Law School Application Essay Examples
Every topic can lead to a standout or average personal statement,
depending on how compellingly you write it. In other words,
there's no such thing as a "good" or "bad" essay topic, only
strong or weak execution.
Many students delay working on their personal statement until
they discover the perfect topic, but no such topic exists. Weve
read incredible essays and weak essays on pretty much every
topic. What mattered was how the writer linked the topic with
their personal path to medicine.
We should reinforce a point mentioned in passing in the previous
paragraph: pretty much every medical school personal statement
topic has been used at this point. You can stand out by sharing
your personal stories, unique insights, and eye-opening
experiences, not by writing about a brand-new topic, as so few
exist.Your personal statement can and should include more than
what youve done to prepare for medical school. The personal
statement is an opportunity to share something new about yourself
that isnt conveyed elsewhere in your application.An example like
this is less effective because it is generic. Cliché topics for
medical school essays are hard to pinpoint, as by now, most
medical school application essays topics have been written
already. To make you stand out, you need specificity and
reflection.
From her list of extracurricular activities, she could choose to
write about volunteering as an English tutor or being the lead
saxophone player in a campus jazz ensemble. By picking one of
these options, this student could write an entirely unique
personal statement introduction. I began volunteering at UC Davis
emergency department to better understand the hospital setting. I
loved the rapid pace of that environment, and in an effort to
gain more hands-on experience, I was fortunate enough to do a
clinical internship which allowed me to rotate through a number
of different departments. This experience showed me the vast
range of health issues that physicians treat, whether its a
5-year-old who comes into the ER for a stubbed toe or an
85-year-old who is pulseless and on the verge of death.
Regardless, the physicians approach was the same: deliver the
best possible medical care to improve that patients quality of
life. It did not matter whether the patient was a drug addict or
a renowned scientist. The physicians job was to alter the
trajectory of that persons life. It is this selflessness and
determination to do good that drew me towards this career more
than any other.
20+ medical school personal statement examples, plus a step-by-step guide to writing a unique essay
As I unclasped my fingers from hers, I reflected on the parallels of what I did for my mom and what her physician did for me; her physicians compassion drove me to be the person I needed to be and holding my moms hand helped her pass away as my beloved mother. From this realization, I understood that amidst differential diagnoses and complex treatment regiments, often its a small act of compassion that is necessary to empower people to reclaim their identity. In my future career as a physician, I hope to keep this lesson close when I seek to similarly empower patients to reclaim their identityeven if holding their hand is all I can do. The medical school application is your single best opportunity to convince a group of strangers that you would be an asset both to the school and to the medical profession. Its your opportunity to show yourself as something more than grades and scores. Granted, every person who applies will have strengths and weaknesses. But its how you present your strengths and weaknesses that really counts. Recommendation letters, personal statements, and admission interviews are ways to showcase your talents and convince the school that you have what it takes.
Med school application essay - New Orleans was hot and humid during the summer months of 2014no surprise there. However, for a native Oregonian like me, waking up to 90-degree and 85-humidity days initially seemed like too much to bear. That was until I reflected on the fact that my temporary discomfort was minute in contrast to the destruction of communities and emotional pounding experienced by the people of New Orleans during and after Hurricane Katrina nine years earlier. Although pictures and stories of the aftermath compelled me to understand its effects on the community and volunteer, actually building homes and interacting with the locals, like 9-year-old Jermaine, who cried as I held his hand while we unveiled his rebuilt home, taught me that caring for people was as much about lifting spirits as making physical improvements.
This sentence doesn't answer the "Why medicine?" question (for example, you could greatly impact people's lives through law or teaching), nor does it demonstrate your qualities (although it makes the neurosurgeons look really good). Socially aware (e. g. , I noticed the mother avoiding eye contact with the genetic counselor while clutching her son to her chest. I sensed her anxiety and disinterest in hearing about my research conclusions. The impact of her sons condition on their daily lives probably transcended the scientific details in my report. ) What can you say about yourself that no one else can? Remember, everyone has trials, successes and failures. What's important and unique is how you reacted to those incidents. Bring your own voice and perspective to your personal statement to give it a truly memorable flavor. The applicant maintains focus on how their interest in service and research can be applied to help real people. They take it one step further by highlighting a specific time when they did just that. There is no additional fluff, tangential information, or competing storylines. And so on. If you have difficulty thinking of your great qualities (many students do), ask family members or close friends what youre good at and why they like you. It might be awkward, but this exercise really helps because others tend to view us very differently than we view ourselves.
Med school application essay - The applicant once again demonstrates their flexibility by showing how they modified their talking points to fit the familys needs rather than satisfy their own curiosity and self-interest. Moreover, they highlight not only the approach they took with this family, but also the impact on their care. For example, after discussing how they validated the mothers care efforts, the applicant mentions how the mother relaxed.
Undergraduate admissions can be likened to an industrial operation, wherein individuals from all disciplines come together to provide valuable input into a massive process. In contrast, medical school admissions offices are staffed mostly by practicing physicians and med students. Clever, creative gimmicks are unlikely to work. Rather, we must repeat, your essay must convey:Admissions committees are eager to learn about what makes you distinct from your peers, why you want to pursue a career as a physician, and what you will contribute to their school and the larger medical community.If your essay does this, youll have a leg up on other applicants. On the other hand, a clichéd personal statement will bore admissions readers and consequently make them less interested in admitting you.