A personal statement is usually a letter that accompanies your application to a medical school, law school, or other college. It's a special college application letter designed to show the sheer passion it takes to participate in one of the toughest school experiences in the world.
SometimesThe term "personal declaration" has other meanings and usages, e.g. a business cover letter or CV summary (UK). Most of the time though, it's positive proof that you deserve to be in a highly selective school.
Does it look scary? You have it. You already have the device. You just have to show it so the admissions office understands.
This guide will show you:
- How to write a personal statement that shows passion at Helene Gayle level.
- Examples of personal statements for interviews that you can use and customize.
- The right personal statement format to look more professional.
- Answers to frequently asked questions such asHow long should a personal statement be?ehow to start a personal statement.
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But – what if you are writing a personal statement for a business, UK CV or cover letter? In this case, consult these guides:
- For UK:Personal Statement/Personal Profile for Resume/CV: Examples
- For a resume summary:Professional Resume Summary Examples (25+ Statements)
- For a cover letter:How to Write a Cover Letter for a Job (12+ Examples)
Now let's get you into the interview room with an example of a personal statement you can use:
personal statement template
Kelsie Scollick
Bachelor in Biologie, Boise State University
265 Fantastic Paths
Boise, ID 83702
208-863-7013
kelsiezscollick@gmail.com
linkedin.com/in/kelsiezscollick
28.07.2020
Connie Eustis
Dean of Admissions
Oregon University of Health Sciences
4391 Way of the Crane
Portland, OR 97205
Dear Mrs. Eustis
When my neck broke, everything went numb. I was having fun with friends on the lake and, like the not-so-cautious 16-year-old I was, doing seaman's dips in the shallows with my hands by my sides. The deck was eight feet from the water and getting wetter. Predictably, I slipped and my scalp hit the sand with devastating force. I fractured two vertebrae and torn several ligaments, but my problems were just beginning. The surgeon at the local hospital said the operation was too dangerous. My mother, an emergency room nurse, got a second opinion from a neurosurgeon at the Mayo Clinic. His opinion? I could sneeze or turn my head and experience instant paralysis or death.
Three days later, the surgeon called Dr. Albert Spine, expertly reconstructed my cervical spine, harvested bone from my hip, shaved four spinous processes and used titanium wires and screws to hold it together while it healed. His skillful spinal fusion saved my life while teaching me that there is a tremendous amount of knowledge in the medical community. I was fascinated by stories of medical successes and failures, and this interest led me to my passion: medicine.
I'm often amazed at how much the human body can handle. My childhood best friend, Sarah Locklin, was shipwrecked trying to sail around the world in the southern seas but survived 38 days without food before being rescued by a merchant marine. That's an amazing survival feat, but something as simple as a tiny stem cell mutation can be deadly. During my time as a lab assistant at the University of Texas Anderson Cancer Center, my work on the leukemia research team gave me a deep respect for the power of research to elucidate the seemingly mysterious inner workings of the body's systems. Identifying cellular changes under the microscope and using hemocytometers to determine cell counts was an enlightening experience that sparked growing excitement about potential medical advances. As a doctor, the analytical and creative thinking skills I have learned help me to develop more and more breakthroughs to create an upward spiral in the quality of life for my patients.
as dr Spine explained my broken neck as three broken vertebrae, torn ligaments and worsening kyphosis, I had no idea what he meant. He quickly showed me a model of the cervical spine in a way that made sense to me at 16. This experience underscores one of the most important skills a physician can possess: patient education. As an undergraduate assistant professor at Columbia University, I have provided feedback and guidance to over 100 students. I evaluated over 800 articles and used the insights from this assignment to guide students to a deeper understanding. In my future career as a surgeon, these communication and interpersonal skills will be invaluable as they help me eliminate fear and confusion and gain patient confidence and compliance with complex procedures and critical rehabilitation practices. This communication and education step is one of the most misunderstood and neglected parts of modern medicine.
Recovering from a broken neck wasn't easy, but with persistence and the right guidance from the Mayo Clinic medical team, I quickly regained full range of motion and ability. Last month I competed in the Portland Triathlon for the third time and set a personal best. Now that I have gone through the recovery process myself, I know that the task of helping patients regain their quality of life does not end after a procedure. This ingrained lesson gave me a commitment that will motivate me to keep going until the job is done. My focus is on building relationships with patients and not just fixing their immediate structural problems.
It took a major injury to understand the purpose of my life - to end suffering and to improve and prolong the quality of life of others. I will never be able to repay the gift that Dr. Spine gave it to me, but I can pass it on. Additionally, as my professor's assistant, I felt the intense motivation and reward of helping others. It is a fuel that will accompany me throughout my professional life. Harvard Medical School's Neurology program is the ideal place to turn that passion into the ability to fulfill my dream of helping others. Harvard's legendary program and faculty have the know-how to reshape my raw passion and skill to transform me into the skilled surgeon I know I can become. I will probably never take unnecessary risks again, but with perseverance and with your help, I will develop the knowledge I need to help others who have been broken in any way to achieve recovery as dramatic as I have.
Your,
Kelsie Scollick
208-863-7013
kelsiezscollick@gmail.com
That is an outstanding personal statement from the medical school. Whether you're writing a personal statement for law school or another college application essay, use the same persuasive logic. In short, defend your passion for the law, your skills, and why this school is more important than any other.
Need the anatomy of how this works? Keep scrolling for tips, formatting, and a template.
What is a personal statement?
APersonal opiniont to college is a letter with your application to a college, often law or medicine. It shows that you have an intense passion for succeeding in the toughest educational environment in the world. It also highlights your skills, why you like this school and what you bring with you.
But-
A personal statement can also be a CV summary for a job – if you are looking for a job in the UK. Also, some people confuse a personal statement with aresume summary. This is a short paragraph at the beginning of a resume that summarizes it. Others mix personal statements with cover letters.
How long should a personal statement last?
A personal statement must beat leastthree paragraphs, but successful statements are 5 to 8 paragraphs long. The word count is around 700 to 1,000 words. The key factor isn't length, but whether you convey your passion in a way that proves you'll overcome any obstacles in your way.
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How to write a personal statement
The best personal statements get some things right. First, they show passion through a personal story. Second, they highlight the skills needed to succeed in school and/or work. Third, they connect their skills to their personal history. Fourth, they explain howbeThe school will help you to achieve your goal.
There's a tried-and-true way to write a standout statement. The one who says the admissions office:"Wow. This candidate will make us proud.”Ready to see how it's done?
1. Formulate your personal statement correctly
- Put a space in your personal statement with samplecover letter spacing.
- Write 5-8 paragraphs and 700-1000 words.
- Choose a reputable oneCover letter fontlike Arial, Helvetica or Cambria.
- Enter your name and contact information in aCover letter headerno mole
- Add a blank line, the date, and another blank line.
- Add the Dean's contact information, then awrite a greeting, then the text of your letter.
- end with"Your"(or similar) and then your name, phone number and email address.
Write a personal statement like a cover letter. See more:How do I format a cover letter?
2. Stand out with a strong opening
Get the best schoolsMore than 70,000 applicants per year. In order to stand out from the abundance of apps, your personal statement must capture them from the first sentence. So start with a strong hook, but base it on your personal history.WeilDo you want this life so bad? Put the hook on the passion of your life.
This personal statement example shows how to:
When my neck broke, everything went numb.
This example only works if you can combine it with your passion. If you tell us what made you decide to study medicine, you've won.
Starting a personal statement is like starting a cover letter. For more information, see:How to start a cover letter
3. Focus on skills in the body of your personal statement
Knowing what to write in a personal statement is tricky — until you find your focus. This focus is the driving force that will make you the best student to ever graduate from your program. It can take a few days to find a focus, so don't panic if you don't know right away. The rest will follow.
Once you have the central theme, add two things - the skills and qualities you have built so far and those you have yourselforbuild at school. Show how your BS degree gave you the tools to score high on your resume. But – link it to your personal story.
Here's an example personal statement snippet that shows you how:
as dr Spine explained my broken neck as three broken vertebrae, torn ligaments and worsening kyphosis, I had no idea what he meant. He quickly showed me a model of the cervical spine in a way that made sense to me at 16. This experience underscores one of the most important skills a physician can possess: patient education. As an undergraduate assistant professor at Columbia University, I have provided feedback and guidance to over 100 students. I evaluated over 800 articles and used the insights from this assignment to guide students to a deeper understanding. In my future career as a surgeon, these communication and interpersonal skills will be invaluable in overcoming fear and confusion and gaining patient confidence and acceptance of crucial rehabilitation procedures and practices. This communication and education is one of the most misunderstood and neglected parts of modern medicine.
This personal statement example works because it uses your passion to demonstrate a core competency.
Pro Tip:Academic factors are three times more likely to play a role in college admissions than personal matters. except - nomore selective schoolslike Harvard or Berkeley.
4. Finish with a summary
There are many ways to end a personal statement. One of the best is to reference the hook that launched the statement. Use your last paragraph to summarize the case you brought up to explain why the school should let you in. You can also use your last paragraph to explain why this school is important.
See this example of the end of a personal statement for a clue:
It took a serious injury to realize that my purpose in life is to end suffering and to improve and prolong the quality of life of others. I will never be able to repay the gift that Dr. Spine gave it to me, but I can pass it on. Additionally, as my professor's assistant, I felt the intense motivation and reward of helping others. It is a fuel that will accompany me throughout my professional life. Harvard Medical School's Neurology program is the ideal place to turn that passion into the ability to fulfill my dream of helping others. Harvard's legendary program and faculty have the ability to transform my raw passion and skill into the skilled surgeon I know I can become. I will probably never take unnecessary risks again, but with perseverance and with your help, I will build on the experience to help others who have been broken in any way achieve recovery as dramatic as I have.
Your,
Kelsie Scollick
208-863-7013
kelsiezscollick@gmail.com
This personal statement example works because it closes the loop on the hook of your letter. In short, it shows you where you can take your own life if they just let you in. Conveys a burning desire to help others. As a bonus, it explains that a bad choice made in youth will not be repeated.
Completing a personal statement is like completing a cover letter. For more information, see:The Best Ways to End a Cover Letter
5. Answer the questions asked
One caveat - don't get too lost in your own crush's story right away. If they ask questions in the personal statement on the application form, answer them. One of the biggest mistakes when applying to college is not answering the questions asked.
The good news? You can use your questions to find the focus of your statement. Don't consider the app's questions restrictive. Use them as a guide to narrow down your options.
6. Freewrite before writing
"But I don't have a passion for driving!"Yes you do. Otherwise you wouldn't be on this path. To find it, spend a few days keeping a journal. Most people didn't go to medicine or law because they broke their necks or lost their homes in a foreclosure. Everything's ok! Believe me, you have dreams that are worthwhile andCareer goals.
The problem? You still don't know why you have your goals because you haven't analyzed them. So spend a few days investigatingWeil. Keep a journal. Write it for free. WhymakeDo you want this education so bad? Spending a few mornings doing this will focus your thoughts. This will save you hours or days writing your personal statement.
Pro Tip:Don't kill yourself writing freely. Do this in short, frequent bursts. Sign up for 10-minute short sessions morning, afternoon, evening, or whenever you find time.
7. Research the school
Oh oh. Your personal statement about college failed. What went wrong? They didn't know what the school wanted from their perfect student. That mistake cost you a spot for telling them you had the wrong skills. Or you said you want to develop the skills they can't teach.
The solution? Know before you go. Check your resume. How do they excel? what can they teach you What do you already know that will help you shine when they let you in? How can you connect these things to your personal story? The answers to these questions are your key to admission.
travel key
When writing a personal statement, remember:
- Use a personal statement template so you don't have to start from scratch.
- Think carefully about your passion. Why do you want this career so badly?
- Begin your statement with a hook that draws the reader in.
- Tell the story of your driving force. This will prove to the admissions team that you have the strength to face the long and difficult years of work that lie ahead.
- Link your skills and achievements to your story. What have you achieved so far in your training that will help you when you are accepted?
- Add the things that school can teach you. How can you connect your CV to your personal story of drive and passion?
- Finish your personal statement by closing the circle to the hook.
Plus, a great cover letter that goes with your resume will give you an edge over other applicants. You can write it in oursCover letter generator here.It could look like that:
See moreCover letter templates and start writing.
Questions? Issue? We're here for you. If you still have questions about writing a pre-interview personal statement for college, message me in the comments.