Med school personal statement advice?

The title above mentions pretty much everything. I need to write a personal statement by June 15th and I'm having some trouble.


Every resource I've used says the exact same things: be original, don't be boring, just be yourself. Fine. But then, their sample essays are completely absurd. i.e. ';I suffered from anorexia....'; ';I was 5 when I witnessed my mom get shot...'; or something that 99 percent of applicants have never experienced.


Every time I read an essay that talks about how someone went to volunteer in a third world nation, etc. I cringe. I know damn well that the majority of med students only volunteer because that's what med schools want to see. They know they want to go into medicine before they volunteer, not the other way around.





There usually isn't a specific event or epiphany where someone decides to pursue medicine. How can I write an effective essay about why I want to be a doctor, when there isn't one defining reason?





Any advice is appreciated.Med school personal statement advice?
Don't worry about writing something extraordinary as some of the advice implies. Just be honest and straightforward and this will come across to the reader. I would suggest trying to think about who/what has influenced you in your life and think about themes such as strength, honesty, equality, camaraderie. Demonstrate your own personal traits in helping others, influencing opinion and convey your love of science/medicine. It would be great if you could build a story showing how you recognize parts of the community/particular individuals who need medical guidance and this has influences you to use your career to make the world a better place and educate others.


I hope this is food for thought. Just start putting pen to paper you will be suprised what you come up with- you can alter and rearrange the structure later.


You may also consider getting someone else to read over it for you or a professional editing company (they are not too expensive).


This is free advice from Editangels:


A personal statement is a very important part of the admission process and so should not be overlooked. More and more universities rely upon your statement in place of the interview as a means of assessing your attitude. They want to get to know you as a person as well as a student and so your statement is a window to what makes you tick. Make sure that it is a true reflection of you. It is an opportunity to demonstrate attributes that are not obvious from your application form or your grades alone such as your intellectual curiosity, what motivates you and your outlook on life.





Never be tempted to over-embellish your achievements. If you try to be someone else, it will be obvious to the admission officers. Even if you haven鈥檛 scaled Everest or spent all of your spare time volunteering, you can still create a positive impression. Speak from the heart using your own words and phrases. Clearly state why studying at university is important to you and set out your goals for future achievement.





Make your essay stand out by taking a creative approach to writing about yourself. Often your first thoughts about how to evidence a particular life choice will be the same as everyone else so be sure to take that extra bit of time to explain it in a different and more original way.


Try and take a step back and objectively review your qualities then make certain that your statement focuses on these. Have your overcome adversity or encouraged and guided others? Have you had a moment when you realised why you enjoy your subject? Tell the story around these experiences. Universities want mature, committed and determined students who are able to demonstrate original thought. Be sure to show how you fit their criteria.Med school personal statement advice?
Say that there is not one defining thing but your experiences, your heart yearning, your childhood dream, you would not feel whole without it. Speak the truth. If you have people in medicine if you don't, if you are the first. Say the truth and it will set you free.