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PS about working in underserved communities/research-heavy med schools?
- Thread starter MangoTea8
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- Mar 12, 2015
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FWIW my PS didn't have any significant mention of research in it. I might've briefly said something about wanting to conduct research in my future career within my conclusion or something but it definitely was not the focus of my essay. Just make sure that you talk about your research well in the activities section - maybe designate your research experience as one of your most meaningful, if you feel that way. Additionally, many secondaries will give you the opportunity to expand on your future career goals. You can always talk more about research then.
Hmmmm my approach to my personal statement was "why medicine?" and "why not anything else?" As long as research isn't a significant part of your statement, you should be good. If it is, adcoms may wonder why not PhD or some other purely research heavy field.
Thank you both! @Coltuna I'm not sure if I'm maybe misunderstanding your reply, but research definitely is NOT a significant part of my statement. I'm asking if this would be a problem for schools that have a heavy research output and I'm guessing hope to produce doctors who will continue to make contributions to basic science research.
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh okay I'm sorry I misunderstood! Do you have a great desire to go to these research heavy schools, or are you just casting a broad net? If you're applying to both research heavy and non-research heavy schools, your commitment to underserved populations will help you get accepted more than hinder you. Are you just mentioning your research to catch eyes on the statement? Or is it a significant part of your journey towards medicine?
I'm just casting a broad net but it also seems like the majority of schools really value research. Like I have yet to see a school whose mission statement doesn't include something about research. And for your second question... I guess I haven't really thought about that! I think it has been a significant part of my journey, clinical research in particular, but it also seems weird to not mention it at all when I've spent so much time in undergrad working in research and am currently employed in the field as well.
Okay that makes sense. I guess I'm just completely opposite in that most of the school I applied to valued an interest in future work with the underserved haha. While I do think that catering your personal statement to the schools you're applying is a good idea, being genuine in your statement is more important. Sorry if I didn't answer your question haha.
The generic "I enjoy research" or "help the underserved" PS will get you nowhere.
Keep in mind the following:
1. The top "research" schools really are more concerned with faculty research dollars than whatever an incoming med student does. To really have that " research interest" help your application, you'll need a record of quality peer-reviewed publications, etc. You'll need to be convincing in that you're an up-and-coming research star. Otherwise you won't really stand out.
2. If you're interested in helping the underserved, please back that up with a ton of real experience. Caring for this segment of the population is very difficult, for numerous reasons. So, without good experience and legitimate reasons for this "interest", you may come across as insincere, naive, or both.
Keep in mind the following:
1. The top "research" schools really are more concerned with faculty research dollars than whatever an incoming med student does. To really have that " research interest" help your application, you'll need a record of quality peer-reviewed publications, etc. You'll need to be convincing in that you're an up-and-coming research star. Otherwise you won't really stand out.
2. If you're interested in helping the underserved, please back that up with a ton of real experience. Caring for this segment of the population is very difficult, for numerous reasons. So, without good experience and legitimate reasons for this "interest", you may come across as insincere, naive, or both.
