R
radiohead_fan
What exactly is the question posed on AMCAS regarding the "personal statement?"...im applying next year...i.e...this summer
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I don't believe (i might be wrong)that there is any question posted.....the basic idea is to write an essay along the "why do you want to become a doctor?" line. Include any EC or relevant information to support your statement.
G'luck
G'luck
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Actually, it doesn't even have to be a "I want to be a doctor because..." essay. I'd advise against this. I imagine it's boring for the readers to get the same essay (essentially) over and over agian. Just write about what makes you interesting. Tell them how these qualities, gained through unique life experiences, will enhance your performance as a physician. This is the successful approach I took.
Basically do this:
1) Hook them with an interesting personal statement.
2) Reassure them that you sufficiently understand the rigors of med school through EC activities.
3) Explain why you want to be a physician DURING THE INTERVIEW. You'll most likely be asked this question. You might as well not waste precious space answering it twice.
Of course this isn't the only way to get an acceptance...just my opinion.
Basically do this:
1) Hook them with an interesting personal statement.
2) Reassure them that you sufficiently understand the rigors of med school through EC activities.
3) Explain why you want to be a physician DURING THE INTERVIEW. You'll most likely be asked this question. You might as well not waste precious space answering it twice.
Of course this isn't the only way to get an acceptance...just my opinion.
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In addition to the good advice posted above me, make sure your statement is NOT a reiteration of your resume / ECs. Choose a few that come together to form a theme...I think most good statements have some type of theme to them. Schools read like 10,000 of these, so make it a good read. Some examples of friends' themes/topics:
*taking growth hormones throughout life
*being a music major and its connection to medicine
*relationship with little brother (big brother program, not a biological brother)
*being a Spanish major and communicating w/ patients (that was mine)
*Discuss a significant experience travelling
Your statement should make you stand out. If there was an event/person in your life that inspired you, that would also be good.
Don't sound too cocky when you write, but you should sound confident about your life experiences and your potential to become a doctor
Then have a ton of people read and critique your statement, especially your premed advisor if still in school. My school also has a writing center that was very helpful.
Got that? Now get to work! :wink: Good luck!
*taking growth hormones throughout life
*being a music major and its connection to medicine
*relationship with little brother (big brother program, not a biological brother)
*being a Spanish major and communicating w/ patients (that was mine)
*Discuss a significant experience travelling
Your statement should make you stand out. If there was an event/person in your life that inspired you, that would also be good.
Don't sound too cocky when you write, but you should sound confident about your life experiences and your potential to become a doctor
Then have a ton of people read and critique your statement, especially your premed advisor if still in school. My school also has a writing center that was very helpful.
Got that? Now get to work! :wink: Good luck!
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my version: parallels b/w my desire to go into medicine and a certain painting
based on the number of rejections I'm receiving, apparently it didn't sit very well with adcom's though <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" />
based on the number of rejections I'm receiving, apparently it didn't sit very well with adcom's though <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" />
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my version: parallels b/w my desire to go into medicine and a certain painting
based on the number of rejections I'm receiving, apparently it didn't sit very well with adcom's though <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" />
based on the number of rejections I'm receiving, apparently it didn't sit very well with adcom's though <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" />
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The dean of one school told me my personal statement should cover:
1)why medicine
2)why the school should choose me
3)why ____ (whatever school you are interested in) is where you want to go. (you don't have to list the name of the school in the personal statement since you will probably apply to more than one school, but try to convey what your interests/goals are for your medical career).
I mainly talked about the event that led me to choose medicine, and tied it in with my other experiences that have confirmed this decision and have made me realize that I able to handle the work. I think it's more readable and interesting to make it sound like a unified story, rather than an autobiography.
1)why medicine
2)why the school should choose me
3)why ____ (whatever school you are interested in) is where you want to go. (you don't have to list the name of the school in the personal statement since you will probably apply to more than one school, but try to convey what your interests/goals are for your medical career).
I mainly talked about the event that led me to choose medicine, and tied it in with my other experiences that have confirmed this decision and have made me realize that I able to handle the work. I think it's more readable and interesting to make it sound like a unified story, rather than an autobiography.
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i talked about what i learned through my volunteer experiences. how everything affected me. what i got out of my research endeavors. talked about working with a diverse patient population. be very descriptive! and write it early!
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I wrote about the thing that initally made me want medicine (hospital stay when i was 10) and things that clinched that, such as how much inside info I gained from shadowing. I had a great attention-getter about how I decided I hated doctors when I was 10 years old. Apparently, that really worked because every single interviewer asked me about that. 😀
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I'm not sure if they will have the same essay this year, but there was a question about where do you see yourself in 10 years also. Much shorter than the PS however. (I think 500 words, but I'm not recalling completely)
