What is the purpose of a personal statement?

• The personal statement serves as a crucial component of the admission process, offering admissions committees insight into a candidate's character, motivations, and unique qualities that cannot be gleaned from their grades or CV. This document provides an opportunity for applicants to showcase experiences and qualities that align with their chosen track and to articulate their professional aspirations and the driving forces behind their career choices.

• It's important to note that the personal statement is just one piece of the application puzzle, and not necessarily the first item that admissions committees will review. A well-crafted personal statement can strengthen an otherwise strong application, but it may not be enough to salvage a flawed one. On the other hand, a poorly written statement could negatively impact an otherwise solid application.
  
  Tips for Crafting Your Personal Statement:

• Don't overthink it.

• Play it safe - avoid being too unconventional or making exaggerated claims (unless you're a talented writer or skilled storyteller).

• Be honest - don't fabricate information or exaggerate your accomplishments.
   

What should it contain?

The admissions committee is looking for several key pieces of information when evaluating a candidate's application:

 

• Your motivation for applying to the program. Make sure to convey your genuine interest in the track and a realistic understanding of what it entails.

• Your unique skills and qualities that will help you succeed during the program and beyond. This can include clinical skills, communication abilities, experience with specific patient populations or issues, leadership skills, a strong team spirit, teaching or research experience, and more.

• Personal attributes that make you well-suited for the track and help you thrive in your future profession. Consider highlighting characteristics that will help you handle the demands of the training process.

• Your long-term plans and professional aspirations beyond the fellowship. Consider discussing the type of setting you hope to practice in and the kind of professional you aspire to become.

• What specifically attracts you to this particular program. This can include the program's reputation, faculty, resources, or other unique qualities that make it a good fit for you.
   

Stand out and showcase strengths and motivations:

• Use specific examples to illustrate your experiences and skills. Steer clear of overused phrases and generalities, and instead focus on real-life examples that demonstrate your abilities and interests.

• Emphasize more recent experiences, such as those from your clinical or school years, over experiences from college or earlier. This will help demonstrate your professional growth and maturity. Personal experiences can also be included, as long as they are relevant to your professional goals and motivations.

• Reflect on your experiences and draw personal conclusions. Showcase your ability to think critically about your experiences and the impact they have had on your professional development.

• Make it personal. Talk about your beliefs, interests, and motivations, and why the track appeals to you. Avoid lecturing your reader on what the profession should be, and instead focus on your unique perspective and vision.

• Distinguish yourself from other applicants by including details that set you apart. This could be an unusual training experience, a unique way of thinking about the track, or anything else that demonstrates your drive and commitment.

• Avoid simply rehashing information that is already in your CV. Instead, choose a few examples that make important, interesting, and distinctive points about your qualifications.

• Highlight experiences that illustrate your passion for the track, your ability to work hard, and your dedication to your patients. These can be experiences that go beyond the required curriculum and demonstrate your commitment to the field.

 

Writing the Personal Statement

There is no single recipe for how to write the Personal Statement.

• Some start their statement with a captivating story that embodies their passion for the field or their desired career as a healthcare professional.

• Others start with a declaration of their values or professional goals. Some individuals intersperse their statement with eye-catching anecdotes.

• And still others opt for abstract ideas. Regardless of the method chosen, as long as the statement addresses the admissions committee's potential concerns, any of these approaches can be effective.
   

Here are a few recommendations:

• When it comes to organization, go with a thematic approach rather than a chronological one. Your essay should answer questions in the admission committee’s mind, not provide a step-by-step account of how you came to choose your track.

• Dedicate a maximum of two paragraphs to each theme, highlighting the key information an admissions committee is looking for. Start each paragraph with a topic sentence to guide the reader, except for the first paragraph, which can begin with an anecdote and end with the theme "That's why I want to specialize in X."

• Make sure to mention the track you're applying for early on in the essay – ideally in the first paragraph, or no later than the second. This will keep the reader engaged and avoid any confusion about the program you're applying for.

• Write first and revise later. Your first draft will likely be rough, but it's a starting point. Once you have a draft, revise it based on the principles outlined above. • Finally, get feedback from a peer or advisor (for content), an editor (for writing style), and someone to proofread for spelling and grammar.
   

General Tips:

• Refrain from simply updating your medical school application essay.

• Focus on making a compelling case for why you are a perfect fit for your chosen track.

• Utilize recent experiences to demonstrate your professional growth and skills such as leadership, empathy, and teaching abilities.

• Don't dwell on the past, instead, highlight your future aspirations both during the program and beyond.

• Make the most of this opportunity to articulate your vision for the future.

• Avoid dedicating the entire essay to the steps that led you to your chosen track.

• When discussing a past experience, explain how it will shape your future practice and career decisions.

• Be cautious when sharing personal information, ensuring it won't raise any red flags or concerns about your fitness for the program. For example, if discussing an illness, showcase how it has made you stronger and better suited for the program.