Advisees routinely tell me how they struggle with crafting their personal statement introductions. My advice: Start with a clincher (and end with a zinger). But how can you avoid writing about accompanying your grandmother to the emergency department/ realizing your calling? (FYI: If you are considering this tactic, it’s worth noting that I’ve seen it scores of times.)
Here is a great piece from my alma mater’s The Stanford Magazine. I originally read this short article way back in 2008, but it stuck with me.
Let the examples you read open your eyes to the opportunity you have to distinguish yourself in the eyes of medical school admissions committees and residency directors.
If you are interested in my editing assistance, please consider hiring me soon. My volume is already increasing tremendously as the summer approaches.
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.
