question about personal statement

[Unga]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I'm a non-traditional student with many years of social work experience (i.e. child abuse investigator, case manager for kids with developmental disabilities) including medical social work at two hospitals doing counselling and discharge planning. I'm stuck on how to approach my personal statement. I was planning to spend the first half describing my unconventional path towards medicine (like telling a story), and then the 2nd half focusing on my clinical experience and what area of medicine I want to practice (primary care or emergency medicine for an urban underserved population). Any suggestions or ideas?

 

[cabinbuilder]

I think what you said you were going to write is how I approached mine. I suggest putting it together and feel free to pm me with the draft if you would like assistance. You want to make them want to meet you. Tell your story and how you are unique. I think it will be fine. Just don't start it with "I want to be a doctor because....."

 

[2008orbust]

Your idea sounds solid. I was given some advice that didn't sound right when I first heard it, but I did a little research and heeded the advice.

Although you are right to embrace your 'unconventionalness' try to stay away from words with negative prefixes. UNconventional, NONtraditional, etc when desribing yourself or your experiences.

You can say the exact same thing, but don't use the actual words. I was told that certain things happen in the brain when someone reads these words with the prefix that makes the word negative. The result can be an overall negative feeling for the reader even if they can't put their finger on why.

I know, this sounds like a bunch of mumbo jumbo, but as an applicant, I was willing to be open to the little things that might help my application.