Reapplying Personal Comments Questions

Started by mmpete26
Get help with your application

Use all the free resources available to you from SDN: articles, guides, expert advising, forums discussions, and school research.

Browse articles Compare schools My application plan Read Interview Feedback
Practice for interviews Ask an Advisor
M

mmpete26

braindoc
10+ Year Member
15+ Year Member
I am reapplying this year, though I know it is late, I think I have a shot at getting in. My question is, the Personal Comments essay I wrote last year took forever, and I really liked it. Should I write a different essay or will schools look down on me if I use the same one, just update a few parts?
 
Someone else asked a question like that on here...but I don't know where the tread is.

Well, I went and talked to a few of the AdCom people from schools where I got rejected. The basic message I got from all of them is they will NOT go back and look at last year's essay if you are a reapplicant. However, since they KNOW you are a second- (or third-) time applicant, they kind of expect to see something in the personal statement which indicates your ongoing passion for medicine.

As for me, I kept most of my previous personal statement. However, I added an experience that I had this year with a patient (in March). I also took out another part so that it could all fit. At any rate, it's mostly the same but there's fresh information in there, so AdCom at least knows even though I was rejected I kept my interest in medicine going.

If you really want to rewrite the whole thing, go ahead. But if you think last years was good, keep it and add some minor stuff.

Good luck!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.