personal statement for medical school

The message that Medical School Loans
wants to communicate is clear: it is a blog about medical school student loans. One glance at the home page is enough to give you an idea that the blog is all about medical loans and other medical school financial issues. This site is clearly intended for med school students. The blog aims to provide useful information about loan options to help med students overcome school financing problems.

What are the good points?

The good thing about the blog is that its entries are not only limited to loans. It also includes news and updates on education. There is an entry, for instance, about the visit made by the US Secretary of Education to Alaska for NCLB updates. Another thing I like about it is the variety of the entries. It is not like those other blogs that seem to repeat the same information. In Medical School Loans, no two entries seem to be alike.

What needs to be improved?

One of the things I don’t really like about the blog is the design. I understand that a site about loans needs to be simple as to appear professional-looking, but I find this one very lacking when it comes to design. Another weak point is the very small font size. This factor could mean a great deal. There are readers who easily lose interest reading the rest of the entries when they see that the text is quite hard to read. Because of these factors, the blog gives an impression of monotony. An emphasis should also be given to the reasons why one should visit Medical School Loans. I think this part should be made more attention-grabbing, design-wise.

Overall, the entries are good. The focus of improvement should be directed toward the design of the blog.

Information blast — this was the very phrase that came into my mind the moment I opened the SF Medical School Life Examiner main page. It seemed like some sort of a web portal leading to many different kinds of information and web content such as videos, news articles and commentaries, personality tests and assessments, book reviews, medical students, information on infectious diseases, entries on the health care system, and many others. I would dare say it is intended for and highly helpful not only to medical students, but also to other medical practitioners, researchers, interested readers, and other members of the medical education community.

What’s to like about Examiner

What?s special about this blog is that it includes many different types of content and information with different angles under an umbrella topic: Medicine. The author includes her political views, as well as her opinion on current issues in relation to health and medicine. I particularly liked her entry on the raids to pharmacies regarding the issue of Michael Jackson?s death, where she said that the raids are “justified” but “worrisome.” Besides the articles on current issues, there are also information and content helpful to medical students and other interested audience such as personality assessment tests and results. At the top of each article, there are buttons for fast and easy printing, comments, sending through electronic mail, and subscription. Beside the array of entries is a side bar containing links to contents arranged according to categories. At the top are tabs for easy navigation.

Areas for improvement

With the layout of the main page, however, the blog has the tendency to look cluttered. I must admit getting a little disoriented for a couple of seconds before being able to find the articles that I wanted to review and look at. For a while, I didn?t know how and where to start. The lead in paragraphs for the array of entries are a little too short and the division of the page into three columns didn?t work quite well, with the “main content” on the left column.

In the Study: Life in Medical School is a comprehensive personal blog of a University of Tennessee College of Medicine student?and a U.S. Navy scholar at that. It seems that the blog is basically for his friends and for other people who might be interested in how a medical student?s life works: the day-to-day tasks, occasional dilemmas, bizarre and interesting experiences, and many others.

Etmeek’s good points

The main page of the blog shows an array of paragraphs and links to his latest blog entries. On the side are links to other pages and other navigation options. Overall, the blog is user-friendly and easy to navigate.

The content of the blog is basically personal, but not really private. The author?s use of first person perspective, simple and conversational language, and light writing style give the articles an interesting twist that would encourage one to read, and to keep on reading. It?s like reading one?s journal and sharing in a medical student?s thoughts. I particularly became interested in an entry about his Ob/Gyn
exercises, where he shared how he never actually thought he could do Ob/Gyn until that day he tried.

Among the links you’ll find on the blog?s main page, you can find links to other pages containing other information you might be interested in, such as some trivia about the author. You can also check out the archive for his past entries, which date back to 2005. He?s got entries on various topics besides school experiences such as adventure, life, science, humor, sermon notes (being a proud follower of Christ, as he stated on his About Me page), quotes, and useless facts, among others. He also provided links to his friends, the church he?s involved in, his school, and other things that matter to him. Some entries include photos to make them more interesting.

Etmeek’s weak points

Making use of more videos, photos, and media files would spice up the blog more. It would also do with more interesting trivia and stories that could inspire other medical students or aspiring medical students.

As the title suggests, College Online Guide is a site that aims to provide useful information for college students. The blog provides tips, opinions, and news about topics related to college. These include relevant and highly useful info on college life, sports, college loans, and updates on the education system.

The blog’s strong points

The choice for the title is good. The readers would have an idea what the site is all about with those three short words. One glance at the title and the readers would get an idea what to expect from the site. There is also a section for videos and news on the site. I really like this one, and I guess the audience find this part interesting as well. Another thing I like about it is its user-friendly interface. Although the options are not that many, I give the blog credit for the visibility and clarity of the options. One wouldn’t find it difficult to explore the site.

The areas that need to be improved

The site is professional-looking with its blue-grey and orange combination. But it isn’t very attractive. The design is a bit boring. Another area that needs improvement is the content. Some entries have problems with clarity. Some sentences are not constructed well that their meaning becomes a bit obscure. Typo errors also affect the clarity of the entries. In the article Tips for getting Through a Medical School Interview, for instance, the first sentence is not clear. I also find the sentences very long. I think writers for this blog have to invest on brevity. Remember that content is what every blog is all about. The blog’s credibility as a site dedicated to college issues rest upon the content. So people behind this blog really have to work on improving the structure of the articles. The writers also have to be careful in their choice of words.

When choosing the right applicants among hundreds or thousands of students, admission panels from medical schools usually look for several things.  And one of them is the commitment to finish the medical degree.  Pursuing a medical degree is no laughing matter.  It involves years of study and sacrifice, especially in terms of social life.  Because of this, showing the admissions panel of your commitment to pursue a degree in medicine through your personal statement for medical school is a step closer to getting a spot at the school.  One way to do this is to use your volunteer work experience as an essay topic.

Why volunteer work experience is an effective personal statement topic

Joining a volunteer work experience program is definitely a plus when applying for medical school.  This is because such an experience opens your mind to various ideas and exposes you to a variety of personalities and situations.  Plus, the fact that you did volunteer to work for a company or organization means you have the initiative to commit yourself to a responsibility or task — an attractive trait for a future medical practitioner.

Having the aptitude to ace your med school exam and to get high grades during your pre-med years is very impressive.  However, without the commitment to actually study hard throughout your years in medical school, all your efforts during pre-med years are put to waste.

Nowadays, medical schools are looking more into the applicants’ previous experiences that can help them convince that a certain applicant is willing to endure the hardships one has to undergo when studying medicine.

Effectively discussing your volunteer work experience

To be able to land that spot in your dream med school, you have to effectively discuss your volunteer work experience in your essay.  You can do this by citing specific situations you encountered during volunteer work.  Then explain how these situations have convinced you to pursue a medical degree or how they have shaped your beliefs and value system as a possible practitioner in the field of medicine.

Avoid including too many details when writing about your volunteer work experience.  Too much details can confuse your essay readers.  Always keep your focus on your topic when writing your essay.

Other things to keep in mind when talking about volunteer work experience

For a more persuasive personal statement for medical school, you can also discuss why you chose to join a volunteer work program in the first place.  By doing so, you are giving the admissions panel a glimpse of your real character.

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.

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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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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Being a medical student and a dutiful wife at the same time can prove to be a very challenging act. Both roles need your utmost commitment as each demands your dedication. With a new addition to the family, your attention is further divided. So how do you juggle these important roles?

Juggling spousal responsibilities and medical school work

As a wife, you are expected to provide a home for your husband. Though you two have pledged to take care of each other, a woman does so by setting up and maintaining a household for her husband. As a medical student, an extra load is added to your usual set of household chores. To be able to study for med school, you may look for domestic help if you can afford to. Having someone help out with the chores can free up more time for you to study without being too harassed.

Balancing marriage, medical school work, and parenting

It is always a struggle when a woman tries to do things for herself even though she has a family to take care of. Sadly, more women let go of their dreams because of the difficulty of this situation. Still, there are ways for you to compromise when facing a similar situation. Organize your activities by making a schedule. Plot your study sessions in convenient times like when your child is asleep or at school. Just don’t forget to spend quality time with your spouse and child every chance you get. Though it is important for you to study hard for medical school, it is also important that you be there for your child when he or she needs you the most.

If you are yet to start expanding your family of two, it would be wise to wait a few more years until you graduate or settle into your practice before having a baby. Though a baby will not spoil your prospects of becoming a doctor, the role of a parent would demand more from you. Having a baby after finishing medical school not only ensures that your studies have your undivided attention, but lets you savor the time as a parent without having to worry about your finals. Being married while in med school need not be as taxing as it seems to be, with someone to go home to after every day.

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