do i mention manual dexterity in my personal statement/interview for med school?
i switched from wanting to be a dentist to a doctor (specifically surgeon) and i know that surgeons obviously need manual dexterity (i have no issues with that i have plenty of it), do i bring it up? should i mention that i want to be a surgeon in particular?
It's not part of the medicine selection process the way it is for dentistry, so I wouldn't mention it. There are more important things to emphasise in the limited time you have at interview, and it's so unlikely you'd get asked a question relating to dexterity that you'd risk going off topic and not really answering the actual question.
Original post by GEMriatric
It's not part of the medicine selection process the way it is for dentistry, so I wouldn't mention it. There are more important things to emphasise in the limited time you have at interview, and it's so unlikely you'd get asked a question relating to dexterity that you'd risk going off topic and not really answering the actual question.
ughh, thank you. manual dexterity is like my key skill. i have no idea what else to talk about now. is it worth talking about it in the personal statement though? i don’t want to put all my manual dexterity things i’ve built up over the years to waste 💔
Personal statements aren't used to shortlist applicants, just as a way to screen for red flags, such as National Front membership or being the founder of the Harold Shipman Fan Club or something. Writing a strong PS is a good way for you to get your thoughts into coherent order for interview, and that's about the extent of its usefulness. Presumably you have reasons for wanting to study medicine other than having good dexterity, or else you'd be considering a career as a plumber or a concert pianist, so you can talk about those instead.
Original post by GEMriatric
Personal statements aren't used to shortlist applicants, just as a way to screen for red flags, such as National Front membership or being the founder of the Harold Shipman Fan Club or something. Writing a strong PS is a good way for you to get your thoughts into coherent order for interview, and that's about the extent of its usefulness. Presumably you have reasons for wanting to study medicine other than having good dexterity, or else you'd be considering a career as a plumber or a concert pianist, so you can talk about those instead.
Ok that’s true. Would it be good for me to mention that I’m an artist and I’ve been interested in human anatomy for a long time, and that by studying medicine I’ll be able to deepen my knowledge of it? or something like that?
Original post by pyrofrost_99
i switched from wanting to be a dentist to a doctor (specifically surgeon) and i know that surgeons obviously need manual dexterity (i have no issues with that i have plenty of it), do i bring it up? should i mention that i want to be a surgeon in particular?
Yes definitely mention. Surgeons are much more likely to have larger digit one fingers also (research link below), so if i were you i would make sure you send some measurements and a few nice hand shots alongside this.
(https://open.bu.edu/handle/2144/17021#:~:text=Compared%20to%20men%20of%20the,yet%20smaller%20D2%20link%20length.). So
Original post by pyrofrost_99
(sorry for all the questions*, it’s probably better if i ask my careers advisor at school about this, but thank you for all the advice)
Ok that’s true. Would it be good for me to mention that I’m an artist and I’ve been interested in human anatomy for a long time, and that by studying medicine I’ll be able to deepen my knowledge of it? or something like that?
Ok that’s true. Would it be good for me to mention that I’m an artist and I’ve been interested in human anatomy for a long time, and that by studying medicine I’ll be able to deepen my knowledge of it? or something like that?
I don't think it's hugely relevant at the medical school admissions level...? Bear in mind you are applying to do a medical degree - you will cover the whole of medicine, then you will rotate around the range of medical specialties during your foundation year. You probably aren't going to be doing any surgery for 7-8 years at least and it's only one part of everything up to that point.
Discussing your specific interests and preparation for surgery I think is something that is relevant for later once you actually have the medical degree and are applying for surgical core training I would think; for now you need to focus on your general attributes and qualities that are applicable to all doctors and to successfully being able to complete the medical degree (including all the non-surgical elements of it).
Remember you don't need to relate every little thing you do in your life to your proposed course in your personal statement, and you certainly don't have space to do so! Quality over quantity - focus on the specifically relevant experiences and topics.
(edited 1 month ago)
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