personal statement
next lesson
medical school admissions
summary
the personal statement is a critical component of medical school applications, serving as a significant determinant in the admissions process, second only to the mcat and gpa.
- defining moments and personal experiences that inspired the pursuit of medicine are essential to include in the statement.
- a common mistake is listing accomplishments, which detracts from the narrative and should be avoided.
- the statement should highlight humanism in medicine, demonstrating empathy, teamwork, and a genuine desire to care for people.
- a recommended format includes an introductory paragraph about oneself, followed by a significant experience that motivated the medical career choice, and how this experience has fueled ongoing commitment.
- it's crucial to have the personal statement meticulously reviewed for errors, as grammatical mistakes can significantly undermine an application.
chapters
00:00
the importance of the personal statement
01:04
crafting your narrative
02:25
what to avoid in your statement
03:24
humanism in medicine: the core of your statement
11:38
finalizing and reviewing your personal statement