What's the criteria for personal statments?

[LebLlama]

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What should be mentioned, what should be avoided, etc

Thanks =)

 

[mdbound1987]

What should be mentioned? Why you want to be a physician. What should be avoided? Saying because I want to help people. Be creative, but keep it real and speak from the heart. Adcoms can smell BS from a mile away.

 

[LebLlama]

Thanks.

If I put a humorous spin on mine, would that be good or bad?

Depends on the attitude of the person reading it I guess. Could be seen as not taking the process and prospect of med school seriously if the person is a prude I guess.

 

[Cytotoxic]

Write as you naturally speak. If you read it aloud and it doesn't sound awkward, you win.

 

[NickNaylor]

Thanks.

If I put a humorous spin on mine, would that be good or bad?

Depends on the attitude of the person reading it I guess. Could be seen as not taking the process and prospect of med school seriously if the person is a prude I guess.

Keep in mind you're applying to PROFESSIONAL school, so the personal statement should be PROFESSIONAL. Some humor would be acceptable, but it will hurt you if you don't come across as professional.

 

[Sammich117]

Humor can make your essay stand out - but not necessarily in the good way. It's a fine line to put in just enough to be enjoyable without sounding unprofessional

 

[jvesco22]

Here's a quote from LizzyM

"The PS should not be about your desires but how you have tested your interest in medicine, what you have done that has indicated to you that this is the right path for you. If your initial interest came from a personal or family illness, then go on to describe how you have also been involved in caring for/about those who are not your kin. If your initial interest was based on a trip abroad, describe how you have come to know about the ways health care are delivered in the US (I was shocked to hear an applicant tell me this year that doctors do all their work in hospitals). If you can weave in something about yourself on a personal level whether it is biking or baking or barking orders to a troop of Boy Scouts, all the better."