Med Obsession is a blog written by a medical student in order to share her experiences in med school and in hospital work. A good example of this post is Postpartum Hemorrhage. In this blog, she shares not only her experiences in the field of medicine, but also her experiences as a student of life. She also talks about her family and friends. There is also a useful section for advice.
Things to like about Med Obsession
One of the things I like about Med Obsession is the theme, which is quite attractive. I also like the layout of the blog. The site is easy to explore because of this design feature. The categories are strategically placed in the upper left part of the layout, where they are easily seen. Another thing that makes this site excellent is its neatness. The sections in the home page are located in places that make the home page look well-organized. The neatness of the blog and the color of the theme are very refreshing to the eyes. Although the blog has wide empty spaces, it does not look bare. The wide expanse even encourages visitors to explore the site further. The entries are good and the style is consistent that I am really convinced that the posts are only written by a single person. The topics didn’t fail to arouse my interest as well.
Things that are not really very impressive about Med Obsession
Overall, I don’t find any serious problem with the blog. I only think that one of the minor issues is that the blog lacks pictures and other images. Since the approach of the blogger is personal, it would be better if she also provides photos related to her experiences. Occasional posting of video clips could also add to the appeal of the site.
Inquarta is a site dedicated to providing readers with graduate school admissions advice. In order to avail the full services Inquarta provides, clients need to sign up. The site advertises Inquartas’s other products such as books on med school admissions and premed admissions planner. The site also provides updates regarding med school tuition increase and other related topics posted on the blog.
Unique things about this site
Inquarta is a professional-looking site, but it does not sacrifice creativity. Although the site is simple, there are images that render creativity. The homepage, for instance, has a very cool image. This alone can hold the attention of the readers and even first-time visitors. The posts are also very interesting. Many entries start with attention-grabbing cues. Another thing I like about the entries is that they’re very informative. The entries that give advice are very concise–they’re brief but they’re able to explain important ideas very well.
I find the “Recent” and “Most Commented” categories very useful. The links to various sites are also very useful. The interface is good because the site encourages navigation. The layout is really excellent. I find it easy to search for the information I need. Without saying it outright, the site gives me a reason to explore further.
Not-so-impressive things about the site
Some entries are so short that they leave me hanging and wanting for more info. Although brevity is a good point, some posts are really very short that they fail to satisfy my curiosity about the topic. I am also bothered by the double posting of an entry. The August 20 entry about the Swiss Government selling UBS stake was posted twice. Well, there’s a slight difference between the URLs of the two posts. I guess it was done on purpose, but I don’t see why there’s a need to post the same entry twice.
Advisor’s Corner is intended for those who are interested in taking up medicine. The articles on this blog, such as the Top Ten Pieces of Advice for Aspiring and Successful Pre-Meds, are obviously written for premed students who want to be in the know. The blog aims at providing a useful resource for med-related issues and concerns. You get the impression that it was created by professionals for aspiring med school students.
The strong points
One of the strong points I see on the site is its layout. The layout and design are reallly professional-looking. The photos of the developers in the home page also help to establish the credibility of the site. The formality of the theme and the photo of the blog’s developers make it seem professional. This is, of course, a very important factor especially if you’re writing about med school advice and tips. In terms of content, the site has well-written articles. The med-related topics highlighted in the blogs are, indeed, very helpful for med school applicants and med school students. The style and tone of the entries are very consistent.
The weak points
What I don’t like about the blog is its very simple design. The colors should be made more attractive. Adding some colors to the site would make it more appealing to visitors. It could also encourage visitors to explore the site. The developers should also improve the frequency of posting entries. Although the entries are excellent, they’re too few. I look forward to seeing more posts. Hopefully, authors will find time to contribute more. I’d also appreciate it if subheadings will be in set in bold face. This typeset will defenitely make reading the entries easier. I can easily spot the information I need to know or the subtopics that really interest me.
A gimmicky statement is designed to attract attention or increase appeal. What are some examples of gimmicky personal statements and why is it usually not considered effective in making your medical school statement?
Examples of gimmicky personal statements
Some examples of gimmicky personal statements include using definitions or quotations from someone else to begin your essay. Using techniques like writing poems may also be considered as such. Generally, writing about something that is considered odd or writing in a very unusual way can be seen as gimmicky.
Why gimmicky personal statements don’t work
You may be asking yourself why the examples mentioned above are not effective, considering that they can show that you are trying to be creative. The fact is that oftentimes it may be too much that it steers your essay away from the point that you are trying to make, and it may even alienate your readers. Writing quotations and definitions also seem cliche, especially if these are often used and do not help much in emphasizing who you are and the contents of your essay.
What to do to avoid submitting a gimmicky personal statement
In order to steer away from having a gimmicky personal statement, you have to find confidence in your strengths. State your good qualities honestly and clearly through stories or anecdotes that would make others see and appreciate who you truly are and how far you have come. Your personal experiences, thoughts, and inspirations tied up with your abilities and goals should already be impressive enough that you wouldn’t feel a need to come up with any gimmicky statement. Make sure that everything you put in is relevant and sensible, especially if there is a given topic. Ascertain also that nothing in your personal statement is plagiarized and that it comes out as uniquely you.
Related links:
Medical school essays – How a sample medical school essay can be useful
Essay Introductions – How to start your essay right
Effective Introductions – Five effective essay introductions
Entering medical school – Questions before entering medical school
Life-changing experiences – Tips on writing admission essays based on your experience
Sometimes, stating things as is is a very daunting task, especially if it includes concepts that are just too complex to explain. That’s why it is also often useful to turn to comparisons with day-to-day things. Use of rhetorical tools such as analogies and metaphors let the readers think and, if well-made, showcases your creativity and good analytical skills.
What are analogies?
Analogies are statements that make an inference that if two or more things agree with one another in some respects they will probably agree in others. It shows a similarity between like features of two things, on which a comparison may be based. Like when you mention that a person’s brain is like a CPU that can store information, you can also infer that it is as prone to breakdowns. You basically look for their similarities, and use them to make or enhance your point or, as in the example given, to add humor.
What are metaphors?
Metaphors make a concept more vivid by stating an object or a concept because of their similar attributes. One can say through a metaphor that “personal statements is a picture of one’s soul that ultimately reflects a person’s knowledge of one’s self, to give the readers a more vivid picture of the concept you are trying to project.
Tips in effectively using analogies and metaphors in your essay
In order for analogies and metaphors to work well in your personal statement, make sure not to overdo it. Use them only for emphasis. They are supposed to be used to make the readers reflect or consider the similarities proposed, so you should also make sure that they are well thought of. It is also important to be original. Do not use analogies and metaphors that others made, especially those that have already been used a lot of times. These would only make your writing seem trite and lacking in real substance. Always remember that you are using analogies and metaphors because you have a specific concept in mind that you seek to clarify, and not just because you want to impress your readers.
Related links:
Effective writing strategies – All about writing strategies and tips
Personal statements – About personal statement writing tips
Medical school essays – How a sample medical school essay can be useful
Entering medical school – Questions before entering medical school
Medical school essays – Ways on how a sample essay can be useful
