Peds personal statement for residency?

[swtiepie711]

Hi All! I'm struggling a bit putting together a personal statement for pediatrics residency, and was hoping someone might be able to share some insight.

From looking online, it seems personal statements should include some combination of (1) why pediatrics (2) what you're looking for in a residency program (3) what you're long term goals are.

I drafted a PS based on this, and it talks about these things but I don't talk about things in my CV (like extracurriculars, jobs, etc). I then looked at some examples and all of the examples tend to be life stories - why medicine, what so-and-so did in medical school, why this contributed to the field choice, etc.

I figured these things are all covered in the ERAS CV so why rehash them on the personal statement? Why not use that as a time to talk a little more subjectively, a little more candidly about what you like about the field/goals/etc.

Am I way off base? Would it look "weird" to have a PS that doesn't discuss concrete details, like involvements in extracurriculars/work/etc?
Are there other things that should be included in the PS?

I'm not a great writer, and so I'm just hoping to have a PS that doesn't flop - Unfortunately, I doubt I'll be able to craft something that will actually bump up my application in the eyes of a residency director.

Thanks so much to anyone who has the time/patience/energy to give me some candid thoughts on the personal statement for peds residency!!

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[twilightdoc]

Thanks so much to anyone who has the time/patience/energy to give me some candid thoughts on the personal statement for peds residency!!

Candid thoughts? Here are a few. If it is any consolation, I think that writing the personal statement is probably the most difficult part of the application process. And there is no such thing as a "perfect" personal statement. In my opinion, the personal statement should be a little autobiographical, a little philosophical, and a little visionary- that is, tell something about yourself and why you are interested in Pediatrics, why you think that you will be a good Pediatrician (and peds resident), and what your plans are for the future. I agree that a total narrative "rehash" of your CV is not indicated; the personal statement does give you the opportunity to highlight a few activities or experiences that have been important to you and your decision to become a physician and Pediatrician. And it also gives you the opportunity to explain some items in your CV and apparent weak spots in your application (low grades, etc.). I think that it is helpful to have several trusted faculty members look over your personal statement and to tell you what their impression might be. Is the impression that the statement conveys the one that you want the reader to have? Writing style is a matter of taste, but I would warn against being "too" anything (unless that is really who you are). Proofread carefully for typos, spelling errors, and grammatical mistakes.

 

[generic]

I would suggest that you DO go ahead and write something more subjective and different and (Most importantly) memorable.

As you noted, all that other junk is already included in the 18 pages of ERAS forms they'll be reading. And unless you have some drastically different reason for doing pediatrics, your general 5-paragraph outline PS will end up not standing out to those who read it.

So if you have some secret passion for collecting civil-war-era coins and can tie that passion in to your calling as a pediatric _____ist than I say go for it!

But as suggested above, do have some trusted faculty members read it before hitting submit.