38: What Should Nontrads Focus on in Their Personal Statement
Episode description
In this episode, we tackle personal statements for the "older among us." Is there a need to justify why you applied to medical school so late in life? Is there a need to specifically discuss this on your personal statement? Or should you save this for the interview? Is there a difference between younger nontrads and older nontrads?
Our questions are pulled directly from the forums over at OldPreMeds.org so we can deliver the answers right on to you.
OldPreMeds Question of the Week:Poster is currently drafting their personal statement and finding to continuously trying to answer the question, "If you want to be a physician so badly, then why haven't you done it by now?" Is this something that needs to be justified? Poster can't cover all the events that led them to apply so late in life. Should they discuss it all or save it for the interview? Are there topics older applicants should cover in the personal statement that the younger nontrads don't?
Here are the insights from Ryan:How do you fit in everything in your life into 5300 or 5400 characters?
- Your job is not to talk about everything you've done in your life.
- The job of the Personal Statement is to let the reader know why it is that you want to become a physician. (Not what's taking you so long or what have you been doing in interim)
Some things to consider when answering why you want to become a physician:
- Start with what got you interested in medicine. What was your initial draw to medicine?
- Talk about the most meaningful experiences you've gained throughout your path
What the admissions committee members want to see from your personal statement:
- The impact that the experience had on you and your impact on the patients or scenario.
- Your experiences as adding and continually strengthening your desire to become a physician and your resolve to do it.
- Your experiences as securing in your mind that you want to be a physician and is really the only course that makes sense for you
Major takeaway from this episode:
What took you so long doesn't really matter unless it supports your desire to become a physician. Then add it and talk about it. Think about the most impactful memories that you've had that are continually pushing you and reminding you why it is that you want to be a physician and write about those things.
Links and Other Resources:Ryan does Personal Statement editing, if you need help, visit www.medicalschoolhq.net/personal-statement-editing