Program-specific Personal Statement?

[BigBadBix]

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I am preparing to finalize my PS for ERAS. While double-checking the specific requirements of each program I've selected, I noticed this on UW's website:

"Personal Statement - Please submit a brief narrative statement discussing your interest in this particular internship, plans for residency training, career goals in medicine (academic medicine, practice, general internal medicine, medicine subspecialty, type and location of practice, etc.)"

Does the first part of that description mean I should send them a different version of my PS that explicitly states the reason for my interest in UW? I am not sure how to make that fit nicely into the flow of my PS, but I don't want to miss something important, either. Did anyone else do this?

Thanks!

-BBB

 

[stat!!]

I don't have info specifically for UW, but I was told by my dean that it is kind of cheesy to address each program specifically in your PS. However, it makes sense to tailor your PS for academic vs. community hospitals, play up the research and interest in academics for the former, and your interest in clinical medicine in the latter. I have a friend who is writing a different last paragraph for each program he is applying too, but unless you know specific things about the program that is different than in other programs, it is just a regurgitation of their website, and they know it... Anyone else care to comment? Glad to see there are a few others out there who haven't submitted eras yet!

 

[Tar Heel Born]

I agree with stat. Programs know that although you might have an early leader, you're not set on their program this early in the process, so there's no need to pretend. Maybe when they say "this particular internship," they simply mean the internship in medicine. I don't know, just a thought. I didn't apply to UW, but I'd be surprised if they tossed your app just because you didn't mention them in your PS.

 

[atsai3]

I don't have info specifically for UW, but I was told by my dean that it is kind of cheesy to address each program specifically in your PS. However, it makes sense to tailor your PS for academic vs. community hospitals, play up the research and interest in academics for the former, and your interest in clinical medicine in the latter. I have a friend who is writing a different last paragraph for each program he is applying too, but unless you know specific things about the program that is different than in other programs, it is just a regurgitation of their website, and they know it... Anyone else care to comment? Glad to see there are a few others out there who haven't submitted eras yet!

I'm talking out of my butt like everyone else here, but I guess I would agree with your dean that it seems kind of cheesy to write program-specific personal statements. But if you have a specific interest in working with particular faculty members or a specific area of research that UW has got going on, I don't think you would be out of line in mentioning this in your PS.

-AT.

 

[BigBadBix]

Thanks for the responses. I'm glad you are advocating the approach that doesn't create additional work for me. 🙂 I agree that it seems cheesy to make specific statements about a program in the PS - that is sort of what I meant when I said it didn't really flow with the rest of what I've written. I guess I'll assume it was meant more as a general statement, as Tar Heel Born suggested.

stat!! - yes, I'm taking my time with the application - thought I was the last one! Everytime one of my classmates tells me they submitted on Sept 1st (in a tone suggesting that only crazy people wait this long) I get stressed out, even though I know it will be fine. Interesting how this process does that to a person.

-BBB

 

[jlbusch]

in short, yes.
if you feel like you really want to be at the UW, then in fact I would recommend specifically addressing why and what draws you to the area
As an example, I did all of my college and medical education on the East coast but was born and raised in Washington and all of my family is here. It was important to show that not only did I want to return to the area, I have strong ties to the area.
Many people apply to all of the top tier programs but have no real intention of uprooting themselves from the East coast and these folks need to be separated from those people from other areas who are seriously considering a move to the west.
JB, UW IM PGY 3

 

[BigBadBix]

in short, yes.
if you feel like you really want to be at the UW, then in fact I would recommend specifically addressing why and what draws you to the area
As an example, I did all of my college and medical education on the East coast but was born and raised in Washington and all of my family is here. It was important to show that not only did I want to return to the area, I have strong ties to the area.
Many people apply to all of the top tier programs but have no real intention of uprooting themselves from the East coast and these folks need to be separated from those people from other areas who are seriously considering a move to the west.
JB, UW IM PGY 3

JB, Thanks for the input. Considering that you are in UW's program and for me that is still a dream, I think I'll take your advice. 🙂 I do have strong personal reasons for wanting to be at UW - my husband's job is there, and like you I grew up in the NW and can't wait to return. I'm also impressed by UW's diversity of training sites, and the strength of their Pulmonary department (I'm thinking of doing Pulm/CC). So I certainly wouldn't have a hard time coming up with reasons; I guess I just wasn't sure how to include them in my PS without it sounding forced...but I will play around with it and see what I can come up with.

Thanks again for everyone's input!

-BBB