Applying summer clinical research programs

[lull]

I'm planning on applying to a summer clinical research program on campus, and I am having trouble starting my personal statement. The hard thing about personal statements for me is that I'm not sure if I should be blunt and explain why I want to join the program or if I should do the "show not tell" approach and explain through my experiences why I am interested in human health research. I also have a strong interest in working with people from marginalized backgrounds, which has sort of shaped my career goals into pursuing academic medicine. I am not sure if I should go into some of my tutoring experiences working with underrepresented students and scribing at a federally qualified health center. Would this fit into a summer research application in terms of explaining my career goals?

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[paradoxic_toxic]

The hard thing about personal statements for me is that I'm not sure if I should be blunt and explain why I want to join the program or if I should do the "show not tell" approach and explain through my experiences why I am interested in human health research.

Do both, but more "show not tell."

I also have a strong interest in working with people from marginalized backgrounds, which has sort of shaped my career goals into pursuing academic medicine. I am not sure if I should go into some of my tutoring experiences working with underrepresented students and scribing at a federally qualified health center. Would this fit into a summer research application in terms of explaining my career goals?

Yes you can use these examples to explain why the program is a good fit for you. Just be careful of how you word it. You don't want to make it seem like you're only using the program to pad your resume for med school. Explain your interest in research, what inspired you to join, what you want to takeaway from this program, how you want to use this experience to help others, how the program will help you in med school, etc.