Using colloquial language in the personal statement

[eunieex3]

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I've been told to write like you talk when constructing the personal statement. However, I've also been advised to learn towards the serious/mature/academic? side as an applicant. I have a direct personality and tend to avoid sounding academic because it seems pretentious to me sometimes. However, if I were to write in colloquialisms while getting my point across, would that make me sound immature? Is that bad for a med school application?

 

[nysegop]

I've also wondered; is comedy acceptable in a personal statement or interview?

 

[SilverCat]

I've been told to write like you talk when constructing the personal statement. However, I've also been advised to learn towards the serious/mature/academic? side as an applicant. I have a direct personality and tend to avoid sounding academic because it seems pretentious to me sometimes. However, if I were to write in colloquialisms while getting my point across, would that make me sound immature? Is that bad for a med school application?

It depends on how you define a colloquialism-- for example, any of these probably wouldn't be acceptable: 'dude' 'full of win' 'lol' 'like totally' spring to mind. If you're unsure about your language, have someone-- preferably of the aged persuasion--read over it.

I've also wondered; is comedy acceptable in a personal statement or interview?

Be careful--what you consider comedy may be offensive to others. Most books I've read on PS writing tend to discourage it. I used some self-deprecating humor in my PS, however, and it worked out just fine. If you want to use comedy, just get several opinions on your PS before submitting it.

In the interview, it depends on how well you can be comedic and the personality of your interviewer. Some interviewers may perceive someone telling a lot of jokes during the interview as immature, or not taking the interview seriously. Others may appreciate it. If you can't tell jokes well--like me-- I would avoid it at all costs.

 

[nysegop]

Be careful--what you consider comedy may be offensive to others. Most books I've read on PS writing tend to discourage it. I used some self-deprecating humor in my PS, however, and it worked out just fine. If you want to use comedy, just get several opinions on your PS before submitting it.

In the interview, it depends on how well you can be comedic and the personality of your interviewer. Some interviewers may perceive someone telling a lot of jokes during the interview as immature, or not taking the interview seriously. Others may appreciate it. If you can't tell jokes well--like me-- I would avoid it at all costs.

Thanks. Sometimes I think it's good to get a good chuckle out of someone, even in a professional interview. It sort of keeps the mood light. As long as it's not crude or insulting humor. But a story about a funny patient or something might work.

 

[punkedoutriffs]

Humor in writing is extremely difficult to pull off, and like someone else said, runs the risk of alienating an audience. In terms of writing style, stick to a journalistic style, which means not pedantic/filled with academic jargon and syntax, but not colloquial like Mark Twain.

Try Hemingway style with a little more variety. (Not "At that point I knew. I knew what I wanted. I wanted to be a doctor.)

Balance is key.

 

[NickNaylor]

You need to remember that you are applying to PROFESSIONAL school. If you're going to try and incorporate anything in your PS that could be misconstrued as unprofessional, you should have multiple people that are familiar with what PSsare supposed to look like (i.e., not your friends, parents, etc.) read it over and give you their thoughts. I agree about humor, though - it likely won't come across as funny because it's difficult to be humorous in writing.

 

[deleted480308]

If you go with humor have a bunch of legitimate professionals proof read it, and actually listen if they don't like it.

Most people are not as funny as they think they are...particularly on paper

 

[nysegop]

How do you know when a blonde's been sending e-mail?
Envelopes in the disk drive.


^Ticket to medical school. You're welcome.

 

[EnginrTheFuture]

How do you know when a blonde's been sending e-mail?
Envelopes in the disk drive.


^Ticket to medical school. You're welcome.

The ticket is in the envelope in the computer... yes IN the computer.

 

[Cambino]

How do you know when a blonde's been sending e-mail?
Envelopes in the disk drive.


^Ticket to medical school. You're welcome.

 

[Narmerguy]

Perhaps you could give us some examples OP? In general I think it's hard to be successful with an excessively casual feel. Remember that medical schools want to believe they're selecting intelligent but personable individuals. You do want to seem yourself and natural, but in a professional (dare I say, marketable?) way--not unlike you'll behave when around patients or other professionals.

 

[tn4596]

It is safer to write a boring essay IMHO.

 

[type12]

IMO, the less you have to lose, the better it is to be bold.

In other words, taking chances when you're not a stellar applicant is good; on the other hand, if you're a 45 MCAT 4.0 GPA, there's no point in taking the risk.