Recently, I’ve been working on my medical school essay. However, after completing my first two drafts, I was satisfied but not delighted by my product. I had a nagging feeling that there was a fundamental flaw in both.
I was trapped in a state of “analysis paralysis” while thinking about all the things a good medical school essay should have, I was forgetting who I was and what I was proud of. It struck me as a bit of serendipity when I read Steve Pavlina’s post about how to make quick decisions.
While I thought his example was a little odd, choosing a desk, it served his purpose and it suited him. His key to deciding things quickly is to ask yourself “Is this really me?” for each choice you have. Then weigh how closely each alternative reflects who you are.
In the case of my medical school essay, I felt pressured to write in an excessively creative way while showcasing aspects of my life that did not truly affect what I have become. After dumping the showiness and the facade, I have completed a draft that seems to reflect who I am and why I’ve chosen medicine — all while staying under the approximate 1000 word limit (it’s actually 5300 characters).
I would recommend reading the full post, as he explains the concept quite nicely. It isn’t anything revolutionary, just a simple way of applying a classic rule:
Be yourself.
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