Rewriting the personal statement

[gnu]

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So I wasn't sure if this should be here or in the reapplicant forum, but I'm starting to rewrite my PS incase I don't get in off waitlists, and I was wondering if I should just modify last years or start new?

Also if I were to start new, would the schools I reapply to have access to my old ps as part of my application or would they only be reading my new one?

 

[lstone13]

So I wasn't sure if this should be here or in the reapplicant forum, but I'm starting to rewrite my PS incase I don't get in off waitlists, and I was wondering if I should just modify last years or start new?

Also if I were to start new, would the schools I reapply to have access to my old ps as part of my application or would they only be reading my new one?

I'm curious about this as well. And also, do schools maintain your previous application to their school, or do they just know that you applied their previously without reviewing both your new and old application?

 

[tremulousNeedle]

So I wasn't sure if this should be here or in the reapplicant forum, but I'm starting to rewrite my PS incase I don't get in off waitlists, and I was wondering if I should just modify last years or start new?

Also if I were to start new, would the schools I reapply to have access to my old ps as part of my application or would they only be reading my new one?

Only you can decide the content of your PS. Some would argue that the first PS didn't work, so start over. Others would argue that maybe your PS was fine and that wasn't your downfall, but by changing it, possibly in a negative way, you negatively affect your chances. Either way, after reading numerous personal statements myself, it would be rare occurrence where someone would read two of your personal statements, if two were available (one is often painful enough).

AMCAS is completely separate from year to year; I am not sure if they can still access previous year application, but I doubt they would go through the trouble. If you reapply to some of the same schools, some are bound to save applications for a year or two, so your old PS may be in there. As an interviewer, I never see the old application, if there was one for re-applicants. Current AMCAS applications do list the previous years that an applicant has applied.

-admissions committee interviewer / senior medical student

 

[DbDan]

So I wasn't sure if this should be here or in the reapplicant forum, but I'm starting to rewrite my PS incase I don't get in off waitlists, and I was wondering if I should just modify last years or start new?

Also if I were to start new, would the schools I reapply to have access to my old ps as part of my application or would they only be reading my new one?

Does the old one still hold firmly true? Is there new information that is neglected by not modifying it? I know for mine I changed the perspective to more clinically based since i've spent my last year in a hospital and dr's office 50+ hrs a week and corrected a glaring clinical weakness in my application.

I've heard conflicting reports on the re-app seeing both apps. I think that varies from school to school. If you applied last year, they likely have access to your application from last year and can compare the two, if you did not they do not have access. It is up to the school if they want to compare the two applications to see improvement/changes or if they want to review based on solely your new application