Thread by @davidschulman

@gbosslet Alright, buddy. Since you called me out, I’ll chime in.
I, too, read almost every personal statement. Over fourteen application cycles, I’d wager I’ve read through more than 5000. And while every Program Director has their own take, mine falls fairly close to yours.
1/

@gbosslet I’ve read too many that start with “As I (colorful description of an event), I realized then and there I wanted to be a PCCM specialist.” The action varies from “looked down on the vast expanse of the Serengeti” to “stood over the dying patient as they took their last breath.”
2/

@gbosslet Some of them are a little silly sounding. I think some folks make too much of an effort to ensure their statements stand out. And while standing out can earn an interview and a good ranking if done right, many don’t realize that whats on the page just doesn’t ring true.
3/

@gbosslet Every year, I ask my good friend @gradydoctor to teach the Emory medical students about the art of writing a great personal statement. She does an OUTSTANDING job. But her first point is the most important. It needs to be PERSONAL. It is right in the name, for gosh sakes.
4/

@gbosslet While every writer has to decide on their own comfort level with being open, the ones that hit me right in the feels are the ones that show me that the writer has a good sense of insight about their needs, and maybe shares where that insight came from.
5/

@gbosslet Anyone can say that they want to go to a program that will give them a wide array of clinical experiences combined with exposure to different research opportunities (I’ve read that several dozen times this year). That’s the problem... everyone wants that. It’s not personal.
6/

@gbosslet What makes what you are looking for in a program personal? What makes your decision to pursue your desired specialty personal? What should I know about you that tells me you have knowledge of how your needs, skills, desires are different? Or how they’ve evolved?
7/

@gbosslet Not everyone can answer these questions. And not everyone is comfortable sharing these things with folks they haven’t met. And that’s totally cool. You do you. But when I read a personal statement that gives me insight into the writer, that’s a level up right there.
8/

@gbosslet So that’s my take on this topic. For personal statement writers, you aren’t damning your application to my rejection bin if you don’t take my advice. But you are probably missing out on an opportunity to strengthen your packet, at least in my eyes.
#SchulmanOut
9/