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Episode 38: Writing A Great Personal Statement

Tips for Writing Your BEST Personal Statement

  • Do's

    • Communicate clearly WHY you want to become a doctor.

    • Show, don’t tell. Use carefully written stories to capture attention and communicate your why.

    • Demonstrate your strengths — but do so humbly.

    • Plan to edit & re-edit your essay (give yourself at least 3 months).

    • Keep grammar & punctuation clean!

  • Don'ts

    • Do NOT disparage doctors or other healthcare professionals.

    • Do not divulge anything you’re not comfortable discussing in person.

    • Don’t feel like you need to get too creative — this isn’t the next Great American Novel.

    • Don’t use overly complicated language (no thesaurus).

 Questions to Ask Your Reviewers

  • Does my essay make it crystal clear why I want to be a doctor?

  • Do the stories or examples I use catch your attention or interest?

  • Is there anything in my essay that is unclear or confusing?

    • Do the stories or examples I use demonstrate my points clearly?

    • Does the essay flow smoothly?

    • Are there any words or phrases I use that are difficult to understand?

  • Does anything come across as self-centered or arrogant?

  • ONLY FOR FINAL DRAFT REVIEW: Are there any grammatical or punctuation mistakes?

Personal Statement (Real!) Examples