tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57510242684549745082011-11-27T15:45:38.019-08:00PsyGuruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812537204047909625noreply@blogger.comBlogger11100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5751024268454974508.post-31126510481893224292007-05-01T15:27:00.000-07:002007-05-01T17:05:44.354-07:00Often times the <!-- google_ad_section_start-->personal statement for residency is overshadawed by the USMLE score. However once you get your interview invite, <br /><!-- google_ad_section_end-->you can talk much about your score. The personal statment is often read just before or during your inteview and can serve as a template for the interview. It can leave a lasting impression. Here is some advice about the personal statmenet.<br /><br />1) Start Early<br /><br />Let it simmer for months. Reread it many times. The hard part is cutting it down if it is too long. Expect to spend atleast a month or two.<br /><br />2) Don't Make it too long<br /><br />This is important. Perhaps in psychiatry you may be able to make it a bit longer. I doubt surgeons would have patience for long personal statements.<br /><br />3) Contents<br /><br />-Why and how do you want to do a certain speciality?<br />-Why are you suited for this field? How?<br />-How is the field suited for you?<br />-DO NOT elaborate on why you want to be a doctor. You are one or will be one shortly. You are not applying for med school.<br />-What are your goals? What type of program are you looking for?<br />-Maybe use quoates<br />-Share your personal strengths and your interests<br /><br />4) Do NOT be boring<br /><br />-I have read other people's personal statements and they put me too sleep. Be original but don't be cute or controversial.<br /><br />5) Get it edited<br /><br />-Have it read over and over by others.<br />-Consider professional editing. I have gotten mine profesionally edited for free by Kaplan. Not sure if it is worth all the money but I did get some good advice I probably would not have gotten from my friends. However the editor can not write the personal statement for you. However he or she can point out some glaring errors.<br /><br />6) Other tips<br /><br />-correct grammar and spelling should be used<br />-use correct form with topic sentences, transistions, intro paragraphs and conclusions<br />-be specific for the speciality (write one for each one you apply to); some even say make it program specific (I did not do this since I applied to over a 100 programs!)<br />-illustrate with examples; perhaps talk about a patient<br />-do not use the word "I" too much<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://honors.syr.edu/Messenger/03_04/Sep15/Writing.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://honors.syr.edu/Messenger/03_04/Sep15/Writing.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />7) Other sources of help. <br /><br />I just scratched the surface here with my advice. For more check out the following:<br /><!-- google_ad_section_start--><br />First Aid for the Match<br />Isserson's Guide to Getting a Residency<br /><!-- google_ad_section_end--><br /><a href="http://www.medfools.com/personal-statements.php">Medfools Personal Statement Advice</a><br /><a href="http://www.usmletomd.com/personalstatements/2005/10/quick-personal-statement-screener.html">DigitalDoc's Personal Statement Advice</a><br /><a href="http://www.accepted.com/medical/residencyessays.aspx">Accepted.com PS Advice</a><br /><a href="http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/6700.html">AMA Advice</a><br /><a href="http://www.studentdoc.com/personal-statement-tips-1.html">Studentdoc.com Advice</a><br /><br />For more links cut and paste <span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">"personal statement residency"</span></span> to the google search box below and then click on search.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5751024268454974508-3112651048189322429?l=personalstatement-psyguru.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>PsyGuruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14812537204047909625noreply@blogger.com2