Tailoring Personal Statement - Final Verdict

[CavsFan2016]

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I know this has been discussed in the past, but I was hoping to get a final opinion and put this argument to rest:

Does tailoring your personal statement for 3-5 schools really make a difference? I'm talking about "reach" schools that you would love to have the opportunity to interview at but don't have a strong connection to the school/area. I'll be going into diagnostic radiology.

Thanks so much and looking forward to hearing what everyone's opinion is on the matter

 

[Dr. Doctor MD]

For reach/top programs it's probably meaningless as they know that you and every other applicant wants to be there. It certainly won't hurt you, but I would be very surprised if it made a bit of difference. I'm sure everyone want's to be at Harvard/Stanford/Hopkins Radiology etc so a personalized personal statement or even a letter of interest is unlikely to make much of a difference.

Tailoring your personal statement to lower/mid-tier programs or ones where you have a geographic connection could definitely be helpful. Especially if you're an above average applicant to a program that is in an undesirable area or considered lower tier. It could help show them that you're not just using them as a safety program.

 

[risperdoll]

I know this has been discussed in the past, but I was hoping to get a final opinion and put this argument to rest:

Does tailoring your personal statement for 3-5 schools really make a difference? I'm talking about "reach" schools that you would love to have the opportunity to interview at but don't have a strong connection to the school/area. I'll be going into diagnostic radiology.

Thanks so much and looking forward to hearing what everyone's opinion is on the matter

I’ve had residents tell me to tailor it to every single program I apply to (f no). My plan is to send letters of interest to those that I am most interested in if I don’t receive an interview in the first few weeks. An APD from a Kaiser program actually said to do so yesterday in a webinar I attended.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

I’ve had residents tell me to tailor it to every single program I apply to (f no). My plan is to send letters of interest to those that I am most interested in if I don’t receive an interview in the first few weeks. An APD from a Kaiser program actually said to do so yesterday in a webinar I attended.

Yeah I’ve even emailed a handful of PDs at programs that I have a very high interest in because of their proximity to family and stuff. Faculty at a different program had told me to do it because this year programs are going to have a terrible time deciding who is actually interested.

 

[Tenk]

Tailoring your PS to a program you have no connection with is very unlikely to change your status from no interview to interview especially for a “reach” school because they know what they are. The only time it would likely help would be if you’re a very strong applicant and you’re trying to match to a different area for geographic reasons (Ie family) so they might not offer you an interview because they figure you’re using them as backup and you’d just match elsewhere.

I wouldn’t waste my time but do whatever helps you sleep at night.

 

[CavsFan2016]

Yeah I’ve even emailed a handful of PDs at programs that I have a very high interest in because of their proximity to family and stuff. Faculty at a different program had told me to do it because this year programs are going to have a terrible time deciding who is actually interested.

Would you recommend doing that now or waiting a few weeks into the interview season if Im not getting an interview?

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Would you recommend doing that now or waiting a few weeks into the interview season if Im not getting an interview?

I'm not sure it matters honestly. I'm in the same boat as you so your guess is as good as mine as to which scenario is preferable.

 

[CallMeBigJeff]

I followed this thread pre-application season and for the sake of posterity just posting my 2 cents. I applied to a bunch of "out of my region" programs with pretty good stats and did not write a personalized PS and it worked out pretty well for me. For the future applicants reading this, it's my impression that a personalized PS won't yield much, but a letter of intent will if you're trying to get an interview for a place you think may look you over.

 

[husky_doc16]

I personalized my PS for a program that I had geographical tie to and got an interview. I think the odds of this working vary by specialty. If you are applying for IM for instance, idk how much it will help because they have thousands of apps to read through vs neurology who has a few hundred.

 

[Redpancreas]

I know this has been discussed in the past, but I was hoping to get a final opinion and put this argument to rest:

Does tailoring your personal statement for 3-5 schools really make a difference? I'm talking about "reach" schools that you would love to have the opportunity to interview at but don't have a strong connection to the school/area. I'll be going into diagnostic radiology.

Thanks so much and looking forward to hearing what everyone's opinion is on the matter

No one outside of those who review these apps can say. I would ask what kind of difference? I don't think it would be the difference of receiving an interview or not, but if it lines up with your other actions it could be a plus which makes the reader think you're worthy of an interview. I think admissions these days is wary of the little effort and customization it takes to write these 2-3 sentence cookie cutters into personal statements. Not saying it's not worth it as it can only help, but I doubt it would be a significant factor.

 

[Redpancreas]

I’ve had residents tell me to tailor it to every single program I apply to (f no). My plan is to send letters of interest to those that I am most interested in if I don’t receive an interview in the first few weeks. An APD from a Kaiser program actually said to do so yesterday in a webinar I attended.

Agreed, that's just propagated type A non-sense.

 

[AzBasRad]

If you are applying a speciality that requires a prelim year, I would advice crafting a preliminary-year specific personal statement on how you wish to utilize your PGY-1 year. I have had decent success this cycle (15+ interview invitations from prelim IM + TY) and my interviewers thus far have commended the goals I set forth in my PS.