Regional Specific Personal statements?

[LifeLeaf]

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So I'm from California, grew up there my entire life, went to College at UCLA, and all my family in the area, and was thinking of putting some information on that in my california personal statements.

So I have heard some people say that specialized personal statements are insulting to their program, but haven't figured out why that would be? I feel like if I have specific ties to the area then it is worth pointing out, no? Was even considering a special one for UCLA considering it was my alma mater..

 

[Dral]

Could work out. I wrote about 30 different ps's (just made the last paragraph institution specific)...didn't seem to make a difference. Nor did it make a difference to someone who did the same thing a year ahead of me.

What I think DID help me is that for two programs, I sent an email expressing my interest in interviewing at their institution and it got me an interview at both programs. This also worked for another friend the year prior to me. I do not know if the places were planning on giving me an interview anyway.

If you do get an interview this way, I think you really have to wow them to be ranked highly if you weren't going to necessarily get a 'view spot to begin with.

 

[mamagir]

Could work out. I wrote about 30 different ps's (just made the last paragraph institution specific)...didn't seem to make a difference. Nor did it make a difference to someone who did the same thing a year ahead of me.

What I think DID help me is that for two programs, I sent an email expressing my interest in interviewing at their institution and it got me an interview at both programs. This also worked for another friend the year prior to me. I do not know if the places were planning on giving me an interview anyway.

If you do get an interview this way, I think you really have to wow them to be ranked highly if you weren't going to necessarily get a 'view spot to begin with.

I am also considering these personalized statements. I am curious as to exactly how you know they didn't make a difference. I don't really want to bother but I feel like it might somehow be helpful. This is my second time round and trying to do things differently.
Is there anyone else that can say whether or not individualized statements make a difference?

 

[NotAProgDirector]

I am also considering these personalized statements. I am curious as to exactly how you know they didn't make a difference. I don't really want to bother but I feel like it might somehow be helpful. This is my second time round and trying to do things differently.
Is there anyone else that can say whether or not individualized statements make a difference?

If, like the OP, you have something very specific to say about a particular program or area of the country, then perhaps it may help.

There is NO point to having a sentence like: "... and I would love to do my training at XXX program because the clinical training is top notch", simply filling in the name of the program into the PS. That's pointless.

 

[mamagir]

If, like the OP, you have something very specific to say about a particular program or area of the country, then perhaps it may help.

There is NO point to having a sentence like: "... and I would love to do my training at XXX program because the clinical training is top notch", simply filling in the name of the program into the PS. That's pointless.

Thanks for your input!