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Personal Statement Writing Presented by: Bobbie Ann Adair White, MA Learning Resources bawhite@medicine.tamhsc.edu. Personal Statement. Where Do I Start ???. Personal Statement Writing. Personal Statements…. Are not a time for creative story telling Should reflect who you are
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Personal Statement Writing Presented by: Bobbie Ann Adair White, MA Learning Resources bawhite@medicine.tamhsc.edu
Where Do I Start ??? Personal Statement Writing
Personal Statements… • Are not a time for creative story telling • Should reflect who you are • Should be 1 page in length (4-6 paragraphs) • Should answer the following 4 questions
4 Questions all Personal Statements Should Answer What makes you unique? What specialty have you chosen? What are you looking for in a program? What are your career goals?
Q#1 • What makes you standout? This includes a brief introduction of your back ground Questions that may help you answer the above: • What will you bring to the program? • What makes you a good fit? • What makes you unique? • Special accomplishments
Q#2 • What specialty have you chosen? • Why? Questions that may help you answer the above: • How did you make your choice? • What about that specialty appeals to you? • When did you realize that you had an interest in that specialty?
Q#3 • What are you looking for in a program? • Research opportunities • Teaching opportunities • Variety of cases • Pleasant geographical location • Team oriented environment • Patient Population
Q#4 • What are your career goals? Questions that may help you answer the above: • In general – what do you plan to do with your residency training? • Where do you see yourself after residency? • How will you achieve your ultimate goals?
Do - • Write an outline before you begin • Get to the point early on • Use direct, straightforward writing that tells about your experience and what it means to you • End with a conclusion/summary of your statement • Strike a balance between modesty and arrogance
Don’t - • Discuss topics that are potentially controversial • Not a time to discuss your religion (could form a bias – unfair to you, but it does happen!) • Get too personal or write an autobiography • Refer to experiences or accomplishments during high school or earlier, unless pertinent to why you have chosen a particular specialty • Use vocabulary words that you don’t know • Use false experiences or “make it up as you go along”
Before You Submit • Revise at least three times • Ask someone (preferably more than one person) to critique your statement • Check AGAIN for grammatical and spelling errors
Resources/References http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/6700.html http://www.med.uiuc.edu/administration/CurricMgt/ResidencyInterviews.php http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/publications/otherpubs/strolling/prep/personalstmt.html http://www.uic.edu/depts/mcam/osa/careers/cv_ps/PS.htm
Questions? • Want information on CVs & Interviewing Skills? • See the website for Power Points and Handouts… • Need someone to proofread your Personal Statement or CV? • Contact Bobbie Ann Adair White, MA bawhite@medicine.tamhsc.edu 254-724-6808 Good Luck!