Time to shine!
I know this task can be daunting and potentially the most stressful part of your application but, let me reassure you this guide will permit you to write your personal statement in the easiest manner.
Writing your personal statement is what will allow you to tell your story; expressing who you are & your achievements through words. This is an opportunity to show not only your personality, your uniqueness but, to maybe also address any concerns that you may have and how you have/are overcoming them.
1. Start writing ideas down/Find your niche
This step will permit you to save some time and reduce stress levels. Think of things that you have done or experienced that could make your personal statement interesting and stand out from others.
Think of things such as:
Your background, where you’re coming from, any life-changing experiences, memorable experiences, hobbies that you have, and/or anything you’ve done that has made you who you are today.
Also, you need to think about how you felt in those moments, what made you want to pursue what you’re currently doing, what has driven you to get to this point where you are now applying for residency, what strengths do you have that could be fruitful in that specialty of choice.
For example:
I personally played tennis at a high level since I was 10 years old therefore, I revolved my personal statement around tennis and tennis-related experiences which I have correlated with my specialty of choice, Combined Internal Medicine-Pediatrics, and discuss the qualities I developed because of this sport and how I can/have incorporated it in the world of medicine.
2. Let’s talk about your specialty of choice
Think about why you chose to go into your specific specialty. What are some of the things that have specifically attracted you to it and why do you think this is a good fit for you. Are there any specific things about it that you liked?
For example:
For my combined specialty of Med-Peds, I discussed wanting to be able to take care of patients of all ages in both an outpatient and inpatient setting. I wanted to have training in acute & complex cases. I also discussed wanting to be a part of a multidisciplinary work environment.
3. Start writing This is, in my opinion, the hardest part. Starting your personal statement can feel like an eternity. I remember when I started, I could barely write a sentence or two and then, I would just start all over again because I was not satisfied. I soon realized that I just needed to start writing things down despite it not making any sense initially. The more you write all your ideas down and the things that you could potentially want to talk about, you will slowly start noticing a pattern which will permit you to create your paragraphs and eventually, your personal statement.
Moral of the story: Just start!
Finally, let’s answer/talk about a few more things that will help you into breaking down and creating your personal statement.
How many words should I have in total:
There is no specific rule or limit for the number of words that you can write but, typically, if you go over 850 words (I believe), this will lead the system into creating a second page that programs might miss or simply not want to read that far therefore, I always recommend 650-750 words when working with people. My own personal statement was exactly 656 words which fit into one page.
How many paragraphs should I write?
Again, there is no specific number of paragraphs but, most people will write 4 to 5 paragraphs. Personally, I chose to go with 5 paragraphs as I felt that it was easier to read and more fluid which will permit my reader to have a better and easier time and will allow them to read the entire thing without losing focus.
How should I start my personal statement/what should the intro be about?
This is so subjective. I have a read many personal statements when I was applying myself as well as reading the personal statements of everyone I have worked with this past year, and some people talk about a personal experience which leads them into talking about the specialty and some just dive straight into the specialty. There is no right way to do this just go with what feels right and what you think will draw your reader in. You want to catch their attention from the get-go and leave them wanting to read more.
For example:
When I wrote my personal statement, I started by talking about a very specific tennis match that I played while in college. I thought it was very relevant because that specific match showed how much I wanted to win for my team therefore, showing my capacity for teamwork. It also showed how much grit and resilience I had. I truly believed (and still believe) that this could easily be fit into my specialty and medicine in general.
In summary:
Find a hobby, experience or something that could permit you to write this statement easily. If you are passionate about something, it makes it much easier than trying to make up stuff.
Discuss why the specialty and why you fit right in
Write between 3-5 paragraphs (recommended 4-5)
There is no limit to the number of words you can write but, ideally, keep it between 650-750 words
Disclaimer: Discussing red flags are NOT a must in a personal statement but, it is important to be aware of them. If you feel like programs might feel some type of way because of that specific red flag or you think that it might be addressed in an interview, you need to decide whether you want to be upfront about it or not. There is no right answer.
If you would like more information or need some help with your personal statement, head onto my med services tab. I can help you with starting your personal statement from complete scratch, helping you build it or, simply polish it. You got this!
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