Talk about Dad in Personal Statement?

[johncalvin]

A few weeks ago, I posted a thread asking if I should write about my mother's death in my personal statement.

I've thought about how it has affected me, and I've realized that I cannot consider myself ever been disadvantaged by her loss, a testament to my father.

In thinking about all that has influenced me as a person (and thus, by definition, influenced my decision to pursue a career as a physician) it all comes to my dad. I am at awe at how he has dealt with so many problems in his life (my mother's death is the least of it) and how he manages life's conflicts with idealism.

But since this is my personal statement, would it be wrong to write a good chunk about him? Perhaps I can tie in how his experiences have also affected me?

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[NickNaylor]

The point of the PS is to tell people "why you want to be a doctor." There's no right answer; what influenced you is what influenced you. I wouldn't force anything, but if your dad had a genuine, substantial impact on you wanting to become a doctor then you should include him.

 

[efitzpat]

If thats you how feel, then go for it. Unfortunately my dad reacted horribly to my mom's death and became a man-child. I moved in with my oldest sister and her family, and I did write about the impact her kids had on my maturity and the things I learned from them (care-taking, patience, etc). Just make sure to bring it back to you. Say what YOU learned from your dad - that because of his actions/example you now have X, Y and Z characteristics that will help you in a career in medicine.

 

[Caprica6]

In my PS I talked about some of work experiences, but I also talked about friends of mine who had a big impact on why I want to be a doctor. At first I wasn't sure if I should talk about other people, since it is a personal statement, but I felt it was the only way I could portray my desire to become a doctor.

 

[Non-TradTulsa]

My personal statement involved my father's death, the medical treatment he received, and my feelings about his treatment. Don't get too carried away talking about someone else, even someone you loved dearly - my statement was mostly about my journey to medicine. At the end, however, instead of quoting someone famous, I included a couple of my favorite quotes from my Dad. My personal statement was about me, but it was clearly a tribute to my Dad also. I think it was some of the better writing I've ever done, and I got specific comments on how moving it was at interviews. If it's in your heart, don't be afraid of it.

Talking about how your Dad's ideals, values, and behaviors has affected YOU is exactly the right track to take.

Your obvious affection for your Dad as well as for your Mom's memory is quite moving also. I wish you the best of luck.

 

[HolyGrail]

My father is in my personal statement. He is not the focus, but he is an integral part of who I am, and how I've developed as an adult. I feel that if I did not include him, my PS would not be as good...

 

[Bernoull]

Wow, I had misgivings about including my dad in my PS too, even though he profoundly influenced my desire to become a physician. A physician himself, he almost lost my life during a coup d'etat back home bcos he was out in harm's way attending to the wounded and transporting them to the hospital, he became an amputee from that experience, I get emotional everytime I think about it. Although this happened b4 I was born, the experience crystallizes the nobility, selflessness, service to others that medicine embodies, I always aspired to be a fraction of the physician he his..

I have other compelling motivations too, but this is my far the most important..

 

[bigman225]

i felt like it would be profoundly dishonest of me not to mention my father in my PS

 

[COBuffs]

I think you should absolutely write about your dad, mom, whatever if it affected you. My dad passed away from cancer last summer and I wrote about the impact he had on me as well as what I learned from the experience ( it probably took up about 1/3 of my PS). I went on 4 interviews and at every interview we spent a good deal of time talking about it, and the interviewers seemed to like that I had written about it bc it gives them more insight to you. just my .02 cents

 

[LaCasta]

I'm including my father's illness in my PS, but I don't focus just on him, and it also leads to the physicians I have met as a result