GETTING STARTED WITH THE RESIDENCY PERSONAL STATEMENTS
That blank statement screwing your head ?
I heard a song by a band called Michael Learns to Rock (MLTR), which goes:
"A man stands next to at great wall
He's too close, he can't see at all"
He's too close, he can't see at all"
That's right. When you start writing your personal statement, you need to back off a bit from that sheet and get the whole picture first.
What I am trying to say here is , it is much better idea to first lay down the structure to your statement and then fill it up.
A sample structure would look like this :
1. Introduction: Self, Family, Why + How of med school + an impressive first line
2. Med School Days: How interest grew in that specialty
3. Med School Anecdote: and how it convinced you that this is what you wanted to do forever
4. Why USA + Journey from Med school to present: Work, research , other degrees
5. A Summary of you: Strenghts, Achievements
6. Why that program: Why are you considering that program specifically
7. Conclusion: A good quote, reference, etc can also be included here.
Now that you set up the frame-work, it is time to fill'er up with concrete ! Start typing..Be creative, honest and original ...and see how beautiful it turns out
About Samples on the Internet : Sure use them, but only after you prepared your original draft without looking up anything - how else do you think you will be original ? Samples on the web color your mind ...bias your creativity. Let that now happen, just curb the impulse of looking at samples before you begin writing yours.
Good Luck !
If this is of any help, the University of Colorado Family Medicine Residency Program does a nifty job explaining on their website what the Personal Statement should include :-) - This is from their Website:
"please incorporate into your personal statement:
What I am trying to say here is , it is much better idea to first lay down the structure to your statement and then fill it up.
A sample structure would look like this :
1. Introduction: Self, Family, Why + How of med school + an impressive first line
2. Med School Days: How interest grew in that specialty
3. Med School Anecdote: and how it convinced you that this is what you wanted to do forever
4. Why USA + Journey from Med school to present: Work, research , other degrees
5. A Summary of you: Strenghts, Achievements
6. Why that program: Why are you considering that program specifically
7. Conclusion: A good quote, reference, etc can also be included here.
Now that you set up the frame-work, it is time to fill'er up with concrete ! Start typing..Be creative, honest and original ...and see how beautiful it turns out
About Samples on the Internet : Sure use them, but only after you prepared your original draft without looking up anything - how else do you think you will be original ? Samples on the web color your mind ...bias your creativity. Let that now happen, just curb the impulse of looking at samples before you begin writing yours.
Good Luck !
If this is of any help, the University of Colorado Family Medicine Residency Program does a nifty job explaining on their website what the Personal Statement should include :-) - This is from their Website:
"please incorporate into your personal statement:
- How you became interested in Family Medicine
- What is it about Family Medicine that appeals to you
- Experiences or interests that played an integral part in your life
- The type of practice you plan on pursuing after residency training
- The type of patient population you like to care for"
