Reapplying-personal statement?

[G1SG2]

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Hello,

I didn't have any luck in the last application cycle (not even 1 interview), so now I'm a reapplicant. I applied to about 16 schools, withdrew from about 6, and got rejected from 10. I sort of stopped caring/applying after I received my MCAT score (my verbal score was extremely low). However, I am retaking the MCAT at the end of the month and hope to improve (I spoke to an admissions officer from my state school and she said she believes my verbal score is the "only blemish" on my application; however, I'm still trying to improve my application in every way that I can).

Now, I know a lot of people say not to use the same personal statement as last time, and I agree. However, would it be terrible if I kept the same intro and conclusion as my last PS? I changed the body around and updated it with new stuff (i.e., what I will be doing this upcoming year, and talked more about how I became drawn to medicine).

Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[G1SG2]

Anyone? 🙂

 

[AcclratngCharge]

Anyone? 🙂

My opinion isn't worth 2 cents but I will share. If you were satisfied with your first one, don't change the overall idea. If you can alter the language to be more interesting, or inspiring, or even best, more influential, then go for it.

It would be impersonal to change it to something you may think they want to see. Be confident with your first one.

Good luck with the MCAT, the VR is my weak spot too. How were you doing on the AAMC's (assuming you took them) ?

 

[G1SG2]

My opinion isn't worth 2 cents but I will share. If you were satisfied with your first one, don't change the overall idea. If you can alter the language to be more interesting, or inspiring, or even best, more influential, then go for it.

It would be impersonal to change it to something you may think they want to see. Be confident with your first one.

Good luck with the MCAT, the VR is my weak spot too. How were you doing on the AAMC's (assuming you took them) ?

Thanks for the response. I agree, I don't think I should completely change it, as my reasons for wanting to be a physician haven't changed...I just updated it.

I've been scoring in the 33-35 range on the AAMCs. My science scores were very close to my AAMC avg, but the verbal was just an anomaly. Hope this is my last time taking the MCAT!

 

[sharksRfriends]

Hello,

I didn't have any luck in the last application cycle (not even 1 interview), so now I'm a reapplicant. I applied to about 16 schools, withdrew from about 6, and got rejected from 10. I sort of stopped caring/applying after I received my MCAT score (my verbal score was extremely low). However, I am retaking the MCAT at the end of the month and hope to improve (I spoke to an admissions officer from my state school and she said she believes my verbal score is the "only blemish" on my application; however, I'm still trying to improve my application in every way that I can).

Now, I know a lot of people say not to use the same personal statement as last time, and I agree. However, would it be terrible if I kept the same intro and conclusion as my last PS? I changed the body around and updated it with new stuff (i.e., what I will be doing this upcoming year, and talked more about how I became drawn to medicine).

Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks.

I don't see a problem with not changing your intro and conclusion, but are you sure they are as good as you think they are? I thought my PS was really great, but then when I was going to re-apply, I had many people read it, and became very aware of all of the misgivings in it and all of the ways it could be improved. It was like my original personal statement was my child, and I would accept it, imperfections and all. If you haven't had people read your PS, I would strongly recommend it.

As for your VR score, how are you working to improve it? When I started taking practice tests, I was getting a 6 or 7 on the VR, but after months of practicing, I was getting a 12 or 13. I think the VR is the easiest part to improve your score because it doesn't require strong outside knowledge like the other sections. There are many effective methods out there for improving your VR score, and the more you practice, the easier it will be for you. Best of luck. =)

 

[G1SG2]

I don't see a problem with not changing your intro and conclusion, but are you sure they are as good as you think they are? I thought my PS was really great, but then when I was going to re-apply, I had many people read it, and became very aware of all of the misgivings in it and all of the ways it could be improved. It was like my original personal statement was my child, and I would accept it, imperfections and all. If you haven't had people read your PS, I would strongly recommend it.

As for your VR score, how are you working to improve it? When I started taking practice tests, I was getting a 6 or 7 on the VR, but after months of practicing, I was getting a 12 or 13. I think the VR is the easiest part to improve your score because it doesn't require strong outside knowledge like the other sections. There are many effective methods out there for improving your VR score, and the more you practice, the easier it will be for you. Best of luck. =)

Hey, yes I've had many people read it, friends, professors, med students, and they've given me a lot of positive feedback! I'm still sending out the final draft to some people, so I will submit my AMCAS after revisions.

Now, I was averaging 8-9 in verbal before my first MCAT last year, coupled with a few 7s. However, I am also getting 12s and 13s now. I've just been practicing a lot and reading op-ed sections of the NY Times, WSJ, and a bunch of other stuff. Glad to hear you improved as well!

 

[pietachok]

I did not change my PS too much from year to year. I did not get into med school until my 3rd app. I did remove a paragraph that turned out to be ill-advised (defending some poor grades . . . something my adviser wrongly told me to do), which obviously freed up space for some new content, but overall, it was very much the same.

I did, however, know that my challenges were not in my PS. If there is *any* question that your PS is part of the reason you haven't gotten in, it's worth it to re-think it.