Would it kill my application to state that I've wanted to be a physician for only 2 years?

[jih]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I am a BME major who just finished his fourth year (graduating in 5), and I have wanted to enter medicine since the end of sophomore year. If I mention this in my personal statement, do you think it would cause adcoms to rethink my application? Based on what I've read lurking here for a month, it seems like everybody has been decided since high school. I have a solid MCAT (41 - BS 15 PS 15 VR 11) and GPA (3.85), and lots of nonclinical volunteering, although don't have a LOT of clinical experience due to a late start (~40h shadowing, 40h volunteer).

My aspirations aren't big; just looking to get into my state school (U of WI) or MCW, while Northwestern or U of C would be a nice surprise.

 

[MRpremed-dudeguy]

I don't think this at all will kill your app. I too am a BME major who turned to pre med two years into my degree. I think as long as you show thoughtful reflection on what lead to this change you will be fine. It's not as if BME and medicine are polar opposites. Much of what I loved from BME overlaps with medicine.

Don't market your decision to pursue medicine as an abrupt change but rather a gradual process of thought and reflection that lead through BME.

Continue with gaining more and more clinical experience and I think you will be totally fine.

 

[Mad Jack]

No. If anything, saying you have wanted to be a doctor since you were in elementary school is more of a "is this kid legit" sort of thing to say, as it makes one wonder if the applicant is going into this for the right reasons or the wrong ones (parental pressure, idealization of the field, etc). I can see virtually no way in which this would hurt you, so long as you explain what sparked your interest and why.

 

[Law2Doc]

Don't put in a short time line ("Ever since 2014 I've known I wanted to be a doctor" is a fail). Use EC experiences to explain your interests.

 

[eternelle]

I don't think you need to ever mention that you've only considered it for the past two years. What will your PS gain with this information?

 

[jih]

Don't put in a short time line ("Ever since 2014 I've known I wanted to be a doctor" is a fail). Use EC experiences to explain your interests.

I don't think you need to ever mention that you've only considered it for the past two years. What will your PS gain with this information?

Yeah I wasn't thinking about just putting it out there like that, but more along the lines of thinking about medicine more and more while studying BME and then making the decision after some clinical experiences. I was having a hard time thinking of a theme for my personal statement without making it seem overused or over-the-top unbelieveable, and I was considering this sort of approach.

I guess my main concern is just the fact that I have known what I want to do for such a short time, not that I would explicitly write it that in that manner or at all.

No. If anything, saying you have wanted to be a doctor since you were in elementary school is more of a "is this kid legit" sort of thing to say, as it makes one wonder if the applicant is going into this for the right reasons or the wrong ones (parental pressure, idealization of the field, etc). I can see virtually no way in which this would hurt you, so long as you explain what sparked your interest and why.

When I talk to other premeds who are like this (we are a group of Indian and east Asian friends), they seem to turn the application process into a bullsh*tting contest with the most unrealistic statements. I just think to myself that if I was an adcom whether I would honestly believe some of the essays I see.

 

[whitemagic]

I agree with what others said in that there are a thousand different ways to articulate this eloquently so it won't be held against you.

Also, off topic, but 15s in both sciences is damn impressive my friend. Congrats!

 

[Mad Jack]

Also keep in mind that the personal statement is less of a big deal than most people make it out to be- 98% of them are unremarkable, 1% gets someone a spot they otherwise might not have obtained because it's so incredible, and 1% are so repulsive they're likely to be shared amongst the committee for shock and amusement. Make it good, but don't think it's the thing that makes or breaks your application, because so long as it isn't completely awful or absolutely stunning to behold, it really just doesn't have a huge impact. At least, that's the gist of what I've gathered from the adcoms here.

 

[jih]

I agree with what others said in that there are a thousand different ways to articulate this eloquently so it won't be held against you.

I think I get the idea now.

Also, off topic, but 15s in both sciences is damn impressive my friend. Congrats!

Thanks! I guess I just have a special thing for science.

 

[Flashfan]

When I was in high school, I thought I would be an optometrist. It wasn't until I got to college and continued to do well that I realized that I could dream big enough to be a physician. We come at it from different angles, but many of us will end up at the same place- med school.

 

[Dares Dareson]

I only wanted to be a doctor for three years before I applied, and my previous career was even further removed from medicine than BME is. Had absolutely nothing to do with medicine. You're okay, as long as you have a sincere explanation.

 

[GrapesofRath]

Also keep in mind that the personal statement is less of a big deal than most people make it out to be- 98% of them are unremarkable, 1% gets someone a spot they otherwise might not have obtained because it's so incredible, and 1% are so repulsive they're likely to be shared amongst the committee for shock and amusement. Make it good, but don't think it's the thing that makes or breaks your application, because so long as it isn't completely awful or absolutely stunning to behold, it really just doesn't have a huge impact. At least, that's the gist of what I've gathered from the adcoms here.

+1 @hushcom has stated this many times. You have a good application don't try some overdone theme like this med schools have seen it all. Write your solid but boring personal statement free of errors, accept your in the 98% category where no med school will care what you wrote and it won't affect your app and use your strengths( and you certainly have some with a 41/3.85) to carry you. You'll be fine this way

 

[Wasted Energy]

I clicked on this because I read the title as "I only want to be a physician for two years."

Anyway, I agree with everyone else; this shouldn't be a problem at all. Impressive MCAT, btw.

 

[Medstart108]

I am a BME major who just finished his fourth year (graduating in 5), and I have wanted to enter medicine since the end of sophomore year. If I mention this in my personal statement, do you think it would cause adcoms to rethink my application? Based on what I've read lurking here for a month, it seems like everybody has been decided since high school. I have a solid MCAT (41 - BS 15 PS 15 VR 11) and GPA (3.85), and lots of nonclinical volunteering, although don't have a LOT of clinical experience due to a late start (~40h shadowing, 40h volunteer).

My aspirations aren't big; just looking to get into my state school (U of WI) or MCW, while Northwestern or U of C would be a nice surprise.

Make your aspirations bigger you have a 41 MCAT seriously man...

 

[jih]

Make your aspirations bigger you have a 41 MCAT seriously man...

I feel like my ECs aren't enough to get me into any top schools... I will apply to 30-40 but I am hoping to get accepted at least at schools like those.

 

[NeuResurgens]

I don't think you should necessarily give a timeline for your interest. Just explaining your reasons for pursuing medicine is sufficient. Adcoms don't care how long you've wanted to be a doctor, as long as your reasons and commitment to the field are solid.

 

[Medstart108]

I feel like my ECs aren't enough to get me into any top schools... I will apply to 30-40 but I am hoping to get accepted at least at schools like those.

Well its worth an application you literally never know and also yes your ECs aren't amazing but you have a good chance that at least one of those top 10 or 20 schools will take you.

 

[Goro]

Nope,. not at all. For some people, <edicine is an evolution. For others, like you, it's a revolution.

I am a BME major who just finished his fourth year (graduating in 5), and I have wanted to enter medicine since the end of sophomore year. If I mention this in my personal statement, do you think it would cause adcoms to rethink my application? Based on what I've read lurking here for a month, it seems like everybody has been decided since high school. I have a solid MCAT (41 - BS 15 PS 15 VR 11) and GPA (3.85), and lots of nonclinical volunteering, although don't have a LOT of clinical experience due to a late start (~40h shadowing, 40h volunteer).

My aspirations aren't big; just looking to get into my state school (U of WI) or MCW, while Northwestern or U of C would be a nice surprise.