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Writing the Personal Statement

Writing the Personal Statement. Purpose. Provides the committee a “ picture ” of you Demonstrates unique qualifications for and commitment to medicine Your chance to present yourself beyond the MCAT & GPA numbers

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Writing the Personal Statement

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  1. Writing the Personal Statement

  2. Purpose Provides the committee a “picture” of you Demonstrates unique qualifications for and commitment to medicine Your chance to present yourself beyond the MCAT & GPA numbers Essential that you convey passion for and understanding of what you are getting into

  3. Two Broad Categories Content-admissions deans view the essay as an opportunity to know the applicant beyond broad facts Mechanics-be yourself, but in proper English

  4. Eight Important Suggestions Remember that the PS is the most over-rated part of the application – don’t get bogged down Investigate schools before applying. Especially important for secondaries. Restrain use of the unusual or shock-value information. Consider your readers - conservative; people who are proud of their profession.

  5. Important Suggestions Cont’d Read before you write - answer the question. Statement limits you to 5300 characters(MD), 4500 for DENT and DO. Correct obvious errors. Organize your whole process. Do your self-reflection first. If, as you begin to write, you discover you have nothing to say, take this as important information.

  6. Possible Topics(Pick only a couple!!) • Motivation • Life changing personal experience, medically or non-medically related • Experiences that have given you insight into medical practice, who you wish to serve, how you will contribute • Family Background/influential mentor • 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? • Examples - compelling personal stories

  7. Topics Continued Future Plans (long/short term)-especially if you have clarity that you plan to work in underserved communities or primary care Explain/Clarify any outstanding issues - but only if they are really issues

  8. Keys to Success Focus on a few illustrative incidents Unite with a theme or thesis Outline what you want to say and the order BE SPECIFIC! Use concrete examples that distinguish you from others Write about what interests & excites you. Make sure you leave the reader thinking you would be an interesting person to meet End your essay with a conclusion that refers back to the lead and restates the thesis.

  9. The Personal Statement Should: Use one or two specific incidents to show what has been learned from these experiences. Discuss the experiences, people and events that influenced your decision to become a physician or prepared you to enter this field. Discuss your motivation for medicine - if you can’t convince yourself of your passion for medicine, you won’t be able to convince a committee. Describe what you have learned from extracurricular and work accomplishments. Describe these clearly and succinctly. Explain how any challenging experiences (read: those that have caused you to stumble academically) provided for personal growth. Be personal/real, on topic and well organized

  10. The Secondary Essays Should: Explain what makes you uniquely suitable for this professional school. Answer the specific questions that are asked Complement the personal statement Not be a copy and paste of your personal statement Be completed 2-3 weeks after receipt

  11. Things to remember The goal is to demonstrate your ability to get your ideas across articulately and concisely You are not going to be unique to anyone who has been doing admissions for any amount of time No inconsistencies between essay and interview Don’t re-list things that are on your activities section Use specific incidents to show what has been gained and will be brought to program.

  12. Most common errors Itinerary or resume prose Excessive vocabulary, verbose, complex words Generic statements and cliches No blaming others for misdeeds Too many “I” statements may indicate arrogance No sense of direction

  13. Resources • Writing Center • Wendy will review once with SII and provide feedback on content • Good editors who will not be afraid of hurting your feelings • Refer to writing guides: • Write for success (Jackson and Bordot but do not copy!) • Strunk and White – Elements of Style

  14. Helpful Hints Revise, revise, revise, hone to as near perfection as you can get, eliminate as many useless filler words to have space for the important words. Carefully check spelling, punctuation, grammar. Make an effort to make it interesting by good use of language, a literary effort yet meaty - but don’t use $20 words just to use them.

  15. THANKS TO: • Brody School of Medicine of East Carolina University • Herbert House, Elon College

  16. List the things that you have done that illustrate your: • Desire to help people • Knowledge of your profession • Decide on a theme • Outline a draft of a potential personal statement • Go home now and write a couple of paragraphs while fresh NOW! GO GET STARTED!

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