how much emphasis do they put on the personal statement for general surgery residency? from the interactions i've had with surgeons i get the impression they couldn't care less about any touchy feely stuff people put in their PS to make themselves appear "unique". i went right from undergrad--->med school, have great numbers, got mostly honors in rotations including surgery and all that stuff. all of that's already on my resume. do i need to write about some "unique" experiences i've had that made me want to be a surgeon? because i don't. i think surgery is awesome, i enjoy it a lot, and i want to be a surgeon. i was writing a draft of my PS and it sounded like i was repeating my resume. is it ok if i make it simple and to the point or do they want to hear some drama.
PS for general surgery
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I've had the same question. I agree that the reoccuring theme atleast that I've heard from attendings appears to be that they read it but not for longer then 2 minutes (and that's probably generous...). I've been told by several that they don't care so much as to the "why" but are more concerned with what type of individual you are and what type of program your looking for. Any input from those that have an opportunity to review apps would be fantastic!
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I am a resident, not a reviewer, but I can say that when I was applying, I was told not only to NOT make my PS "unique" or flowery, but to also make it SHORT. Certainly more than a paragraph, but definitely no longer than a page. I get the sense that what you were told is true--it is looked at, but not extensively. I doubt it will make or break your application (and though I do actually consider myself somewhat of a sensitive soul, I don't think I would have done well at the type of surgical program that put a lot of stock in or make/break an application with the PS)
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I am not sure if this is the case everywhere, but I read last year on a forum that programs read PS after they have invited applicants for an interview to get a better picture about who they are interviewing.
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It's all program-specific. While most places will just read through the PS to screen out anyone who sends up "red flags", few places actually use it as an important part of the selection process. Some places will make sure your interviewers get a copy of your PS (and they may or may not actually read it---I often found that though they CLAIMED to have read it, the questions they gave me during the interview clearly showed that they had clearly NOT read it). Other places do not provide your interviewers with a copy at all. Some places may not even print it out and put it in your file.
Bottom line: make it one page maximum (surgeons appreciate brevity) and to-the-point (surgeons appreciate direct-ness). If you write a long, flowery, heart-felt composition demonstrating your creative writing skills, it's doubtful that it will score you any points in the application process, and might even make someone wonder if you have the right personality for surgery.
The general rule is to make it as forgetful and boring as possible so you don't set off any red flags. Of course, I completely ignored that advice.
I made my personal statement actually personal, reflecting on different areas of my personality, and including humor. I don't know how many red flags I raised, but I got plenty of interviews, received several compliments on the letter from program directors, and matched at my #1. Also, I think it helped with my LORs, since I gave my personal statement to all of the doctors that wrote me letters.....if they like you, or think you're special😳, they're less likely to write you a boring form letter.
There's nothing wrong with being unique, as long as it's a charismatic, functional uniqueness.....but, uh, you know....we're all snowflakes....
Some ideas are definitely over the top, and it's most important that your letter be sincere.....I don't think you should sacrifice substance for some jokes.....
