Reapplying and the Personal Statement

[gnu]

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I was wondering about rewriting the personal statement for a second round of applications. What should I emphasize, why I want to be a physician or why I'm reapplying?

Would it be worth just updating last years, or should I start fresh?

So confused...

 

[cbrons]

I updated and improved upon what I wrote last year.

 

[Kittee]

I have a college acquaintance whose writing is unparalleled (although English is not his major), and he amazes me with his mastery of the English language every time (and his teachers, since HS, never less than an A on a paper).

I asked him, and although he's not familiar with medical school or the process, he says that in the real world (i.e., to get a job), if you want to write something to impress, NEVER use the same material twice. In fact, he goes so far to say not to look at your old statement so it can't influence you this time around.

I dunno if it helps, but I'm going to take his advice. I think writing from a 1+ year improvement (hopefully) will make you write better, and since the past is more diluted, make you focus even more on what stands out and is important in your resume.

My 2 cents.

 

[Practitioner]

As far as med school goes I have mixed feelings about this (and this is my second time to reapply).

First, I don't know that schools will really care or compare your two PS to each other. It seems unlikely that they'll review your application, be impressed by any other improvements you've made in your application, then look at the PS and think "Nah, toss it out! Same PS as last time..."

On the other hand, I think if you're reapplying and spent a year or more between cycles and have nothing to add to the PS then maybe you shouldn't be reapplying. Also, like Kittee said, you should never use the same material twice.

So, even though I didn't have a tremendous amount to add I rewrote my PS entirely.