The Official Personal Statement Reader List 2009

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Status
Not open for further replies.
I know this is a dumb question, but how do I attach a word document when I private message someone? As you can tell I am not computer savvy!
Don't worry, you're not missing anything - there is no way to do this. The best thing to do is to send a nice PM to the volunteer, asking them if they have any time for looking over your PS. Also make sure to let them know where you are in the process and the type of feedback you're looking for, so that way they'll be able to gauge their potential helpfulness for your situation. Make sure to exchange email addresses so that you can send the Word document attached to an email.
 
Good Lord, I'm gonna friggin' cry if another person sends me a completely lameass PS. Hey folks, if one of the readers has a clear description of what they want to proof, and you send them something completely different, don't be surprised if they don't bother with it. Same's true for people who say, "Hey, PM me for an email address," and then you send them your novel-length essay.

Christ.

:boom:

sigh.

Okay, back to my inbox I go.
 
Hi,
Can you mark me as unavailable? I need to read through the dozen or I have now before I can accept anymore. Thanks.
 
Hi,

To those who have sent me your personal statements. Please send them to me as a word attachment. I have messaged my email address to all of the people who have pm'ed me their ps's as inline text. Priority will go to those who send me their ps as a word document. It's much easier for me to make changes and add comments in a word document, and for you to clearly see the changes, than it is to make the changes in the sdn message box.

Thanks!
 
Nice of you to openly castigate the people that entrust you with their personal statements. You'll be a terrific doctor.









Good Lord, I'm gonna friggin' cry if another person sends me a completely lameass PS. Hey folks, if one of the readers has a clear description of what they want to proof, and you send them something completely different, don't be surprised if they don't bother with it. Same's true for people who say, "Hey, PM me for an email address," and then you send them your novel-length essay.

Christ.

:boom:

sigh.

Okay, back to my inbox I go.
 
the PS writers i messaged havent responded if they would be willing to read my essay... not cool.. ive been waiting for days..
i have no1 to read my essay since i have no pre med friends, therefore no useful feedback : (
 
Nice of you to openly castigate the people that entrust you with their personal statements. You'll be a terrific doctor.

Yes, yes, I can see how my entirely disconnected reference to a small set of PSs, all of which I commented on and returned, among a way larger group of perfectly fine PSs (from people who actually took the time to read my post in the reader list) equals open castigation, which in turn will make me a crappy doctor. Your powers of flawless logic and reasoning will make you an even better doctor than I could ever be!
 
Yes, yes, I can see how my entirely disconnected reference to a small set of PSs, all of which I commented on and returned, among a way larger group of perfectly fine PSs (from people who actually took the time to read my post in the reader list) equals open castigation, which in turn will make me a crappy doctor. Your powers of flawless logic and reasoning will make you an even better doctor than I could ever be!


My bad here. Sorry. Let me qualify my observation, openly castigating a few select people who entrust you with their personal statements is really classy. You'll make a terrific doctor. Feel better now.
 
My bad here. Sorry. Let me qualify my observation, openly castigating a few select people who entrust you with their personal statements is really classy. You'll make a terrific doctor. Feel better now.

Okay. 👍

Back to the purpose of this thread. Chad, if you'd be so kind to readd me, I'll take a few more PSs.
 
🙂
 
Last edited:
I enjoyed reading quite a lot of statements a few years back and am happy to read some over the next few weeks. PM me.
 
🙂
 
Last edited:
I still gotta conjure up mine, but looking forward to pming it to you guys. Gotta say this thread is awesome and all the readers deserve major props.
 
okay, time to put a small suspension on mine. i'm heading out of town on sunday and have enough in the queue to cover me until then. so: hiatus from now until monday the 30th
 
I'd like to be put in the 'temporarily unavailable' section.
 
Hey guys =)
I pm'd a few of the most recent posters, but on the off-chance that I don't get any messages back, anyone willing to read a ps?

Thanks, this is a great thread, and I'm gonna be a reader when I get done with my crrrrrrrrrap. =P
 
It looks like a lot of people are getting a lot of PS to read, so I'll put my name down as a reader as well. For your info, I graduated this year with BA in biochem and Community Health and have written a bunch of articles with public health focus as well as a senior thesis. I can help you with cutting down on unnecessary information as well as grammar and sentence structure. PM me for help and I'll give you my e-mail to send me your PS.
 
I can read personal statements.

I have already submitted my application this year, having had a lot of the people on this forum and friends/coworkers read and had a lot of good comments, so now it's time to return the favor. I'm a pretty good writer and proofreader.

I tend to give a lot of comments, so take it as constructive, because it is!

I can also read MD/PhD essays, as I was an MD/PhD applicant and have had 5 years of research experience.
 
I would like to be added to the personal statement readers.

I am a biochemistry major, so not really the most writing intensive, but I am a fairly good writer. My main focus in personal statements is on flow and word choice. I like to make sure that what people are trying to say is getting across in the most clear and concise way possible. I have edited many of my friends personal statements and essays are want to help others.

Also warning that I make tons of comments (I'm talking that for one of my friends I made over 100 comments).

I'm also willing to look over some secondary essays if people want me to look over them since they are now starting.
 
I would be willing to help anyone out. I focus less on grammar and more on overall prose and ideas written.
 
🙂
 
Last edited:
I just wanted to say publicly in these forums that lazymed and eagle34 were SO INCREDIBLY HELPFUL in editing my PS. They gave me great pointers of how to streamline my PS, made wonderful edits, and are helping me convey what I want to say in a clearer/more concise manner.

THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!!! 👍👍👍
 
Please add me to the list. I am a 5th year MD/PhD student at a top 10 program. By now, I've reviewed about 25 personal statements. I've also helped review applications for my school's adcom.
 
I can do grammar and spelling if anybody is interested. I'm not good with flow/creativity/transition etc. Please PM me if you would like me to go over your statement.

Disclaimer: I'm in the process of drafting a PS myself for matriculation in 2009.
 
I don't mind reading some PS and giving some comments. It's a nice way to pass time in my lab before I start school in a few weeks (yes, I am still working 😡)
I've been helping out my friends with their PS this year. Now that I'm done with theirs, I have some free time for others.
I don't do grammar and spelling. I would only give suggestions on how to sell yourself properly (I've been in the PR field for quite a while).
 
Temp unavailable
Sorry guys, quite a few PS to read and I have to start packing
 
Jelly476 - I got into med school this past cycle. I also got a T on the writing section. I'll gladly give your PS a gander and let you know what I think of it😉
 
I finished my own PS recently so I can help others now. I focus on the actual content so if you're sending me your personal statement, keep in mind that there is a good chance that I would suggest rewriting some (or all) of it. But hey, the PS is really important.
 
Could you add that I'm only doing 1-2 per day? Getting kind of swamped haha.
 
Can't we have a dedicated page to put together all the common mistakes found in personal statements?
It's just disturbing that many websites (even SDN) have covered some of these problems. (ie. SHOW not TELL <---- too many "After-working-with-the-patients, I-realize-how-important-medicine-is" without explaining WHY; too many INSIGNIFICANT qualifications <---- working out and staying healthy DOES not reflect your qualification to become a good doctor; etc)
People, I mean, people, COME ON. This is probably one of the most important essays. Do some research.
Also, FOCUS on your career goal in medicine. In my opinion, DOOOOOON'T spend 1/2 of the characters talking about one of your other passions without giving any references to medicine in order to make you seem unique (seriously, I felt like I was reading admission essays for other professions).
 
gotta agree with coralfangs there. and please mark me as temporarily unavailable. I got 7 requests in 1 day haha.
 
I could do a few a day. 🙂 I've just submitted my app so I thought I'd help out. I'm no English major, but for what it's worth I got a 5 on Eng AP 😛 and did okay on VR (12). I would comment more on flow/logic and content than grammar, so if that's your cup of tea, PM meh.
 
Chad, please mark me as Unavailable until further notice. Thank you for all the hardwork.
 
We are no longer reviewing personal statements. We did nearly 20 of these and got exactly 1 thank you.
 
Temporarily out of service
 
OK, you can remove me from the list now. I've read several dozen. I think I've repaid my debt 🙂.
 
I can take on some PS.

ME: Very strong grammar background. Writing intensive minor. Experience editing for a comedy publication. Have worked on PS for friends in several fields (grad school, law, med, pharm).
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top