Writing a personal statement: It’s not as bad as you think

So what’s the point? The personal statement is your opportunity to stand out! Let your personal statement work for you Stand out—med schools get thousands of applications and everyone looks the same on paper. This is a way to put a personality with the name Work for you—your personal statement may be the difference between an interview or a rejection letter

Purpose Provides the committee a “picture” of you Demonstrates unique qualifications for and commitment Your chance to “SELL” yourself beyond the MCAT & GPA numbers

Possible Topics (Pick only a couple!!) Motivation Why a physician? Why NOT a teacher, nurse, scientist, etc? Family Background What individuals or incidents shaped your life? Extracurricular Activities and Work/Volunteer Experience What did you learn? How did you contribute to getting the job done? How have you matured as a result? Future Plans (long/short term) Explain/Clarify any outstanding issues

Questions to ask yourself before you start… What's special, unique, distinctive, and/or impressive about you or your life story? Give them something to remember you by and, most importantly, something to make them want to meet you!

Questions… What details of your life (personal or family problems, history, people or events that have shaped you or influenced your goals) might help the committee better understand you or help set you apart from other applicants? What details of your life (personal or family problems, history, people or events that have shaped you or influenced your goals) might help the committee better understand you or help set you apart from other applicants? Let the committee know what has shaped you into the person you are and where you come from

Questions… Have you had to overcome any unusual obstacles or hardships (for example, economic, familial, or physical) in your life? Have you had to overcome any unusual obstacles or hardships (for example, economic, familial, or physical) in your life? Again, let the committee know what you have come out of and where you have come from. This will tell them a lot about the kind of person that you are and your ability to endure. (b/c med school is all about endurance)

Questions… What personal characteristics (for example. integrity. compassion. persistence) do you possess that would improve your prospects for success in the field or profession? Is there a way to demonstrate or document that you have these characteristics?

Questions… Are there any gaps or discrepancies in your academic record that you should explain (great grades but mediocre MCAT scores, for example, or a distinct upward pattern to your GPA if it was only average in the beginning)? Explain yourself!! Not having the highest GPA or MCAT score doesn’t have to keep you from interviewing or getting into the school of your choice. The committee has seen your stats, now explain why they are the way that they are.

Questions… When did you become interested in this field and what have you learned about it (and about yourself) that has further stimulated your interest and reinforced your conviction that you are well suited to this field? What insights have you gained?

Questions… What skills (for example, leadership, communicative, analytical) do you possess? Toot your own horn! If you don’t, then who will?

Other tips for writing your personal statement Tell a story: Use a story to illustrate the point that you really want to express. Stories are easier to remember than straight facts and this will make the committee members remember you. Give supporting details: If you mention in your personal statement that you will be a great doctor because you are hard working, then you’ll have to provide proof! Don’t be afraid to show them how much you know! Story—after reading hundreds of AMCAS apps the committee members would gladly welcome a change. Make your personal statement stand out by drawing them in with a story. Example of my personal statement. Proof—ties back into the story. Give them examples of a situation where you exercised the characteristic you have mentioned in your ps. Show off—if you have done research for the past 3 years and you know lots about that subject then don’t be afraid to mention your experience and your expertise! (Don’t lie)

Personal Statement Don’ts Do not use the same answers as other applications Do not include high school achievements (unless they are absolutely remarkable!) Do not touch on controversial or political topics DO NOT LIE!!! Avoid clichés Some secondary applications will have an essay question which will take the place of your personal statement. Even if you have seen the exact same question on another school’s application DO NOT USE THE SAME EXACT RESPONSE! HS—Reaching back to high school achievements will make you look like you are doing just that…”reaching!” Unless you did something absolutely remarkable that no one else has ever done in high school (like create a program that has gone national and afforded you the opportunity to meet the president) then don’t mention it. They will think that you have done nothing worthwhile in college. Topics—You don’t know who’s reading these so you would hate to mention how you are absolutely against abortion because the person reading your ps may be avidly pro-choice. Don’t mention how you despise George Bush because the person reading your ps may be his biggest fan (or worse his cousin). Lie—again, you don’t know who is reading your ps, so don’t say that you know all about GABA receptors from your research if you don’t. The person reading it may be a professor of neurobiology and may just want to interview you so you two can talk all about it.  Clichés—remember you want to stand out! Don’t use sayings that people hear all the time.

Grammatical Tips As with writing any essay remember these tips: Always make the introduction pop. You want to draw them in! Use the funnel approach in your introduction Remember the basic structure of an essay: introduction, body, conclusion CHECK FOR SPELLING AND GRAMMATICAL ERRORS!!