personal statement for medical school

Admissions Committees have the job of reading your personal statement and going over the rest of the requirements for your medical school application. It would only make sense to take advices from your admissions committee members to be sure that you are on the right track in your medical school personal statement writing.

Earning the nods of meticulous readers

Especially when it comes to things that are really intended to be evaluated like your application for med school, people become more meticulous as readers. They would notice every weakness in your personal statement. Not only would technical flaws such as grammar, spelling, punctuation and construction errors be more noticeable, their expectations become higher than usual. In writing your personal statement, you should keep those things in mind and work within those standards. How? Here are some tips:

1. Do not brag or show off.
2. Write about you and not about the school, the course or the field you?re trying to enter.
3. Do not bore your reader with highfaluting words and dull clich?s.
4. Write with sense.
5. Make your essay short but filled with worthwhile information about you.

“We look for some originality because nine out of ten essays leave you with a big yawn.” – Dr. Daniel R. Alonso Associate Dean for Admissions (Cornell University Medical College)

There is no single pattern for application essays and even if there were, imagine how boring that would be for the admissions committee having to read several uniform essays. No. Spare them that trouble. Just as you are a unique individual, you should also *make your essay unique and interesting* (http://www.medicalschoolapplicationessays.com/how-to-write-an-excellent-medical-school-application-essay/). For you to get into the school you want, you have to make the admissions committee remember you. One way is to pick something interesting about you as a topic?something unique and really attention catching.

“Medical school admissions committees carefully examine the motivation of applicants toward medicine.” – Thomas L. Lentz Chairman of the Admissions Committee (Yale School of Medicine)

Keep in mind that you are applying for medical school and are trying to convince the admissions committee that you should be taken in. One of the best ways is by expressing your genuine interest in medicine. You can write about how you?ve dreamed to be a doctor as a child or how your father inspired you to be a surgeon like him. You can also share your career goals and say how medical school would help you achieve them.

Related links:

Medical school personal statement guide – Medical school personal statement tips
Anecdotes in personal statements – Medical school personal statement tips
Medical school personal statement topic: your volunteer experience – Medical school personal statement topic tips
Professional goals in medical school essays – Medical school personal statement tips
Medical school personal statement topic: your journalism experiences – More medical school personal statement topic tips
Application essay: your personality – Application essay tips
How to write your medical school application essay – Medical school essay tips
Personal statement tips – Tips on writing your personal statement
Admission essay for different programs – Tips on writing your MBA essay
Top tips in writing personal statements – Tips on writing your personal statement

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.

Photo Credit : rbrwr

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.

Photo Credit : peteberlin2003

Most of the students who get into med school took up science or pre-med courses in their undergrad years. In college, biology, organic chemistry, and other science subjects have prepared them for the rigors of medical school. But how about people with non-science courses who also find a calling for medical practice? The truth is, the medical title is not entirely exclusive to those with science majors. But before setting high hopes for a career shift, there are medical school prerequisites that still have to fulfilled with non-science majors.

Science courses required in medical school

It’s not really a requirement to have a be science major just to get into med school. Despite this claim, certain science courses should have been taken by the applicant to be eligible for enrollment. Units in biology, chemistry, physics, and math are required. Most medical schools also have grade requirements for these subjects. Basic psychology courses can be helpful for students aspiring to specialize in psychiatry. Other non-science courses such as English, history, and humanities are also required.

Admission essay tips for non-science majors

Truth be told, science majors have the upper hand over non-science majors when it comes to experience and knowledge. Due to their exposure to the scientific studies, which include laboratory and field work, they may perform well in the application exams. Still, you may secure a coveted spot in med school admission through your winning admission essay. Most medical schools require the submission of  personal statements to evaluate applicants on a more personal level. Use this opportunity to state your intentions and convince the admissions panel why they should take consider  non-science major like you. Though science majors are preferred undergrad courses  for medical school, your non-science major can still help you out even in med school.

Photo Credit : jepoirrier

The field of medicine also has venues for publishing articles, scientific papers, and other resource material that can be used to advance knowledge on medical conditions and treatments. To regulate and standardize formats, the American Medical Association has developed a set of guidelines for the proper citation of references that are used in the text of research papers. These research papers can be about the latest developments in the fields of medicine, science, and even health care. The AMA style is used by medical practitioners, journalists, professors, and even students in the medical field when citing references in their papers.

General guidelines in AMA style

When writing scientific papers to be published in medical journals and reviews, proper citation should be used. All of the sources are listed at the end of the article according to their order of use or appearance in the paper. Making use of numbers instead of bullets, each source must be listed at the end of the text. The elements such as book title, author’s name, date it was published, among others, should be separated by periods.

Book citations
Include page numbers if the specific pages are quoted in the article. Use the <last name>,<first name>, <middle initial> format when citing the author of the book. Below is the order or chronology of the items when citing from book sources.

Chronology for book citations:
* author’s name
* chapter title
* editor’s name/translator’s name
* book title
* volume number
* book edition
* place of publication
* book publisher
* copyright year
* page numbers

Journal citations

If book citations require you to mention the full first name of the writer, journal citations only require the last name to be spelled out in full. The format for writing author’s name would then be <last name>,<first name initial>,<middle initial>.

Chronology for journal articles:
* article title and subtitle
* abbreviated name of journal
* year of publication
* volume number
* supplement number
* page numbers

Internet citations

Internet sources are now credited by the AMA; just be sure to use information from reputable sources. Cite what kind of Internet material was used as a reference and enclose it in brackets.

Chronology for Internet sources:
* author’s name
* article or webpage name
* URL source
* date accessed

Photo Credit : sabrina’s stash

Studying for med school is no easy feat to accomplish all by your self. Fortunately, you can join or even start a study group where you can make studying a social event as well. Read on to know why joining study group sessions are worth your time and effort.

No room for procrastination

Procrastination hits everybody at some point, and it strikes hard when you’re alone. Alone you’ll probably have more tendency to put off what you should do, worrying only about yourself. With a study group, you learn to be codependent with other students as each of you may be assigned topics to read on and discuss with others. Being part of a study group gives you a certain responsibility of studying not only for yourself, but also for others.

Enough collection of ideas

A study group is a great venue for exchange of ideas. Though each person is assigned to study and discuss a certain topic for the session, other members can air out their comments and opinions. When studying alone, you’re only exposed to your own interpretation or understanding of the topic, whereas with a study group, you may cover different aspects on the subject. Some may be good, others may be points for further discussion, but all the same, a study group session can leave you enlightened about the topic.

More chances for self-improvement

Facts and figures aren’t the only things that you can get from joining a study group. Here, you also get to pick up new ways and methods for studying. Or, you can share what you find most effective for you. Discussions in study group sessions help make you get used to speaking, explaining, and listening to people. The development of interpersonal skills prepares medical students for the profession that they are studying for. Study groups also provide venues for socialization.

Photo Credit : denn

So, you’ve finally got a call after sending your personal statement for medical schools. You then confirmed the appointment date and place. What else do you need to ensure the success of getting in? Here are a few tips on how to wow the admissions panel for that medical school interview that could change the course of your life.

*Dress to impress

Formal settings such as an interview with the admissions panel means donning a suit that would make you look professional and respectable.  Keep jewelry to a minimum and skip the glittery eyeshadow. Instead, opt for neutral colors that are easy on the eyes. Shoes should be of comfortable fit as well. For women who prefer wearing heels, make sure that you can walk in them. Men should also try to tame those spikes in the hair, at least for a few hours, and wear clean and pressed suits with a tie. Instead of the usual sneakers, wear leather shoes that go well with your suit. Though fragrance can be worn, keep it also to a minimum so you won’t distract your interviewer.

*Check body language

Though popular advice tells you to relax during an interview, it doesn’t mean you can slouch or spread your legs when sitting down. Sit properly on the chair in a position that is comfortable for you, without coming across as lousy or disrespectful. Maintain eye contact with interviewers during conversations to convey attentiveness and professionalism

*Be true to yourself

Even though you’re out to impress the admissions people with your achievements, don’t brag too much about the achievements you’ve included in your resume or mentioned in personal statement for medical school. Also don’t make up or exaggerate information during the interview. Though it may seem easy to make up one lie and the next, it’s harder to cover up  for these once you’ve built a life out of false facts. Instead of risking your reputation, just be honest and tell the truth. If you really are deserving of a slot in med school, you don’t have to make up lies just to get in.

* Keep your cool and stay polite

Engaging in polite conversation with other people never did anyone bad, despite the fact that some interviewers can challenge and intimidate you in the process. Don’t lose your cool when instances like these happen. Remember that your fate lies in the hands of these interviewers who have read your personal statement for medical school. How you act and speak toward them can have severe consequences on your application. The interview is just another type of test that you have to go through. You should be able to maintain grace even under pressure to secure that slot in medical school.

Photo Credit : careerfashion

Medical education in the US is open to everyone, even to foreign students like you. American students and foreign students are given equal opportunities when it comes to medical school admissions. Medical students are chosen based on academic excellence and medical potential, not racial origin or religious beliefs. The requirements for medical admissions, however, is not the same for American and foreign students. Here are some application tips for foreign students like you who wish to study in a US medical school.

Practice in speaking fluent English

Because English is always the language used in teaching medicine, you need to practice your English communication skills before applying to US medical schools. Both written and verbal forms of English are important to help you adapt to the advanced education system in medical school. All research papers and medical reports must be written in English while group discussions and oral reports must also be delivered in English. Learning how to write and speak English is not only advantageous to your academic performance, but also to your social life. Being fluent in English gives you more confidence in interacting with your professors and fellow students.

Write an amazing personal statement

The US academic curriculum is different from other countries, so American medical school applicants have an advantage when it comes to the required subjects. You can increase your chances of admissions, though, by writing an amazing personal statement. Most admissions evaluators are especially interested in reading personal statements from foreign students like you. The information they will look for your personal statement is the explanation on why you would rather study in a US medical school. To get their approval, write a brief comparison between the education system in your country and in the US. You may also share that learning medical concepts from a different perspective might be beneficial for the advancement of medicine in your country. Write an amazing personal statement, but keep it as honest as possible.

Medical school is tough for both American and foreign students. Academic excellence and medical success is not measured by skin color or geographical location. The key to being a great doctor is in you. If you persevere enough to reach for the stars, then you will be rewarded with sweet success.

Photo Credit : jessemoya