Personal Statement Advice?
For my medical school applications, I had no difficulty writing my personal statement or secondaries. But for residency, it’s been difficult: I figure everyone who’s applying in the same field as me (Emergency Medicine) has similar interests and skill sets. So, anyone have advice for residency personal statements? (I have something done that I’m fairly happy with, but I think it’s still pretty generic and probably what everyone says.)
Here’s what was recommended to us, use the PS to help answer these questions-
Why (this specialty)?
What do I want in a residency program?
What are my professional goals and res goals?
Post training plans?
What did you do between college and med school?
Outside interests?
What makes you unique?
They were helpful, but I still think my PS came out dorky and generic. Good luck. :)
Remember, emergency medicine is a good % primary care/family practice/chronic pain management. You better like all those things because that’s most of what you’ll be doing. :-)
My personal statement was about how I kept a journal during my clinical years and how I used it to help me determine my specialty. I looked back through it and saw that I was happiest and most comfortable and learned the most during my peds rotation. I blathered on about that for a while and ended up at my #1 choice. :)
Good luck in the application process!
Writing this daily blog, it is safe to assume you are not a poor writer, which is your first advantage. What has always worked for me is 3 things:
1.Open with an eye catcher (funny quote, story, line from movie, etc.)
2.Get an emotional connection - elaborate on an incident in your life that demonstrates both your passion and competancy for this profession. Then briefly mention your life/background (ie hobbies, family, unique things)
3.Examples -Read other’s papers, books, etc and have students/residents/mentors read yours.
Honestly a residency director may interview on the fact alone that you quoted the Simpson’s in your paper and it’s his favorite show. Good luck!
having reviewed hundreds of personal statements for orthopaedic residency applications, i have found that there are 3 types of personal statements. 80% are about how they arrived at their decision for their chosen field and how they would be good at it; 10% sound like they are trying to be different and end up sounding weird; and 10% truly differentiate themselves based on the personal statement by being original and creative.
i think that you have to decide if you want a personal statement that separates you from the mass of people that say they have “wanted to do EM since that had stitches when they were 5 y/o.” or if you want to play it safe, and follow the masses.
you are very creative, i think you have the ability to write something that would be an interesting read. personally, every time i read a PS that says they had surgery or played sports etc., i kind of gloss over.
Be original, like talk about your blog and your most and least favorite posts and responses.
And I gently suggest you NOT fill up absolutely all the space allowed, with the smallest possible font and single-spaced text. As you can imagine, the residency committee members read HUNDREDS of these essays and it can get very tiresome.