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Personal Statement
Due on November 26, 2012
Baylor Writing Center 254-710-4849Carroll Science G-06
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Specifics of the Essay
Font = Times New Roman 12
Single spaced ONE page
< 5300 characters
MD/PhD candidates: must submit additional
essays
Do Not PLAGIARIZE!
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Suggested Topics
Why do you want to be a physician (or dentist)? What
experiences have motivated and reinforced your desire to
pursue this profession?
What experiences have allowed you to develop the skills
necessary to be successful in medical/dental school and to
become an effective physician/dentist?
What have you learned about medicine/dentistry and what
will you contribute to the professional school community?
What do you want admissions committee to know about you
that is not addresses elsewhere in your application?
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Qualities to Portray
Maturity, compassion and empathy,reflectiveness, genuineness and sincerity,honesty and integrity, leadership, clarity ofthought, humanity, a realistic perspective,positivity, distance traveled/lessons learned,industriousness and persistence, commitment,
self-awareness, ability to relate to diversepeople, insight into the chosen healthprofession (?), strong written communication
skills
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Themes to Avoid
Cliches
The epiphany into medicine
Laundry list of all your activities/achievements
I know what it is like to be a physician from[shadowing, clinical volunteer experience, etc.]
Grandiosity: claiming that you plan to cure cancer, etc.
Negativity: Im a victim, excuses, etc.
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Themes to Avoid
Misrepresenation
I am special
Anything potentially inflammatory orcontroversial
Any unusual formats
Over-dramatic
Inappropriate use of humor
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Tips
Do NOT wait until the last minute. Go through several drafts.
Organize your essay in a logical manner. It may be helpful todevelop an outline before you begin writing.
In general, highlight specific, unique accomplishments sincebeginning college.
Use active voice and appropriate vocabulary (i.e. no slangs)
Use normal rules of capitalization, punctuation, spelling, etc.(ur writing n essay nt a txt msg ;-)
Stay focused, be succinct and to-the-point