How long should the personal statement be?

[Sachin]

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I've been plugging mine in on ERAS and it seems to fit, regardless of how long it is.. There aren't any apparent limitations as far as the application goes, so, what is the adviseable length? Thanks,

Sachin

 

[ckent]

Are you sure that any size is being accepted in eras? My understanding was that one page was the max. I haven't tried to put my in yet though. If there is no limit, the recc is still one page.

 

[Sachin]

yeah, I just checked it again.. it permitted 3000 words without problems..

Sachin

 

[pathstudent]

3000 words!?!?!?!?!?!

That doesn't sound nearly long enough.

You better shoot for around 10,000-12,000 words to really bore them to death

 

[Sachin]

🙂

no, my actual statement is around 750 words.. just copied it in 4 times.. Although as it stands, it would bore them even at that length.. still working on it..

but seriously, if ERAS isn't the limiting factor, what's the recommendation? 750-900 words?

Sachin

 

[Winged Scapula]

You're right - there is seemingly no limit to how much ERAS will accept for your personal statement.

However, the old saw of "no longer than one page" still exists regardless of the above. As I recall, one page is about 550 words or so. Try printing it out and see...

Any longer than 1 page and its overkill, IMHO.

 

[MrBigLips]

Any longer than 1 page and its overkill, IMHO.

Bump. Is the standard still limited to 1 page? I feel like thats not enough 😕.

 

[MrBigLips]

Bump. Is the standard still limited to 1 page? I feel like thats not enough 😕.

Scratch that... apparently even one page is pushing it since reviewers don't really have the time to read the whole thing? They just screen for red flags?

 

[Chirurgia magna]

So I attended a workshop and someone "in the know" said that you need to fit it in one page and the way ERAS programing is done you can use this as a guide. Make sure it fits in one page of Microsoft Word document with Courier New font #10 with the usual 1 inch margins, single spaced.
This formula makes sure your PS fit in one entire page when the programs print it. Mine was around 580 words. Hope this helps. I honestly feel that the shorter the better (that's not what she said, hahaha)

 

[MrBigLips]

So I attended a workshop and someone "in the know" said that you need to fit it in one page and the way ERAS programing is done you can use this as a guide. Make sure it fits in one page of Microsoft Word document with Courier New font #10 with the usual 1 inch margins, single spaced.
This formula makes sure your PS fit in one entire page when the programs print it. Mine was around 580 words. Hope this helps. I honestly feel that the shorter the better (that's not what she said, hahaha)

hahah, nice. But thanks, that does help.

 

[ACSurgeon]

hahah, nice. But thanks, that does help.

The advice we got as students (from the PD at our school) was to not say something stupid. Keep it short and to the point. Most PS's will sound alike. Don't try to be fancy, as that might hurt. It is unlikely a PS will significantly help your chances, but could certainly turn someone off. Now, if you have something special, include it, but be careful.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Moving to ERAS.