***The Official Personal Statement Reader List 2010***

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Just wanted to see if someone could correct my name in the readers list. I believe the "c" was left out. I'm Proctodoc. Thanks!
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i'll read. I was one class short of an english minor, did well on the writing section of the MCAT and 36 on the english portion of the ACT. 4.0 for english and grammar classes... grammar and spelling are my strengths, transitions are my weakness.

If anyone wants help, let me know :)
 
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I'll be able to read personal statements, too. (I'll be available after January 10th.)

I can read for both grammar and content. While I do not have any formal qualifications, I am a grammar Nazi and, back in the day, I composed some mean essays for writing contests. I also drafted a strong PS this cycle (or so I was told by my rec letter writers, my pre-med advisor, and the countless friends who read over my essay).
 
Credentials: Got into medical school with 3.05 GPA and 2.97 BCPM, with a full scholarship.
 
bfreefasho said:
Credentials: Got into medical school with 3.05 GPA and 2.97 BCPM, with a full scholarship.
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I will not read for grammar, but will help with developing overall themes or ideas throughout the essay that will make you (the applicant) stand out regardless of GPA or MCAT.
 
I'll read any PS too!

I was a peer reader at my undergrad for three years, and read a few PS last year during the cycle.

I tend to focus on style, theme, and personality while I look at papers, and can figure out flow problems as well. My own personal statement was a little "creative", so I am not one to shy away from trying new ideas or pushing some of the typical limits that most people adhere to. ;)

please do not PM me your Personal statement directly. A little courtesy goes a long way, ask first.... If I have time for you I will let you know how to get the PS to me. Thanks!
 
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Hey guys, sorry to do this to those of you that have already sent me PSes, but I have to put aside reading PSes for the time being. There's just too many things to do! I'll be picking this back up in February.

Later,
V
 
Perfect! Thanks for setting this up. I had others help me work through several drafts when I applied the first time and I'm grateful to have people available for my reapplication.

For those of you who are worried about sending your PS into the milieu of cyberspace and that applicants will plagiarize your work, you'll be surprised by how unique everyone's writing can be. Even if someone wanted to, it's pretty tough to rework someone's PS as your own so take advantage of this resource!! It's incredibly helpful to hear from others.
 
I'll read, but I am *not* a copy-editor. Check your spelling, grammar, etc, before you send it to me. I don't know how great my own PS was, but it was apparently good enough to get interviews. I got a R in writing, but I don't think it's that relevant. I work with a lot of premeds and have read a lot of applications for our physician shadowing program, so I can give you some general feedback about the topics you chose to write about, the flow from paragraph to paragraph, the overall tone, the impression of you that I get from the essay, etc.
 
I'm also willing to read, especially given how much my SDN readers helped me out this past summer... having an objective eye really helps! A little bit about me... I'm a long-time tutor and a Kaplan teacher, and have spent a number of years as a newspaper editor, so I'm good for grammar etc. I've been told that my PS was particularly creative, and I had one interviewer tell me to consider a side career as a writer. Anyway, I'd probably be the most useful at helping your PS to stand out and be a little less "standard"
 
I'll read and give great, impartial feedback. I've taken several writing/English courses at my university (A's in all, with some great papers) and am a very skilled writer. I got an "S" on my MCAT writing section and have alreayd been accepted to medical school in the 2009 cycle, so I am very much current and fresh from this process, and would be able to help you a great deal.


Private msg me.
 
I'll definitely read. I volunteered for a year for my university's writing center (minored in english). I have also had very, very positive comments on my personal statement from each of my interviewers. I'm now gradu-ma-tated and so have plenty of time on my hands in the evenings.
 
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I'll read. I got a lot of help from SDN this past cycle, and I got into school with a 3.4 cumulative GPA. I got a few compliments on my PS. I am big on grammar and making the essay concise. Would love to help. Plus, I need something to do at my (sometimes boring) research job while I'm waiting for school to start! :p
 
Hi, I need to be temporarily removed from the list -- for those of you who have sent me your PS, I will try to get back to you ASAP. I don't think I'll be able to read new ones until probably the end of the semester or so. Sorry :(.
 
pianola said:
Hi, I need to be temporarily removed from the list -- for those of you who have sent me your PS, I will try to get back to you ASAP. I don't think I'll be able to read new ones until probably the end of the semester or so. Sorry :(.
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This reminds me...if anyone else wants to be placed on the temporarily unavailable list, just let me know :) I know classes have started for a lot of you, so you may be busy. Thanks for all the help!
 
can you put me on hold for a while
 
I just want to mention that for 2007-2008, the PS readers list was a sticky at the top of the pre-allo page.

I think it'd be a good idea for the OP to do that for this thread so that the reader list is easier to find as the writing season ramps up.
 
Hey Berk, can you put me on hold for a couple weeks? I've been pretty busy and I want to finish all the ones I have right now before more start coming in :)
 
I am a resident physician with some light experience of going over applicants/interviews. I would be willing to read well polished Statements and give you final thoughts/opinons. I do ask you please only send me Statements which have been gone over for Grammar errors and are 'well polished' in your mind. Thanks.
 
I'll read PSes for the new cycle.

A little bit about myself. Although I only finally applied this year, I've been around SDN for awhile. As a result, many have come to entrust me with their PSes even when I was not on the list officially to read PSes. That was during the cycle for the class of 2011. That year I also helped review the personal statements of a few close friends at USF. The following summer (summer 2007) I was added to the personal statement readers list and reviewed several PSes. I've also reviewed several this year from people who've PMed me despite not putting myself on this past year's list. I've also reviewed a few secondary essays. Therefore I've got ample experience in advising and reviewing Pses. I'm very to the point and can be brutal so don't take it offensive if I rip it to two. but I'll give you great pointers for content, flow, and general advice on how to approach the PS. What I will not do is edit for grammar issues as I'm not sure I'm the best person to do that.

PS I'm free this semester, completely free so feel free to send it any time.
 
it's that time of the year already?! lol, the class of '14 batch is taking over :) i'd be willing to read PSs.
 
I haven't even written my own personal statement yet, but I'd be happy to read others' for grammar/spelling/mechanics. I am a strong English student, and I think reading other peoples' statements might help me develop my own

Also, if any of you who have written successful PS would be willing to share them with me and/or others, that would be really helpful
 
MDman87 said:
I haven't even written my own personal statement yet, but I'd be happy to read others' for grammar/spelling/mechanics. I am a strong English student, and I think reading other peoples' statements might help me develop my own

Also, if any of you who have written successful PS would be willing to share them with me and/or others, that would be really helpful
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I don't believe it is a good way to get your own PS by editing others because there's a good risk of plagiarism and you don't know what to look for if you haven't written a PS or read what makes a good PS in terms of having seen other PSes before. It would probably be better for you to add yourself next yearwen you have the summer off and have done this task yourself.

At the time I became an official editor on here I had already written mine that it was moot point.
 
You're right, it's probably a bad idea. Just trying to help. I do already have a topic for mine, though, so plagiarism wouldn't have been a concern
 
MDman87 said:
You're right, it's probably a bad idea. Just trying to help. I do already have a topic for mine, though, so plagiarism wouldn't have been a concern
Click to expand...

Just so you know I wasn't trying to be offensive. I just thought it might not be a good idea.
 
I can read ps. Don't really have any special credentials. My mentor (btw, who has been on a med school admission committee for two schools) gave me tips and helped revise my ps. I've been told i wrote a good ps. I was successful applying this cycle. I can probably help more with content and style.
 
Hold off a little while before sending me anything, I'm a little backed up, thanks!
 
It's that time of year again I see :D I'd be happy to lend a hand!

Writing has always been one of my strengths. I was a philosophy major so I've had to do lots and lots of essays throughout my college years. I'm good with grammar and very strong with content, flow and style. I think my PS was my secret to success this cycle and has been complimented on by many interviewers. I'd be happy to give some constructive criticism :)
 
I'd love to help read.

Here's my profile:

hoya09- I'll gladly read anyone's personal statement for content as well as form. That being said, I'd prefer a polished draft (read: please use spellcheck and proof it for grammatical errors before sending). I'm a Biochem/Linguistics double major, so I may have a rather unique perspective. See my MDapps for further info regarding my publications and other credentials of interest.
 
Add my name to the list of readers!

My qualifications are:
1) getting into a US MD program with a crappy GPA (and good essays)
2) having access to my significant other, who grades college papers for a living.

:D
 
I can read. Since I did get accepted this cycle, there should be no conflicts of interest. As the editor-in-chief of an award-winning yearbook and being a literacy specialist right now, I should be able to give advice on content, flow, logic, etc. I am awful at catching grammatical errors, though.
 
Hey,I'd be happy to read AND copy edit PSes for 2010 applicants. I'm a non-trad and may be able to offer the most help to others with a circuitous path to medicine. My qualifications include the ability to complete the Saturday NY Times crossword puzzle, former spelling bee champ, extensive writing in my current job, and a big red pen (figuratively speaking). I tend to have a heavy hand, so if you are especially sensitive I may not be the best reader for you.
 
would very much appreciate it if you could please temporarily remove me from the list... i still have a few PS's that were recently sent to me that I need to finish... finding it hard to keep up w/ work and school also...thank you:)
 
I got a lot of great advice from SDN volunteers last cycle. I'd love to read this year. Send me a PM and I'll let you know if I have time to read your PS.

As far as qualifications, during undergrad my English professors referred to me as "one of the best writers in the class" and requested to use my writing as examples for future semesters. Additionally, I have been invited to interview at almost half of the schools I was complete at and accepted at 4 M.D. programs so far. At one of my interviews the interviewer said that they were "dazzled" by my PS. I even received an interview at Columbia despite a 31R, 3.86, and a B.S. from my low-ranked state school.

I would like to read PSs that are atypical - my PS was definitely something different and bordered on the "risky" side. Apparently some of the admissions committees liked it (and some didn't). Send me your PS when it's as good as YOU can get it. I'm a busy guy and I don't have the time to edit your first draft.
 
Hey, school's in full force right now, so I'm gonna be super slow in reading statements. I'll try to get to the ones I've received as soon as I can, but I'm getting kinda swamped.
 
I'm a bit overloaded with stuff right now. So I'm going to have to be put on hold for reading PS right now.
 
Could you add me to the temporarily unavailable list? I do love reading and commenting on PS's but I like to take my time with them and I don't like to skim through anyone's... and right now work has gotten very busy so I'll return in a month or so. Thanks!
 
.
 
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can someone please add me to the list of readers?

I am not in school right now, just working and interviewing so I have a lot of free time to read! I am not the best at grammar but good at editing content and picking apart inconsistencies, so I can be a useful tool for those who are starting out first drafts of their ps.
 
I'd love to read PSes and help in any way I can. I'll give advice on mechanics, content, and flow. Qualifications: I'm a philospohy minor and I'm into creative writing.
 
I am a fourth year at UCSF.

Will help with content, but will be brutally honest!
 
I'd enjoy reading personal statements.

A little bit about me:
Senior in college in Cambridge, MA. Biology concentrator. Currently finishing the app cycle. I don't post much on the forums because most of the topics are trivial speculation and argument etc.

Qualifications:
I know how to write a PS (and essays in general). I applied to 27 or 28 schools, so I have a lot of practice.

I worked extensively with an HMS M2 on my own personal statement, so I know the benefits of having excellent guidance and honest but constructive criticism during the writing process.

I've helped students write personal statements for college before. I even worked with an international student whose linguistic idiosyncrasies made comprehending and revising his essays particularly challenging.

I am also currently learning screenwriting. You might be surprised how writing for film requires clear and concise imagery and discipline in terms of format and style.

In case anyone is wondering, I got an O on the MCAT. No excuses and no explanation. If you really think writing in a time constrained environment is a worthwhile metric of expressive ability, then I may not be able to help you.

Also, just PM me for contact information if you are interested.
 
can I please be put on hold for a little while? I just got back from vacation & I'm a little flooded right now. If you have been waiting on me to get back to you I didn't forget and I'll get it back as quick as I can :D
 
I also would like to go on hiatus for a bit. I have too much work on my plate right now. Thanks!
 
I would be willing to read personal statements.

I would be willing to read personal statements for both content and grammar (I am very big on grammar) and can offer constructive criticism. In writing, I tend to try and keep things interesting and pertinent, with a penchant for the offbeat (my own personal statement was indeed just that, but I got many compliments on how well written it was). I think that it's important for your personal statement to be interesting and to be an insight not just into your achievements, but into your personality as well.
 
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