Please see my previous blog entry on how to get started on your personal statement for medical school, residency or fellowship. Once you’ve picked a distinctive topic and organized your thoughts in an outline you’ll have to sit down and write your statement. Here are some errors to avoid:

1. Don’t use flowery language. Pretend that you are being charged for each word you write. How can you keep the imaginary cost down?
2. Don’t use quotations, clichés or questions.
3. Avoid medical terminology unless absolutely necessary to convey a point. A layperson should be able to easily understand your essay.
4. Don’t forget to spell and grammar check. (You’d be surprised how many folks don’t do this.)
5. Highlight your accomplishments but don’t sound arrogant. Even one bad sentence can bomb your essay and make the committee worry about who you are.

You’ll see more personal statement suggestions in my future blog entries. For one-on-one help on your essay please see http://www.insidermedicaladmissions.com/ for information about my personal statement editing services.