Personal statements are one of the components of an application package that can make or break the applicant’s chances of being accepted into medical school. For this reason, it is essential to exert extra effort in creating a personal statement that is well-made, properly edited, and interesting or attention grabbing. Depending on the amount of care and commitment that one puts into writing his or her personal statement, the process and result can be both fulfilling and rewarding. Here is a guide on how to get the most out of personal statements.
Preparation and gathering of information
The first step to writing an effective and interesting personal statement is to properly prepare for the task at hand. To prepare, it is important to gather information on what the personal statement is, what admissions committees look for in personal statements, and how to go about writing them. One simple way of doing this is to go online and check the sites of different medical schools. Many of these schools have a section dedicated to the personal statement. Another way of gathering information is to seek out sample medical school personal statements to get an idea of what is expected from these essays.
Choosing topics and themes
Perhaps the most difficult part in writing personal statements is deciding which topics and themes to write about. Sample medical school personal statements are a good source of information to help in the brainstorming process. The idea is to creatively and intellectually discuss one’s creative and intellectual achievements. In doing so, the personal statement should reflect not only the writer’s achievements, but also his or her personality, motivations, aspirations, and personal qualities. Some of the questions that should be answered include why the writer is deciding to go into medical school, how he or she is qualified for it and what the writer is planning to achieve with their education.
It is important to come up with a topic that will not be redundant. The personal statement should present one of your outstanding qualities and attributes that are not evident in your other requirements such as your college records and resumes. Choose a topic that will let the members of the admissions committee to get an insight of you as a productive and capable individual.
Writing, rewriting, and rewriting again
The next step in writing personal statements is to begin the writing process. To come up with an excellent personal statement, it is important to take one’s time. Coming up with an outline may be time consuming, but it certainly helps you see how your ideas should be developed in the personal statement. One thing that puts off many members of the admissions committee is to read an essay that just talks in circles with no clear direction and purpose. Remember, these people would be reading hundreds, if not thousands, of essays; so come up with an essay that presents your ideas in a clear and logical manner.
The first draft should never be the final draft. After proofreading and editing one’s own essay, it would be advisable to have others read and edit it as well. Making numerous revisions will ensure that the personal statement is of high quality. Be sure to check sample medical school personal statements to get an idea of the quality that is expected by admissions committees.
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