Question on the content of my personal statement (whether or not to include that I wanted to be a doctor)

[DennisG]

Hear me out here: I'm one of those young applicants a lot of members on this forum would urge to go to medical school instead of a PA program. However, I feel confident enough that I'm passionate enough to embark on this career rather than being a doctor. 

 

Now for my actual question: My whole life I was pushed by my parents to be a doctor. My cousin is a doctor, my uncle is a doctor, etc. Would using my parents encouragement for me to become a doctor to juxtapose why I chose this route make a good personal statement or would it raise a red flag to the acom no matter how it's executed? I'm still in the pre-planning stage of my personal statement, so I don't have a draft to share with you guys. I just wanted to read your opinions.

[rev ronin]

It's going to come up anyways, based on your age, if any Adcom who interviews you is doing their job, so I see nothing wrong with using that in your personal statement.  Even applying at age 38, I still addressed "Why not med school?" in my personal statement.  If your family pressure was a legitimate formative issue, then by all means focus on it.

[JohnnyM2]

Now for my actual question: My whole life I was pushed by my parents to be a doctor. My cousin is a doctor, my uncle is a doctor, etc. Would using my parents encouragement for me to become a doctor to juxtapose why I chose this route make a good personal statement or would it raise a red flag to the acom no matter how it's executed? I'm still in the pre-planning stage of my personal statement, so I don't have a draft to share with you guys. I just wanted to read your opinions.

Addressing exactly why you want to be a PA is good. Contrasting that with MD is OK but you need to be very careful how you word it. Family pressure or encouragement is a non-starter. Remember, you are an adult now, making adult decisions.You should have your own reasons for what you do. Citing your parents makes you appear less independent.

 

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[PAruby]

As one of those "too young for PA school" types, it definitely did come up in my interview as to why I wanted to be a PA not MD. I was glad I included something other than "because it's only 2-3 years" in my personal statement to show that I had thought about it before the interview. I included that I had explored options of MD, Nursing, NP, PA, PT.... you name it. My theory was that admissions would want to see that I was certain that PA was what I wanted to do and that I wasn't just going with the first thing, shortest route, or "easier" route (which, I'm convinced, it is NOT). But, as JohnnyM2 stated, I was careful in how I worded things and not to be negative in the least about MDs or any other medical professional - you don't know what titles those reading your essay will be, and likely not all PAs... I left mine at "just wasn't the lifestyle for me" and moved on. When asked in my interview, I cited job/career satisfaction and the fact I have yet to meet a PA who didn't enjoy what they did, along with diversity of opportunity, and local demand for general providers in my state.

 

 As for you, with that family background, you don't want to come off saying that you're doing it because it ISN'T what your family did, or it might sound like a rebellion of sorts LOL. You might use it to say that your whole family is made of doctors, so medicine is in your blood, but use other reasons to discuss why you chose PA over the rest... something like "my whole life my physician parents pushed me to follow their lead, but as I began to explore the possibilities I found other options to consider... " obviously make it your own and you'll do great :) 

 

Just my thoughts, good luck! 

[DennisG]

I was gonna be honest and say that my parents don't support it because they stubbornly want me to be a doctor. I'd use my experiences to display why I prefer PA over the MD route, despite their opposition.

[Timon]

I was gonna be honest and say that my parents don't support it because they stubbornly want me to be a doctor. I'd use my experiences to display why I prefer PA over the MD route, despite their opposition.

 

I wouldn't mention your parents at all. I would focus on why you want to be a PA and not contrast with other professions.

 

You can accomplish this simply by stating the pro's of being a PA without any cons of another profession. Keep your personal statement concise and positive. By doing this you'll prevent rubbing someone the wrong way.

 

You never know, you may be interviewed by a physician or an NP as some programs have them staffed as faculty and apart of the interview process. I had an NP (who was a MD abroad) Interview me in my PA school interview and she asked me this question. I answered by focusing on the pros of being a PA and more specifically, pro's that were unique to the PA profession.

 

I hope this helps. Best of luck!

[DennisG]

I never really thought about being interviewed by someone other than a PA so I'd say you're right. Thanks for the advice.