In writing their personal statements, some candidates end their essays with a plea like “I hope your residency program will see me as a valuable candidate who is eager to learn and work.”
Imagine that you are a lawyer in front of a judge. How can you best argue the case that you will be an excellent resident? With examples! Keeping that idea in mind will help you show – not tell.
Remember that if you are writing an effective, persuasive document with explicit examples of what makes you a distinctive applicant, you won’t need to make a second person appeal because your accomplishments will make your case for you.
About Michelle Finkel
Dr. Finkel is a graduate of Stanford University and Harvard Medical School. On completing her residency at Harvard, she was asked to stay on as faculty at Harvard Medical School and spent five years teaching at the world-renowned Massachusetts General Hospital. She was appointed to the Assistant Residency Director position for the Harvard Affiliated Emergency Medicine Residency where she reviewed countless applications, personal statements and resumes.
