Updated: 2022-23
WRITING A PERSONAL STATEMENT
What is a Personal Statement?
A personal statement is your introduction to the selection committee. It provides them information on
why you are pursuing this career while giving them a sense of who you are. The personal statement tells
your story, who you are as a person – your values, interests, and goals. Your statement should enhance
your application and is an opportunity for you to support other parts of your application.
Why is the Personal Statement Important?
You will be applying with other students who may be academically similar to you. The personal
statement can help you to stand out in a positive way. Simply by telling your story, you have the
opportunity to highlight your uniqueness and how you will positively contribute to the health
professions community.
Themes to Avoid in Your Personal Statement
• Clichs: “I like science and want to help people.” – This is a job requirement, not something that makes
you stand out.
• Epiphany into Healthcare/Manifest Destiny: Your pursuit of the health professions should be a result of a
series of thoughtful, conscious, and reflective decisions, not an instantaneous realization or something
you’ve “always known”.
• The Narrative Resume: Do not rehash all your activities and achievements. Your statement should focus
on one or two significant experiences that offer sincere insight into you.
• Grandiosity: While it’s good to have goals, claiming in your personal statement that you are going to
“cure cancer” or “eliminate healthcare disparities” shows a lack of understanding of the problem you’re
planning to solve.
• Excuses: There are much better uses for your personal statement than justifying poor grades, conduct
violations, etc. However, if you choose to address this issue, make it brief and focus on what you learned
from the incident.
• Name Dropping: Your experiences are what make you unique, not who you know. Keep the focus on
you.
• Inflammatory/Controversial Remarks: You do not know the values, beliefs, and background of the
person who is reading your essay. Refrain from making strong statements on politics, religion, and other
polarizing topics.
• Lies: This not only includes blatant lies, but also includes providing information that may be factually
accurate but is presented in a misleading way. It will not take an admission committee long to figure out
when you are embellishing. Be authentic.
• Quotations: You have around 5,000 characters for your personal statement. Don’t waste them using
someone else’s words.
• Unusual Format: Do not try to stand out by using an unusual format. Do not submit artwork, videos, or
poems. You do not need gimmicks to stand out.
• Experience providing any treatments you are not licensed to provide: If you have ever participated in
treatments while shadowing or volunteering do not discuss this experience unless you are licensed.