How to Write Medical Personal Statements
While applying to med school, you will be required to write a medical personal statement to express yourself to the admissions committee. This statement can give med schools an idea of your voice. Medical school faculty look over these statements to see whether the applicant is the right fit for the school. However, there are some key guidelines you should keep in mind while writing your personal statement. We’ll discuss a few of them here.
Avoid talking about your scholastic path in preparation for medical school
If you want to get accepted into medical school, make sure that your personal statement reflects your unique scholastic path. Medical schools look for applicants who have helped people with a variety of medical conditions, regardless of the age or background of the patients. To show them that you’ve helped people from different backgrounds, consider writing about the time you stepped out of your comfort zone and encountered an unfamiliar group of people. Then, describe what you learned from the experience.
The best medical school personal statements contain the story of how you learned to overcome obstacles and forged a new path in life. Students who have overcome adversity are highly regarded by adcoms. However, don’t feel pressured to share every experience that has affected you. Instead, show that you’ve thought your experience through carefully. A compelling story will make a reader want to read more, and medical school admissions officers will be impressed by your honesty and willingness to share your life with them.
Reemphasize your qualities, perspectives, and passions
Medical school admission committees are looking for a candidate with a unique perspective and a compelling story to tell. You can do so by describing your path to becoming a doctor and reiterating what medical schools are looking for. However, when writing a medical personal statement, you should not try to answer all prompts; instead, focus on a few key points. After all, your goal is to convey the impression you want to make and showcase your most noteworthy traits and passions.
A medical student from Montana started her statement with a personal story involving a snowstorm and a truck driver. The trucker quizzed her about her interests, and she related the experience to her future as a family doctor. Later in the body of the essay, the student outlined her personal qualities, perspectives, and passions, and concluded by saying, “I want to be that family doctor.” This personal statement was simple in concept, but profound in its delivery.
Reemphasize your professionalism
While you should reemphasize your professionalism in writing a medical personal statement, it is essential to incorporate a personal touch into your essay. Incorporating a personal narrative or storyline is a great way to inject personal content into your essay, and can set you apart from the competition. A medical school essay will typically cover an applicant’s hospital experiences, community service, academic achievements, and research involvement.
While writing a medical school personal statement, it’s important to include information that relates to the profession that is unique to you. Highlight your experiences and reflect on your motivations for becoming a doctor. Remember to connect your insight to your future in the profession to show how it will contribute to the larger presentation. If the medical school has already read your application and gotten the gist, then it’s time to reemphasize your professionalism in writing a medical personal statement.
Avoid discussing mental health conditions
While writing about mental health conditions may seem tempting, it is best to avoid using derogatory terms, such as “a patient with” or “a person suffering from.” The truth is that there are many different types of mental illnesses and that one condition does not necessarily mean the end of a person’s life. Mental illness is a general term, while specific disorders are more specific. Avoid describing your condition in terms of “severe mental illness.”
Although it may be tempting to share information about your condition, it is best to avoid it completely, unless you’re confident that you can explain your situation without creating a stigma. Mental health conditions are often difficult to discuss in medical personal statements, but it can make you appear more vulnerable than you really are. Instead, focus on how your condition has affected your life or led you to pursue certain things. Those who are closest to you may also appreciate hearing about how you coped with your condition.