personal statement

After working with 300+ students to develop and submit their applications, I watch students do the stupidest things (e.g. “I want to write a secondary about how I grew up rich and how I’m proud of it and don’t think I should hide it” – his exact words by the way). I also witness incredible...

There are approximately 300 accredited PA (physician assistant) schools in the United States. In the most recent application cycle, these schools received more than 27,000 applications. The matriculation rate for PA schools hovers near 30%, which is lower than the approximate 40% matriculation...

I have the main portion of my personal statement done, but it is just the starting rough draft. I wanted to make sure I am covering what's important and that my thoughts flow well together before finishing the conclusion and editing the wording. Where do I find people who have gone through this...

I just started brainstorming topics for my personal statement. I saw this comment by an adcom on Reddit: My goal isn't to judge the physician but tell a story about myself and the patient. It just so happens that one of my favorite stories from my time as a scribe involves a physician in an...

Hello everyone, I am applying for the 2023-2024 PTCAS application cycle. I finished writing my personal statement and would like someone to give me feedback on it! Feel free to private message me if you would like to edit my personal statement! Thank you!

I graduate next Spring 2024 and am at a crossroads right now. I’m in desperate need of advice so that I know what next steps I should take. I’m a psyc major. My current GPA is 3.4 and I’m hoping that after grinding my courses this year, I will be able to get at least a 3.5. My plan for now is...

I recently became privy to a member of an admissions committee sharing loads of personal statements (at least a few dozen) in-full and critiquing them during a workshop. She holds these and speaks at my university quite regularly. Given the sheer amount shared, it seemed like they were taken...

Would anyone be willing to give me opinion's on my personal statement thus far? I'm struggling to finish and I just fell that it could use a lot of work

One of the questions we are asked most often by college and graduate school applicants is this: “I’m applying to six different schools, and each one requires two to seven essays/personal statements. That’s so much writing! Can I reuse the same essay for different schools? How can I keep up the...

Throughout your medical school primary and secondary applications, you will want to highlight the following skills and qualities. Leadership. This is a key quality that separates physicians from other members of a healthcare provider team. Throughout your application, you will want to showcase...

A memoir requires more than a recounting of events from your life. Rather, you must show the reader that you’ve experienced transcendence. Marion Roach Smith calls it the “golden rule” of memoir. She writes, “Memoir is not about what you did. Memoir is about what you did with it.” The experience...

Hello all, I am excited to be entering my fifth year of advising medical school and residency applicants! I have helped numerous folks successfully enter medicine or their desired specialty. I offer comprehensive services - primary and secondary application editing, interview preparation and...

Long story short, during my first clerkship of third year (pediatrics) I had to remediate just the standardized patient portion of the course and subsequently received a conditional pass. Other than this, I received a mix of High Pass and Honors in the remaining clerkships. My question is...

Hi, I submitted my primary app just recently and am now digging myself into a hole about my PS. I’m doubting myself and the way I presented my story out of fear that it will be either consciously or unconsciously off-putting to Adcoms. Basically looking for some reassurance and/or someone to...

Hey everyone, I'm finishing up my personal statement and activities section and had a question; should I mention my interest in primary care? I've heard that many schools highly favor students who are interested in primary care specialties. I have a genuine interest in IM/FM, but I'm also...

Someone over in the VMCAS Questions and Rants thread recently posted that there hadn't been a Personal Statement Readers thread created for this current application cycle yet, so I figured that I'd go ahead and do that while it's on my mind. Since VMCAS now opens up in January, that means...

Hey everyone, A lot of my shadowing and another experience (which is one of my most meaningful experiences) includes work at a doctor's office in which I was once a patient. This fact is a huge part of my story, but I was wondering if mentioning I was once a patient at this office would count...

I talked about about my ADHD in my personal statement. It's not the main focus, but I used it as an introductory point that sets the path to discuss cultural stigmas against mental health care, my desire to work with families, and the work ethic/skills I've developed as a result of my ADHD. Am I...

Hi, So I have read you want to stay far away from mentioning addiction if you can. In my case, I think I will have to mention it. I struggled with substance use, domestic violence, homelessness, and mental health issues for the better part of my early twenties. I found out I was pregnant and...

Calling all writers! I am looking for someone to review/edit my personal statement for med school with comments and feedback and actionable next steps. If anyone would do it for free I'd be so grateful. I am hoping to get another few drafts done in the next fews days. Please PM me!!!

Competition for top med school programs is always intense. You may be an exceptional student, but so are the thousands of other applicants vying for a small number of spots at your target school. To earn that acceptance letter, you must submit an outstanding application that will help you stand...

When writing the personal statement, is it appropriate to use specific names? I believe this to be a HIPAA violation, however in an example I read, the person used a specific name to address the child they impacted. If this isn’t allowed, would only using the first letter of their name work? Thanks!

I'm currently a Major in Biology on a Pre-medicine Path, and if I were to somehow complete a few classes over summers, I could squeeze in a minor. I've always been drawn to design and graphics, so I thought I'd minor in Graphic Design, and in my school the minor is only worth 16 credits. I...

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9 book series of 2018-2019 NextStep, JUST before their new 2020 lesson plan update. Copies have minimal notes/writing in them - mostly just some underlining. Kaplan books range from 2015-2018 version and 1,000 flashcards include access to the app. Also included is the PREMED PLAYBOOK 3 series by...

Hi! Would anyone be willing to give some feedback on my personal statement and also help me figure out how I can shorten it down to meet the character count? I think figuring out what to include and what leave out has been the hardest part for me right now. Thank you!

I need to submit my applications in the next few days and I am having the hardest time cutting down my personal statement. I'm currently at 8,358 characters and the OTCAS character limit is 7,500 characters. If anyone can PLEASE help me and take a look at it I would appreciate it so much!

So my situation is very different than most. I have spent countless hours researching and speaking to doctors/medical professionals and have not been able to get a consistent stream of information. I'd like to hear what you guys have to say. In no way am I trying to deliver a sob story or a tale...

Can anyone give some advice on how they got through their personal statement? This is the most stressful part of this application for me at the moment because it's so hard for me to talk about myself without accentuating my flaws academically. My main issue is because during undergrad I...

Hello, I'm currently struggling to write my personal statement, as I'm sure many pre-MD students are, and was hoping for some feedback on my rough draft. Writing isn't my strong suit and I welcome any advice! Thank you and best of luck to everyone in the same position! :)

Right out front, I will be applying this year, but this does not mean I'm going to be heartbroken if I am not accepted... like the past two cycles. Some background: Associates in biology from South Texas College(2014-2016): 3.85 gpa Bachelor's from University of Oregon(2016-2018): 3.4...

Hello, I’m a reapplicant and I’ll be submitting my application soon. I was wondering if anyone would like to read my personal statement and offer comments? Preferably an incoming dental student or current student/graduate. Also if anyone in here wrote a disadvantaged essay and would like to...

Hi there! My brother is a doctor and told me to not share my story about how I conquered social anxiety/panic disorder as ADCOMs would view this as potential risk for the future. I truly took the hard road and faced my panic disorder head on and dealing with this hardship is one of my greatest...

Would anyone be willing to take a quick look at my PS and share your thoughts/feedback? If anyone's in the same position I could also take a look at yours. Thanks in advance.

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The personal statement is one of the few opportunities you have to show the adcoms what makes you different from the thousands of other highly qualified applicants hoping to secure a spot in the same program. Many of you will have similar experiences or motivations for going into medicine, so...

I am debating on a couple of personal statement topics. On one side the reason I want to become a physician is because I went through a lot as a kid and it shaped me into the person I am. I have idiopathic pancreatitis since birth and no one can figure out why (obviously, since it's...

Hey! I’m new here, this has probably been answered. Just wondering in regards to the application if you discuss something in your personal statement should you not list it as an extracurricular? Or can you talk about it in your personal statement and then list it as an EC and further discuss...

Our students deserve nothing but the best. This is why we highly recommend the editors at EDU Writing Services for all types of personal statements and application writing needs. Not only are they both passionate and dedicated to helping you through the crucial stages of your academic journey...

So my PS talks about how my experience working with homeless patients was a transformative experience that led me to want to become a physician. I thought it would intuitive to also include it as one of my most meaningful activities, even though the description of why its my most meaningful...