Make sure your personal statement is polished and flawless.
1. Don’t write a resume in prose. Medical schools don’t want to see a list of every accomplishment or award. They want specific details and stories that give them an idea of who you are and what kind of physician you will be.
2. Don’t use clichéd language. The admissions committee reads so many personal statements that cliché language will mark you as someone who didn’t put enough original thought into your personal statement.
3. Don’t talk too much about other people. It can be tempting to talk about mentors or other doctors, but the personal statement needs to focus on you.
4. Don’t make excuses. If you have low grades, don’t over-explain or make too many excuses for your performance. Just admit your mistake and point to other evidence that you know how to perform academically.
5. Don’t be sloppy. Grammar and spelling errors are the sign of someone who doesn’t take the process seriously. Don’t give the admissions committee a reason to put your essay in the “no” pile because you didn’t take the time to proofread.
If you avoid these common mistakes, you will be able to write a med school personal statement that shines. For more, be sure to check out my webinar The 5-Step Guide to Successful Medical School Personal Statements.
Jessica Pishko graduated with a J.D. from Harvard Law School and received an M.F.A. from Columbia University. She spent two years guiding students through the medical school application process at Columbia’s PostBacc Program and teaches writing at all levels. Related Resources:
• Ace the AMCAS Essay
• 7 Reasons Why Medical School Applicants Are Rejected
• An Inside Look at The Medical School Journey
