Personal Statement

9 Tips for Writing Your Personal Statement

"Use the space provided to explain why you want to go to medical school.”

1. Find your unique angle!

   • Think about what you can say about yourself that no one else can. Everyone has had failures and successes, so how did these shape your life and your outlook on medicine? Bring your own perspective to make it memorable.

2. Show, don't tell!

   • Don't just say something, explain it and show it through your essay. For example don't just say you're "compassionate, caring, and empathetic". Instead, let the admissions committee know you're all of these things by weaving in your experiences that prove you're compassionate, caring, and empathetic.

3. Be truthful!

   • Do NOT lie anywhere or embellish anything on your application! Sooner or later the admissions committee will find out and when they do, that will bring your character into question. You do not have to be Superman to apply to medical school. It's okay if you have small gaps in your application, there are additional essay prompts for you to explain gaps in your application.

4. Utilize the 5-point essay format!

   • Introduction Paragraph: These four or five sentences should "catch" the reader's attention.

   • 3-4 Body Paragraphs: Use these paragraphs to reveal who you are. Ideally, one of these paragraphs will reflect clinical understanding and one will reflect service.

   • Last Paragraph: The strongest conclusion reflects the beginning of your essay, gives a brief summary of you are, and ends with a challenge for the future.

5. Good writing is simple writing!

   • Don't go crazy with the thesaurus! Good medical students—and good doctors—use clear, direct language. Your essays should not be a struggle to comprehend.

6. Stay on topic!

   • Rambling not only uses up your precious character limit, but it also causes confusion!

7. Stick to the rules!

   • Watch your word count. That’s 5,300 characters (including spaces) for AMCAS applications, 5,000 characters for TMDSAS, and 4,500 characters for AACOMAS.

8. Don't over-do it!

   • Beware of being too self-congratulatory or too self-deprecating. It's all about balance, be humble but don't be afraid to highlight your achievements.

9. Write, re-write, let it sit, write again, and get it checked!

   • Allow yourself at least 3 months of writing and revision to get your essay in submission-ready shape. This gives you the time to take your first pass, set your draft aside , review what you’ve written, and re-work your draft.

   • Be sure to ask several people you trust for feedback on your personal statement. However, make sure that it still sounds like you and not like it was written by somebody else.

Resources

Podcasts

• • • https://medicalschoolhq.net/mshq-088-writing-personal-statements-for-medical-school/

    • https://medicalschoolhq.net/pmy-381-applying-to-medical-school-writing-your-personal-statement/

Books

• • • "Medical School Personal Statement" Dr. Ryan Gray, MD

    • "50 Successful Harvard Medical School Essays" Staff of the Harvard Crimson

Websites

• • • https://students-residents.aamc.org/choosing-medical-career/article/advisor-corner-crafting-your-personal-statement/

    • https://www.prospectivedoctor.com/separating-best-medical-school-personal-statements-typical-ones/

    • https://www.princetonreview.com/med-school-advice/medical-school-personal-statement

    • https://www.kaptest.com/study/mcat/medical-school-personal-statement-faqs/