weight loss as part of PS?

[jheritage]

Over the last few years, I made a commitment to change my life. While a large majority of this was to get everything ready to apply for med school (Increase my GPA, rock my MCAT, clinical experience, etc), I also started changing my habits to increase my overall health and appearance. I've lost 120 pounds and 20% body fat in the last year -- 290 pounds down to 170. I have been a large person for most of my life, and I believe that this shows my commitment to this stage of my life, and my determination to achieve what ever I put my mind to.

Do you think this is a viable addition to my PS, or is it more superficial than I'm seeing???

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[slatermd]

Sorry, we're busy trolling another thread where someone is about to get banned. We'll give this the attention it deserves in a few short minutes.

 

[jheritage]

haha, I saw that... isn't that the same guy who asked how he could go about buying his way into med school?

 

[slatermd]

I would wait to see if you get a response from any of the admissions committee people who post on sdn.

Personally, I would include this as one of my activities on the application, and not as a part of my personal statement. It is viable evidence that you are a determined person, and therefore may be worth mentioning. Write a blurb about it and save it for when you are filling out the application.

The reason I would not put it in my PS is because it does not explain why you want to be a doctor. You lost the weight as part of pursuing medicine; you are not pursuing medicine because you lost weight.

 

[slatermd]

haha, I saw that... isn't that the same guy who asked how he could go about buying his way into med school?

Yes. Good eye.

 

[jheritage]

I would wait to see if you get a response from any of the admissions committee people who post on sdn.

Personally, I would include this as one of my activities on the application, and not as a part of my personal statement. It is viable evidence that you are a determined person, and therefore may be worth mentioning. Write a blurb about it and save it for when you are filling out the application.

The reason I would not put it in my PS is because it does not explain why you want to be a doctor. You lost the weight as part of pursuing medicine; you are not pursuing medicine because you lost weight.

Sounds logical. Thanks.

 

[slatermd]

No problem, and good luck. I'm no expert, so check on this in a couple of days (or subscribe to the thread) to see if you get a response from Catalystik or LizzyM that points you in a different direction.

 

[LizzyM]

I interviewed at least one person this year who mentioned this in the application. I don't recall if it was in the PS or the supplemental but it was more along the lines of a desire to walk the walk and live a healthy lifestyle and to be a physician who could empathize with pts who need to make lifestyle changes. It could be part of an interesting personal statement.

I wouldn't pitch it as "this is how much I want it"... but more along the lines of "if I'm going to recommend health behaviors to my patients, I'm going to practice what I preach" and I've started doing that with great results.

 

[n3xa]

Congrats on the WL

 

[searun]

I interviewed at least one person this year who mentioned this in the application. I don't recall if it was in the PS or the supplemental but it was more along the lines of a desire to walk the walk and live a healthy lifestyle and to be a physician who could empathize with pts who need to make lifestyle changes. It could be part of an interesting personal statement.

I wouldn't pitch it as "this is how much I want it"... but more along the lines of "if I'm going to recommend health behaviors to my patients, I'm going to practice what I preach" and I've started doing that with great results.

Good advice.