Should a PS be written as a standalone piece?

[uphillBattle]

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Reason I'm asking is because there are certain key events that really turned me around. I felt the need to give an entire paragraph to one and originally included a statement at the end about how it helped me medical wise.

But then I've read that its better to leave details in the activities section and instead focus on the impact to medicine in the PS instead. So I cut down some details (to my sadness since they were really interesting details) and tied it to why I want to do medicine.

 

[coffeesnob]

yes, ps should be a standalone piece. the reader should not have to refer to your "activities" while reading your ps.

yes, it's a good practice to leave details in the activities section...

not sure what you are asking though...

 

[uphillBattle]

yes, ps should be a standalone piece. the reader should not have to refer to your "activities" while reading your ps.

yes, it's a good practice to leave details in the activities section...

not sure what you are asking though...

Let me give you an example. Say I talk about some activity that I did in college and describe a tangential detail as in "Watching blah made me enjoy blah about this activitiy". As you can see, I describe a detail which made me enjoy the activity quite a bit but doesn't relate directly to medicine.

These are the types of details I'm referring to. Is it a good idea to have them in, giving the PS a sense of authenticity and interest, or take them out?

 

[kickster]

Let me give you an example. Say I talk about some activity that I did in college and describe a tangential detail as in "Watching blah made me enjoy blah about this activitiy". As you can see, I describe a detail which made me enjoy the activity quite a bit but doesn't relate directly to medicine.

These are the types of details I'm referring to. Is it a good idea to have them in, giving the PS a sense of authenticity and interest, or take them out?

Your PS should be standalone, and you should give your reasons for enjoying activities in the activities section (instead of just giving a description). If you have an anecdote from a specific activity, that could be used in your PS.

 

[DokterMom]

Let me give you an example. Say I talk about some activity that I did in college and describe a tangential detail as in "Watching blah made me enjoy blah about this activitiy". As you can see, I describe a detail which made me enjoy the activity quite a bit but doesn't relate directly to medicine.

These are the types of details I'm referring to. Is it a good idea to have them in, giving the PS a sense of authenticity and interest, or take them out?

The "I learned blah from watching blah" bit belongs in the PS.

"I came to appreciate blah while volunteering 10 hours per week sophomore year at blah doing blah" belongs in the activities section.

 

[uphillBattle]

The "I learned blah from watching blah" bit belongs in the PS.

"I came to appreciate blah while volunteering 10 hours per week sophomore year at blah doing blah" belongs in the activities section.

Got it. A few details may be ok but as long as it doesn't interfere with the larger story and is within the character limit, it should be fine right?

Also, when listing out items like the conference my abstract got submitted to, etc. or the lab I researched in, should we be listing the complete name or lab location i.e. Dr. ____'s lab in the _____ dept. or Society for ___________

Your PS should be standalone, and you should give your reasons for enjoying activities in the activities section (instead of just giving a description). If you have an anecdote from a specific activity, that could be used in your PS.

A few details are ok though right? Also, same question that I asked DokterMom applies here. Should we be listing out the entire acronym or give the department of the professor we did research under?

 

[coffeesnob]

Got it. A few details may be ok but as long as it doesn't interfere with the larger story and is within the character limit, it should be fine right?

Also, when listing out items like the conference my abstract got submitted to, etc. or the lab I researched in, should we be listing the complete name or lab location i.e. Dr. ____'s lab in the _____ dept. or Society for ___________



A few details are ok though right? Also, same question that I asked DokterMom applies here. Should we be listing out the entire acronym or give the department of the professor we did research under?

Are you going to write about your abstract submission in your personal statement? 😱 That's not a good idea. A few details are okay ONLY if you are answering "why medicine" with those details. Don't waste precious words describing the lab location....department...whatever.

It's called personal statement for a reason. You do not want to turn your "activities" into an essay form in your personal statement.

... PM me what you have (if you wish). I will take a look at it.

 

[Disinence2]

I don't think you need to include the names of your research professors in your personal statement.

This is your one chance to be creative and show medical schools who you really are, and why you will make a better doctor than the other 1000 applicants.

Leave the details and "resume" stuff for the rest of your application.

 

[Iso4ane]

YOu should be able to tie key event in your PS to why you want to go into medicine, and only use details if that helps your point.

As cliche as it is, so of the points I made about why I wanted to enter med school, included helping others, teaching, etc. I was able to finding life events that supported that view.