What is the deal with the personal statement?

[Atlas]

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I've been hearing alot recently about the 'personal statement'. Is this something you fill out on the standard application service (AAMCAS/AACOMAS) or do you write this separately? What is the topic of the personal statement? Can I begin writng it now if I'm applying for 2003? What are some pointers you can give me for writing it?

Thanks

 

[Popoy]

Originally posted by Atlas:
•I've been hearing alot recently about the 'personal statement'. Is this something you fill out on the standard application service (AAMCAS/AACOMAS) or do you write this separately? What is the topic of the personal statement? Can I begin writng it now if I'm applying for 2003? What are some pointers you can give me for writing it?
Thanks•

Yes, it is something you fill out on the standard application (AMCAS and AACOMAS). In the AMCAS there is actually a personal statement and a "practice vision." AACOMAS has just the personal statement....

There is really no topic for the personal statement other than your motivation to pursue medicine, pursue being an osteopathic experience, personal experience that got you where you are today, etc., etc. This is a place where you can try and shine for the adcoms.... on top of what you'll be responding on the secondaries.... I'm sure if you do a search in the forum's you'll more info.... This has been discussed in several threads.

Yes, this is something you can write now, but it'll probably change seeing you have a couple of years more of life experience that may help and that might be important to share with adcoms.

Pointers.... Ask your friends if you can see their personal statement, search the World Wide Web and by doing this you'll get pointers that you need to get started....

Good luck

 

[Amra]

In my personal statement for AACOMAS I covered my experiences with osteopathy (is that a word or is it always osteopathic medicine?). I have had some good friends graduate from PCOM and I have had the pleasure of sitting in on classes and "sneaking" in on rotations. I wrote about those experiences then tied my personal beliefs into the osteopathic philosophy... then closed with what type of doctor I am interested in becoming.

All in 217 words... 😳

Hope I helped a bit...

-A