quote lead-in to personal statement

[kdburton]

I know that this question is late for this cycle and that some people don't think quotes are a good way to lead into an essay, but thats not what my question is about... If you quote someone as the lead-in sentance to your personal statement do you have to put the persons name to give them credit, or can you just put the text into quotations just so that the reader knows its not your own? I would rather not put their name unless its unprofessional for some reason, just because its taking up precious space, and it doesn't add any substance. Let me know what you think. Thanks

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[thedelicatessen]

Using quotes as starters is one of those things they recommend in high school writing to make it "interesting." I have read many college admissions essays that begin with quotes, and they all end up sounding similarly formulaic. Plus, the quote may put you over the AMCAS character limit. Unless you have an amazing plan for incorporating this quote into the entire essay, I would not recommend using quotes to start your personal statement.

However, if you do have an amazing plan for the quote, I would cite the author only if it were critical to know the author in understanding your personal statement. If it's just there for the content of the quote, I don't think you have to worry as much about citing the author.

 

[cubbbie]

I know that this question is late for this cycle and that some people don't think quotes are a good way to lead into an essay, but thats not what my question is about... If you quote someone as the lead-in sentance to your personal statement do you have to put the persons name to give them credit, or can you just put the text into quotations just so that the reader knows its not your own? I would rather not put their name unless its unprofessional for some reason, just because its taking up precious space, and it doesn't add any substance. Let me know what you think. Thanks

Not unprofessional to leave it out. Do whatever works best to introduce/identify the quote. This is creative writing, not a report.

 

[kdburton]

Thanks for the responses guys/gals. Anyone else?

 

[Droopy Snoopy]

Leave out the citation, especially if it's something from Churchill or MLK that adcoms have probably seen 80 times already this cycle. They'll know it's not yours, but if it is an issue they should give you a chance to clear it up during interview. Using a quote at all is one of those gimmicky 🙄 things that you better do well lest it spoil an otherwise good personal statement.

 

[Nickelpennykid]

Leave the quote out. I am by no means an expert, but I agree with the post that lead-in quotes are reserved for high-school kids that can't articulate thier message. An adcom would be far more impressed with your ability to present your statment in your own words rather than copying a quote (even if it is relavent / catchy). If you absolutly feel like you need to use it, introduce it later in the statment.

 

[kdburton]

Leave out the citation, especially if it's something from Churchill or MLK that adcoms have probably seen 80 times already this cycle. They'll know it's not yours, but if it is an issue they should give you a chance to clear it up during interview. Using a quote at all is one of those gimmicky 🙄 things that you better do well lest it spoil an otherwise good personal statement.

See I think the difference between my use of a quote and what most people think of as "gimmicky" is that I don't directly refer to the quote anywhere in my statement. I do, however, imply how my "personal" situation fits into the quote with the rest of my essay, so its almost like a thesis other than that I don't directly refer to it. Does that make any sense (sorry if it doesn't)? By the way the quote is not from someone well-known or anything, its just a well spokent statement that I think fits my essay well.

 

[alwaysaangel]

See I think the difference between my use of a quote and what most people think of as "gimmicky" is that I don't directly refer to the quote anywhere in my statement. I do, however, imply how my "personal" situation fits into the quote with the rest of my essay, so its almost like a thesis other than that I don't directly refer to it. Does that make any sense (sorry if it doesn't)?

Yes it makes sense. It sounds like you're doing exactly what the above posters have said you're doing - stickign in a quote that you think is catchy for the sake of catching interest. Which as they have said - is something you really don't do past HS.

 

[A Tree]

In writing my personal statement I used a quote, and as I revised it found other ways to incorporate the same sentiment by relying on personal anecdotes instead. So you could try starting with the quote and see if it evolves into what you want to say to the point where you can take it out....like training wheels I guess.

 

[kdburton]

In writing my personal statement I used a quote, and as I revised it found other ways to incorporate the same sentiment by relying on personal anecdotes instead. So you could try starting with the quote and see if it evolves into what you want to say to the point where you can take it out....like training wheels I guess.

Unfortunately I started off in the opposite direction and it somewhat evolved into this new version with a quote, so I feel like my original thesis was the training wheels. Is there anyone out there whose personal statement began with a quote and ended up being a success (or so far seems to have been if you're applying this cycle)? I understand that there are people who would advise against it, but I also know that there are those who might have another view 🙂

 

[A Tree]

See I think the difference between my use of a quote and what most people think of as "gimmicky" is that I don't directly refer to the quote anywhere in my statement. I do, however, imply how my "personal" situation fits into the quote with the rest of my essay, so its almost like a thesis other than that I don't directly refer to it. Does that make any sense (sorry if it doesn't)? By the way the quote is not from someone well-known or anything, its just a well spokent statement that I think fits my essay well.

I'd say don't imply anything, come out and say it. If you don't directly refer to it, then you don't really need it.

And I'd be less worried about propriety in not attributing the quote to its author, and more worried about how it fits into the essay. What does it mean if you insert a quote, but it doesn't really matter who said it? I'd say only use it if the individual who said it plays a large part in your story, and you're willing to make it the focus of the essay.

 

[A Tree]

Is there anyone out there whose personal statement began with a quote and ended up being a success (or so far seems to have been if you're applying this cycle)?

But to answer your question, I didn't have success with it. 🙂

I am also passing along some of the wisdom of my PS's proof readers--they said, ixnay on the otesquay.

 

[MadHopsMD]

I know that this question is late for this cycle and that some people don't think quotes are a good way to lead into an essay, but thats not what my question is about... If you quote someone as the lead-in sentance to your personal statement do you have to put the persons name to give them credit, or can you just put the text into quotations just so that the reader knows its not your own? I would rather not put their name unless its unprofessional for some reason, just because its taking up precious space, and it doesn't add any substance. Let me know what you think. Thanks

i think quote to lead in is becoming more and more cliché

 

[Droopy Snoopy]

I'm an M2 with a couple of friends (M4s) who are helping the adcom at my school (screening apps, doing tours, etc.). Last Sat we were all sitting around drinking and watching Auburn getting busted down, and the conversation drifted into their making fun of lame apps. This was one of the things they talked about, how so many essays start with some eloquent, history-changing quote that the rest of the essay can never live up to and has nothing to do with the person writing it. It's all glam and no substance. Basically your stats tell the adcom if you can handle the work. Somebody reading your essay wants to know what your numbers don't say about you. What motivates you, and will it be enough to get you through some really tough times over the next 7+ years? If using a quote helps you answer this, then by all means use it. If not, it's a gimmick akin to throwing in a random ampersand from time to time (actually happened).

 

[lilnoelle]

Ha, this is quite funny to me, cuz I used a quote in my personal statement. I'm not a good writer and I don't like to write, so honestly, using a quote is about the only thing I can do other than say "this is what I'm going to write about" which in my opinion is worse. My quote wasn't from someone well known, nor was it a quote that I'd heard of prior to looking it up. I did cite the individual (I thought one had to).
Anyway, even though apparently this was cliche, and probably made for an unexciting statement, those individuals that read it for me (I had something like five people edit it) felt the final draft was fine and I was accepted to two med schools last year. (I don't have stellar stats)
I don't think using a quote will hurt you, it just might not be one of those statements that causes someone to say "wow, thats fantastic writing."

 

[ADeadLois]

I started with dialogue, so technically I used a quote. But I think the intent was a lot different than starting with a quote by Abraham Lincoln or something.

 

[63768]

do what you want. sure it's cliche but if your story is engaging and well done, it'll work out. starting with a story works well.

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

i think quote to lead in is becoming more and more cliché

Personally, I think the intro. story is WAY more cliche.

 

[MadHopsMD]

Personally, I think the intro. story is WAY more cliche.

I dont know about that. I think a story can be cliche if it is like "i work in a hospital and saw this and that..blablah..and now i want to be a MD". But if the story is unique, it can be done.

As for the quote. Well, it's not your words, and that bother's me the most! It is certainly possible to make it sound good and fit in your overall PS. but is much much harder.

Hey, whatever way works for you.

 

[NY Musicologist]

I think quotes CAN be used effectively if you speak (write!) to them rather than just let them speak (write!) for you. One way that no one has yet mentioned is to select a quote that expresses a position/sentiment that *differs* from yours and then write your essay in opposition to the quote

And I do think you need to refer to the author/speaker, even if their identity is supposedly well known. Just because the adcom knows whose words they are doesn't mean that the adcom knows that YOU know who deserves credit for the turn of phrase. It's easy to do. Two common methods:

1. As Abraham Lincoln said in 1860, ".........."

2. ".......................," observed Lincoln in 1860.

 

[nintendo]

I'm curious about what people think about opening with a question. I wanted to do this but the people I had edit my PS practically bit my head off at the idea so I let it go. But I really thought it added a great touch. Is it really lame to open an essay with a question?

 

[GoodDoctor]

Do you think it would be ok to start my PS with a quote from Jerry Maguire: "Show me the money!"

 

[DenmarkDoctor]

Do you think it would be ok to start my PS with a quote from Jerry Maguire: "Show me the money!"

That is highly in appropriate. You may however use "You had me at hello".

 

[RustNeverSleeps]

That is highly in appropriate. You may however use "You had me at hello".

I think the most appropriate would be "Did you know the human head weighs 8 pounds?" Interesting quote and demonstrates medical knowledge. 👍

 

[DenmarkDoctor]

I think the most appropriate would be "Did you know the human head weighs 8 pounds?" Interesting quote and demonstrates medical knowledge. 👍

forgot about that one!👍

 

[kevster2001]

Fill your entire introduction with non sequiters. It shows creativity and out of the box thinking.

 

[Law2Doc]

Thanks for the responses guys/gals. Anyone else?

Just bear in mind that if you do anything formulaic, like a quote lead in, it's a safe bet that hundreds of other people are doing it too. So what seems original and clever in a vacuum might not seem that way if yours is somewhere in a pile of many others just like it. Go to a bookstore/library and look at the dozen or so most popular "successful med school essays", and assume the adcoms will see hundreds of variations on each of these each year. Then try to do something different from those, that conveys what you want to convey. Adcoms will like your essay better if it's not the same old same old.

 

[ADeadLois]

The most important thing to remember when writing your PS is to make it personal. You can do all of the "cliche" things stylistically that everyone else does, but if your experiences (and most importantly, how you describe the experiences) are unique and detailed then you'll have an original piece.

I would suggest writing your PS like a short-story, not an analytical paper. From reading other people's PSs on SDN, the best ones were those that felt like I was reading a story. The worst ones were those who just basically listed experiences and qualifications without any sense of unity.

And whatever you do, don't exaggerate or be arrogant. Major turn-off.

 

[alwaysaangel]

I'm curious about what people think about opening with a question. I wanted to do this but the people I had edit my PS practically bit my head off at the idea so I let it go. But I really thought it added a great touch. Is it really lame to open an essay with a question?

Its a bit like the quote...very reminiscent of what our 7th grade teachers taught us to do when we were first learning to write.

 

[DenmarkDoctor]

OP, I started with a quote and it hasnt hurt me any. Just make sure that in the rest of your ps there are no more quotes. I have already had a few interviews so as you can see it may actually help you stand out among those other pre-meds who dont use quotes and end up having a mundane statement. Liven it up a bit.

 

[physiclas87]

I'm starting my personal statement with a quote:
-
"I will bring the purity of oblivion to the (insert medical school here), for I am the rocks of the eternal shore."
-
That way the adcomms will really know who they are dealing with.