Transcript AMCAS Prompt - Pomona College

Personal Statements
Pomona College
Pre-Health Advising
Introduction
 Writing a personal statement is an
exercise in self assessment and identity
development and it takes time; start
drafting/brainstorming/reflecting early
and often the year before you apply.
Dos & Don’ts
• Dos
• Be selective about what you
share
• Be genuine
• Be clear and concise
• Check spelling and grammar
• Talk about experiences that
weigh heavily in your decision
to pursue medicine
• Convey your passion and
motivation for medicine
• Focus on the question/theme
• Be specific – give examples to
go with your statements
• Don’ts
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Write your resume
Apologize or make excuses
Name-drop
Preach about medicine,
politics, religion, etc.
Get negative
Incorporate grandiose claims
or fantasies about medicine
Use clichés or generalizations
Focus on family
Use $10 words just for show
Use passive voice
Getting Started
• Write down words, ideas, phrases that speak to
your motivation, capacity (academic, emotional,
experience), vision (impact you hope to make)
and fit (values, mission) with the profession
• Create an outline
• Group like thoughts together
• Look for a theme
• Use brainstorming exercises such as life mapping
• Don’t focus on grammar or form at first – think
about the message you want to convey
Topic Ideas
• Who or what had an impact on your decision to choose
healthcare? What motivates your interest in healthcare?
• What sets you apart from other candidates?
• Explain your clinical experiences and what you have learned
about the provider-patient relationship, medicine, and/or how
you fit the profession.
• Discuss a life-altering or unique event that shaped you and
how.
• Consider a leadership role you played and how it challenged
you.
• How have other experiences influenced your perspective? (ex:
study abroad, athletics, art, music, volunteering, etc.)
• What are good qualities of a healthcare provider and how do
you fit those qualities?
The Writing Process
• Develop a thesis statement and bring it full circle
• Make a PIE of each paragraph – Point, Illustration,
Explanation
• Set aside time to write/review
• Keep all brainstorm notes, outlines, and drafts
• Get others to read your statement and give
feedback (peers, faculty, staff, mentors, family)
• Attend Pre-Health Write-Ins
• Review and edit, and review again
Ask Yourself
• Do you have a theme or main focus?
• Is there anything missing?
• Does this personal statement best reflect who
you are and your motivations for pursing this
path?
• Is the statement relevant to your audience?
• Is the essay easy to read and does it keep one’s
attention all the way to the end?
• Do reviewers understand your main theme or
message?
• Are there sentences or statements that any
applicant could have written? (ex: I want to help
people; I love science.)
Sample Prompts & Character Limits
 Use this section to compose a personal essay explaining why you
selected the field of medicine, what motivates you to learn more
about medicine, any pertinent information about you not included
elsewhere in the application, special hardships or experiences that
have influenced your educational pursuits, and commentary on
significant fluctuations in your academic record not explained in the
application. (AMCAS)
1.
2.
Why are you pursuing an MD/PhD? (3,000 characters)
Describe your significant research. (10,000 characters)
 MD = 5,300 characters
 DDS = 4,500 characters
DO = 500 words
DVM = 5,000 characters