How do I write a personal statement for a research internship?

[byeh2004]

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Hey everyone,

I'm applying to several internships for this summer and a couple of them are research positions. I am going to start writing my personal statements today and really have no clue what to write about. What are the people that are looking at the essays to the application looking for? Any characteristics in my personality? Research experience/stories?

Thanks!

 

[CADreaming06]

when i did these, i tended to outline my short and long term career goals, and would explain why/how that particular program would help me in attaining those goals. if you have space, you can include an introduction which includes what you ahve done so far. . does that make sense?

 

[45408]

Yeah, they don't want an autobiography, but they might like to have a few hints as to what you're like. Talk about your goals as they relate to this internship, tell them what you will bring to the lab (technical expertise, work ethic, positive atmosphere, etc), and make sure you sound interested in what you will be doing.

 

[deuist]

How did you get interested in research? (Start with a short story about taking apart a toaster as a kid).
Next, what are your career goals? Medicine? Clinical? Basic science?
Briefly, what have you done up to now to show that you're interested in research? Name some classes, some part-time research work, maybe even some stuff that you've done on your own. Have you ever looked at reactions in an analytical chemistry class and said, "There's go to be a formula for that," only to go home and work one out?
Finally, what are your plans for the future to accomplish those career goals? What project do you want to work on? What are some of your ideas? E.g., do you think that waving your right arm toward the east every morning will decrease the rates of cancer?
How passionate are you about this particular program (versus the thousands of others out there)?
Do you know someone that you would like to work with?


Answer those questions and I'm sure that you'll be fine.

 

[byeh2004]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

I'm trying to write a PS for public health research right now but I'm not quite sure what to really talk about. My research experience is in evolutionary physiology so I don't have really any public health research experience, but I'm a psychology major and I really like working with people; I have alot of experience in a brian injury recovery center assessing cognitive progress in patients, but I don't know if I can tie that to public health. Thanks everyone.