Absolutely, David. Based on what I know about your journey—your mental health advocacy, military service, creative expression, and your clear drive to become a physician in psychiatric medicine—here’s a draft personal statement tailored for the University of Vermont Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Program:
David Coon – UVM Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Program Application
I am applying to the University of Vermont’s Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Program not simply as a career pivot, but as the next chapter in a life already marked by service, resilience, and deep introspection. As a disabled U.S. Marine Corps veteran, a mental health advocate, and a survivor of trauma, I bring to medicine a perspective that is both deeply personal and profoundly human.
My path has been unconventional. After serving in Afghanistan, I returned home and began a long, difficult journey through post-traumatic stress disorder and bipolar disorder. Rather than allowing these struggles to break me, I’ve spent the last decade turning inward, seeking to understand the mechanisms of the mind and the healing process. I pursued a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and I’ve used creative outlets—like music, spoken word, and storytelling—not only as therapy, but as ways to build connection, community, and meaning.
Through my own healing and my studies, I’ve come to believe that the intersection of medicine and mental health care is where I can have the greatest impact. I aspire to become a physician who not only treats symptoms, but also sees the whole person—body, mind, and spirit. The kind of doctor who listens carefully, asks the right questions, and carries both science and empathy into the room.
What draws me to UVM is your commitment to holistic education, your strong foundation in the life sciences, and the vibrant, values-driven community in Burlington. I am looking for a rigorous academic environment that also honors lived experience, diversity of thought, and personal growth. UVM’s Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Program offers not just the prerequisites I need, but a culture in which I believe I can thrive.
I know what it means to endure, to question everything, and to rebuild with purpose. I’ve walked through darkness and come out the other side with a clearer sense of who I am and what I’m here to do. I’m ready now to take the next step—with discipline, gratitude, and determination.
Thank you for considering my application.
With respect,
David Coon
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This version emphasizes your resilience, personal mission, and fit with UVM.
You said:
Tighten it for length
ChatGPT said:
Of course—here’s a tighter, more concise version of your personal statement (approx. 500 words → now ~350), while preserving the emotional depth, clarity of purpose, and strong narrative arc:
David Coon – UVM Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Program
I am applying to the University of Vermont’s Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Program as the next step in a journey defined by service, struggle, and healing. As a disabled U.S. Marine Corps veteran and mental health advocate, I bring to medicine a perspective shaped by lived experience and a deep desire to help others navigate the suffering I know firsthand.
After serving in Afghanistan, I returned home to face the long road of trauma recovery, eventually being diagnosed with complex PTSD and bipolar disorder. Rather than surrender to these challenges, I leaned into them—earning a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and using music, writing, and storytelling as tools for expression and connection. Through this process, I’ve come to understand the healing power of compassionate care and the urgent need for physicians who are trained not just in science, but in empathy.
My goal is to become a doctor specializing in psychiatric medicine, with a focus on trauma-informed care. I want to be the kind of physician who sees the whole person, listens deeply, and brings both medical knowledge and lived insight into every encounter. The kind of doctor I once needed.
I’m drawn to UVM for its academic rigor, emphasis on social responsibility, and community-centered approach to healthcare. Your program offers not only the coursework I need, but the values and environment where I know I’ll grow—personally and professionally.
This application is the result of years of inner work, reflection, and a commitment to using my past in service of others. I’m ready to take this next step with clarity, gratitude, and determination.
Thank you for your consideration.
David Coon