PS and quotations

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hey;


While there is no set standard on how we approach the PS, is it "OK" to use a quote in the PS?

No. Quotations in personal statements are vomit-inducing and if I were on an admission committee I would instantly reject any applicant who used them. Nobody lives their lives by quotations and nobody really thinks about them until it's time to do a personal statement.
 
quote by a famous physician in the field i am applying to

"The physician who knows syphilis knows medicine."

osler235x250.jpg
 
part of me agrees with panda bear and most likely, the majority....i am just going to paraphrase...although doesn't sound nearly as eloquent :/
 
No. Quotations in personal statements are vomit-inducing and if I were on an admission committee I would instantly reject any applicant who used them. Nobody lives their lives by quotations and nobody really thinks about them until it's time to do a personal statement.

Can I quote you on that?

More seriously, it doesn't matter. It's common to start a PS with a quote. If you think you'll be unique, you won't.
 
quotes are OK

I started my fellowship personal statement w/a quote and some people seemed to like it. You wouldn't want to fill up your PS with trite quotes, but a well placed one can be part of a good essay/PS.
 
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