Supplemental question HELP plz!

[Buzz12]

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On the supplemental it asks:
1. How was your interest in Pharmacy as a career developed?

Isn't this what we basically answered in our personal statement? If yes, is it okay for me to use similar ideas that I wrote about in my personal statement to answer, follow up on those ideas, or will I have to write about something completely new?

Also, it asks to "briefly" answer this. So how long should it be?

Thank you 🙂

 

[owlegrad]

Here is an article you may find helpful.

http://www.studentdoctor.net/2011/07/medical-school-application-secondary-essays/

 

[pinksparkly]

I tend to be wordy, so I felt like I had to leave out a lot of details that make the story of my path to pharmacy interesting. Could you use the bones of your PS, but go a bit more in-depth? Or tell the story from a slightly different angle?

 

[Buzz12]

^ Same here, I really like writing so I like to make my essays sound interesting. But when they say "briefly" I feel like they just want you to go straight to the point, is that right?
Like it wouldn't be in a "intro, middle paragraph, conclusion" kind of format but I should just answer it straight on?


Thank you !

 

[owlegrad]

I tend to be wordy, so I felt like I had to leave out a lot of details that make the story of my path to pharmacy interesting. Could you use the bones of your PS, but go a bit more in-depth? Or tell the story from a slightly different angle?

^ Same here, I really like writing so I like to make my essays sound interesting. But when they say "briefly" I feel like they just want you to go straight to the point, is that right?
Like it wouldn't be in a "intro, middle paragraph, conclusion" kind of format but I should just answer it straight on?


Thank you !

4500 characters is not a challenge. A short PS is a true joy.

"As long as necessary, but as short as possible".

To comment on a specific question, you should use intro, middle, conclusion. Keep it short, but conform to standard writing conventions. 😉

Oh and concerning "different angles" - every attempt I have seen to be different comes off as "too clever for it's own good". Keep it simple, plain, and just get to the point. It is not an entertainment piece.

 

[DrDrugs2012]

On the supplemental it asks:
1. How was your interest in Pharmacy as a career developed?

Isn't this what we basically answered in our personal statement?

Who said thats what your personal statement was supposed to cover? Examples of atypical topics of good personal statements I have read:

• backpacking around the world
• tutoring athletes in college
• starting their own lawnmowing business
• following a band on tour
• writing a blog that people the author doesn't know actually read
• collecting comic books/cards

Personal statements are supposed to be personal and offer insight into who you are. I am not saying it is wrong to write about why you want to be in pharmacy school, but rather it is not the only right topic and that its simply not going to make you stand out in the crowd. Sometimes, its good to be the nail that sticks up.

 

[Ayuka001]

^ I have to disagree. The pharmacy personal statement is supposed to let others know more about you as a person but at the same time WHY you want to go to pharmacy school and how you decided pharmacy was the right career for you. Sure you can write about starting a business or collecting cards but it should have to do with pharmacy. Not everyone has the same reasons as to why they want to be a pharmacist that's why certain personal statements stand out, not b/c they wrote something completely unrelated to pharmacy. Look on Pharmcas:

Your Personal Essay should address why you selected pharmacy as a career and how the Doctor of Pharmacy degree relates to your immediate and long-term professional goals.