This is part of a series of articles on the use of AI in medical school applications. In this article we discuss whether it is allowed and the basics of using AI. In future articles we’ll discuss strategies for using AI to maximize the appeal of your application.
Is it OK to use Chat GPT or other AI for my medical school personal statement?
Writing a medical school personal statement is challenging, so it’s understandable that applicants want to use any available tools to help. Over the past year, the use of AI for help with application essays has rapidly increased and applicants are wondering if it’s acceptable to use AI to assist with the personal statement and other parts of the application. The answer is: it depends on how you use it.
At the end of the AMCAS application, you’ll be asked to certify your application, which includes the following (bold is mine):
I certify that all my writing, including personal comments, essays for MD-PhD applicants, and descriptions of work/activities, is my own. Although I may utilize mentors, peers, advisors, and/or AI tools for brainstorming, proofreading, or editing, my final submission is a true reflection of my own work and represents my experiences. I acknowledge that no changes can be made after submission and will thoroughly proofread my work. Quotations are allowed if I cite the source.
Therefore, it is allowable to use AI tools to help with completing your application. The key is not to overuse it. Too much AI influence results in a statement that sounds generic, hollow, and lacking in a distinct writer’s voice. In addition, overuse of AI may violate the above certification that your application is your own work, and it is possible AI detection tools will flag it.
Plus, some admissions officers are more open to the use of AI than others, and a statement with obvious “tells” that ChatGPT or other AI tools have been used may be a turnoff to some committee members.
If you do decide to use AI when working on your application, keep these points in mind:
- Brainstorm with your own ideas and create a draft first rather than just putting raw ideas into AI and asking it to generate a draft. This will ensure that you are starting out with a draft with your own thoughts, wording, and writing.
- If you need help with phrasing and use AI to get ideas, use those as just that – ideas to help you look at a section of your statement in a new way. Using the exact wording from AI, especially in multiple areas of the statement, can end up making your statement sound generic and overedited.
- Be careful of phrases, sentence structure, or punctuation overused by AI. ChatGPT tends to use a lot of em dashes, for example, rather than colons or semicolons. Certain words like “clarity” and “crystallize” pop up on a regular basis too. If you wouldn’t typically use a word, then don’t use it just because AI suggested it.
- Keep your writing slightly conversational. A personal statement is supposed to be just, that – personal. Having a well written personal statement is important, but a personal statement is a conversation with the reader, and an overly formal, stilted sounded statement puts a barrier between you and the committee member reading it.
Remember, med schools want to admit students who bring their distinctive backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences with them. Writing a strong personal statement takes many hours of effort, but that investment will show in a statement that is compelling and unique.
Most importantly, remember that other applicants are also using AI. You will not gain an advantage without using AI in a very intentional and nuanced way. In a future article, we’ll discuss in more detail the specific strategies for using ChatGPT and AI in your medical school applications.
In our role as advisors, we have developed strategies for maximizing the benefits of using AI. If you’re looking for help with your personal statement, contact us to talk to a (human!) advisor at info@prehealthadvising.com or 626-768-2154.