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Hey #MedStudentTwitter
It's that time of year again - preparing applications for residency.
Let's talk about how you can use the personal statement to your advantage!
(preview to the pep talk I'm giving @UofUInternalMed students tonight!)
It's that time of year again - preparing applications for residency.
Let's talk about how you can use the personal statement to your advantage!
(preview to the pep talk I'm giving @UofUInternalMed students tonight!)
1/
Every PD will tell you that your personal statement has to be, well, personal.
Take it a step further and make it authentic - it's your opportunity to tell a story, and make it your own!
How do you do that?
Recognize as @gradydoctor stresses - ”Becoming is better than being”
Every PD will tell you that your personal statement has to be, well, personal.
Take it a step further and make it authentic - it's your opportunity to tell a story, and make it your own!
How do you do that?
Recognize as @gradydoctor stresses - ”Becoming is better than being”
2/
So let's get to the nitty gritty.
Go back to your med school personal statement, and use it to gain perspective.
Use reflection to help define your growth which will help you tell your story.
Write all of this down uncensored and get it on the page.
So let's get to the nitty gritty.
Go back to your med school personal statement, and use it to gain perspective.
Use reflection to help define your growth which will help you tell your story.
Write all of this down uncensored and get it on the page.
3/
Next step - find your voice.
What attributes make you proud of yourself? What drives you? What is super important for a program to know about you?
Ask trusted friends for input here.
Again, write it down and get it on the page!
Next step - find your voice.
What attributes make you proud of yourself? What drives you? What is super important for a program to know about you?
Ask trusted friends for input here.
Again, write it down and get it on the page!
4/
Of course you want to cover why you are going into a specialty, but make it specific.
Keep asking ”why” until you get to something unique, and then put that into context.
Think about all the things that interest you, find the common ground between them.
And, write it down!
Of course you want to cover why you are going into a specialty, but make it specific.
Keep asking ”why” until you get to something unique, and then put that into context.
Think about all the things that interest you, find the common ground between them.
And, write it down!
5/
Now, what are you looking for in training? Defining this will help you write but also help you prepare for interviews.
Note - PDs recognize that none of this is set in stone. But it's helpful for them to see to ensure they can deliver what you’re looking for!
Now, what are you looking for in training? Defining this will help you write but also help you prepare for interviews.
Note - PDs recognize that none of this is set in stone. But it's helpful for them to see to ensure they can deliver what you’re looking for!
6/
Now, take all of the above and put it into a basic recipe. Usually 4 paragraphs and 1 page long.
Adjust it to fit your needs - showcase what you do best!
Don’t pass up the opportunity to address a red flag, but don’t make that the focus of the whole thing.
Now, take all of the above and put it into a basic recipe. Usually 4 paragraphs and 1 page long.
Adjust it to fit your needs - showcase what you do best!
Don’t pass up the opportunity to address a red flag, but don’t make that the focus of the whole thing.
7/
Finally,
I cannot stress enough that once you have a draft to edit, edit, edit and edit.
Plus, use all available resources for success! (Beyond spellcheck, I'm a fan of @Grammarly)
Finally,
I cannot stress enough that once you have a draft to edit, edit, edit and edit.
Plus, use all available resources for success! (Beyond spellcheck, I'm a fan of @Grammarly)
8/
#MedStudentTwitter
I hope this has empowered you to write an authentic personal statement.
Embrace becoming!
(final caveat, I'm one of many offering advice on this topic, see below for amazing threads by others!)
#MedStudentTwitter
I hope this has empowered you to write an authentic personal statement.
Embrace becoming!
(final caveat, I'm one of many offering advice on this topic, see below for amazing threads by others!)
9/
More threads on this topic:
This one by @gbosslet who provides an overview from his perspective of reviewing many applications https://twitter.com/gbosslet/status/1157629012505747456
More threads on this topic:
This one by @gbosslet who provides an overview from his perspective of reviewing many applications https://twitter.com/gbosslet/status/1157629012505747456
10/
An absolute favorite and an inspiration for all of us in #meded from @gradydoctor https://twitter.com/gradydoctor/status/1263916918135758849
An absolute favorite and an inspiration for all of us in #meded from @gradydoctor https://twitter.com/gradydoctor/status/1263916918135758849
11/
My thread from last year: https://twitter.com/sonjaraaum/status/1148308678002409473
My thread from last year: https://twitter.com/sonjaraaum/status/1148308678002409473
12/
And this fantastic parody for a reminder of what personal statements can become after you read 100s in a single season... from @PaulBerglMD https://twitter.com/paulberglmd/status/1070362210776612864
And this fantastic parody for a reminder of what personal statements can become after you read 100s in a single season... from @PaulBerglMD https://twitter.com/paulberglmd/status/1070362210776612864
