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Writing a Winning Personal Statement for Pharmacy

Writing a Winning Personal Statement for Pharmacy . Kathie Peterson, M.S. Health Careers Center, U of M. What is the Personal Statement?. Tells your story Presents your goals Reflects your aptitude, maturity, focus, and compatibility with pharmacy

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Writing a Winning Personal Statement for Pharmacy

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  1. Writing a Winning Personal Statement for Pharmacy Kathie Peterson, M.S. Health Careers Center, U of M

  2. What is the Personal Statement? • Tells your story • Presents your goals • Reflects your aptitude, maturity, focus, and compatibility with pharmacy • Provides evidence of your writing skills • A critical factor in the admissions process

  3. Why Pharmacy? The personal statement is an opportunity to present you. Your statement should address three questions: 1) Why have you chosen pharmacy? 2) How do you know this is the right program/choice? 3) What do you have to offer the profession?

  4. First Step: Research • Self assessment • Interests, personality, values, aptitude • Trends in the discipline • Readiness for the challenges of a career in pharmacy • What’s needed to be successful in pharmacy? • Fit with your life/career planning

  5. Preparing to Write – Personal Assessment • How would I describe myself? • How would others describe me? • How did I become interested in this field? • What are my professional objectives? • What are my life goals and dreams?

  6. Preparing to Write – Academic Assessment • How have my applied learning experiences (e.g., work, volunteering, internship) contributed to my professional objectives? • How do my research and clinical experiences relate to my goals? • How do my academic choices reflect my interests and prepare me for a career in pharmacy? • Ask: How does this make me unique? What makes this significant?

  7. Preparing to Write – Special Considerations • Special circumstances Examples: low grades, switching major, gaps in enrollment, non-traditional status • Reframe to focus on strengths and resilience • Circumstance should be peripheral to the story

  8. Framing the Statement • Strategy #1: • Background • Academic Experiences • Plans for Professional Study • Strategy #2: • Special emphasis • Why is this a good fit for you? • Strategy #3 • Weaving a story • Themes

  9. Structuring the Statement • Can include: • Relevant experience (academic, work-related) • Awards and honors • Membership in academic or related organizations • Writing or publishing experience • Internships or work experience that contribute to your professional maturity • But NOT a restatement of your resume • Your personal statement provides a framework for the supplemental application essay questions

  10. Guidelines for Writing • Start early • Follow directions carefully • Be yourself • Be specific rather than vague – do not resort to cliches • Passion is a given – show, don’t tell • Be coherent and concise • Be positive, realistic, and professional

  11. Guidelines for Writing • Personal tone – link personal information to professional interests and goals • Vary your sentence structure and use transitions • Do not hide behind highly structured language • Assume admissions committee frame of reference • Revise, revise, revise

  12. Examples Before: “I am a compilation of many years gained from overcoming the relentless struggles of life.” After: “I was six years old, the eldest of six children in the Bronx, when my father was murdered.”

  13. Examples Before: “My recognition of the fact that we had finally completed the research project was a deeply satisfying moment that will forever linger in my memory.” After: “Completing the research project at last gave me an enduring sense of fulfillment.”

  14. Examples Before: “If it were not for a strong support system which instilled into me strong family values and morals, I would not be where I am today.” After: “Although my grandmother and I didn’t have a car or running water, we still lived far more comfortably than did the other families I knew. I learned an important lesson: My grandmother made the most of what little she had, and she was known and respected for her generosity. Even at that age, I recognized the value she placed on maximizing her resources and helping those around her.”

  15. Final hints • Consider consulting a style handbook • Ask others to review your statement • Examples: Faculty advisers, admitted students • Use the “3 reader rule:” • People who know you well and will be honest • Someone who knows you a little bit (then have a conversation) • The very best writer/editor you know

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