympathy; especially since the real reason 99 percent of you are applying is some combination of "Because I have no real skills or talents and this all I think I am qualified to do," or, "Because I think being a big important doctor would be kinda' cool."

 

[Dr Gerrard]

Honestly, thus far, this is the only worthwhile experience I have that I can elaborate in my personal statement.

I want to be a doctor because it seems it interesting stuff to learn and because I generally really enjoy tutoring people so I figure treating patients is a similar satisfaction. And then there are thus underhanded reasons which I would never openly admit to ADCOM and such, like job security, money (which I know is going down) and respect (maybe not from patients but self respect as well as from my family). I am actually having second thoughts now though, but just have absolutely no idea what I would do otherwise.

I am only a Sophomore though, had to write a PS for one of my classes so I wrote it, hoping I can use it.

When I do some shadowing over the summer for the first time, hopefully 1) I will realize I love everything about becoming a doctor and 2) I will find something more worthwhile to talk about in my PS.

 

[Ariadne]

Honestly, thus far, this is the only worthwhile experience I have that I can elaborate in my personal statement.

I want to be a doctor because it seems it interesting stuff to learn and because I generally really enjoy tutoring people so I figure treating patients is a similar satisfaction. And then there are thus underhanded reasons which I would never openly admit to ADCOM and such, like job security, money (which I know is going down) and respect (maybe not from patients but self respect as well as from my family). I am actually having second thoughts now though, but just have absolutely no idea what I would do otherwise.

I am only a Sophomore though, had to write a PS for one of my classes so I wrote it, hoping I can use it.

When I do some shadowing over the summer for the first time, hopefully 1) I will realize I love everything about becoming a doctor and 2) I will find something more worthwhile to talk about in my PS.

For what it's worth, shadowing helped me start finalizing my personal statement, although not as much as I thought it would. What's really worked has been the hours spend agonizing over the damn thing.

If you're still a sophomore, you have plenty of time, whether it's to write a personal statement or figure out if medicine is really right for you. Honestly, I'd say it's the later you should be focusing on right now. If you're unsure about medicine, try exploring new, different things and give yourself a chance to figure out what you're really passionate about. If medicine is where you're meant to be, you'll find your way back to it (and be a better applicant for it).

 

[Dr Gerrard]

Yeah, I have thought about many additional careers, and I think medicine is my best match. However, my ideal life is not one in medicine, but one where I had enough money already to do whatever I want, and not work at all. Now, sure, this might seem like something everybody would do, but I know for a fact a few doctors who would remain a doctor in that situation, and from the way many people on this site talk, it seems as though if medicine is not perfect for you, you should not go into it. That is why I am having double thoughts.

Business --- Would almost fit my ideal job, but not enough security, and it is something I can still do while in medicine.

Law --- Not enough security, and I would not be able to/want to defend the wrong side --- the latter is the key reason why this is not really an option.

Teaching --- still possible with med school --- I actually do want to teach medical ethics some day, as I have grown to love ethical philosophy in undergrad.

Engineer --- Was chemical engineering major freshman year, did not like it.

Research --- Have researched for two summers, with different professor at different institutions. Don't like it.

Medicine --- interesting, appeals to my altruistic side, helping people, the usual. great job security, seemingly great pay (likely to change), seemingly a very respectful career (some do, some don't). However, the key with medicine is that is the diverse options I have with an MD.

 

[Dr Gerrard]

Yeah, I have thought about many additional careers, and I think medicine is my best match. However, my ideal life is not one in medicine, but one where I had enough money already to do whatever I want, and not work at all. Now, sure, this might seem like something everybody would do, but I know for a fact a few doctors who would remain a doctor in that situation, and from the way many people on this site talk, it seems as though if medicine is not perfect for you, you should not go into it. That is why I am having double thoughts.

Business --- Would almost fit my ideal job, but not enough security, and it is something I can still do while in medicine.

Law --- Not enough security, and I would not be able to/want to defend the wrong side --- the latter is the key reason why this is not really an option.

Teaching --- still possible with med school --- I actually do want to teach medical ethics some day, as I have grown to love ethical philosophy in undergrad.

Engineer --- Was chemical engineering major freshman year, did not like it.

Research --- Have researched for two summers, with different professor at different institutions. Don't like it.

Medicine --- interesting, appeals to my altruistic side, helping people, the usual. great job security, seemingly great pay (likely to change), seemingly a very respectful career (some do, some don't). However, the key with medicine is that is the diverse options I have with an MD.

Any other career options I might not have thought of?