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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 “ SELL ” yourself beyond the MCAT & GPA numbers. Possible Topics (Pick only a couple!!). Motivation Why a physician?

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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 “SELL” yourself beyond the MCAT & GPA numbers

  3. Possible Topics(Pick only a couple!!) • Motivation • Why a physician? • Why NOT a teacher, nurse, scientist, etc? • Family Background • 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? • Future Plans (long/short term) • Explain/Clarify any outstanding issues

  4. 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 and experiences that distinguish you from others • Write about what interests & excites you • End your essay with a conclusion that refers back to the lead and restates the thesis.

  5. 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 your to enter this field. • Discuss your motivation for medicine • Describe what you have learned from extracurricular and work accomplishments. Describe these clearly and succinctly. • Discuss any disciplinary actions during college • Explain how have these experiences provide for personal growth • Explain what makes you uniquely suitable for this professional school.

  6. Start and End with a Bang • I – lead • II – thesis • III – body • IV – conclusion (but no “in conclusion”– don’t waste words)

  7. Things to Remember • No inconsistencies between essay and interview • Don’t re-list things that are on AAMCAS or other application. • Use specific incidents to show what has been gained and will be brought to program. • Secondary essay provides supplementary details; ties into themes and activities; answers specific questions if any; add to what was on application

  8. Most Common Errors • I was born… or my parents came from… • Autobiographic, itinerary, or resume prose • Excessive vocabulary, verbose, complex words • Generic statements and platitudes • NO Prevarication!!

  9. More Possible Errors • Too many I’s may indicate arrogance • No sense of direction • Don’t use Robert Frost “The Road Less Traveled”!! • Refer to writing guides (but do not copy!): • Writing for success - Jackson and Bordot • Elements of Style - Strunk and White • Others (first year English, Biology Sophomore Seminar, etc.)

  10. 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.

  11. NOW! LET’S GET STARTED! • List the things that you have done that illustrate your: • Desire to help people • Knowledge of your profession • Outline a draft of a potential personal statement • Write a couple of paragraphs

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