Being a doctor is not just about having the know-how. It’s also about being able to relate well with the people whom you are supposed to attend to. Thus, medical schools also screen applicants based on the character traits reflected on their admission essay.
Your essay as a tool to let the readers get to know you
An entrance exam has already been given to check your intellectual ability. Aside from your technical knowledge, an essay is given to judge some of your other skills like logic, organization, and communication. What the assessors would be interested to know is how well you can relate the totality of your experiences and strengths to your goal of getting into the medical school that you are applying to. In your medical school personal statement, you have to show who you are and what you will bring into the program.
Signs that you’re too detached in your essay
If all that you’ve written are pure and simple facts, then you are truly isolating yourself from your readers. Your essay can seem too detached if you write it in a very formal way like you would a term paper or just list down details like when you’re making an outline or reviewer. It won’t also do you much good if it’s too theoretical or serious that no one will be able to relate with it or see who you are from it.
What to do to make your personal statement more personal
In order to make your essay more personal, you have to do more reflection and offer more insights. You have to be able to share your experiences in such a way that the readers will get to understand your fears and feel your triumphs. Write in such a manner that it feels conversational. Skip a lot of jargons. You may mention some of your medical training or any other topic that appeals most to you. Mentioning difficult incidences that you were able to overcome is also helpful as long as it focuses on the positive and does not reek of cynicism or self-righteousness. Talk about the influences of significant people in your life as well as your
goals. Just make sure that you yourself see who you are in whatever you write.
Related links:
Med school preparations
Personal statements -Tips on writing personal statements
Interpersonal skills – Why interpersonal skills are important in the medical profession
Life-changing experiences – Tips on writing admission essays based on your experience
Medical school essays – How a sample medical school essay can be useful
