Support Needed: Statement of Purpose -- Post-Bacc Premed Program

[Mind_Over_Matter]

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Undergrad Degree: Accounting & Financial Reporting
Overall GPA: 3.87, with High Distinction
Currently Employed: Currency Exchange Finance Analyst

I am a non-traditional 29 yo female in the process of applying to a Post-baccalaureate Premedical Program. Having little to no science background, this 14-month program is designed for career-changers and is intended to improve one's chances of being accepted at medical school. It also encompasses MCAT preparation coursework, so that upon completion, applicants will have the necessary science pre-requisites, can sit for the MCAT, and apply to medical schools all at the same time. This is a highly competitive program with only 25 applicants being accepted each year.

Below, I have included a brief synopsis of my Statement of Purpose - the outline below may sound technical, but it is presented in a simple manner to solicite feedback on its content. In my essay, I shed light on my personal journey that has compelled me to transition to the field of medicine. Any advice you're able to extend, would be very much appreciated.

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Statement of Purpose

I begin by mentioning my immigrant experience and how it has impacted my view on life. Later in the passage, I would also use this theme to reinforce the idea of utilizing my heritage to bridge gaps in the medical field.

I discuss being closely involved in my family's medical affairs. My father was on life support and passed away - I explain my interaction with the doctors and how I monitored his progress while spending time at his bedside. My mother was diagnosed with a brain tumor - I elaborate on my ability to remain resilient while offering my mother compassionate advice and guidance. My brother underwent an innovative and groundbreaking heart procedure in which he was the fourth case trial in the US - I define this experience as the moment of inspiration for me. Lastly, I myself have undergone surgery on my neck. In my example, I talk about the lack of care I received from the surgeon following my procedure and how this negative experience only made me more determined to pursue medicine.

I discuss my finance background and how my transferable analytic and technical skills can be used for a greater purpose - to achieve my passion in medicine.

I write about my volunteering with terminally ill children with the Make-A-Wish Foundation in hopes of satisfying my desire to improve the quality of life for other people, and how I remain feeling unfulfilled in my quest.

I summarize the passage by highlighting my experiences and how they all serve to propel me toward pursuing my ambitions of becoming a physician.

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[Love4many]

I like how you utilize your past experiences tying it into how it relates to medicine.. Love it
When you're telling a story about your father and his medical condition try to do it from a different perspective because I think that most of the people going towards medicine have a personal attachment. I think the perspective you should use is how you were able to keep a level head assist your mother financially emotionally you are able to stand strong and such torment. Love the idea of you talking about being an immigrant considering that America is made up of immigrants you have a unique perspective but having your essay with the main theme associated with your financial background I think will be a way to make us a unique anyway love with you got so far

 

[ehwhatsupdoc]

I think you have a good synopsis of your personal statement so far. I would just be careful about disparaging your surgeon too vehemently (and maybe explain possible reasons for the lack of care, maybe little sleep, or overworked and how you still respect his/her dedication to the filed). Also why give up your current job to do a traditional post bacc? I understand that a traditional post bacc is the gold standard for nontrads, but your high gpa more than makes up for it. All you really have to do is take a couple of courses in the evening per semester while studying for the mcat. You may realize that you don't like the subject matter at all eventhough you love the idea of being a doctor and treating patients. Of course if you don't think you can manage classes along with a full time job then it would make sense to do the traditional post bacc. Good luck!

 

[Love4many]

I like how you utilize your past experiences tying it into how it relates to medicine.. Love it
When you're telling a story about your father and his medical condition try to do it from a different perspective because I think that most of the people going towards medicine have a personal attachment. I think the perspective you should use is how you were able to keep a level head assist your mother financially emotionally you are able to stand strong and such torment. Love the idea of you talking about being an immigrant considering that America is made up of immigrants you have a unique perspective but having your essay with the main theme associated with your financial background I think will be a way to make us a unique anyway love with you got so far

Laugh out loud I'm reading what I wrote and it's barely legible I hope you understand the sentiment behind the gibberish

 

[Mind_Over_Matter]

LOL @Love4many .. I definitely took away meaningful tips from your post. With my father's situation, I used an angle of monitoring his vitals and understanding pertinent details of his condition. Throughout the essay, I keep reminding myself that I don't want it to sound mundane or just another essay talking about a death of close one. With that in mind, I used a unique perspective in each anecdote. I agree with you - I'm hoping that my intricate experiences will provide enough content for the ADCOM.

 

[Love4many]

LOL @Love4many .. I definitely took away meaningful tips from your post. With my father's situation, I used an angle of monitoring his vitals and understanding pertinent details of his condition. Throughout the essay, I keep reminding myself that I don't want it to sound mundane or just another essay talking about a death of close one. With that in mind, I used a unique perspective in each anecdote. I agree with you - I'm hoping that my intricate experiences will provide enough content for the ADCOM.

I'm glad you were able to take something from it. Just to warn you... make sure the anecdotes used are not manipulative. There is a fine line between being persuasive and manipulative.

I think a good way to walk that line is to discuss your strengths in a "matter-of-fact" way. your ability to self reflect, your ability to be decisive and the ingenuity to use the skills that you already have and applied to medicine is a good start. I think

good luck!

 

[Mind_Over_Matter]

@ehwhatsupdoc -- the surgeon was being judgmental of my symptoms; that's the part that I took issue with. So while I respect his intellect and many years of experience and accolades (the reason I chose him in the first place), he fell short of delivering when I was most volatile and needed him the most. Not sure how to put a positive twist on that. Or if I should. 🙂 .. But I definitely see your point. Not knowing the full extent of my predicament, the ADCOM may involuntarily side with the surgeon. I'll have to use some creative sugar-coating.

To address your second point - I've thought about this quite often. I would love nothing more than to be able to attend classes while maintaining my full-time position. I have great time management skills and taking two courses a semester wouldn't jeopardize my other commitments. It would also keep me from having to apply for loans to finance my classes. That said, I do have valid reasons. I am applying to the University of Michigan's Post-bacc program, and while they don't guarantee it per say, I'm hoping to gain admission to their School of Medicine after completing the pre-reqs there. In this manner, I'd stay close to home, close to family - close to my support system. Further, while completing my pre-reqs at UofM, I can also tap into a whole realm of research and clinical opportunities.

If I don't get accepted, I'll pursue the backup plan of attending classes in the evening. I'll just have to figure out how to fit in ECs at that point. We'll see how things unfold. Thanks for all the advice! 🙂

 

[ThoracicGuy]

@ehwhatsupdoc -- the surgeon was being judgmental of my symptoms; that's the part that I took issue with. So while I respect his intellect and many years of experience and accolades (the reason I chose him in the first place), he fell short of delivering when I was most volatile and needed him the most. Not sure how to put a positive twist on that. Or if I should. 🙂 .. But I definitely see your point. Not knowing the full extent of my predicament, the ADCOM may involuntarily side with the surgeon. I'll have to use some creative sugar-coating.

To address your second point - I've thought about this quite often. I would love nothing more than to be able to attend classes while maintaining my full-time position. I have great time management skills and taking two courses a semester wouldn't jeopardize my other commitments. It would also keep me from having to apply for loans to finance my classes. That said, I do have valid reasons. I am applying to the University of Michigan's Post-bacc program, and while they don't guarantee it per say, I'm hoping to gain admission to their School of Medicine after completing the pre-reqs there. In this manner, I'd stay close to home, close to family - close to my support system. Further, while completing my pre-reqs at UofM, I can also tap into a whole realm of research and clinical opportunities.

If I don't get accepted, I'll pursue the backup plan of attending classes in the evening. I'll just have to figure out how to fit in ECs at that point. We'll see how things unfold. Thanks for all the advice! 🙂

Have someone that has no relationship to you to read this. Someone that won't feel bad about giving you honest advice. I would be very hesitant of talking badly about any medical professional. The ADCOMs don't want to get into a he said-she said kind of argument and may look poorly upon this.

 

[Mind_Over_Matter]

@ehwhatsupdoc @ThoracicGuy -- here's what I included in my essay. I wouldn't mind any candid feedback:

"Having been involved in an accident, I suffered from a herniated disc that required surgery. My surgeon and his staff were quite accommodating leading up to my procedure. Matters quickly downward spiraled as I experienced post-op complications and my surgeon alienated himself from the situation prompting me to file a complaint with the hospital. In light of such a horrible experience, instead of estranging me from medicine, I was exceedingly more motivated to set a better example for patients in need of care."

 

[Lawgiver]

im getting a weird vibe here. U can "sit" for mcat whenever you want. No class or program is required. An official postbac is not required either. You can just take the required pre reqs at ur own pace. Are you foreign schooled? I also get the feeling you are taking this too lightly and your statements come of a bit cookie cutter. Might work for someone thats 22 and just out of college. And the fact it didn't occur to you that bad mouthing a professional in the field you are applying to is a big no no speaks to a certain lack of awareness.

I suggest caution and more personal reflection before moving on.

 

[ksyhe]

@ehwhatsupdoc @ThoracicGuy -- here's what I included in my essay. I wouldn't mind any candid feedback:

"Having been involved in an accident, I suffered from a herniated disc that required surgery. My surgeon and his staff were quite accommodating leading up to my procedure. Matters quickly downward spiraled as I experienced post-op complications and my surgeon alienated himself from the situation prompting me to file a complaint with the hospital. In light of such a horrible experience, instead of estranging me from medicine, I was exceedingly more motivated to set a better example for patients in need of care."

Having been an editor/writer in my previous career, my suggestion to you would be "show, don't tell." <-- Google this phrase for examples of what I mean -- it's a very common mistake in many pieces I've edited over the years. Good luck!

 

[ehwhatsupdoc]

@ehwhatsupdoc @ThoracicGuy -- here's what I included in my essay. I wouldn't mind any candid feedback:

"Having been involved in an accident, I suffered from a herniated disc that required surgery. My surgeon and his staff were quite accommodating leading up to my procedure. Matters quickly downward spiraled as I experienced post-op complications and my surgeon alienated himself from the situation prompting me to file a complaint with the hospital. In light of such a horrible experience, instead of estranging me from medicine, I was exceedingly more motivated to set a better example for patients in need of care."

I agree with Lawgiver on this one. It's best to not include any wrongdoing from the Surgeon. Just state the facts and possibly be specific about the complications you had. I would leave out the part of filing the complaint and placing judgment on the Surgeon. You have to ask how this part of your personal statement really shows your dedication to pursuing medicine. To me it just explains you had a bad experience during surgery, something that is all too common. Also include more about your current job. What it entails, the analytical side to it etc. And be as detailed as possible about your brother's heart procedure, make it show how intriguing and inspirational it was for you. The personal statement needs to show more about you and who you are as a person and why medicine.

 

[Love4many]

include more about your current job. What it entails, the analytical side to it etc. And be as detailed as possible about your brother's heart procedure, make it show how intriguing and inspirational it was for you. The personal statement needs to show more about you and who you are as a person and why medicine.[/QUOTE]

I completely agree!

 

[Mind_Over_Matter]

@Lawgiver -- I realize that I can sit for the MCAT whenever I want, however, the post-bacc is intended for people who don't have a science background and its framework incorporates official review segments for the MCAT. It's an all-inclusive post-bacc program - prereqs, MCAT review, research assistance, and advising on medical school application.

Other than myself stating that I immigrated to the States, what in my statements leads you to question if I was foreign schooled? Not that it matters, but my schooling was in the States.

Lastly, I am changing careers and my commitment to leave a high-paying job to pursue my ambition in medicine and be in a negative income position for the next six years, is not exactly representative of "taking things lightly."

 

[Mind_Over_Matter]

@ksyhe @ehwhatsupdoc @Love4many -- I probably won't be able to include a more detailed explanation of my experience without either going over the word limit or delving into personal health matters. But, just so you understand, I began to have seizure-like symptoms immediately following my procedure. The surgeon was not familiar with these episodes and rather than attempting to understand the root cause, he became inattentive to my calls for help. That said, my sole intent of including this anecdote from my personal experience, was not in the very least to bash or discredit the surgeon but to shed light on how I rose above the situation and became more determined to provide patients with the level of care they deserved.

 

[Mind_Over_Matter]

@ehwhatsupdoc @Love4many -- I included my involvement in my brother's heart procedure and how that defined the moment of inspiration for me - I focused on the medical aspects of his procedure. I also intertwined the abilities I currently possess in my role as a finance analyst and how that gives me competitive advantage in my pursuits. The outline in my original post is a simple summary of the key take-aways I included in my essay; it does not give you the full breadth and depth of my essay. Thank you both for your advice.