Tone of a personal statement

[jsh52]

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I'm starting to work on my personal statement for the 2012 AMCAS app. I'm having a bit of a hard time, though. For the last several years, I've been doing purely scientific writing (grant writing, publications, etc.). What this means is that whatever I can tell you in 20 words, I should be able to write in 10. Writing in short, clear sentences is ideal for scientific writing.

However, I've been getting the sense that writing in a storytelling sort of format (longer, elaborate sentences) is better for med school personal statements. Anyone have any comments on this?

 

[RogueUnicorn]

no no long fluffy sentences written by premeds usually turn out terrrrrrrible

 

[n3xa]

Believe me, I know what you mean. I've been called a "dry, boring ol' scientist" before.

Depending on how much you're struggling, just write anything that comes out. ANYTHING. Don't worry about grammar or tone for now. Just get the ideas out on paper.

 

[Kaustikos]

However, I've been getting the sense that writing in a storytelling sort of format (longer, elaborate sentences) is better for med school personal statements. Anyone have any comments on this?

Here's what I'd do - write your personal statement how you would normally write and then have people look it over. Don't attempt at making long, fluffy sentences because it'll just come back and bite you in the ass and make a bigger problem than what I propose.

Also, scientists might not write fluffy sentences, but they sure know how to write long, confusing, adjective heavy sentences reiterating the same point in one sentence that could've been avoided if they'd had someone who knew how to write look it over or they'll make huge run on sentences.


see what I did there?

 

[RogueUnicorn]

Also, scientists might not write fluffy sentences, but they sure know how to write long, confusing, adjective heavy sentences reiterating the same point in one sentence that could've been avoided if they'd had someone who knew how to write look it over or they'll make huge run on sentences.

i love meta

 

[jsh52]

Here's what I'd do - write your personal statement how you would normally write and then have people look it over. Don't attempt at making long, fluffy sentences because it'll just come back and bite you in the ass and make a bigger problem than what I propose.

Also, scientists might not write fluffy sentences, but they sure know how to write long, confusing, adjective heavy sentences reiterating the same point in one sentence that could've been avoided if they'd had someone who knew how to write look it over or they'll make huge run on sentences.


see what I did there?

LOL So you've noticed that, eh? Yes, the general idea is to squeeze quite a bit of information in one sentence. They do that because generally there are word limits on the various sections of publications. If you have a paper with 10 figures and have a 500 word limit for the introduction, the text will be DENSE. But...you don't want to lose your reader. They also assume you have some experience navigating the highly compact scientific writing style (which makes it INCREDIBLY hard for a novice to read).

n3xa: there are worse things to be than a dry, boring scientist lol. 🙂

Sentence structure aside, should the general tone be that of a storytelling tone? While I am used to and comfortable with scientific writing, I used to be VERY good at the style of writing needed to get an A in creative writing (like that's very hard...). My thesis advisor has since broken me of those old habits, but I could give it a go if that is the style they want.

 

[Helen Wheels]

Make sure that you are not just summarzing the info in the rest of the application. The purpose of the essay isn't just to re-write your resume or CV in a narrative format. You should try to tell a story and show the reader why you want to be a physician and tell them some things that would make you a good one. It's hard at first. Just start writing whatever comes to mind and you can start editing later.

 

[hmockingbird]

I have some that sounds more like the "creative writing" style and some that is more straightforward. I do have a story as a framing argument/main theme but for the "why MD?" part of the essay, mine is very straightforward. Not so literally "I want to be a doctor because ____. I am ___ and this will help me as a doctor because ____" but similar to that. Creative writing is all about show, don't tell. For essays, you need to show examples, but TELL why they are good examples. I hate this type of writing because I'm a creative writer so it feels weird to me to spell out why this story shows I would be a good doctor when I think it should be obvious from the story. LOL.