For this assignment, write your own version of a personal statement. In it, explain why you should be admitted—why you have the skills and personality that will make you a successful student in the program and professional in the field.

A distinctive feature of the this course is that, most quarters, every single person in the class will eventually have to produce a personal statement, or a “statement of purpose” (the terms are often used interchangeably, although the latter normally refers to a research-focused degree, like a Ph.D.). Most of you are working on one right now. As health students, the majority of the class will write personal statements for one of the major application services, like AMCAS or AADSAS. Some of you are following a different path, and it may require a different tone, or different content, in the personal statement. A distinctive advantage of this course is that we can bend the assignment to fit what you need for your real-world application.

For this assignment, write your own version of a personal statement. Try to make it as realistic as possible; our goal is to come up with a document that you can actually use, as a draft at the very least, when you apply to a program. In it, explain why you should be admitted—why you have the skills and personality that will make you a successful student in the program and professional in the field. In some cases, the personal statement will provide committees with information on which they may ask you to elaborate in a personal interview; in some cases it will replace the interview. In either case, it can be an important evaluative tool for a committee that is attempting to make decisions in what is often a ridiculously competitive environment.

A number of general rules will apply to every personal statement. Clear, concise prose is always vital. Admissions committees always have stacks of personal statements to read, so make every word count. You want to distinguish yourself from that stack of similar applicants, but also convey the appropriate tone.

Further, admissions committees are interested in a concrete account of what you will bring to their school. Part of your personal statement will probably include something about your motivations for wanting to enter the field, but the school will not be looking just for expressions of sincere interest or lifelong dreams. It is best to avoid declaring simply that you have always dreamed of working in medicine—that is not a compelling reason to admit you. Consider instead how you can link your enthusiasm to more concrete assets.