personal statement for medical school

How to Effectively Use Anecdotes in Your Personal Statement for Medical School

Learning how to effectively use anecdotes in your personal statement for medical school can help keep your personal statement personal.  This is often the advice of admission
experts when asked what it takes to make an interesting personal statement for medical school.  Aside from starting off your personal statement with a captivating one-liner, keeping the tone of your personal statement reader-friendly is another important way to get the attention of admission officers.

Personal anecdotes to spice up a personal statement for medical school

Using a personal and interesting anecdote is one effective way to personalize your
medical admission essay. A personal statement for medical school that revolves around personal details about the applicant will make the applicant sound more human, and his or her experiences more real. Stories that the officer can read will put him or her in the experience of the applicant and give him or her what he or she wants: an idea of who the applicant is.  Of course, how the essay is written, how and what kinds of words are used, and how the ideas are brought together will also give one an idea of the applicant’s skills with grammar and written communication.  Using personal anecdotes will give the reader a deeper sense of the personality of the applicant.

Using personal anecdotes also lowers the risk of making an essay that is too wordy.  A personal statement for medical school may at times require a bit of technical know-how here and there, but in general, you use simple words to get the point across.  If you keep it simple, you avoid using words that will require a reader to open a dictionary in order to understand your essay.

As much as possible, anecdotes should be about certain experiences that played a part on your decision to become a doctor.  The worn out phrase ‘I want to help people’ is no longer what admission officers like to hear from applicants.  They want  your personal essay for medical school to show, rather than tell them, why you want to become a doctor.  You can best do this using anecdotes as concrete examples.

Choosing what anecdote to tell

One dilemma that stumps most applicants is choosing what anecdote to tell.  With all the experiences you’ve had in your lifetime, there are a lot of personal experiences that you can choose from.  But how do you choose the right one?

The best course would be to know what characteristic that you are most proud of and choose an anecdote that shows how you exercised that characteristic in real life.  For example, instead of saying that you are a person of compassion, tell of the time when you used your vacation to go on a mission to Africa to help feed hungry refugees.  If you want to tell of your ability to stay calm under pressure, tell of the time when you and a  bunch of people got stuck in the elevator and how you handled the situation so that no one would freak out.  Choosing anecdotes carefully is very important, because even with the right anecdote you still run the risk of sounding too cocky, or worse, someone who likes to embellish.  Keep your words simple and stick to the truth, because the personal statement is not really the place for your achievements, real or imagined.

In the end, you can choose to use different anecdotes for different parts of your essay.   Or you can use one anecdote for the whole essay and use it to tie the whole thing together.  Using personal anecdotes is a good way to keep the essay an interesting read. However, you have to make sure that the anecdote fits and that all of it is truthful.

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The University of Kansas Medical School

Groundbreaking research on various fields of medicine, particularly in biomedicine, are what enabled the University of Kansas Medical School to receive a prestigious reputation and ranking as one of the best medical schools in the United States. Because of the quality education, advanced research and learning facilities, and hands-on training offered at the University of Kansas, its graduates are able to distinguish themselves as some of the most respected medical professionals in the Midwest and the entire country. Those who want to receive education on AIDS and cancer research and treatment should proceed to the University of Kansas because the said subjects are its forte. Online application forms and information on admissions can be found at the university’s official site.

The Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (RWJMS)

The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey has the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School as its branch to provide medical and health care education. Students who make it to the roster of incoming freshmen get not just education from excellent professors, but also an opportunity to observe and participate in treating patients in the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. In addition, students can research and work alongside the remarkable RWJMS faculty at the first state-funded stem cell institute, the New Jersey Stem Cell Institute, and as well as in the Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine. Check out the website of RWJMS to learn more on admission procedures.

The University of New Jersey School of Medicine (UNJSM)

The University of New Jersey School of Medicine is one of the largest public schools for health sciences and is also considered as the oldest medical school in the state of New Jersey. Students who get accepted in this university learn from distinguished and brilliant professors and medical practitioners. Students also undergo hands-on training to become respected professionals in the medical industry. In addition, students of UNJSM get a chance to participate in conducting research on areas including immunology, neuroscience, and stem-cell technology. To apply to UNJSM, visit its official website and complete an online application form.

Duke University School of Medicine

The Duke University School of Medicine is one of the youngest medical educational institutions in the United States. But fairly new as it is, the university already ranked among the top five medical schools in the country. What made such recognition possible are the many studies and medical breakthroughs that studentsand faculty were able to deliver. Students who enroll at Duke University do not just get quality medical education, but also get a chance to work and do research with top medical professionals as well as use modern research facilities. To apply to Duke University, visit the admission page of its official website.

Harvard School of Public Health

Harvard School of Public Health is one of the institutions that brought many of the best medical professionals into the industry. More than just a school, the Harvard School of Public Health is a research facility where both faculty and students discovered and continue to discover medical breakthroughs such as the polio vaccine and the HIV2. Also, the Harvard School of Public Health served as the backbone of several US campaigns including the night-out “designated driver.” To apply to Harvard School of Public Health, visit the school located in Boston, Massachusetts, or visit the school’s official website.

Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

This Baltimore, Maryland-based medical school is a pioneer of sorts. Let not the location of the school intimidate you, but let its prestige and reputation be your guide in having Johns Hopkins School of Medicine as one of your medical school choices. It is most famous for integrating modern hands-on teaching methods into its curriculum, enabling many talented medical school students to learn by example on top of theories and ideas. In addition, the school was one of the first to admit female students as well as house faculty and school personnel who do research and do government-funded human development projects. Visit the admissions page of the school’s website to get more information on the admission process.

Weill Cornell Medical College

Students interested in applying to Weill Cornell Medical College can expect quality medical education as well as a balanced school and social life. The college has been standing for almost a hundred years in the Upper East Side of Manhattan in New York City, and is close to the cultural and social happenings. Those who qualify for slots in Weill Cornell learn from experts, some of them being pioneers of research behind Pap smear, oxytocin, and the treatment of heart disease through gene therapy. The medical discoveries from Weill Cornell are often used as basis for education, making graduates of the university more than ready for the medical industry. To know more about the admissions process at Weill Cornell, visit the university’s official site.

Ohio State University (OSU) College of Medicine

Incoming freshmen who apply to The Ohio State University College of Medicine should gear up for a unique approach the university uses to prepare students for patient care. According to current dean, Dr. Chip Souba, even first year students in the university undergo training and experience dealing with patients in US hospitals. After decades of producing many of the most respected doctors in various fields of medicine, OSU now implements the personalized approach to assisting patients based on their environmental, behavioral, and biological influences. Visit the official website of OSU to learn more about its admission procedure.

George Washington University (GW) of Medicine and Health Services

Prestige underlines the name of The George Washington University of Medicine and Health Services. It offers state-of-the-art research facilities and equipment to the university’s brilliant faculty and students. It also has a reputation for providing excellent health care to former-US President Ronald Reagan after being shot in 1981. Among the contributions of GW in the field of medicine are the development of a radioisotope laboratory, a six-million volt linear accelerator, and operating theaters with overhead observation decks. Check out the website of the university to apply to this school.

University of Minnesota (UM) Medical School

The University of Minnesota Medical School is one of the foremost medical institutions offering top-caliber education to promising individuals. The university takes one of the higher spots in the country’s rankings for best medical schools because UM promotes the core values of a medical professional–commitment, understanding, and compassion. These, together with instruction and training through advanced digital technologies in the field of medicine, enable UM graduates to take their place among the best doctors in the United States and the world. Check out the university’s website to learn about admission details.

University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC)

The University of Tennessee Health Service Center was established in 1911 at Memphis. For decades, the university has been providing education in medicine that is recommendable to any talented and eager scholar. “Improving the health of Tennesseans” is the motto of the university and its intensive programs and advanced research and learning facilities enable graduates to provide a flawless execution of patient care. The UTHSC today has campuses in Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Martin. Applicants who want to dedicate their life to medical and health services can choose to visit any of the campuses or check out the university’s official site to fill up an online application form.

University of Virginia School of Medicine (UVA)

It was the University of Virginia School of Medicine that first acquired a full-time professor among other UVA departments during its earlier days. UVA was founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1812 in Charlottesville, Virginia, and initially had only a handful of specializations and course offerings. Nevertheless, UVA is the alma mater of many well-renowned doctors and medical educators in the United States. Through dedicated instruction and hands-on training, graduates of UVA are able to gear up for the demands of the medical industry.

A successful career in the medical field is not built on your accomplishments alone. As a practicing physician, you must be able to interact with people that can help you make an illustrious career in medicine  – your patients and your colleagues. Though a bedside manner is a typical trait that doctors should possess, there may be some individuals who might need a little reminder on what a little socialization and people skills can do for them.

Improving doctor-patient relationship

Though it’s usually kids who need to be won over by unfamiliar faces, doctors need to portray friendliness toward older patients as well. Doctors do this to gain the patient’s trust and once this trust is achieved, the healing process can begin. If you can get your patient to talk to you about what he or she has been feeling, you can do your job easier by making quick diagnoses and administering the proper treatment. Patients would find it easier to disclose what they are feeling to doctors who are approachable and seem genuinely willing to help.

Improving relationships with colleagues

Unless you’re a one-man team doing private practice in your fully-equipped private clinic, you’d have to interact favorably with other people as well. Hospitals employ other medical professionals who have different duties and tasks assigned to them. All of these people in one way or another help you in performing your duties as a physician. It’s important to foster good relationships with people in the workplace, including nurses, technicians, orderlies, and watch guards. Aside from forging a good working relationship with your colleagues, some of them may even wind up as life-long friendships that could enrich your life in many other aspects. Of course, be prepared to give as well, starting with complimenting and thanking them for a job well done.

It’s not enough to do a good job in operation table. To touch other people’s lives, you must do what you can to reach out and help.

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Not everyone who studied medicine for nearly a decade get to pursue a hospital career . Their medicine degrees, however, won’t be put to waste as the corporate world opens new doors to a different career path. Here are some positions where medical graduates are key players:

Genetic counseling

Genetics has become a tool for more than just tracing bloodlines. As a genetics counselor, a doctor confers with patients with genetic histories of disorders. Medical information about their background, analysis of their genetic patterns, and assessing the risks of disorders recurring in the present or future generation are done by genetics counselors. This position not only requires clinical duty, but also practice professional sympathy by providing emotional support and counseling. Medical graduates who want to go into this profession should have at least taken units of genetics, biology, psychology, and public health.

Medical examiner

After the success of many police-medical dramas and TV series, a lot of people, including medical students, have turned their aspirations toward becoming another Jordan Cavanaugh of Crossing Jordan or Dr. Al Robbins of CSI. These characters portrayed medical examiners employed by the police to investigate cases. Instead of pulling out stories from live patients, medical examiners find out the truth from the dead. The evidence culled by medical examiners play key  roles in investigations as they can also be called to court to testify and present their findings. For those who want to enjoy a CSI-esque career, be prepared to take up or brush up on physiology, anatomy, pathology, biochemistry, and your carving skills.

Everybody wants to make a difference or make their mark in this world. Even when not in a hospital setting that doesn’t mean you can’t help others anymore. A medical degree can take you a long way, in whatever track you might want to pursue.

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By devoting hours meant for sleeping to studying in med school, you may be considered a “night owl”. But instead of looking for prey, med school owls keep their eyes on sheet after sheet of class readings, in preparation for the next day’s exam or recitation. While this may seem like the norm in med school, it’s a sorry state to be in especially if your health and class standing is put at risk. Here are a few tips to make all-nighters in med school easy as counting sheep.

Stay away from the sugar

While sugar and caffeine-laden food and drinks do keep you up, these affect your concentration the following day. Instead of downing pots of black coffee or consuming a big bag of candy-covered chocolates on the eve of an exam, try snacking on protein-rich food. Food rich in protein such as cheese can help increase your memory skills. Try snacking on crisp fresh fruits such as apples and pears for a natural pick-me-up effect minus the calories.

Catch some Zzz’s

Though this goes against the whole idea of an all-nighter, grab some sleep if you can. If you just want to take a nap, wake up, and go on studying, ask a classmate to wake you up at a desired time. As a medical student, you should already know that not getting enough sleep or rest can be detrimental to you. Not only will your health suffer from it, but you’ll also  tend to perform poorly during daytime. Your concentration and moods are affected, the same way that your decision-making skills may be impaired due to the lack of sleep.

Frequent all-nighters can be avoided if you pay attention to your classes and find time to study during the day. Studies even show that students who pull all-nighters frequently just waste their efforts, as they become more prone to low GPAs. Don’t let all-nighters be your cover up for procrastinating, instead do what you need to do as soon as you can.

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Hospital dramas and shows have engrossed many viewers and made notable personalities such as Dr. McDreamy of Grey’s Anatomy and Dr. House of House, M.D. a household name. Audiences are entertained and educated with various medical conditions, diagnoses, and treatments that are  featured in the captivating scenes of these medical shows. Despite the entertainment they provide, some viewers may be left in the dark when it comes to the hierarchy of the characters or hospital staff, say in ER or in Scrubs. Here’s a quick rundown of the titles carried by medical practitioners::

Chief attending

Dr. Richard Webber of Grey’s Anatomy carries the title of big honcho. As chief attending, he is responsible for keeping the entire hospital department running smoothly. The chief attending is considered the boss who makes big decisions or confers with the other big bosses (such as the private owners) for running the hospital.

Attending physicians

Attending physicians are doctors who have gained some experience in their field of specialization. This title may be assigned after finishing a certain period of training for the said specialization. Attending physicians may also head or hold officership positions in their sub-departments. They are responsible for heading a team of residents and interns as well. Attending physicians may conduct courses to interns in teaching hospitals.

Medical residents

Newly-proclaimed doctors, fresh from board and internship exams, are proclaimed medical residents in a hospital. They are doctors who can practice medicine under the watch of their supervisors, the attending physicians, and can now legally attend to patients. Medical residents do their fare share of teaching through medical interns.

Medical interns

After graduating from med school, you can start working in a hospital under the title of medical intern. Medical interns, though, are not yet licensed to practice medicine but are only allowed to observe and participate or “scrub in” for medical and surgical procedures.

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So what makes a doctor good? Is it the brains? Is it the people skills? Or, is it because one came  from a reputable medical academic institution such as Harvard Medical School? Read on for a list of some of the qualities that help doctors become successful in the field despite the erratic schedules and the heavy caseloads.

Doctors must be people persons

Aside from being a medical maverick and genius, good doctors also need to have people skills, especially when interacting with a lot of patients, who may be confused or emotionally befuddled about their conditions.  Breaking the bad news is also never easy for most doctors. Though this part of the job is also described as one of the hardest tasks doctors do, learning how to tell family members the right way takes time and experience.

Doctors must pay attention to detail

Dr. House is deemed the medical Sherlock Holmes due to his keen observations skills. In the TV series, House makes use of psychology and take hints his patients’ lives. Real-life doctors, on the other hand, should possess the same dogged interest even in the little things such as lumps that could turn into cancer or a twitch that may actually be a symptom of a life-threatening disease. Attention to detail makes the job of doctors easier, allowing them to diagnose and treat patients more effectively.

Doctors must value time and use it wisely

You don’t outgrow your schedules when you graduate from med school. In fact, doctors are known to lead such scheduled lives to make sense of all the things happening around them. Time management skills could be honed while still studying in med school. Consider making a time table of the things that you need to do such as studying for pharmacology from 8pm to 10pm. Be sure to accomplish your tasks up to 10pm, so you could go to that late dinner, have a night cap with friends, or hit the sack right after. Setting a deadline also encourages doctors to think faster and come up with solutions even in a short time.

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