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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