Personal statements are one of the components of an application package that can make or break the applicant’s chances of being accepted into medical school. For this reason, it is essential to exert extra effort in creating a personal statement that is well-made, properly edited, and interesting or attention grabbing. Depending on the amount of care and commitment that one puts into writing his or her personal statement, the process and result can be both fulfilling and rewarding. Here is a guide on how to get the most out of personal statements.
Preparation and gathering of information
The first step to writing an effective and interesting personal statement is to properly prepare for the task at hand. To prepare, it is important to gather information on what the personal statement is, what admissions committees look for in personal statements, and how to go about writing them. One simple way of doing this is to go online and check the sites of different medical schools. Many of these schools have a section dedicated to the personal statement. Another way of gathering information is to seek out sample medical school personal statements to get an idea of what is expected from these essays.
Choosing topics and themes
Perhaps the most difficult part in writing personal statements is deciding which topics and themes to write about. Sample medical school personal statements are a good source of information to help in the brainstorming process. The idea is to creatively and intellectually discuss one’s creative and intellectual achievements. In doing so, the personal statement should reflect not only the writer’s achievements, but also his or her personality, motivations, aspirations, and personal qualities. Some of the questions that should be answered include why the writer is deciding to go into medical school, how he or she is qualified for it and what the writer is planning to achieve with their education.
It is important to come up with a topic that will not be redundant. The personal statement should present one of your outstanding qualities and attributes that are not evident in your other requirements such as your college records and resumes. Choose a topic that will let the members of the admissions committee to get an insight of you as a productive and capable individual.
Writing, rewriting, and rewriting again
The next step in writing personal statements is to begin the writing process. To come up with an excellent personal statement, it is important to take one’s time. Coming up with an outline may be time consuming, but it certainly helps you see how your ideas should be developed in the personal statement. One thing that puts off many members of the admissions committee is to read an essay that just talks in circles with no clear direction and purpose. Remember, these people would be reading hundreds, if not thousands, of essays; so come up with an essay that presents your ideas in a clear and logical manner.
The first draft should never be the final draft. After proofreading and editing one’s own essay, it would be advisable to have others read and edit it as well. Making numerous revisions will ensure that the personal statement is of high quality. Be sure to check sample medical school personal statements to get an idea of the quality that is expected by admissions committees.
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Entering into medical school and becoming a doctor can be one of the most fulfilling experiences in one’s life. The path to becoming a doctor is long and oftentimes arduous. Upon becoming a doctor, the tension and work only intensifies. Because of this, it is important to identify and understand the reasons for wanting to become a doctor. Here are five of the worst reasons for wanting to become a doctor.
In it for the money
Perhaps the worst reason for wanting to become a doctor is for the large amount of money that the career can lead to. It is often true that doctors earn a lot of money in their profession, but this should not be one’s driving force for becoming a doctor. There is much more to being a doctor than working long hours and making large sums of money.
Doing it for others
Another common reason for becoming a doctor mentioned in sample medical school personal statements is because of the influence and pressure from others to enter into medicine. Many parents and guardians would love for their children to become doctors, and many students seek to enter into the profession because of this reason. Becoming a doctor should be one’s own aspiration rather than someone else’s.
The promise of admiration and respect from people
Doctors often receive much respect and admiration from others, because of the career path that they choose. Some people want to become doctors for this reason. While gaining the respect and admiration of others is a good thing, it should not be the main inspiration for becoming a doctor.
Loving the subject
Many sample medical school personal statements mention that the writer’s reason for wanting to become a doctor is they enjoy the academic discipline of medicine. The knowledge and intellect that one can gain from medicine is abundant and perhaps even inexhaustible. Still, there is a side of being a doctor that is far detached from the lessons and knowledge that you can gain from the subject. Being a doctor requires interpersonal skills and a sensitivity toward the human being that far exceed those required in other careers.
Anything aside from a vocation
Most people who are happy with and truly love being a doctor cannot explain their reason for wanting to become a doctor. This is because it is often a vocation of theirs, a calling that comes from a longing to better one’s self in order to aid others in need. Perhaps the best reasons to want to become a doctor have something to do with being selfless and centered on an interest toward the human being.
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