The surgical personal statement?

[Dr JPH]

Anyone have any tips or advice on a personal statement for a student applying to general surgery programs?

Any good websites with help on writing such statements?

Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

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[drrouz]

You are obviously saavy enough to get into medical school so you must know how to write a PS. The only difference between this PS and other's you have written is that your primary goal here is to tell the PD why you want to be a surgeon. Iserson's has a wonderful chapter on this topic that you should read. Here is some quick advice:

(1) DO NOT use a writting service
(2) Let the PD know who you are, but DO NOT reveal anything about yourself that will land your application in the trash. Specifically do not reveal your political affiliation/activities. Do not dicuss your divorce or relationships. Do not badmouth anybody. Be wary of dicussing your religous beliefs. Generally speaking do not reveal anything that you would not want programs to question you about during the interview.
(3) DO NOT submit your first draft. Make sure to have it proofread multiple times for spelling, grammar, punctuation and style. I used "the elements of style" to correct my grammar and punctuation and I had two people proofread my PS several times.
(4) Remember that ERAS limits the length of your PS. My word document was just over one page. One paragraph is too short and 2 pages is too long.
(5) DO NOT lie or stretch the truth in anyway
(6) DO NOT just list your awards and accomplishments (that is what the CV is for). But if you did something very important or relevant you can expand upon it in this part of your application.
(7) Have mercy on the program director. do not just ramble. Keep your PS focused, relevant and if possible interesting.

 

[drpectin]

Is there a stigma associated with using a writing service?

I only ask because I was considering it, and no one had ever thought it a bad idea.

 

[drrouz]

Is there a stigma associated with using a writing service?

I only ask because I was considering it, and no one had ever thought it a bad idea.

Why would you let a complete stranger write your PS? This is your chance to introduce yourself to a program and sell yourself. Would you let someone else interview for you? Who knows you better? How do you know that your PS is not recycled? What would you do if you were a PD and you noticed that an applicants PS was identical to another PS? What would you think if you interviewed someone and they did not sound like they did in their PS?

What are the chances that this could backfire on you? Who knows? Its likely to be slim. But why chance it? It really doesn't take much time to write a good personal statement.

 

[mysophobe]

How do you know it will be any good? You generally have to pay some ridiculous amount for these services, up front I believe. What happens if you waste all that money and time, and it comes back crappy? You'll be right back where you started wishing you just wrote it yourself the first time.

 

[drpectin]

First of all I'm the one writing it.. They will edit it. They don't write it. I write it.

You're right it doesn't take much time to write a good PS, and I am concerned about getting a recycled PS. Hence the desire to get professional unbiased editing on my PS.
It terms of the amount of money spent on the residency trail, whats a few more dollars if it helps?
Am I totally off base here?

 

[geekgirl]

First of all I'm the one writing it.. They will edit it. They don't write it. I write it.

You're right it doesn't take much time to write a good PS, and I am concerned about getting a recycled PS. Hence the desire to get professional unbiased editing on my PS.
It terms of the amount of money spent on the residency trail, whats a few more dollars if it helps?
Am I totally off base here?

honestly, i don't know how the services work. i think what people here are saying is that it's perfectly all right to have friends/family/hired services assist in editing, changing grammar, spelling, sentence structure.
but there is a certain honesty in present yourself to the residency programs. as you've likely noticed - we (future and present) surgeons speak in a differnet language than even other medical practitioners. and even more differently than the average public speaks. my sister is an english teacher and i often run essays/statements by her for the sake of good english. but i also take her comments with a grain of salt, because the point i'm trying to make is different than she's used to - with a separate language that we tend to use. admittedly, she is terrifically helpful for flow and structure. but the content and language is always mine - as it should be yours.
so if you feel more comfortable letting a "professional" (again, who are these people?) edit/review your statement, that's fine. but you should write it. prepare it. think it. be it. because if it's not you, the programs will see through that in the first second.
anyway, do what you will. people here are just trying to offer advice.

 

[drrouz]

drpectin, I didn't mean any disrespect towards you. I guess we meant different things by writing service. In that case, I agree with geekgirl, if you feel like its worth it go for it . It would still be a good idea to have a friend/mentor/classmate look it over. Good luck!

 

[Plastikos]

I wouldnt waste time with a service of any sort, its just not that big of a deal. Just write something out, not too flashy/creative/anything, you want to not ruffle any feathers or raise any concerns. By all means do not do anything to make yourself look like a headcase, except in the situation that you are, b/c warning is always nice.

Dont make too big a deal out of it, whip it up and then give it to your friends/mentors/etc.....and redo it a few times, read your friends, etc...and youll be fine.

 

[mysophobe]

Being a good writer does not a good surgeon make. As long as it is error-free, cogent, and relatively painless to read, you're fine. Writing service = waste of money if you ask me, no matter WHAT they do for you (edit, write, take a dump on your chest).

 

[drpectin]

Thanks for the tips guyz. I appreciate your thoughts.

(Although I could've done without Mysophobe projecting like that)

 

[mysophobe]

Standing offer. 😉

 

[drpectin]

Standing offer. 😉

Okay that may have given me a chuckle, but c'mon!!!

Seriously though, I get what you guys are saying. Its got to be me in my PS, regardless of who helps me.

 

[Winged Scapula]

1. Do not misspell the name of the program you're interviewing at in your PS or on your ERAS application (we're probably the only ones that noticed it, but when you spent several years doing research here, you should be able to spell Hershey).

2. Try to avoid the cliches....
"When Patches broke his leg running after the frisbee/was diagnosed with a subdural hematoma/developed a bowel obstruction from the racquetball he swallowed, I helped my father splint his leg/perform his crani/resection his bowel and from there forward, I knew I had to be a👎 (orthopedic/neuro/general) surgeon."

"I felt devastated watching grandma suffer the ravages of her terrible disease. She placed her trust in the surgeon and I too, found not only trust and gratefulness but a new career goal."

"My father was a surgeon, so was his father, my uncle and both brothers. Since I have no imagination, I could not imagine being anything else but a surgeon."

3. As noted above, don't waste the space telling me about your USMLE scores, grades, etc. - I have all that in your ERAS application.

4. Put in some effort - writing 1 or 2 paragraphs seems like you don't care or are so arrogant you feel it doesn't matter.

I dunno...these things are hard to write, especially if you've never gone away anywhere, don't have any special talents, aren't the recipient of a Westinghouse Prize. You tend to come off sounding like everyone. Still, I enjoy reading them *most* of the time.

 

[drpectin]

Do most people tailor their PS for each specific program? Is that the norm?

 

[Winged Scapula]

No...but you can; ERAS will allow you to submit multiple PS and designate them to certain programs. In the case I mentioned above, perhaps she did tailor it for us (I'll never know) or simply mentioned in her PS having done research here. Either way Hershey was misspelled...which looked pretty bad.

 

[DNASplicer]

I have also heard the comment from attending... don't get too personal b/c they don't care. Now I know that sounds harsh... but do you think they really care if you ran a marathon or whatever. I think some people get way out there with trying to make their PS unusual.

NOT looking forward to doing mine... it's PAINFUL.

On that note, my board scores weren't great, but I am! ;-) It's the only part of my application that casts a long and dark shadow. I was thinking of addressing that right away in the PS and putting a positive spin on me and accomplishments, ect... aside from my board score.

What do you guys think?

 

[geekgirl]

I have also heard the comment from attending... don't get too personal b/c they don't care. Now I know that sounds harsh... but do you think they really care if you ran a marathon or whatever. I think some people get way out there with trying to make their PS unusual.

NOT looking forward to doing mine... it's PAINFUL.

On that note, my board scores weren't great, but I am! ;-) It's the only part of my application that casts a long and dark shadow. I was thinking of addressing that right away in the PS and putting a positive spin on me and accomplishments, ect... aside from my board score.

What do you guys think?

i would spend some time figuring out what point you are trying to make (i.e. i am very good with regard to practical knowledge) and make that point strongly without directly apologizing for what you feel you are lacking (i.e. test scores). you can indirectly play up strengths and contrast them with weaknesses without calling attention to an obvious gap in your resume.

i would focus on the positive. and be honest about your positives (and not so positives). but don't write a laundry list of inadequacies.

this is your one chance to highlight the good - not dwell on the mediocre.

 

[Jocomama]

Keep it simple. Just write on the following:
1) What is your motivation to become a surgeon

2) Was there any personal experience, or a mentor, whether surgeon, anatomy prof, etc, that steered you toward the field?

3) DO NOT bring up anything about your scores. Unless you have a red flag, like having been fired, or having 1 arm, do NOT bring attention to the fact that your board scores may be lower than average.

4) Discuss your strengths and weaknesses.

5) What could you offer to the field?

Keep it open, and remember - YOU ARE NOT THAT IMPORTANT. We do not have time to read all these. Keep it short and sweet.

Yes - let a couple people look over it for obvious flaws - run on sentences, etc.

But do yourself a favor, and I mean this: If your board scores are low, then get the heck off this site, and do something else, like study, or write up a case report and submit it, so you have something on your CV that counteracts your scores. Your obsessing on this site is a waste of time, and may be why your scores are not as high.
Yes - I am a board certified surgeon, and in a fellowship. I have trained a few surgeons.
Go write your PS, and quit asking advice - MOVE - study - go be a surgeon, not an internist.

I have also heard the comment from attending... don't get too personal b/c they don't care. Now I know that sounds harsh... but do you think they really care if you ran a marathon or whatever. I think some people get way out there with trying to make their PS unusual.

NOT looking forward to doing mine... it's PAINFUL.

On that note, my board scores weren't great, but I am! ;-) It's the only part of my application that casts a long and dark shadow. I was thinking of addressing that right away in the PS and putting a positive spin on me and accomplishments, ect... aside from my board score.

What do you guys think?

 

[DNASplicer]

I appreciate your advice. Thanks!

I only check this site once in a while... but you're right. I use it as a way to put off what I should be doing!

 

[Winged Scapula]

I have also heard the comment from attending... don't get too personal b/c they don't care. Now I know that sounds harsh... but do you think they really care if you ran a marathon or whatever. I think some people get way out there with trying to make their PS unusual.

Perhaps, but that isn't what I've seen here or experienced myself. While you shouldn't exaggerate or lie in your PS, frankly I DO care if you've run a marathon or done something interesting which makes me see you as different than the thousand other apps with boring PSs.

The PS is your only chance to make yourself stand out from the rest of the crowd with good scores, letters, etc. So most of my attendings would disagree with that which you've heard or which has been stated above by other posters.

I do agree with Jocomama in regards to your low board scores. Unless there's really an outstanding reason why they're low (ie, your mother died the day of the test, etc.), I wouldn't mention them. Most any reason will come across as an excuse. Your PS won't save you at programs that screen by board scores, and if you get an interview *in spite* of the score (whatever it is), we'll ask if we want to know the reason why you think you did so poorly.

best of luck...

 

[Plastikos]

Perhaps, but that isn't what I've seen here or experienced myself. While you shouldn't exaggerate or lie in your PS, frankly I DO care if you've run a marathon or done something interesting which makes me see you as different than the thousand other apps with boring PSs.

The PS is your only chance to make yourself stand out from the rest of the crowd with good scores, letters, etc. So most of my attendings would disagree with that which you've heard or which has been stated above by other posters.

I do agree with Jocomama in regards to your low board scores. Unless there's really an outstanding reason why they're low (ie, your mother died the day of the test, etc.), I wouldn't mention them. Most any reason will come across as an excuse. Your PS won't save you at programs that screen by board scores, and if you get an interview *in spite* of the score (whatever it is), we'll ask if we want to know the reason why you think you did so poorly.

best of luck...

I dont know, if you know you have an interesting story you should go for it. Dont try to be fancy, witty, or glamorous, just real, honest, and readable. My personal statement was VERY personal. Maybe its b/c plastics is a small field, but almost everyone i met and interviewed with spoke to me about it. Honestly it was probably a big part of my app.
I agree with the take on cliches, "i am a sculptor by trade, so i knew i was destined to do plastics".....BARF. Be original as your life and experiences can make you.

 

[Skialta]

Does anyone know if there is a limit on the number of characters for the PS? I don't want to write a book, just some idea of the length.

 

[Arginine]

From the official ERAS website:

It is limited to 32,000 characters. And it must be formatted using standard ASCII characters. Do not use bold, italic or special characters.

 

[geekgirl]

Does anyone know if there is a limit on the number of characters for the PS? I don't want to write a book, just some idea of the length.

some places say 500 words or less (which i did not adhere to). but don't go over a page - no one will read that far.

 

[HTD]

Okay, I heard my old chairman address this topic just a few weeks ago at an "interest group" meeting for MS3's.

Rule #1 NO Crazy Stuff. This is not the place to wite a bizarre analogy or short story about why surgery is like the Lord of the Rings and you are the Frodomeister etc.

Rule #2 I like surgery and why. That should do it.

Rule #3 If you have a glaring deficit on your academic record and a good reason for it, you could explain. For example.. My C in surgery happend the semester my father died etc. That would be a very reasonable thing to mention. Do not let that be the entire content of the letter.

Remember, this alone doesn't get you an interview. It could, however, cost you an interview if you don't adhere to rule #1.(just say no to Frodo!) 😉

 

[Dr JPH]

Quite an informative post so far. Thanks to all who have contributed.

In reading this and talking to a good number of people I plan to keep my PS simple and to the point.

I plan on focusing on what I like about surgery and highlighting the exact moment I knew that I wanted to be a surgeon. For me it really was a 'bolt of lighting' experience (and no, its wasnt my grandmother, dog, cousin or fathers operation) and I haven't looked another way since, though I have enjoyed nearly every other specialty I have rotated through. My exact moment actually came watching a senior resident work and thinking "now thats how I would like to be someday"...perfect mix of humility and confidence plus the skill and knowledge.

Would it be a bad thing to mention that I enjoy medicine? For me the management of my patients beyond the OR is one of the most exciting aspects and I like taking the patient from the OR and following their recovery in the SICU...being able to provide care for the patient at every stage even if the case is managed by medicine. My surgical mentor probably knows more medicine (or at least I have learned more medicine) from him than I did on my actual medicine rotations!

Did ANY of that last paragraph make sense?!

Thanks again

 

[drpectin]

I wouldn't divorce surgery from medicine like that. SICU patients are typically cared for by Surgical residents. In my (limited) experience, the pride I see in surgeons comes from superior knowledge of acute care physiology (medical side) PLUS surgical diagnosis and operating.

Talking about what you like is good. But I wouldn't say - "i even like the medical side of surgery." Its ALL surgery, not just what happens in the OR.

Of course thats only my opinion and I too am in the middle of writing my personal statement

 

[Jocomama]

A mentor from Medical School - Olga Jonasson, MD - the first Chairwoman of Surgery - Ohio State said the best physician is the surgeon - they are both a physician and surgeon
Earlier in my career after finishing General - I did trauma/critical care
I was not pleasant as a Jr attending - why - because I was in a teaching hospital, that was not university. I did not consult the anesthesiologist/cardiologist, etc for my SICU patients, like most private genl surgeons did - I managed their vents, drips, etc.
Like our last reply said - do NOT divorce medicine and surgery
It IS SURGERY - complete care of the patient - including a comprehensive knowledge of basic science and management of the patient - not the part you cut!!!
Good luck
No - we are not all pricks! Sarcastic? Short? to the point? but NOOOOO ego.

Quite an informative post so far. Thanks to all who have contributed.

In reading this and talking to a good number of people I plan to keep my PS simple and to the point.

I plan on focusing on what I like about surgery and highlighting the exact moment I knew that I wanted to be a surgeon. For me it really was a 'bolt of lighting' experience (and no, its wasnt my grandmother, dog, cousin or fathers operation) and I haven't looked another way since, though I have enjoyed nearly every other specialty I have rotated through. My exact moment actually came watching a senior resident work and thinking "now thats how I would like to be someday"...perfect mix of humility and confidence plus the skill and knowledge.

Would it be a bad thing to mention that I enjoy medicine? For me the management of my patients beyond the OR is one of the most exciting aspects and I like taking the patient from the OR and following their recovery in the SICU...being able to provide care for the patient at every stage even if the case is managed by medicine. My surgical mentor probably knows more medicine (or at least I have learned more medicine) from him than I did on my actual medicine rotations!

Did ANY of that last paragraph make sense?!

Thanks again

 

[Dr JPH]

👍

 

[kaos]

Thanks for all the tips, guys. This thread has been really helpful. Writing a personal statement is the bane of my existence, and I honestly can't think of anything to write that would answer the question as to why I should be picked over anyone else for a surgery spot. I can only hope what I write won't be cliche and boring. Hopefully something will shine through...

 

[Entei]

Necro-bumping this since someone made a new thread about writing a personal statement and everyone told him to do a search.

There's lots of good advice in this thread, but I'm still struggling mightily with this stupid PS. Everyone says to be yourself and to be original, but those seem mutually exclusive when you're pretty much an average med student with no real "CV worthy" extracurricular activities and who didn't have a real "lightning bolt moment" when they realized they were destined to be a surgeon. I did my surgery rotation first and loved it, and I pretty much hated almost everything else.

I can write about how I'm a hard worker, and dedicated, and a team player and why I love surgery and yadda yadda as good as anyone else, but... it's pretty boring stuff, and I'm sure everyone else writes the same sort of things.

Yeah, I'm wasting time expressing my frustration instead of writing the PS/CV/studying for Step 2. Oops.

 

[San_Juan_Sun]

Whew. Just finished my PS. That was painful.

 

[Dr JPH]

Entei

I agree with you. Again, nothing on my CV that makes me stand out more than the next guy or girl...no interesting comments or stories.

Just a regular student, hardworking and dependable.

Average pre-clinical grades, OK board scores and above average rotation grades.

I am going to let my letters and performance on rotations do most of the speaking for me.

 

[footcramp]

why you want to do surgery
how serious are you about surgery
what can you contribute to surgery
the rest is fluff

 

[ghost_its]

Thanks to everyone writing in this thread. All of us MSIV's are slowly slogging through the ERAS stuff now and the info that's been posted up to now is incredibly helpful.

Finishing up a medicine block now, was in the GI/endo lab today and I can't wait to get back to surgery. Love the intellectual side of medicine, but rounding 4 times a day just kills me 😡

good luck to all the MSIV's. Soon we'll be running into each other on the interview trail (hopefully 🙂 )

 

[surgimg]

so no mention of the step scores even if their high?iv got like 3 years residency experience in surg in india, shud i mention that in my ps?

 

[Winged Scapula]

so no mention of the step scores even if their high?iv got like 3 years residency experience in surg in india, shud i mention that in my ps?

You do not need to mention your Step scores in the personal statement because we already have the record of your USMLE scores, so why waste the space in your PS to reiterate something we already know?

If you have experience as a surgery resident in your home country, then that would be worth mentioning, although I'm sure your LORs and CV will note that as well.

The PS is not, IMHO, the place to recapitulate your CV and NRMP profile.

 

[p53]

so no mention of the step scores even if their high?iv got like 3 years residency experience in surg in india, shud i mention that in my ps?

A program director in Surgery once told me that applicants that mention a high Step 1 in their personal statement automatically gets put into a secondary pile (regardless of their whole application).

Bottomline: Even if you scored a 267. DON'T BRING IT UP IN YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT.

 

[GuP]

How would a carib grads approach be different? Should one mention why he/she went there? To be honest, the only reason I went to carib was b/c I got to go there only after two years in college. I just applied w/o any MCAT and they accepted me. My parents were like a bird in the hand is better than two in the bush. My college GPA wasn't bad either (~3.5). Do I say all of this or what?

 

[Winged Scapula]

How would a carib grads approach be different? Should one mention why he/she went there? To be honest, the only reason I went to carib was b/c I got to go there only after two years in college. I just applied w/o any MCAT and they accepted me. My parents were like a bird in the hand is better than two in the bush. My college GPA wasn't bad either (~3.5). Do I say all of this or what?

Ouch...that's a tough one.

Frankly, your decision may seem like a poor one to most US faculty and PDs, even if they actually believed you (your reason is a common "excuse" given by those who didn't have the numbers to get into a US school - not saying that this is the case with you).

I fear that if you tell PDs the reason you went to a Caribbean school (which would have always been there if you didn't get into a US school) it will seem short-sighted. After all, you now do not have an undergraduate degree and you "gave up" on the widely presumed better education and residency/professional opportunities that a US medical school would have afforded you. They might assume you are the type of person who takes the easy way out - "Gee medical school without having to endure two more years of college, take the MCAT or bother applying elsewhere? Sure!" rather than doing it the traditional way which increases your options. Almost no one goes to a Caribbean school as a first preference.

Ok - I've said my peace. With that, I don't think I would talk about your reasons in the PS because if the reader has the above impression(s) you have no way of defending your actions. Your application gets put into the trash or a "review later" pile. If you are invited on your academic merits, you may be asked why you attended a Caribbean school (or not, they may assume you didn't get into a US school), and you can explain then, or try to work it into the conversation. But I think you will open too many cans of worms if you try and explain your rather unique (and possibly seen as immature and short-sighted) situation.

Hope this helps.

 

[lvspro]

" So I stood there looking at what I'd done. The lambs body lay there lifeless, bleeding, and asking for more cold steel to be pressed against it's innards in such a way that made we warm from within. I knew then I wanted to spend my life cutting flesh, but exactly what flesh was still a mystery. So I began my foray into my own personality to see what suited me. Butchery, although a long family tradition, was not something I wanted to do because the thought of carving chops out of animals for the rest of my life seemed, to say the least, repetitive. Should I become the hellspawn of jack the ripper? Again, I couldn't stomach the idea of being incarcerated and not pursuing my lifelong dream of carving meat. Surgery!! Yes, yes... Surgery!! I could carve meat, get paid, and be respected?!?! I knew right there and then I wanted to be a butcher...er... I mean surgeon."
Is probably not the ideal way to start your PS.

 

[GuP]

Ouch...that's a tough one.

Frankly, your decision may seem like a poor one to most US faculty and PDs, even if they actually believed you (your reason is a common "excuse" given by those who didn't have the numbers to get into a US school - not saying that this is the case with you).

I fear that if you tell PDs the reason you went to a Caribbean school (which would have always been there if you didn't get into a US school) it will seem short-sighted. After all, you now do not have an undergraduate degree and you "gave up" on the widely presumed better education and residency/professional opportunities that a US medical school would have afforded you. They might assume you are the type of person who takes the easy way out - "Gee medical school without having to endure two more years of college, take the MCAT or bother applying elsewhere? Sure!" rather than doing it the traditional way which increases your options. Almost no one goes to a Caribbean school as a first preference.

Ok - I've said my peace. With that, I don't think I would talk about your reasons in the PS because if the reader has the above impression(s) you have no way of defending your actions. Your application gets put into the trash or a "review later" pile. If you are invited on your academic merits, you may be asked why you attended a Caribbean school (or not, they may assume you didn't get into a US school), and you can explain then, or try to work it into the conversation. But I think you will open too many cans of worms if you try and explain your rather unique (and possibly seen as immature and short-sighted) situation.

Hope this helps.

I really appreciate your frank and honest reply. So you suggest that I not mention Carib at all in my statement or should I make up a more "valid" reason for attending there like low grades or something? Plus, what are your thoughts on programs viewing applicants w/o a BS/BS degree and no MCAT? I am sure it doesn't help not have them but does it hurt not to have them is the question.

 

[Winged Scapula]

I really appreciate your frank and honest reply. So you suggest that I not mention Carib at all in my statement or should I make up a more "valid" reason for attending there like low grades or something? Plus, what are your thoughts on programs viewing applicants w/o a BS/BS degree and no MCAT? I am sure it doesn't help not have them but does it hurt not to have them is the question.

You can mention your school in your PS if you like but I'm not sure its the place to talk about why you went there. I do not encourage people to make up a more "valid" reason, especially like "low grades" since you mentioned they weren't low at all. No reason to derogate yourself like that.

If you are given the opportunity to explain why you attended (the real reason) it gives you a chance to explain why and perhaps that you understand why others might think that a rash idea. You should be prepared for such a discussion. If you are reasonable and explain that, at the time, it seemed like a good idea and that you feel you've grown, and your school has provided you with a good education which will allow you to flourish in a US training program, you should be fine.

I think some programs do look at those without undergrad degrees slightly askew as they fear that you will have licensing troubles when it comes time for residency. I'm not aware of any specific states in which it is a problem, but check http://www.fsmb.org for more info. Finally, the no MCAT is generally only a problem for those competitive programs (ie, Plastics) that want to see your MCAT scores.

Again, there is nothing you can do about your situation now, except to be aware that some may see your decision as rash and not well thought out. If you can explain it and understand their thoughts, you have done all you can.

 

[ArcherM2]

Is it considered poor form to mention the fact that you plan on pursuing a specific fellowship in the personal statement? I could see how some programs are looking for strong applicants that wish to pursue fellowship while other programs are very set on training the true "general surgeon." I'm thinking of writing about a specific circumstance that links my future fellowship plans with my desire to be a surgeon. TIA for the help!

 

[Castro Viejo]

Is it considered poor form to mention the fact that you plan on pursuing a specific fellowship in the personal statement? I could see how some programs are looking for strong applicants that wish to pursue fellowship while other programs are very set on training the true "general surgeon." I'm thinking of writing about a specific circumstance that links my future fellowship plans with my desire to be a surgeon. TIA for the help!

In my opinion, I would just keep it under wraps in your essay and during your interview.

Unfortunately people have a way of being labelled early on as "the Plastics guy" or "the Vascular guy," and you end up being shunned by a whole mess of other services just because they think you have a one-track mind or whatever they have to offer would be "wasted" on you.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Agree with Castro.

In many circles it is a death knell to admit you want to pursue a fellowship, ESPECIALLY if its plastics, breast, endocrine, or CT.

All surgical programs have the main goal of training you to be a good general surgeon. You can admit to having an interest in "fellowship X" but I would not go around talking about how you are going to be "X"...it might turn them off and besides, a lot of candidates change their mind as they go through residency (I did about 3 times).

 

[redbeans]

So no good to put "some interest in pursuing a fellowship but undecided at the moment"? Just leave it out?

I'm kind of sensing mixed messages here. "Overdone" analagies like playing a team sport and the teamwork of the OR, or sculpting and manual dexterity... cheesy? Or good if that's the way they'll get to know you?

 

[Castro Viejo]

So no good to put "some interest in pursuing a fellowship but undecided at the moment"? Just leave it out?

Yes. It doesn't add much to your essay, so why would you write that?

I'm kind of sensing mixed messages here. "Overdone" analagies like playing a team sport and the teamwork of the OR, or sculpting and manual dexterity... cheesy? Or good if that's the way they'll get to know you?

The truth is I've never met a PD who really read this things anyway. 🙂

 

[Winged Scapula]

So no good to put "some interest in pursuing a fellowship but undecided at the moment"? Just leave it out?

Yeah, sounds sort of wishy washy..."maybe I will, maybe I won't".

I'm kind of sensing mixed messages here. "Overdone" analagies like playing a team sport and the teamwork of the OR, or sculpting and manual dexterity... cheesy? Or good if that's the way they'll get to know you?

Contrary to CV, I DO know PDs who read these things (since most commented favorably on mine). But I wouldn't lose sleep over it if you aren't a naturally talented writer who can weave a story that PDs will enjoy reading. Most of them are dead boring, stereotypical dirge.