sample medical school personal statements

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.

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

When writing your medical school application essay, make sure that it is unique and reflective of your personality. What is the best way to do this than by relating your experiences from your distinctive point of view! However, it is very important for you to know and choose topics that the admissions panel will be looking for.

Volunteer work experience

Having a volunteer work experience shows that you have the heart for the job. This experience also gives you the opportunity to boost your personal strengths and enables you to gain insights that you otherwise would not have. Capitalize on this by clearly stating your goals for volunteering, as well as what transpired that made you feel more inspired. Also discuss what strengthened your desire to enter into the medical profession, or how it has allowed you to be more sensitive to the needs of others.

Involvement in various organizations

There is no better way to develop interpersonal skills than by being a part of various organizations. Aside from this, your choice of organizations also reflect what you are passionate about. Share through your writing what these organizations do and choose one aspect that you were most involved in and focus on this. Elaborate on your learning along the way as you contributed to the attainment of the organization’s goals. Reflect your enthusiasm through a story about what transpired that strengthened you or that changed your life, if any. State how this experience affirmed your desire and gave you the skills to be in the medical profession.

Other tips to effectively build your credibility through your essay

Aside from the topics above, cross-cultural and research experience can also be of interest. Highlight conversations or events with someone who helped you gain insight and pushed you into the direction of the medical profession. Just be honest as you write about your experiences that showcase important traits that the evaluators are looking for, such as commitment, leadership, integrity, and organizational and communication skills. Relate all these with your goals and explain how these make you a strong candidate for medical school. Include only relevant information and be accurate with your facts. Make sure that you are able to balance in your essay both your personal and professional self.

Related links:

Personal statement tips – Practical tips on essay writing
Becoming a doctor – All about becoming a doctor
Medical school essays – How a sample medical school essay can be useful
Interpersonal skills – Why interpersonal skills are important in the medical profession
Entering medical school – Questions that you should ask yourself before entering medical school

Being a doctor is not just about having the know-how. It’s also about being able to relate well with the people whom you are supposed to attend to. Thus, medical schools also screen applicants based on the character traits reflected on their admission essay.

Your essay as a tool to let the readers get to know you

An entrance exam has already been given to check your intellectual ability. Aside from your technical knowledge, an essay is given to judge some of your other skills like logic, organization, and communication. What the assessors would be interested to know is how well you can relate the totality of your experiences and strengths to your goal of getting into the medical school that you are applying to. In your medical school personal statement, you have to show who you are and what you will bring into the program.

Signs that you’re too detached in your essay

If all that you’ve written are pure and simple facts, then you are truly isolating yourself from your readers. Your essay can seem too detached if you write it in a very formal way like you would a term paper or just list down details like when you’re making an outline or reviewer. It won’t also do you much good if it’s too theoretical or serious that no one will be able to relate with it or see who you are from it.

What to do to make your personal statement more personal

In order to make your essay more personal, you have to do more reflection and offer more insights. You have to be able to share your experiences in such a way that the readers will get to understand your fears and feel your triumphs. Write in such a manner that it feels conversational. Skip a lot of jargons. You may mention some of your medical training or any other topic that appeals most to you. Mentioning difficult incidences that you were able to overcome is also helpful as long as it focuses on the positive and does not reek of cynicism or self-righteousness. Talk about the influences of significant people in your life as well as your
goals. Just make sure that you yourself see who you are in whatever you write.

Related links:

Med school preparations
Personal statements -Tips on writing personal statements
Interpersonal skills – Why interpersonal skills are important in the medical profession
Life-changing experiences – Tips on writing admission essays based on your experience
Medical school essays – How a sample medical school essay can be useful

When it comes to medical school personal statements, it all boils down to what makes you suitable for a medical career.  No matter what kind of writing style you use, your admission essay should ultimately focus on this topic.  You must express heart-felt desire to become a doctor or be able to care for others.  This, of course, is easier said than done.  Although it’s good to be straightforward with your real intentions, starting with “I want to become a doctor because…” will only make your essay as well as your desire seem weak.

For sure, you have good reasons for wanting to become a doctor, but presenting them can be difficult.  You have to make sure that your medical school personal statement will stand out from the rest.  How can you do this?  Go into details.  You may have the same motivation, beliefs, and passion as other applicants, but it’s unlikely that you have the same experiences.  By infusing more details to your writing, you can make your essay unique and more original.

Your personal statement should be geared toward answering these three important questions.  You have to answer it in your own unique way, using personal anecdotes, quotes, or any interesting idea to show desire and dedication to become a doctor.

Why med school?

Going to med school is a major decision you have to make.  Some even compare it to taking out a mortgage, getting married, having kids, or switching to a new career.  There are lots of rewards, but the difficulty of making it through medical practice can outweigh the benefits.

It will take years before you can go into practice.  After you graduate from med school, you still have to undergo lots of trainings before you’ll be considered an expert in your field.  Money is also another important consideration.  You have to go all out to finance your studies.  Likewise, students pull all-nighters just to meet the demands of med school.

It’s best to keep these in mind, so you can better assess yourself.  Reasons for entering med school include the desire to heal people of their pain or suffering, or being a witness to the suffering of a close friend or family member because of a disease.  Regardless, you have to use personal experiences to best illustrate your suitability to become a doctor.

Am I committed?

The truth is, a lot of people quit med school midway through.  This is because of the difficulty of *balancing personal and school life.  Med school demands a lot from you.  To be successful, you need to be dedicated and be willing to make sacrifices just to reach your goals.  You really have to work hard.

It’s not enough that you have an above-average GPA or aced the entrance exam; you need to prove that you’re cut out for this kind of profession.

What happens after med school?

It doesn’t end in med school.  After this, you still have to undergo further trainings and may even decide to specialize.  Thinking about your future as a medical professional will show your commitment and having a clear set of goals the admissions panel would love to hear.  You may choose to do volunteer work, train under specialists, or do research for medical breakthroughs.

There are a lot of approaches to writing an admission essay, as you can see in sample medical school personal statements.  But whichever path you choose to follow, always be sincere and honest with your intentions and desire.  This is not only to please the admissions committee, but also to make sure that you’re headed toward the right path.

How to Come up With an Effective Essay with the Help of Sample Medical School Personal Statements

If you are a student planning to pursue a career in the field of medicine and are now preparing for your application essays, you could make use of some tips for effective essay writing.  You can make it as simple as talking about “why you should be accepted to medical school.  You can include your plans of how to deal with medical school stress, personal development, and career advice.  The key is to make your essay as unique as possible — to stand out among the countless applicants vying for the same position.  Your essay is a very crucial part of your application process.  It is actually the “make or break” factor in getting accepted to your dream school.  This is why most students exhaust all efforts to come up with a creative and effective essay.  Here are some tips you can use to craft an effective essay about medical school

Choose a focus or theme

Focus or the thesis statement is the main point of your essay.  Most of the things you will say in your personal statement will support your focus.  In other words, all medical school personal statements lead to one thing, and that is “why you should be accepted to medical school.”  One effective way of doing it is to grab the admission officers’ attention, and start with a very catchy theme.  Focus on what influenced you to pursue your dream of becoming a doctor, your reasons for pursuing it, how you plan to finish it, and the efforts you plan to put to it.  Most of the time, you should also state why you chose a specific medical school given your background and experiences.

Personal evaluation

Conduct an activity on self-introspection and assess your personal statement if it’s unique enough for the taste of the admission officers.  When we say unique, we mean that the personal statement must be written with conviction, enthusiasm, and authority.  Emphasize your awareness of how this major decision will change the direction of your life in the future.  Make sure you sustain it up to the end of your essay.  Lay out all your accomplishments and achievements and somehow turn your weaknesses irrelevant to convince the admissions officers that you’re really deserving to be part of their school.  Elaborate on your dream to be a medical doctor, and detail how you plan to achieve it.  Do not forget to include your short-term and long-term goals, because all these are exactly what the admissions committee look for from their applicants.  Be true to your writing and not just put down what you think the reader wants you to write.

Concluding observation

Take your time in writing your piece.  Keep editing and proofreading it, until you’re able to conclude with a big bang.  This last part of your personal statement is merely restating your main statement, which will reiterate those specific instances in your life that taught you valuable lessons, and that you will continue to bring and apply them when you’re already in medical school or serving as a doctor.  Truly, a well-written personal statement that elaborates all your skills, achievements, goals, and interests is your ticket to your dream medical school, so make sure you give it your best shot.

Most of the time, medical school applicants make it a point to check free sample medical school essays online.  As these samples are well-written, these essays can be used as a guide.  Applicants browse through these essays to have an idea on effective themes and writing styles to employ on their own essays.

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Effectively Discussing Your Dream Medical Specialization in Your Essay with the Help of Sample Medical School Personal Statements

If you are a student aiming for acceptance to a top medical school, one good theme you can write about for your personal statement is on “medical specialization selection.”  This is all about a medical practitioner selecting which field of expertise he or she should take for his or her future career as a doctor.  Everybody knows that choosing the field of specialization is very difficult and is a major decision to make.  Here are some essay writing tips to help you get into your dream medical school by coming up with a clearly written personal statement that will adhere to the standards of the admission officers.

Choosing a focus

First, you should choose a focus or theme for your main topic.  Having a theme enhances the ability of the reader to understand your message, because your ideas appear more organized and therefore has a clear direction.  Your focus which, in this case is, your “dream medical specialization,” should be emphasized as related to your values that have shaped you as an individual, not to mention your perceptions that have made you decide to go for that particular specialization.  Therefore, include in your writing the experiences and events in your life that have made an impact why you are now choosing this particular field of specialization in medicine.

Creating a frame for your focus

After choosing a theme and making an outline for all your information, you should start with a frame of focus, which is actually how you will introduce your statement.  You may do this by writing down things about what makes your dream specialization so special to you, or you can provide details that will support and form the shape of your essay, such as indentifying the factors that enhanced your decision to go for this chosen field of medicine.  See, the frame of focus not only introduces the theme, or you as the applicant, rather, it also stimulates the interest of your readers.  This is why it plays a vital role for your acceptance to medical school because it entails getting the approval of the admission officers by merely reading your personal statement.

Playing with words

Use sensory details to describe your dream specialization. Choose carefully the words you say.  State your reasons why the particular field has become your desired field of specialization.  You could elaborate that it fits your interests, personality, and experiences, and that you believe your personal satisfaction and fulfillment will be realized only with this chosen specialization.  Furthermore, you may explain in detail how your previous accomplishments and achievements have directed you in choosing a certain specialization. Another tip would be to share your personal emotions and opinions about your dream specialization, so as to put a more personal touch to your personal statement; and therefore, successfully get the “yes” of the admissions committee.

For example, you might want to specialize in pediatrics, a medical field that is popularly known to be about the health and welfare of infants and children.  If that’s the case, then relate the nature of job of pediatricians with your interests, lifestyle, experiences, and personality.  And surely, you’ll be able to convince the medical school admissions committee that you deserve to be a part of their school.

Most of these tips can be found in many sample personal statements.  These essays are free and can easily be found online.  Just remember not to commit any plagiarism when you browse through these samples.  Always keep in mind that these are merely guides for you to emulate.

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Discussing Recent Life-changing Experiences in Your Essay with the Help of Sample Medical School Personal Statements

Are you a college student in the process of writing your own essay or personal statement for medical school admission? Well, if you just can’t seem to think of a good topic that will trigger the interest of the admission officers reading your article, then you can just simply try writing about your “recent life-changing experiences,” and how they have made a significant impact on your life as a college student.  Here are some guiding tips on how to effectively write the personal statement for medical school and get into the medical school school that you want.

Drafting an outline

Everyone in this world has his own story.  And these are what we call our “life experiences.”  They are the minor and major events in our life that, in one way or the other, have affected us significantly.  They are what we go through every day of our lives, giving us new knowledge and insights about so many things in life.

The concept of life experiences is a rather broad topic, so as a writer, you should make an outline of what you need to discuss until you have narrowed them down to the most important issues you should focus on.  Life experiences as the theme of your essay can be vague and ineffective if written in the wrong way.  As a writer, you must give focus or theme to your essay.  So try to recollect vividly which events in your life had the greatest impact to you as a person and as a student. Describe the experience and discuss whether it was a good or bad event and how it has impacted you.

Ask yourself probing such as the following: Did it bring any new knowledge for you?  New insights perhaps?  What was the general outcome of your experiences?  Did a new personality emerge from the experience?  Was the experience for a positive or negative change?  All these should support your main idea in the essay to add depth or specificity, which makes an essay a very credible one. In other words, elaborate on all the details if you are writing a life experience essay.

Telling your story

The essay or personal statement is actually your chance to tell your story and share a private part of you to your reader. However, remember to control your emotions.  Some writers have the tendency to let their emotions overwhelm them and therefore, create an awful abstract or overall theme of the essay.  What you should do instead is involve the school admission officers in your essay.  You can do this by presenting a lot of significant events that happened to you.  Also,  identify which experience was the most turning point in your life and explain your reasons why.  Ask what were the results of these experiences and how important they were.  Finally, zero in on how valuable this experience is to you, and to your future. But remember also to not make too much descriptions as these may also bore your readers. It’s already enough that you highlight how such experiences changed your outlook of life for the better and how these experiences have transformed you into a better and more self-assured person.

The key here is to make it a point that your readers, while reading your essay, empathize with what happened to you.  If you were able to move your readers to put their place in your shoes, then you have successfully sent your message across.  It only means one thing, and that is, you have definitely succeeded in convincing the medical school admissions officers to grant you a slot in the medical school.

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Penn State College of Medicine

In the middle of the chocolate empire stands a veritable medical and academic institution that has been churning out medical professionals since the late 1960s. The Penn State College of Medicine has produced outstanding physicians and other medical professionals who specialize in the study and research in key areas such as neuroscience, pharmacology, molecular biology, and genetics among others. Situated in the successful resort town of Hershey, PA, students enrolled in Penn State will never have a dull moment with the many cultural and social treats around. Penn State has been in the forefront of producing physicians and medical scientists who have pioneered studies in childhood health research, allied health services, and other areas of study. Check out the school site’s admissions page for admissions details.

A.T. Still University

Professionals who are products of this prestigious university have gone on to be the purveyors of success in the field of medicine, particularly in osteopathy which A.T. Still University or ATSU has been known for. Just how the founder of this institution, Andrew Taylor Still, who challenged traditional medical practices in the 1850s, ATSU continues being the premier university that turns its students into compassionate leaders in the field of healthcare. ATSU has campuses in Kirksville, Missouri and Mesa, Arizona where students have free reign in learning, practicing, and applying the skills and knowledge in osteopathy, allied health, and other branches of medicine. For admissions details, check out the school site.

Hofstra School of Education and Allied Health Services

Though the Hofstra School of Medicine in partnership with the North Shore LIJ Health System will only be opening its doors to students by 2011, the announcement of its conception has been greeted with much approval. However, while med school is still in the works, set your sights toward the existing health and human services education provided by Hofstra. The School of Education and Allied Services (SOEAHS) in Hofstra has produced many medical professionals who have been trailblazers in the industry. Graduates of the SOEAHS have become leaders in the fields of community health, school and occupational health, as well as therapy and counseling. Check out the school site for information on admissions.