Please any insight: How drastically do PS statements need to be changed between cycles?

[PAhopeful456]

I am a third time applicant. My second time I applied I completely changed my entire PS and it ended up getting me interviews. For this cycle, I restructured my opening paragraph, but still used the same story. I added in another patient care story and rewrote my concluding paragraph including that I have continued to work full time and volunteer since last cycle. Is this enough of a change for a PS?  I don’t want to change too much because I feel like it is a strong PS and it got me interviews last cycle. 

Edited April 21, 2022 by PAhopeful456

[Aimeeperryn]

I would not recommend using the same PS from last year, I understand if you got interviews but if you're applying to the same schools they don't want to see how you have improved from the previous year. Of course it is your choice, I would also be sure that your PS focuses on WHY you want to be a PA and also include your improvements from the previous application. 

I got 2 interviews and 2 waitlists last cycle and completely rewrote my PS, although I did keep one paragraph and just reworked it. 

Good luck!

[primavera]

Try to retain the strengths of last year's personal statement, and maybe add something you've learned in the last year. It sounds like what you need to work on more is improving your interview. 

[UGoLong]

If you're getting interviews, good. If you're applying to the same schools over again, it would be a good idea to tell them what you have been doing to learn or experience more to make yourself a better applicant. Readers see so many applications that they probably won't exactly remember what you wrote last time, but they do have access to it.

Why would you work for a year (or two or more) to become a better applicant this time and not tell the reader?