How to Write an ERAS Personal Statement for Residency

Introduction

The primary purpose of the personal statement is to look beyond the data that is GPA, Step Scores and Shelfs. The essay helps the author clarity their thoughts, and assists the program director learn about the writer’s interests, personality and future potential. Recall that the admissions process is holistic, a review of the whole person, not just their “stats.” Residency programs want more than someone to take call on Saturdays, and write progress notes before rounds. The program director wants to know if you share their values and their culture. They need to know the soundness of your decisions and your character as a person and future colleague. Will you contribute? Or will you be a distraction, a liability?

In this blog, you will learn the purpose of the personal statement, its fundamental components, the essence of presenting your personal story in your own voice, articulately, compellingly, yet without being arrogant or getting lost.

Outline

• Brainstorming: Where to begin?
• What are the program directors looking for?
• Common Medical Student Personal Statement Mistakes
• Essential Steps for Writing an Effective Personal Statement
• Misconceptions

 

 

Brainstorming: Where to begin?

 

• Best to start at the beginning. Paraphrasing from Sun Tzu the great, ancient Chinese military leader, “if you know yourself well and your enemy even better, have no fear of the outcome of any battle. Know yourself, and not your enemy leads to one victory for every defeat. However, if you neither know yourself well, nor your enemy, certain defeat is your fate.

 

• Therefore, to begin requires that you perform an introspection, a self-reflection and self-assessment, paying particular attention to your strengths, goals and vision. Having determined your trajectory and competitiveness, now you can research programs that complement your goals and provide the resources academically, intellectually and professionally, as well as personally.

 

• Most importantly, you must contemplate the influences and influencers that drive you toward your life’s mission and vision.

 

What are the program directors looking for?

 

• Are you self-aware?
• Why did you choose this specialty?
• What compels you to apply to this program?
• Can you explain away any concerns?
• Why did you choose the college you attended?
• What was unexpected in college?
• How do you resolve conflict?
• Are your values and skill set consistent with their mission?
• What is your personality and character?
• What has been your growth and progression?
• Do you care deeply about anything?
• What is the quality of your activities
• Do you make those around you better?
• Are you self-confident, and have a sense of humor?
• Are you a collaborator, leader and follower as the situation dictates?
• Will you be able to stand up to the pressures and demands of residency?
• Are you self-aware and possess social intelligence?
• What will you contribute to the program, institution and to your classmates?

 

Common Medical Student Personal Statement Mistakes:

:

• Making Excuses
• Spelling & grammatical errors
• Poorly constructed, lacks flow
• Unclear central theme
• Overthought, over crafted, overwritten
• Arrogant
• Bragging
• Misrepresentation
• Uncompelling & Uninteresting
• Telling and not showing
• Investing Too Little time on the Project
• Failure to align the essay with the interview, resume and letters of recommendation

 

Essential Steps to writing an Effective Personal Statement:

 

• What draws you to this specialty?
• What personal attributes make you well suited for this specialty and the rigors of this residency?
• What are your future goals?
• How are you a good fit for the program?
• Can your articulate your vision in your unique voice efficiently

 

Essay misconceptions:

:

• The essay can save you from weak academic performance
• That you can write the essay without objectives
• You can write a thoughtful & compelling essay quickly
• Once a great writer, always a great writer
• It feels good. It must be good.
• Thinking you need to write about something fantastic

 

Summary:

 

Please keep in mind that your effective personal statement gets noticed by making it, yes, personal. It needs a central theme and arguments that defend  your claims. The essay must address the program director’s priorities and concerns.

 

Content Reference: Harvard Career Service Center, Stacy Blackman Consulting, Princeton Career Services

 

Need help applying to residency? Contact mrichardson@physicianbound.com   or text Dr. Richardson at 609.608.6258.