Writing a personal
statement:
It’s not as bad as you
think
So what’s the point?
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The personal statement is your
opportunity to stand out!
Let your personal statement work for you
Questions to ask yourself
before you start…
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What's special, unique, distinctive, and/or
impressive about you or your life story?
Questions…
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What details of your life (personal or family
problems, history, people or events that have
shaped you or influenced your goals) might help
the committee better understand you or help set
you apart from other applicants?
Questions…
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Have you had to overcome any unusual
obstacles or hardships (for example, economic,
familial, or physical) in your life?
Questions…
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What personal characteristics (for example.
integrity. compassion. persistence) do you
possess that would improve your prospects for
success in the field or profession? Is there a way
to demonstrate or document that you have
these characteristics?
Questions…
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Are there any gaps or discrepancies in your
academic record that you should explain (great
grades but mediocre MCAT scores, for example,
or a distinct upward pattern to your GPA if it was
only average in the beginning)?
Questions…
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When did you become interested in this
field and what have you learned about it
(and about yourself) that has further
stimulated your interest and reinforced
your conviction that you are well suited to
this field? What insights have you gained?
Questions…
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What skills (for example, leadership,
communicative, analytical) do you possess?
Other tips for writing
your personal statement
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Tell a story: Use a story to illustrate the point that you
really want to express. Stories are easier to remember
than straight facts and this will make the committee
members remember you.
Give supporting details: If you mention in your personal
statement that you will be a great doctor because you
are hard working, then you’ll have to provide proof!
Don’t be afraid to show them how much you know!
Personal Statement
Don’ts
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Do not use the same answers as other applications
Do not include high school achievements (unless they
are absolutely remarkable!)
Do not touch on controversial or political topics
DO NOT LIE!!!
Avoid clichés
Grammatical Tips
As with writing any essay remember these tips:
 Always make the introduction pop. You want to draw
them in!
 Use the funnel approach in your introduction
 Remember the basic structure of an essay: introduction,
body, conclusion
 CHECK FOR SPELLING AND GRAMMATICAL ERRORS!!
Examples
Jake Arians jogged on to the field to kick anything but an ordinary field goal. He was the
place kicker for the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Blazers. Although I
was a senior linebacker, all I could do was cheer to help Jake make the kick. Jake
succeeded and delivered an overtime win over Tulane in my last senior game. While I
was celebrating with my teammates, a bittersweet feeling came over me. For the past
thirteen years, academics and football had been my life; my football career had ended.
I entered Auburn University with an academic scholarship and chose to walk-on
to the football team. Throughout my football career, I was never the fastest, strongest
or the largest; the majority of the time, I was one of the smallest. Success came by
discipline to play with the correct techniques; learning the opposing team’s tendencies;
fearlessness to meet any oncoming foe head on; and refusing to lose. I earned the
chance to play on special teams and was awarded a varsity letter. In my junior year I
transferred to UAB to complete my undergraduate degree and to play football. Although
I completed my undergraduate education and was accepted to medical school,
something within me was missing.
After I completed the basic science portion of medical school, I rotated through
the required specialties. One rotation appealed to the side of me that was missing. In
Orthopedic Surgery, I found myself in a room with colleagues discussing the presenting
problems of the previous day. We were accompanied by experienced physicians who
gave advice and made sure that we were correctly applying the knowledge we had gained
from reading about each patient’s problems. Game plans were developed and executed.
I practiced suturing and other techniques that allowed me to help the team address various
problems. I read and studied the pathological basis for these problems and the multiple ways to approach
specific problems. While working long hours with the Orthopedic team, I felt part of a team with a specific
role to play. Whether retrieving films from radiology or helping to close after surgery, I felt I had helped my
team achieve a victory when a patient’s problem was corrected.
I realize that many of the skills and talents had helped me succeed in football are inherent in
Orthopedic Surgery: specifically, obtaining knowledge of the opponent or patient’s disease, psychomotor
skills, adjusting the game plan to fit each patient’s problems, available resources, and the most important,
teamwork. As I look to future and residency training, I seek a program that can provide four elements:
experienced physicians from whom I can learn to apply the knowledge gained through patient contact;
volume and variety of surgical cases; resident teams that work together to improve their knowledge and
skills; and a program that encourages its residents to be active participants in treatment planning so they
can become competent and successful team leaders.
~Brainstorm~