Reusing Personal Statement

[PreMedLed]

Can you use the same personal statement for MD twice? This is my second year applying and I was wondering if I can reuse my personal statement for MD.

Thanks

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[SpoiledMilk]

You can, but ideally you'd want to rewrite the PS and any 2nds to incorporate new experiences, etc...

 

[AllBleedingStops]

Seems like a bad idea. Have you improved or done anything different since your last application?

 

[Isoval]

Unless your personal statement is objectively flawless - which I would bet a very large sum of money it is not -, do not copy and paste your personal statement.

It doesn’t have to be a total rework or a completely unique story. However, go over it and add another coat of polish. Clarify some things. Add some anecdotes. Remove some anecdotes. Do something.

 

[SadAsian]

I have heard from AdCom's directly to rewrite personal statements and experiences... the Dean of Admissions at the school I did my SMP at told me that it's viewed as lazy if you reuse. If you didn't get in last cycle, that should be an indicator that you might want to change up your primary/secondaries!

While you can keep the same shell, you should revamp the personal statement to reflect how you've grown/experiences you've had since the past cycle. I pretty much had the same first paragraph for mine but I reworded it with better language. I highly advise working with people to help you change it up; other perspectives are very helpful when it comes to finding new, clearer ways to phrase things.

 

[SadAsian]

You don't necessarily need a bunch of new experiences to re-write your essay. You also should have grown emotionally and mentally, allowing you to incorporate new viewpoints and lessons you've learned from old experiences based on how 'mature' and 'enlightened' you are now.

 

[DokterMom]

@gonnif beat me to it. If you got numerous interview invitations, that would suggest that your PS was strong and you should "edit visibly but with discretion" rather than re-write it. If you didn't get many interviews, take the hint and do a re-write.

 

[Med Ed]

OOS, 506, 3.52 cGPA, 3.34 sGPA. One interview at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University

For MD

Forget the PS, you need to bump your MCAT.

 

[SpoiledMilk]

You gotta apply DO during reapplication along with changing your PS and essays...