using "if" vs "when"

[Oh_Gee]

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I went to a seminar about writing essays for medical schools. The guy said to always use "if" (such as "if i become a physician..." or "If i am accepted your medical school") so you don't sound presumptuous. He argued that if you write something like "when i become a physician..." that sounds arrogant, like you already think you're gonna get accepted.

So that is how I wrote my PS and secondaries. I sent them to an old friend of mine who just finished his first year of medical school and told me using "if" doesn't make me sound confident enough.

example: secondary is "
What personal qualities do you possess that will make you a successful physician?

i wrote "If i become a physician..."
He changed it to "As a physician..."

What are your opinions, SDN-er's

 

[genericpremedstudent]

When I applied last year, I used "As a doctor, I would..." rather than, "If I become a doctor, I will..."

ymmv.

I'd go with this. If sounds like you aren't confident, when sounds arrogant, and "as a physician, I would" sounds just right.

 

[doc05]

don't use "if." it sounds like you haven't made a decision.

use either "when" or "as" - both are fine and you need to sounds confident.

 

[CaliforniaDreamer]

As previous posters have stated, I wouldn't use either. I said things like: "As a physician, I would hope to..."

 

[whitemagic]

In all of my sentences, I said "as a physician...I will xxxx." I don't feel like it came out arrogant in any way but that's just me.

 

[KinesiologyNerd]

You've got to assert dominance, bruh.

 

[amazing tekkers]

"If and when I become a doctor..."

 

[Oh_Gee]

don't use "if." it sounds like you haven't made a decision.

use either "when" or "as" - both are fine and you need to sounds confident.

this seems to be the common consensus. thanks folks. happy writing!

 

[whitemagic]

I feel like this entire topic is neurotic by nature. As if an adcom will read an application and think to themselves "wow I can't believe this person used IF instead of WHEN, they clearly are not cut out for medicine," and simply disregard the rest of your essay.