Question about PS for Adcoms?

[chroroform]

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So this is a strategic question. Throughout my life i've had some experiences which make me unique but are not necessarily medical. And also some standard medical activities like shadowing, some research,etc.

So i wonder if my PS should only include those standard activities and outline with great passion how those things led me to a conclusion that i am best fit for a career in medicine; how over a period of several years my interest has become well defined?
Or should i write more passively(i.e. i dont say anywhere that i wasnt sure if i want medicine but in the end im sure, instead i just list what i learned from every experience) but also list other hobbies/activities that i feel require similar characteristics as the study of medicine? basically from this version the conclusion might be that i'm a curious person who likes challenges and who tried some medically related experiences, but is also interested in other things. it doesnt connect how my interest in medicine grows with each experience...

also, for the 1st version, i figure i might insert those other activities into the 2ndaries and work/ec section. though if i used the 2nd version, it's not like i'd have trouble answering work/ec or 2ndary questions.
thanks!

 

[armybound]

there are usually essays about unique life experiences.

the PS prompt does ask you to describe your interest in medicine.

 

[chroroform]

also a partially unrelated question: is there more emphasis on how well the story is put together, i.e. that the flow is very cohesive. Or more emphasis on what you can tell about yourself?

 

[armybound]

well, you don't want to bore them. but you don't want to write an essay that's basically just a longer version of the activities they already read in your activities section.

 

[chroroform]

there are usually essays about unique life experiences.

the PS prompt does ask you to describe your interest in medicine.

the ps prompt is rather vague though. you can write about completely unrelated stuff, like travel, and then say that it inspired you to consider medicine. or you can focus on things that are strictly medical in nature.

 

[chroroform]

well, you don't want to bore them. but you don't want to write an essay that's basically just a longer version of the activities they already read in your activities section.

well i dont think that either version is boring. but the 1st version doesnt list any activities outside of medically&research related(and pretty much everyone has those activities, except that they're described differently by everyone). the 2nd version lists 1 or 2 others but it doesnt make it as clear how they are related to medicine.

 

[armybound]

I say you should write whichever one you feel is more representative of you as a person.

 

[chroroform]

I say you should write whichever one you feel is more representative of you as a person.

i need adcoms' opinions.

 

[UTnut]

Which one do you think the adcoms will read and say, "I really want to sit down and talk with this person"? That is the one that you will want to go with. Just make sure that it flows nicely and covers your reasoning for pursuing a career in medicine.

Everyone has those activities that you have listed and most write ad naseum about them in their PS. Kind of boring if you ask me!

 

[chroroform]

Which one do you think the adcoms will read and say, "I really want to sit down and talk with this person"? That is the one that you will want to go with. Just make sure that it flows nicely and covers your reasoning for pursuing a career in medicine.

Everyone has those activities that you have listed and most write ad naseum about them in their PS. Kind of boring if you ask me!

i really have no idea what adcoms want, thats why i asked for their opinions. they're old, boring people themselves. i am cool, yo. joking.

 

[chroroform]

also do adcoms read PS, Work/EC, and secondaries at the same time? or is it like a different person reading each part of your file?

 

[armybound]

also do adcoms read PS, Work/EC, and secondaries at the same time? or is it like a different person reading each part of your file?

I'd imagine that a file reviewer reviews everything holistically, but who's to say? schools all do different things

 

[lord_jeebus]

I used to be on an adcom.

It's most important that you communicate why you want to be a doctor. #2 is to make it as readable and interesting as possible without losing track of that. How you do these things is not that important; there is no single correct format.

In my experience, I would read these essays fairly quickly unless they had something particularly interesting to read. I would skip bits that seemed over-dramatized, lists of things, and generic stuff about "helping people."

 

[UTnut]

I'm pretty sure that a reviewer will look at the application as a whole. However, I think that some things may be skimmed over a bit. In regards to the PS, imagine how many of them sound exactly the same. Just give them something a little different that sets you apart from the crowd.

 

[chroroform]

I used to be on an adcom.

It's most important that you communicate why you want to be a doctor. #2 is to make it as readable and interesting as possible without losing track of that. How you do these things is not that important; there is no single correct format.

In my experience, I would read these essays fairly quickly unless they had something particularly interesting to read. I would skip bits that seemed over-dramatized, lists of things, and generic stuff about "helping people."

oh damn, so "over-dramatized" is bad? i thought it shows how you are passionate and sensitive. or shows how you are a great writer.

 

[chroroform]

what happens if you include a certain activity that is meaningful to you on a PS, but then on a secondary question you include it again? would it look like you're repeating yourself?

 

[lord_jeebus]

oh damn, so "over-dramatized" is bad? i thought it shows how you are passionate and sensitive. or shows how you are a great writer.

It's usually not executed particularly well. Worse, dramatic anecdotes often take up a lot of useful space.

I don't judge people by their writing skills. Perhaps others do, but my perspective is that they are not applying to an English PhD program. Good writing as manifested by clear and concise style is appreciated.

I won't say it's impossible to use dramatic anecdotes to convey the right message, but make sure it's not overdone. More anecdote, less drama.

 

[chroroform]

It's usually not executed particularly well. Worse, dramatic anecdotes often take up a lot of useful space.

I don't judge people by their writing skills. Perhaps others do, but my perspective is that they are not applying to an English PhD program. Good writing as manifested by clear and concise style is appreciated.

I won't say it's impossible to use dramatic anecdotes to convey the right message, but make sure it's not overdone. More anecdote, less drama.

eh so good writing is appreciated and at the same time you don't judge people by their writing skills. so the more anecdotes(stories about my personal experiences whether they are medically related or not) the better, as long as i dont lose track of the message?

 

[lord_jeebus]

eh so good writing is appreciated and at the same time you don't judge people by their writing skills. so the more anecdotes(stories about my personal experiences whether they are medically related or not) the better, as long as i dont lose track of the message?

What I mean is that when writing is good, it's easier for me to get the intended message.

Regarding anecdotes, quality not quantity. Focus on things that tell me about who you are and why you would want to surrender the prime years of your life to the Krebs cycle, 10 hour stretches of retracting in the OR, and 2 AM pages for sleep medication for patients who are already asleep.

 

[chroroform]

What I mean is that when writing is good, it's easier for me to get the intended message.

Regarding anecdotes, quality not quantity. Focus on things that tell me about who you are and why you would want to surrender the prime years of your life to the Krebs cycle, 10 hour stretches of retracting in the OR, and 2 AM pages for sleep medication for patients who are already asleep.

ok, thank you!

 

[Aiicha]

I was wondering if anyone could give me any advice. So I was in the Peace Corps in Africa and my biggest influence to become a doctor was that I was practically practicing medicine because the medical infrastructure was so bad. I have a specific story that I go into, but I'm just curious if you guys think it would be looked down upon that I was basically practicing medicine without a license, even though the situation required that I do it? Do you think its something that I should not base my ps around, or it is?

 

[armybound]

I was wondering if anyone could give me any advice. So I was in the Peace Corps in Africa and my biggest influence to become a doctor was that I was practically practicing medicine because the medical infrastructure was so bad. I have a specific story that I go into, but I'm just curious if you guys think it would be looked down upon that I was basically practicing medicine without a license, even though the situation required that I do it? Do you think its something that I should not base my ps around, or it is?

Word it in such a way that it doesn't imply you were acting like a physician. Just say things were very hands-on, you learned a lot, and you took a lot of responsibility for patient care.

 

[Aiicha]

thats kinda tough, I have this situation where a host family member was in really high risk and the local doctor failed and I had to step in. It involved wound care and putting him on some antibiotics. Do you think its really risky? I mean its really situational and it has really affected why I want to study medicine. or do you think I should tip toe around it and imply that I did less then I did?

 

[lord_jeebus]

I think you could write a really strong essay about ethical dilemmas for those secondaries that require it.

I don't think it's the best choice for a personal statement, but it could depend on the circumstances of your situation.

 

[Aiicha]

I think you could write a really strong essay about ethical dilemmas for those secondaries that require it.

I don't think it's the best choice for a personal statement, but it could depend on the circumstances of your situation.

What makes you say that? Because it could be sorta controversial? I'm not trying to be defensive, I honestly am curious.

 

[lord_jeebus]

What makes you say that? Because it could be sorta controversial? I'm not trying to be defensive, I honestly am curious.

Your essay will be read by a lot of people, and will probably prompt some "tough" questions from them.

-How were you qualified to judge the failure of the local doctor?
-How did you choose your antibiotic?
-What would you have done if there was a reaction to your treatment?

Again, I don't know the circumstances so I can't say how good your answers would be. But in my opinion, you don't have a lot to gain from this story (saving someone in medical trouble is admirable but your motivation for medicine should go beyond this single episode), and could be a distraction from things you'd rather be talking about.