Question about Personal Statement

[luckycloud5]

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Yesterday I attended a Personal Statement Workshop for the Health Professions and found it very informative. They discussed what we should avoid when we write it (i.e not to reiterate what is already stated in our application, etc) and how it is supposed to be about us and not mr. and so and so who came to the pharmacy.

I realize that the personal statement is an integral aspect of the admissions process when they narrow down perspective interviewees. My question is should I start my personal statement now? Just starting to write out ideas now and having professors look over it now? (even though it is not yet in it's final form)

(i feel like i'm going to be sitting and staring at my computer screen because i do not know how to begin the essay. eep!)

Thank you. =)

 

[imperial frog]

It's a pretty good idea to start now because it will give you more time to revise it along the way.

 

[KUMoose]

Yes start now.
Like you, I have problems staring at the screen and writting (at least about the PS subject matter). I started mine by doodling a list of subjects that I wanted to cover and then crafting sentences or paragraphs to respond to those topics. Once I had that going I start writting the rest of the PS.

Once I had a copy of a PS that I liked, I took it around to a couple of english teachers and had them proof it to correct the errors Word didn't catch and to buff some of the language. Then I took it to the pharmacists friends I knew for their review.

Of course then I had to chop a ton out when I put my PS in PharmCAS.

 

[PharmD4Life]

If you were to apply to pharmacy school again, would you change your personal statement completely (the one in pharmCAS)? I guess the reasons of how you came to pharmacy should be the same right?

I am going to be a reapplicant and don't know if i should rewrite all the essays, and the PS in PharmCAS again. Any suggestions?

 

[usi]

If you were to apply to pharmacy school again, would you change your personal statement completely (the one in pharmCAS)? I guess the reasons of how you came to pharmacy should be the same right?

I am going to be a reapplicant and don't know if i should rewrite all the essays, and the PS in PharmCAS again. Any suggestions?

You should write a new one, but don't worry about repeating a bunch of things, because it just shows that you are commited for the same reasons, and it is still true one year later.

 

[KUMoose]

You should write a new one, but don't worry about repeating a bunch of things, because it just shows that you are commited for the same reasons, and it is still true one year later.

I'm not sure I'd write a completely new PS. I would certainly update the personal statement and possibly include the fact that you're a re-applicant (if applicable).

 

[DownonthePharm]

Yes, you should write a new one, because you want to update it with all the nifty things you've done over the past year that have made you an even better applicant than the previous year.

 

[calrx]

Yes, you should write a new one, because you want to update it with all the nifty things you've done over the past year that have made you an even better applicant than the previous year.

I agree, to an extent. Most of that type of information will be listed as part of your PharmCAS application. I don't recommend repeating all of your accomplishments in your personal statement. Not only will you bore the adcom to death but you won't really be helping yourself out either. The purpose of your personal statement is to tell the admissions committee things about yourself or your experiences that cannot be found by scanning through your application or resume. Be sure to explain exactly why you want to pursue this specific career. I've read lots of personal statements that were beautifully written but failed to answer the obvious: "why pharmacy?" As far as rewriting, I would definitely spend some time "spiffying" it up a bit, but I don't think I would rewrite the whole thing.

 

[snailman]

it's always tough to overcome that blank screen when you begin writing. like KUMoose said, just start typing out anything that comes to mind, follow whatever tangents your brain takes you on, even if it doesn't seem relevant to your PS. when you're done with that, you'll have a lot of useless babble, but more likely than not, you'll also have a couple good ideas that you can work into your statement. the worst part is just getting started; it's downhill from there. oh and it's never too early to get started on this sort of thing. good luck!

 

[luckycloud5]

Thanks everyone! =)

I'll just randoming jot down ideas every so often and have professors check them over before I leave for the summer.