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How to Write a Personal Statement That Will Impress

Our ways to lead your personal statement residency to win.

We craft each statement based on the filled Questionnaire exclusively from scratch. There’re no templates or cliche phrases to make your document only about you.

Your residency application document will be 100% customized to a particular residency program, emphasizing your traits & program's specifics, proving you're the best fit.

Every application document we produce is crafted by our medical experts with strict conformity to the ERAS® application system requirements & standards.

Request as many document revisions as needed until you're totally satisfied with it – we’ll be glad to rework and polish your residency personal statement to perfection.

All of our writing service experts are verified degree holders with years of field expertise, knowledge of admission processes & experience in application docs creation.

Your money will be returned if there're any issues with the text we cannot fix. Just drop a line to our support managers, and get a refund effortlessly without any questions.

We guarantee high-quality writing & editing assistance with all types of residency admission documents!

Our Expertise

Our medical admission experts provide top-notch help no matter where you’re applying for!

WE KNOW HOW TO WRITE A PERSONAL STATEMENT FOR RESIDENCY PROGRAM YOU CHOOSE

Our personal statement writers.

“I am always in touch with the support team to get feedback from my clients. And knowing that they were satisfied with my assistance and were successfully accepted warms my heart.”

Not a single imperfection will be left in your document if Lyndsey take it over. Professional writing & editing are her specializations, and perfectionism is her main trait. So be confident in the flawless results – she will not agree to anything less.

“I feel true satisfaction and big joy assisting everyone in finding the right words to tell their unique story that sounds in their voice”

Patrick’s prominent trait is the ability to create masterpieces from a vast range of random facts. He likes to communicate with customers and delve into their unique stories. Many clients often feel like Patrick has known them for years.

"My experience in crafting residency admission documents can serve you well."

You’ll be surprised by the variety of programs Carlos has dealt with. He’s a passionate expert whose smooth transitions and ability to structure large amounts of information give him the highest praise.

“I can assist with all types of admission documents you may require when applying for residency. And your positive feedback about my work is what I love specifically.”

His expertise and talent are remarkable. Having Joe’s writing or editing service is always a winning option.

“Feeling your voice in application documents is what makes them unique and remembered by the committee. And I’m good in such transmissions!”

Angela is not only our leading writing service expert but a respectable member of the admission committee. So she knows how to write a personal statement for residency that wins – the results of her work are always incredible.

“It doesn’t matter to me what residency program you’ve chosen. With my assistance, you’ll be accepted everywhere!”

Jessica is the top pro when it comes to complicated admission cases. She successfully copes with in-demanded program enrollment and helps her clients beat even the highest competition. Having such an expert means victory only, so entrust your document to her, without a doubt!

“I love to pay attention to details and particular facts, covering which allow me to create non-trivial & eye-catching documents.”

Remarkably, it was Conrad who assisted us in compiling the Questionnaires provided for your document personalization. He knows about the perfect structure and the information the committee wants.

CUSTOMERS ABOUT OUR RESIDENCY PERSONAL STATEMENT HELP

How we work.

Place an order using our simple order form, 24/7 online chat, or a callback. Choose the service you need, deadline & volume. Don't forget to attach the filled Questionnaire and other materials, if any (like a CV, previous statements, resume, etc). You can upload them while ordering or add later via your Customer Area. We’ll assign your residency personal statement to your writer only after receiving materials for personalization.

As our service providers are full-time experts, they work only on prepayment. So pay for the writing or editing services securely online. After, you'll get a payment confirmation by email and data for the Customer Area login.

When our company is notified of your successful payment, we will immediately provide you with details for you to enter your Customer Area. You can always edit your password for even better website experience. This area is particularly designed for your one-on-one contact with the medical expert & support agent. Plus, transferring the final doc to your computer, requests for corrections, and ordering other residency application docs are possible with this feature!

We work in such a way that when the writing expert finishes with the first draft, you'll get a notification of its readiness and be able to download it to review. After that, feel free to request a residency application doc revisions & add comments. Unlike other services, you can request edits as many times as you need. Whether it's 2 editing circles or 20 – you have 14 days to get them made free of charge.

Select the most convenient way to supervise the process of order fulfillment!

Reach out to your medical specialist, get the final doc, and register new orders with no bother.

Don’t second-guess but turn to our support crew if you have questions regarding your order!

Why & How to Write a Personal Statement for College

Applying to college is exciting and hectic at the same time because while there is a lot to anticipate for the future, you still have to nail the application. Among the most crucial documents of any university application is the personal statement, and creating it might be challenging. Generally, it’s a synopsis of your achievements, goals, skills, interests, and involvements to present when applying for higher education and some scholarship programs. However, you may need to delve into what is a personal statement in detail, as various applications have their unique features to consider if you want to succeed.

Why is knowing how to write a personal statement necessary? Because of the number of applicants colleges receive, section panels often have a hard time determining suitable candidates from academic accolades alone. Personal statements make it easier to pick the right choices by allowing each student to make their application case even before any interviews.

Through this document, they learn about a student’s personality, passion, and anything that makes them suitable to study the particular course. It implies there’s pressure to make yours stand out. But don’t let that scare you. We’ve prepared some powerful writing tips and a guide to make it a fun and meaningful writing experience.

Several Essentials to Remember

Like any other form of crucial application document, you should prepare it before creating a personal statement. Preparation makes the process much easier as it helps gather all relevant information. Here’re crucial preparation steps you can follow.

What college or program are you applying to? Find out more about them, what they look for in their students, and what they anticipate from you as a potential student. The information will help you tailor your statement to meet their expectations.

The greatest essential tip on how to write a good personal statement is to tell a great story, and for that, you should reflect on your involvement. Think about your exposures, passion, interests, and any noteworthy achievements.

• Brainstorm 

Develop ideas and write it all down, don’t worry about the structure. Just list down the ideas as they come to you. Once you’ve exhausted them, pick the best and start trying to develop your statement.

Proven Guidelines on How to Begin Personal Statement

Another significant component of our guide on how to write a personal statement for college is constructing the structure you should consider before writing. This encompasses three sections:

• An introduction
• Body paragraphs

The intro is where you provide background information about yourself, highlighting your involvements, interests, and knowledge. This section should set the basis of the statement.

Next are the body paragraphs, where you go into detail about the central theme of the personal statement. After exhausting all the vital details and information, you are ready to conclude. The outro is supposed to sum up the whole statement.

A Bit More Regarding Beginning

Beginning a personal statement could be challenging because many students try too hard and overthink it. However, it is still a crucial part of your writing piece because it dictates the first impression you will have on the reviewers. So, here is some advice on your opening.

• Don’t Go Overboard

Don’t overthink your opening sentence. Aim to engage the reviewers with relevant information but don’t throw yourself off-topic trying to impress them.

• Consider Writing It After 

As mentioned, many students get stuck trying to figure out how to begin personal statement, which may consume a lot of time. One way to avoid that is to jump into the main content and leave the opening for later. It would be easier because you’ll already know what you’re trying to introduce.

• Begin with a Hook 

Once you’re ready to start writing, consider opening with a hook. The “hook” is a sentence or phrase that draws in the reader and makes them curious about what you have to say. Your hook can be an anecdote, a question, a quote, a statistic, or anything related to your personal statement’s main topic. After your hook, dive in and explain why you are applying for that specific program, highlighting your motivations and goals.

How to Sign a Personal Statement Correctly

In your final paragraph, restate the main points you’ve made in your personal statement. Restate your skills, experiences and reiterate your commitment to the course.

Then, thank the reviewers for taking the time to consider your application and granting you the opportunity to apply to their school. It shows you are appreciative and respectful, which works in your favor.

Finally, sign off at the end providing your name and contact information but use the official names like the rest of your applications; avoid using initials or nicknames.

There is another approach to consider when thinking about how to sign a personal statement. You can also use the bookend strategy; you link the introduction to the conclusion and use both to support the body. It favors those who prefer to write the intro after the rest of the text.

How Many Words Should a Personal Statement Be? The Right Length

One of the main questions applicants have is how many words should a personal statement be? There is no universal answer because different colleges and programs have varying requirements regarding word count. Some programs limit applicants to about 1-2 pages or 500-700 words, while others opt for more. Applicants should always stick to the provided guidelines.

Great Tips on How to Write a Personal Statement

A well-composed personal statement can be the difference between acceptance and rejection in your preferred institution. Here are some great tips to make yours stand out.

• Take your time – don’t rush the document. Start early to have ample time to write it.
• Be authentic – don’t copy or paraphrase someone else’s work. Seize the opportunity to express yourself.
• Keep it simple – write short and simple sentences and avoid fancy words.
• Organize your writing logically – use a chronological order to write about your experiences.
• Focus on your strengths – the personal statement is about selling yourself, so show yourself in a positive light.
• Proofread your statement multiple times and get a second opinion from a trusted individual.

The above tips on how to write a personal statement should prove useful, but here is a bonus for your peace of mind. Once you write and submit your application, don’t keep reading it; wait for the response. Rereading it makes you expect the worst.

Personal Statement How Many Words Are Needed for ERAS Application

Ultimately, we’d like to answer the question, ‘personal statement how many words should I write if there is no specified guideline?’ If there are not any recommendations from the admission committee, keep in mind that 700 words should be enough to write all the essential information without making it too long that you lose the reviewers’ attention. It’s also a versatile size if it comes to ERAS applications.

Do You Still Need Help With Your Personal Statement?

If you still need more answers or even help with your personal statement, we’re always ready to assist you to write one that leads to your success! Being a professional service with years of experience, we have access to many skilled writers well-versed in admission to numerous programs. Our experts are experienced with all types of application documents, so getting a quality personal statement from them is quick and enjoyable.

Don’t let the personal statement stress you; contact our writers today, and get one that will easily win!

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Residency ERAS Personal Statement Consulting & Editing

Our premium service is tailored exclusively for medical students on the journey to secure their dream residency. Our team of professional writers and experienced physicians collaborate to optimize your ERAS applications and finetune your personal statements, ensuring they stand out in the competitive pool. With a sharp focus on conveying your unique medical journey, skills, and aspirations, we translate your experiences into a compelling narrative, capturing the attention of residency directors. MedSchoolCoach is more than just an editing service; it’s your strategic partner, lending you an edge that propels you toward a successful career in medicine.

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RESIDENCY PHYSICIAN ADVISORS

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PERSONAL ATTENTION

Residency & fellowship applications we can help with, specialties.

• PGY-1 Transitional Year
• PGY-1 Internship Year
• All PGY-2 + Categorical Programs (such as dermatology, radiology, radiation oncology, PM&R)
• All Categorical Programs (internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, emergency medicine, all surgical subspecialties, etc)

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Invest in Your Medical School Future and Boost Your Odds of Getting Accepted!

Choose your advisor:

Steven Ruby MD Associate Director of Advising

Dr. Ruby is a distinguished vascular surgeon who has completed his general surgery residency at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center and a fellowship in Vascular Surgery at Harvard Medical School, and has held numerous leadership positions in various surgical societies. He is a founding member of Vascular Associates of Connecticut.    

Joel Ramirez MD Associate Director of Advising

Dr. Ramirez is an integrated vascular surgery resident at UCSF who is passionate about teaching and tutoring for several board exams. He has served on the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine admissions committee and is committed to being a leader in medical education.        

Susan Choo MD Associate Director of Advising

Dr. Choo completed her pre-med education at UC Berkeley and got her medical degree at UC San Diego. She is a board-certified pediatrician and has served on the admissions committee, reviewed applications, and worked with UC Irvine to teach and prepare students for the application process.    

Wendy Gammon MA, MEd Director Writing Advisor

Wendy has worked as an admissions screener for the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Overlook Hospital, a pilot case developer with the NBME for the USMLE exam, and an assistant professor of medicine and director of the standardized patient program . She holds two master's degrees in English and education and has taught several AP courses.

Kachiu Lee MD Director of Direct Med (BS/MD) Advising

Dr. Lee is a board-certified dermatologist and an assistant professor of dermatology at Brown University. Dr. Lee has a passion for medical education and also does research in developing new treatments for skin cancer.  She specializes in BS/MD admissions, with more than 95% of her clients getting interviews for BS/MD programs each cycle.  

James Weintrub MD Associate Director of Advising

Dr. Weintrub trained in general surgery at Boston University, plastic surgery at McGill University, and microsurgery at the Texas Medical Center. As Chief of Plastic Surgery at the Providence VA Hospital & Clinical Asst. Professor of Surgery and Family Medicine at Brown, Dr. Weintrub has helped scores of aspiring physicians get accepted into medical school.

Ed Walsh MD Associate Director of Advising

Dr. Edward Walsh is an Emergency Medicine physician who graduated from the University of Virginia School of Medicine. He is especially interested in medical education and preparing students for the challenges of medical school and beyond, also serves faculty member at the James Madison University Physician Assistant program.

Ziggy Yoediono MD Associate Director of Advising

Dr. Yoediono received his MD from the University of Rochester, and did his training at the Harvard Longwood Psychiatry Residency Program. He has worked at Duke as a pre-major advisor and admissions interviewer. Dr. Yoediono co-authored papers published in The New England Journal of Medicine and Academic Medicine.    

Newsha Lajevardi MD Associate Director of Advising

Dr. Newsha Lajevardi is a board-certified dermatologist who practices medical, pediatric and cosmetic dermatology, cutaneous surgery, and laser surgery. She has a nontraditional path to medical school and is highly involved in the application and interview process for prospective dermatology residents.

James Kelly MD Associate Director of Advising

Dr. Kelly attended Georgetown University for both undergraduate and medical school. He completed his Ophthalmology residency at North Shore/Long Island Jewish and is now in private practice, as well as helping Ophthalmologists prepare for their oral boards. He enjoys traveling, live music, and sports.    

Ed Lipsit MD Associate Director of Advising

Dr. Lipsit is a Board Certified Radiologist with extensive experience in diagnostic ultrasound. Currently, he is an Associate Clinical Professor of Radiology at The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences and serves as an educational consultant. Dr. Lipsit has also been involved in admissions consulting for several years.    

David Flick MD Associate Director of Advising

Dr. Flick graduated Magna Cum Laude from Loyola Marymount University and attended medical school at UC Irvine after receiving the Army health professions scholarship. He has served as a flight surgeon for the Army. While at the UC Irvine School of Medicine, he was an admissions committee member.

Renee Marinelli MD Director of Advising

Dr. Marinelli has practiced family medicine, served on the University of California Admissions Committee, and has helped hundreds of students get into medical school. She spearheads a team of physician advisors who guide MedSchoolCoach students.

Need more comprehensive help for the match?

HOW OUR ERAS EDITING PROCESS WORKS

Your residency advisor will use our comprehensive intake form and spend time getting to know you on a personal level to find out what makes you unique.

Using your individual story, your Physician Advisor will work with you to brainstorm a cohesive narrative about the speciality of your choice.

Develop and Organize

Once you have decided on content, your Writing Advisor will help you develop and enhance your story, turning your ideas into an organized and cohesive essay that puts your experiences in the spotlight.

Edit and Finalize

After a few drafts, your Writing Advisor will refine your prose and correct smaller writing errors that stand in the way of excellence. Your Physician Advisor will then approve the final product.

With the help of your team of residency advisors, you will craft an ERAS application that will get you interview invites, and lead to the match outcome you want!

Meet a Residency Advisor

Dr. Choo is a former Associate Program Director at the CHOC Children’s and UC Irvine residency programs

MedSchoolCoach has the experience:

12k+ students helped

Unmatched experience, meet some of our residency advisors.

Physicians with Residency Admissions Committee Experience

Amar Mandalia MD Associate Director of Advising

Dr. Mandalia was a member of the University of Miami Admissions Committee, an accomplished medical writer and advisor to hundreds of successful applicants.

Henry Ng MD Advisor

A trailblazing physician and advocate, Dr. Ng has spearheaded LGBT health initiatives, founded Ohio's first LGBT-focused PRIDE Clinic, and achieved numerous accolades for his work in healthcare diversity and inclusion. Dr. Ng was an assistant dean and member of the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine Admissions Committee.

Megan Flynn MD Master Advisor

Dr. Flynn has been involved in both medical school and residency admissions committees and is dedicated to collaborating with anyone interested in pursuing medicine. She is passionate, compassionate, and excited to work with you.

Alexis Dallara-Marsh MD Advisor

Dr. Dallara-Marsh is an esteemed neurologist and epileptologist in Bergen County, New Jersey, with a notable academic journey, comprehensive training in child neurology and epilepsy, an active role in mentoring and academic admissions, and a research interest in Palliative Care. Dr. Dallara-Marsh has extensive admissions experience.

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Frequently Asked Questions

We have physician advisors across multiple specialities, and when appropriate, we'll do our best to pair you with one in the particular speciality you are looking at matching into. However, we cannot guarantee this, and there are times when another advisor may actually be a better fit!

With MedSchoolCoach, you get the advantage of having a Physician Advisor and Writing Advisor to help you develop your story. Our Physician Advisors have sat on admissions committees and have evaluated thousands of applications, so they understand exactly how to bring out the best in an applicant. Our Writing Advisors are professional writers and editors who will help you refine your concepts and create a compelling essay. This combination results in an extremely powerful team that will take your application essays to a new level.

Yes! All our essay editing packages come with brainstorming time with your Physician Advisor. Your Writing Advisor will also provide you with a worksheet to help you outline your narrative.

We use our advising portal, CHART, to organize your essays. When you upload your drafts to the platform, your Writing Advisor will review them in detail and then provide constructive feedback on how to improve them. As you get closer to a final draft, we will focus on things like word choice, sentence structure, and grammar.

Advisors provide feedback within 24-72 hours of submission. This allows enough time for in-depth edits.

More Questions

Application advising reviews.

David Flick was Incredible for ERAS!

I had a wonderful experience with David, who helped me with my residency application. He was available every step of the way, and fielded all of my questions in an extremely timely manner (often within the hour). His edits to my personal statement and CV portions were thoughtful and informed.

He also remained available throughout the interview and ranking process. He helped me with interview prep in addition to weighing in on my rank order list and how to best organize my thoughts on each program. In the end, I matched at my top choice, in no small part to David's contributions throughout the entire process. I cannot sing his praises enough!

Exceptional guidance and support for my ERAS personal statement

I am incredibly grateful for the support I received from MedSchoolCoach's Residency ERAS Personal Statement Consulting & Editing service. The team of Physician Advisors and Writing Advisors worked closely with me to understand my unique journey and craft a compelling personal statement. Their expertise in residency admissions committees was evident, and their guidance helped me highlight my strengths and aspirations effectively. With their help, I received interview invites and matched into my top-choice program. I highly recommend MedSchoolCoach for anyone seeking a competitive edge in their residency application.

Personalized attention that made a difference in my application

Working with MedSchoolCoach's Residency ERAS Personal Statement editing was an excellent decision. The personalized attention I received from the Advisors was invaluable. They took the time to understand my unique experiences and goals and guided me in developing a standout personal statement. Their expertise and insights helped me effectively convey my passion for my chosen specialty. With their help, I received interview invitations and secured a spot in my desired residency program. I am grateful to the entire team at MedSchoolCoach for their support throughout the process.

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MedSchoolCoach has been incredibly helpful with my personal statement and secondary essays, helping me effectively communicate my experiences and qualities. They have also been a huge help with CASPer preparation. I am glad to have them assist me every step of the way with this process!

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Unique Personal Statement

Strong residency application.

The Medical Residency Personal Statement is one of the most important pieces of the ERAS Residency Application puzzle. No other component of the application gives you as much control in shaping the impression you make on Program Directors and others reviewing your application as the Residency Personal Statement.

Personal Statement Writing Service

Complete your Questionnaire and stand-by as a professional Writer crafts a unique, top-quality Personal Statement from scratch based on your responses. No templates are used, and you will communicate directly with your Writer throughout the process.

Are you interested in S-WS?

Personal Statement Editing Service

Our Editing Service will transform your existing Personal Statement into a polished, professional, and persuasive piece of writing. We will refine, reorganize, and develop your ideas into a comprehensive Personal Statement that is sure to impress.

Are you interested in S-ES?

How It Works

The process for both Writing and Editing Services includes:

• 1 Submit your first draft (Editing) or your completed Questionnaire (Writing)
• 2 Your Writer will deliver your first draft or reach out with any clarifications they need to get started (all communication takes place via our In-House Messaging Platform)
• 3 After reviewing your first draft, you can work with your Editor/Writer on any necessary revisions until you are completely satisfied
• 4 Once we get your approval, the statement is finalized and available for export in PDF and Word format

#1 Choice for USMG & IMG Residency Applicants

Who Are Our Writers?

Residency Statement’s dedicated team is comprised of all US-based, professional medical Writers and Editors with extensive academic backgrounds and additional training in Medical Residency Personal Statements as well as the nuances of the residency application process.

Everyone on our team is well-qualified to work on statements for each residency specialty, sub-specialty, and even fellowship training.

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I used both editing and writing services, and both were amazing experiences with their professionalism and attitude with anything that I needed to change or delete. Everything was a 5 stars experience, and regarding my PS, I showed it to my mentor back home, he said it was one of the best he had ever seen.

I just wanted to say I really appreciate all the work you've done to help me make this personal statement and I'm very happy with the results! You've done an excellent job of being accommodating, understanding, and just generally helpful and it really meant a lot to me; so again, thank you for all of your help.

You have no idea how much this personal statement means to me. It literally brought me to tears reading it. I was red-lining stress last week. But, thanks to you, reading the statement was the turning point in my week, after which things started falling into place. I want to sincerely thank you for the service you provided me. With the personal statement we crafted, I have confidently submitted my application.

This is exactly what I'm looking for! Thank you so much! The residency team will be reading hundreds of these. The application is so short that the only real opportunity I have to connect with the team is through this essay. I'm sure you know that where I go for the next 3 years of my life may weigh heavily on this statement. You described exactly what I'm looking for, thanks so much!

The Value of Personal Statements

The Personal Statement is rated as one of the most important documents included in the ERAS Application by Program Directors when making interview and ranking decisions.

The Medical Residency Personal Statement can boost a weak application, help secure an interview, provide content for residency interview questions, and even assist Program Directors in making final selections for their Rank Order Lists. A well-crafted Personal Statement helps you stand out and leave a lasting impression when contending for limited residency program positions.

Residency Statement will provide you with the Personal Statement you need to apply with confidence.

Tailored Solutions

Every residency candidate has a story to tell. Whether you are an International Medical Graduate (IMG) or US Medical Graduate (USMG), your personality should be the foundation of your Personal Statement. Residency Statement’s Editing and Writing Services are tailored to include your individual strengths and experiences while capturing your unique voice. If you have written a Personal Statement you would like polished and refined, the Editing Service is right for you. If you are struggling to begin writing your Personal Statement or don’t have the time to draft a full statement, you’ll find everything you are looking for in the Writing Service.

Unlimited Resources

Residency Statement does not believe in limitations or restrictions. When it comes to your Personal Statement, the sky is the limit, and we are dedicated to providing the resources you need to succeed. Not only does our professional team have your back through every step of the Writing or Editing process, but you also have the opportunity to receive expert guidance and access numerous free online resources as well.

Member Success

A strong Personal Statement greatly increases your chances for a Match, while a poorly written, weak, or generic statement can be a red flag to residency programs. Ensuring you submit an optimized Personal Statement is critical for residency Match success. We understand how much is riding on your residency application and are committed to supporting your efforts.

What is Residency Statement?

Will programs know i used a writing/editing service, how do i know i will like my statement, why residency statement.

There are so many reasons why you should choose Residency Statement, it’s hard to pick just one!

• We have 14+ years of Medical Residency Personal Statement experience.
• Each Personal Statement showcases the applicant’s personality and specialized knowledge.
• Your content is safe within our secure, encrypted interface.
• Our qualified Editing and Writing team is comprised of adept and highly trained professionals who have read, edited, and written thousands of Medical Residency Personal Statements.
• We have experience helping applicants of all backgrounds: IMGs, USMGs, DOs, and applicants with red flags of every kind (low scores, attempts, gaps, long time since graduation, serious academic divergences, and beyond).

Is Your Personal Statement Ready to Impress?

Many residency applicants believe their Personal Statement is ready to submit. Yet, based on our assessments, very few Personal Statements would meet the standards and expectations set forth by Residency Interview Selection Committees.

• 59% Do not pass Residency Program Standards and need more work
• 38% Do not pass Residency Program Standards and need to be re-written
• 3% Pass Residency Program Standards

Personal statements are an important part of your application to residency programs in the United States. A personal statement is intended to complement your other qualifications by allowing you to express who you are and why you are applying to residency. This is your opportunity to discuss your passion for medicine and/or your chosen specialty, why you want to practice medicine in the United States, important milestones that have happened to you thus far, and your goals for the future. The personal statement should show what kind of person and physician you are and wish to become.

Personal Statements are among the top 5 reasons candidates are invited for interviews.

Your personal statement is an integral part of a successful application. Unless a program’s faculty or residents know you personally through a rotation, your application — including personal statement — presents your entire professional persona to those who extend interview invitations. Competitive programs have hundreds of qualified applicants, so your personal statement must help you stand out.

A well written personal statement can strengthen your application and open opportunities for you. Some application reviewers only skim through the personal statement, while others read it carefully. Since you have no way of knowing how your personal statement will be read or the weight it carries at each program, it is in your best interest to write a high quality personal statement.

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Meet the editors.

Vidal V., MD

Specialty: Diagnostic Radiology

Dr. Villela is a Diagnostic Radiology resident at Dartmouth. He is passionate about mentoring fellow Latin-Americans, having been raised in Honduras and held leadership roles in the Latin American Medical Student Association as well as Phi Iota Alpha. 

Jackie M., MD

Specialty: Internal Medicine

Dr. Mirza, an Internal Medicine resident at Mount Sinai and aims to pursue a fellowship in Cardiology with a focus on Electrophysiology. Her journey has been marked by a commitment to teaching, mentorship, and research, alongside her diverse interests outside of medicine. She is passionate about helping others share their unique stories and perspectives effectively, and finds fulfillment in her role at MotivateMD, where she fosters inclusivity and empowerment.

Caleb L., DO

Specialty: Ophthalmology 

Dr. Liles is an ophthalmology resident at Kettering Health in Dayton, OH. During his time at Wright State, he founded an ophthalmology club to raise awareness and provide exposure to the specialty. He has mentored numerous ophthalmology applicants, including reapplicants, guiding them to match in their desired field. Passionate about sharing his experience and insights as a DO applicant, Dr. Liles is dedicated to supporting aspiring ophthalmologists through Motivate MD.

Brendalyn I., MD

Specialty: Psychiatry

Dr. Iweh is a psychiatry resident deeply passionate about mental health, particularly focusing on women’s mental health and transitional age youth. She is committed to supporting future physicians because she understands the challenges of unconventional paths in medicine.

View the rest of our team below by specialty!

Anuj P., DO

Specialty: Anesthesiology

Dr. Patel is an Anesthesiology resident at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. As a first-generation medical professional he values mentorship and has actively mentored others while serving as a tutor and teaching assistant throughout medical school, now excited to contribute to Motivate MD as a resource for aspiring physicians.

Sunny H., MD

Specialty: Dermatology

Dr. Hutson is a dermatology resident at UVM. With nearly four years of experience with MotivateMD, Dr. Hutson is enthusiastic about continuing to offer mentoring and advising support to applicants navigating the challenging medical school application process.

Sheena C., MD

Dr. Chatrath is a dermatology resident at the University of Illinois College of Medicine, Throughout medical school Dr. Chatrath focused on clinical research in dermatology and remained dedicated to mentoring pre-medical and medical students, providing guidance on applications, personal statements, and interview preparation. Recognizing the challenges of the medical school journey, Dr. Chatrath joined MotivateMD to alleviate some of the associated anxieties and looks forward to assisting others in achieving their career aspirations.

Rachel G., MD

Dr. Greene is currently conducting dermatology research. She pursued a non-traditional path to dermatology, initially applying to surgery before changing fields after medical school. During her time at SLU, she completed a health policy fellowship in Washington, DC, with the former surgeon general and was a member of the women’s rowing team. Dr. Greene enjoys mentoring pre-med and medical students and would be delighted to discuss your journey to medical school or residency.

Daniel H., MD

Specialty: Emergency Medicine

Dr. Harwood is an emergency medicine resident at Perelman School of Medicine. He brings extensive experience in mentorship, education, and writing from his time in undergraduate studies, medical school, and international healthcare consulting. Dr. Harwood is passionate about assisting applicants with identifying strengths and shaping compelling narratives for medical school and residency applications and interviews.

Elizabeth Y., MD

Dr. Yim is an EM resident at Mount Sinai Morningside-West in NYC. Dr. Yim is passionate about helping applicants make a meaningful impact in their personal statements and interviews. Outside of work, she enjoys running her program’s social media accounts and catching flights to warmer places to read on the beach.

Jamie K., MD 

Dr. Koopman is an Emergency Medicine resident. She is Passionate about mentorship, Jamie has served as a pre-med mentor for undergraduate students at the University of Iowa, a CCOM peer mentor, and provided tutoring for first-year medical students, aiming to guide and support aspiring medical professionals through every stage of their journey.

Dr. Rush is an Emergency Medicine Resident at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx, NY. With a longstanding passion for mentoring and tutoring, she finds fulfillment in assisting students through MotivateMD. Dedicated to supporting individuals through the challenges of their journey, Dr. Rush is excited to continue empowering students to achieve their goals and witness their growth.

Yenchi T., DO

Specialty: Family Medicine 

Dr. Tran is a Family Medicine resident at the University of Minnesota – Woodwinds Hospital. She is passionate about mentorship, as demonstrated by her extensive involvement in tutoring, volunteering, and advising peers on medical school and PA school applications. She aims to be a valuable resource through Motivate MD, providing honest and supportive feedback to aspiring medical professionals, inspired by her own journey and the impact of mentorship on her path to success.

Melissa P., MD

Specialty: General Surgery

Dr. Porterhouse is a general surgery resident at Vanderbilt. As a first-generation college student pursuing medicine, she understands the challenges of navigating medical school and residency admissions. Joining Motivate MD, she aims to offer accessible mentorship to help others achieve their dreams.

Artur S., DO

Dr. Schneider is an Internal Medicine Resident at Mayo Clinic (FL), hails from Switzerland and pursued higher education in the United States on a swimming scholarship at 18. He is an aspiring cardiology fellow. Inspired by the support he received on his journey, Dr. Schneider joined MotivateMD to assist others in realizing their medical aspirations, eagerly anticipating the collaboration with future physicians.

Emma F., DO

Dr. Fenske is an internal medicine resident at OHSU. She is passionate about mentorship, having founded the Burrell-Aggie Mentorship Program at BCOM to support NMSU Pipeline and pre-medical students, driven by her own journey navigating the medical field without familial guidance.

Paige J., DO

Dr. Johnson, an Internal Medicine resident at LewisGale Hospital Montgomery, holds fervent interests in cardiology, critical care, and OMM. Having navigated a challenging path through medical school and securing a residency position, she aims to offer support to others facing the Match/SOAP process.

Robert C., DO 

Dr. Chory is finishing his intern year in internal medicine before transitioning to his R-1 year in radiology. Possessing a keen interest in neuro-radiology, he intends to pursue a fellowship specializing as a neuro-interventionalist. Dr. Chory boasts extensive travel experience, having explored all 50 states and numerous countries.

Haley P., MD

Specialty: Internal Medicine – Pulmonary Critical Care

Dr. Pysick is an internal medicine resident at the University of Iowa. She enjoys the challenge of individualizing plans/areas of improvement for students from all types of backgrounds as each person has their own unique needs and situations.

Akosua O., MD

Specialty: OBGYN 

Dr. Oppong is an OBGYN resident and a graduate of The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. She has a strong background in mentorship, having mentored high school girls interested in STEM careers and undergraduate students pursuing medical careers. With firsthand experience of the importance of guidance in the pre-med journey, Dr. Oppong is enthusiastic about assisting others through Motivate MD.

Alexa S., MD 

Specialty:  OBGYN

Dr. Svoboda is an OBGYN resident at the University of Cincinnati. Throughout medical school, she engaged in research at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and UCCOM’s OBGYN department. With a passion for mentoring and simplifying the medical school and residency journey, she joined Motivate MD to support aspiring applicants through the challenging process.

Jack D., MD

Specialty:  Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R)

Dr. Defant is a Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation resident at Ohio State. He is passionate about sports medicine, TBI/concussion rehab and pain management. Outside of medicine he enjoys being outdoors, following sports and being a dog dad to his German Shepherd, Zola. 

Juan L., MD

Specialty: Plastic Surgery

Dr. Lizardi is a Plastic Surgery resident at Yale He possesses an extensive research background that spans publications and presentations in Plastic and Orthopedic Surgery. His profound gratitude for his mentors’ guidance motivates him to contribute to Motivate MD and support aspiring medical professionals, echoing the invaluable assistance he received on his journey to his dream residency at Yale.

Erin O., MD

Specialty:  Psychiatry

Dr. O’Keefe is a psychiatry resident in Pennsylvania. Falling in love with psychiatry during medical school for its interdisciplinary nature, she joined Motivate MD to continue her passion for mentoring aspiring medical professionals and contribute to their development. She finds joy in witnessing vibrant narratives unfold through writing and feels privileged to be part of these journeys.

Ansel N., MD/PhD

Specialty:  Radiation Oncology

Dr. Nalin is a Radiation Oncology resident at MD Anderson Cancer Center. During medical school, he engaged in tutoring, mentoring, and coordinating academic programs for students. His PhD research in cancer immunology led to numerous publications and presentations. Dr. Nalin joined Motivate MD to utilize his teaching, leadership, and communication skills to guide students through the medical school and residency application processes, leveraging his extensive mentoring experience.

Brady L., MD

Specialty: Radiation Oncology 

Dr. Laughlin is a Radiation Oncology resident at Mayo Clinic Arizona. He is deeply passionate about medical education and has assisted numerous pre-medical students with personal statement editing, advising, and interview preparation. He is excited to be a part of Motivate MD, giving back by utilizing his skillsets to help the next generation of future physicians achieve their dreams!

Priya D., MD

Dr. Dave is a preliminary medicine intern at Mount Sinai, and is set to begin her diagnostic radiology residency at the Mayo Clinic. With a background in Medical Humanities, including a Master’s in Bioethics from Harvard Medical School, Dr. Dave enjoys leveraging her humanities background to craft compelling personal statements and unify disparate elements in applications.

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Most frequent questions and answers about our services..

Our carefully-selected editing team is currently made up of residents who have completed our rigorous screening, application, and training process.  Some of our editors have either sat on medical school admissions committees or have contributed in some capacity to admissions at their school.  It’s critical for your essays to be viewed from multiple different perspectives, so we make it a priority to have a very diverse team of editors.

You can expect a completed review within 2-3 days . We strive for timely delivery, however, quality and effectiveness are our main priorities.

After you purchase a package, you will get an email with the next steps to take. If you did not get a confirmation email, please email [email protected] .

You will receive a confirmation email for your purchase (check your trash/spam folders, if you don’t see it after a day) that outlines the immediate next steps in our process. 

The short answer is no.  Although we started by reviewing only medical school application essays, we have been able to cater our editing secrets to make any essay memorable. 

We have helped those applying to medical residencies, dental school, nursing school, and grad/law school, create very effective and unique essays.  Just give us any information you can during the checkout process to help us optimize our reviews to fit your specific situation!

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How to Make a Statement with Your ERAS Personal Statement

• by Med School Tutors
• Jun 29, 2023
• Reviewed by: Amy Rontal, MD

Dr. Leila Javidi, Taylor Purvis, and Dr. Brian Radvansky contributed to this article.

Starting your residency application can feel like an overwhelming task, especially when it comes to writing your ERAS personal statement. It’s not clear why essays of this nature are so intimidating—maybe it’s because not all medical students are well-versed in language arts, many of us dislike writing, or maybe just the thought of putting “who you are” onto paper brings to the surface some uncomfortable feelings of self-awareness (whoa—this just got intense!).

This is a joke or course, but to be honest, sometimes when we sit down to write our ERAS personal statement we immediately think things like, “I’m not that interesting,” or “I haven’t done anything cool in life, I’ve spent most of my time in school thus far.” And that is completely normal. The majority of us haven’t had those pivotal moments in life that shake the ground beneath us and form a new foundation for who we are, and that’s OK!

Your ERAS personal statement isn’t intended to be a best-selling memoir. It’s intended to add another dimension to the otherwise black-and-white application full of scores and grades. It is an opportunity to show program directors your personality, what motivates you, and what you’re looking for in a residency program.

While you’ve probably heard all of this before, we bet you have more specific questions about how to tackle the ERAS personal statement. All of us sure did! So, without further ado, h ere are answers to the 12 most important questions about medical residency personal statements.

12 Frequently-Asked Questions About the ERAS Personal Statement

1. How big of a deal is my ERAS personal statement to program directors?

According to the 2020 NRMP program director survey , 78% of program directors cite the ERAS personal statement as an important factor in deciding which candidates to interview,  making it the fourth-highest ranked factor behind USMLE Step 1, USMLE Step 2, and letters of recommendation. So, it’s pretty important in the grand scheme of your application!

Now, from experience in talking to different program directors and mentors, it’s clear that the most important thing is that your ERAS personal statement is well organized, well written, with proper grammar, no red flags, and that it’s only one page single-spaced. The standard ERAS personal statement length is typically 500-800 words (roughly four paragraphs).

A personal statement typically isn’t the “maker” of your residency application—however, it can be a deal “breaker” if it doesn’t have those attributes. That said, if you have a memorable, well-written personal statement, program directors will mention it, and it will make you stand out as an applicant. If they are on the fence about whether or not to interview you, a personal statement could potentially be the deciding factor. So, it’s pretty important!

2. What are things I should include in my ERAS personal statement?

A good ERAS personal statement should include the following: 

A catchy introduction to grab the reader

There are different ways to go about doing this, but if you’re stuck, an effective way to grab the reader’s attention is to open with a patient vignette. An interesting case is sure to pique the curiosity of your reader and keep them engaged as they read. Preventing boredom is something to strive for, as your application is one of perhaps hundreds that they are reading.

Ultimately, though, remember this is a personal statement. After you reveal the diagnosis or outcome of the patient vignette, you need to let the reader know what the case meant to you! The point of relating the vignette is to reveal something about yourself, not just present an interesting story about a patient. 

An overview of your desirable qualities

When letting the reader know what your positive qualities are, it’s important to remember a basic rule of good writing: SHOW, don’t tell. For example, instead of saying you are compassionate, describe a story from your life that demonstrates your compassion.

Highlights from your life experience 

This includes jobs, extracurricular activities, and hobbies that would help you to be an ideal candidate for whichever residency you are applying to. Pro tip: DON’T REGURGITATE YOUR CV. This is your opportunity to tell people things that aren’t on your CV. Do you play chess in the park every Saturday, or have you traveled to some amazing places? Tell us about it!

You shouldn’t rehash your CV in your personal statement, but it is a great place to elaborate on activities listed on your CV. It can be used to explain why those activities are so important to you, how they have helped you grow as a person, and other things that don’t often shine through on the CV itself.

Proof of why you should be accepted 

The most important part of your statement is providing proof of why you should be accepted. Describe your strengths, but do not talk about things too generally. You should be able to back up everything you say. Give details and examples. Which doctors have you shadowed? What kind of research have you been involved in, and where was it published? Don’t just mention that you have volunteered, say the names of places you were at and what you were doing.

Why you are interested in your specialty

This doesn’t have to be a profound story, but it should be the truth!

What you are looking for in a residency program

Is a strong procedural curriculum important to you? Is the culture of the program more important? Try to mention things you know your programs of choice embody.

Address any red flags on your application

Did you do poorly on Step 1? Did you take a leave of absence for a long time? Best to just come out and talk about it without being defensive. Show how you have grown from the experience, rather than apologizing for it!

A cohesive closing statement

Sometimes the first and the last sentence of the statement are the hardest to come up with, but it’s worth your time to make it tidy, even if it isn’t profound.

3. What are things I shouldn’t include in my ERAS personal statement?

Controversial topics.

Stay away from extreme religious or political statements. It doesn’t mean you can’t say you are an active member of church, but don’t use this as an opportunity to discuss whether or not you are pro-choice. You never know who is going to be reading this, and anything too polarizing can be off-putting for some readers. 

Feelings of bitterness or negativity

Leave out any traces of bitterness, defensiveness, or anger about anything that has happened in your life. Everything must have a positive spin.  

Too much self-praise or too much modesty

Avoid talking about yourself in a glorifying manner, but don’t go too far the other way and come off as too modest.

Too many qualifiers

You don’t want to go overboard with the qualifiers, which are words such as “really,” “quite,” “very,” etc. In fact, in many cases, it’s better not to use them at all. 

“Flowery” language you wouldn’t use in real life

It’s a personal statement, not a creative writing assignment. Keep the language in your statement simple. You’re not going to score any points by using unnecessarily fancy words. Your goal is clear communication.

Also, don’t try to sound like a doctor. This is just another way of trying to impress the reader. You want the reader to like you based on the way you write, not be turned off because you are trying to impress them.

“Try to avoid using a lot of jargon and abbreviations,” advises Mary Dundas, educator at Academized. 

Exaggerations

Avoid talking hyperbolically about how passionate you are. As noted earlier, it’s better to show than tell so give examples of things you have done. Above all, keep the writing in your statement professional.

If you avoid these common mistakes, you’ll be way ahead of most applicants! 

4. How can I make my ERAS personal statement unique?

As evidenced by The Voice and American Idol , it is everyone’s impulse to divulge their “sob story” to help them stand out and garner sympathy from the audience. While it’s important to include stories that helped shape you as a person, it is very transparent and cliché to talk about that person you know who was struck by a medical tragedy, and how ever since you vowed to “save people.”

The best way to make your statement unique is to allow your personality to shine through. Use your words, your humor, and your depth to tell your story. Find a way to show yourself to your reader, and if you do this, your essay will be unique!

5. Should I have more than one ERAS personal statement to upload?

In short, absolutely have multiple personal statements to upload. Especially if you are applying to more than one specialty, it’s essential that you have several versions of your personal statement.

That doesn’t mean you have to write a whole new one, you just have to tailor it to fit that specialty. If you’re applying for a preliminary year, tailor your personal statement to explain how important you feel a solid foundation in medicine is for dermatology (or whichever specialty you are applying to) and what you’re looking for in a preliminary year.

Furthermore, I found that for the programs I really wanted to interview with, I would upload a tailored personal statement for that program saying something like, “I am seeking a family medicine residency position with ABC University program because of their dedication to XYZ.” Simply name-dropping their institution and noting the strength of their program demonstrates your attention to detail and interest in their institution. Even if you are an amazing applicant, if a program doesn’t feel you are interested in their specific program, they won’t interview you. It’s best to make sure you give those out-of-state programs some extra attention so they know you are willing to relocate for them!

Lastly, you should know that you can upload as many versions of your personal statement as you like onto ERAS, but be especially careful when uploading and make sure you apply the correct personal statement to each program! Triple-check your work! Pro Tip: Use your file names to help you stay organized. Pick a format and stick with it, such as “PS-JohnsHopkins,” “USCF-PS,” etc.

6. When should I start writing my ERAS personal statement?

The sooner the better, people. Get cracking now! You can even begin to think of ideas during your third year as you develop your interests in specific specialties. As ideas come to you, jot them into your phone so you don’t forget!

One of the best ways to begin writing your personal statement is to go over some questions about yourself. Ask yourself, who are you and what drives you forward? Think about the kinds of things that interest you and why you developed those interests. Maybe consider some mistakes you have made, how you learned from them, and how they have changed you. Or ask yourself, how do your interests and personality contribute to the goals you have set? 

Think about those kinds of questions and write down the answers. Reflect on them, put them away, and come back to them. Then, use them to form an outline—this will help you figure out all your points and what you want to say before you start writing. 

If you still feel like you just don’t know how to get started, give the five-point essay format a shot and see if it works for you. In short, you begin with a paragraph that is about four or five sentences long. The goal of this first paragraph is to grab a reader’s attention. Use the next three or four body paragraphs to talk about yourself. Try and have one of them focus on your clinical understanding, while another talks about service. Then end with a solid conclusion paragraph that mirrors your introduction, summarizes who you are, and ends by looking toward the future. 

7. Should I ask for any help with my ERAS personal statement?

Yes. Yes. A thousand times, YES! Absolutely ask for feedback on your personal statement. After getting your draft finished, show it to whoever will look at it—however, please remember to take everyone’s advice with a grain of salt and to strongly consider the source. It is absolutely essential to have your personal statement reviewed by an objective third party to ensure that the message you are trying to communicate is loud and clear. This means that you shouldn’t give it to a friend or family member who is going to placate you with a useless, “Yeah, looks great!”

Find a mentor, advisor, chief resident or attending, someone who is accustomed to reading ERAS personal statements, and get feedback from them. You can be certain that going through this step will only make your personal statement better. If you take their advice and don’t like how things are panning out, you can always revert back to an older draft.

But in just about every case, another set of eyes to give you big-picture feedback on what you’ve written will improve your piece. Do this early in the process, when you have gotten a simple draft together, so that you don’t present someone with an idea that you are married to, only to find out that it doesn’t come through clearly.

Be sure to ask other people what they think of your draft, but be careful about asking other students for help. Sometimes they get weird, and try to give you advice about making your statement more like theirs because they want to feel justified in their own efforts.

Finally, it should be mentioned that there are services out there that will “write your personal statement” for you. Aside from the obvious reasons why not to do this, you have to be really careful. Those services don’t know you, don’t know your voice, and oftentimes have very generic ways of putting these statements together.  Using a service to help polish your statement, though, is A-OK. Some you may find useful in that regard are ViaWriting , Writing Populist , StateofWriting , and SimpleGrad .

Lastly, you may consider working with a residency counselor who can help set your application apart with insider advice and ensure you optimize all elements of the residency application process. Our residency consultants are residents and attendings who have successfully guided hundreds of students from residency applications through the Match!

Typical residency consulting work consists of:

Not sure if a residency consultant is the right fit for you? Take this quiz to see if you would benefit from some extra guidance during the residency application process!

8. Where can I find examples of ERAS personal statements to inspire me?

Every good writer learned how to write by reading the works of other people. This includes personal statements! Very often your career offices from your undergraduate studies will have examples of personal statements that can serve as inspiration for your own masterpiece. You can also ask older classmates and recent graduates if they would feel comfortable sharing their personal statements with you. 

Remember, too, that inspiration can come from nontraditional sources. Try reading poetry or a novel before sitting down to write your statement. You might be surprised by how it helps to get your creative juices flowing!

9. Is it better to cover all of my experiences, or focus on a few in particular?

It’s better to focus on several key experiences rather than provide a broad overview of your life up to the present time. Your resume will fill in any gaps for your reader. The point of the personal statement is to spend a few paragraphs reflecting on one or two themes that define who you are as a person. Stay focused, and go deep!

10. How much should I share about my career goals in my ERAS personal statement?

Remember, the majority of training programs you will be applying to are academic medical centers. For those programs in particular, make sure to emphasize why an academic environment is a good fit for you. This does not have to mean research! Perhaps you like the idea of becoming a clinician educator and want to be at XYZ program for the opportunity to teach medical students. 

Likewise, if you are applying to a program at a community hospital, make sure to reflect on how your career goals are suited for that environment. Maybe private practice is on your radar, or you want to practice in a hospital that is more close-knit than a large academic center.

Whatever the case, try to make your stated career goals align with the orientation of the program you’re applying to. In reality, you may have no idea what direction you want your career to go in. But for a personal statement, try to commit to one general theme if possible.

11. What about my personal statements for preliminary or transitional year programs?

For applicants who are also applying to preliminary or transitional year programs, it can seem daunting to tailor your personal statement to a position that isn’t part of your ultimate specialty. But don’t worry—preliminary and transitional year programs still want to know who you are as a person and why you’re interested in anesthesiology, dermatology, or whatever advanced specialty you’re aiming for. You don’t need to change your personal statement as much as you may think!

The goal of a personal statement for these one-year programs is not to convince the reader that you suddenly love internal medicine despite going into radiology. The reader knows this is a temporary stopping place for you. Instead, emphasize the traits that make you YOU and will enhance their hospital!

12. What if I’m interested in a non-traditional path after residency?

Some of you may be thinking of alternative career paths after residency such as consulting or pharmaceutical work. It’s probably best to leave those specific goals out of your ERAS personal statement and allow readers to assume that you want to continue in clinical medicine after graduating from residency. You might want to instead phrase it as something you want to be incorporated into your clinical career, but not something you would leave medicine for, even if that’s what you have in mind!

Remember, you are under no obligation to share your every thought and desire in a personal statement! These statements are being read by reviewers who dedicated their lives to education and clinical medicine, so keep that in mind.

Further Reading

Keep these tips in mind as you write your ERAS personal statement, and you’ll be way ahead of the other applicants. If you start to get stressed out, remember, you have an amazing story to tell, and we are here to help tease that story out from the confines of your brain! For more help, reach out to one of our residency advisors .

Looking for more help during the residency application process? We’ve got you covered with more (free!) content written by Blueprint tutors:

• How to Get Standout Letters of Recommendation for Your Residency Application
• How to Maximize Your Chances of Matching With Your Dream Residency
• What’s It Like Working With a Medical Residency Consultant?
• Residency Interview Tips & Tricks: The Ultimate Guide
• Dual Applying for Residency: Is It Right For Me?

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As all residency candidates know, the residency application process is treacherous and full of obstacles. The fact is, those who succeed are looking beyond checks for simple mistakes in spelling and grammar. Successful candidates find new and creative ways to make their application stand out and win over residency programs’ expectations. That’s why residency candidates trust Residency Experts, a service that combines the power of innovative technology and the know-how of an experienced team of Experts.

By submitting your documents through our system, you are ensured not only a strong application that will help you shine, but also the benefit of receiving the exclusive insights of a residency expert to help you smooth the way to success.

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One of the most important steps in the Residency Experts procedure is getting to know you as an applicant. Each Expert is trained to start by reading through your documents before moving forward into editing or providing feedback. This way, they can remove any unnecessary redundancies and truly integrate your documents.

Each part of the application components comes with its own unique process and its own protocol checklist built from years of researching best practices. Your Expert will utilize these comprehensive checklists to cross-check your application materials to determine that everything is compliant with residency programs’ highest standards. Your documents will be thoroughly reviewed, and adjustments will be made as needed. Your Expert will also leave you informed comments and feedback to let you know what has been completed, and provide you with additional insights and helpful tips.

When all of the work as been completed on your submitted materials, everything will receive a final review to make sure your documents are error-free and top quality. Then, your Expert will return your completed, optimized and integrated Application Package along with a comprehensive Work Summary for each application component. You can then proceed to the ERAS website to add these documents to your ERAS account and apply to programs when ready.

Now that you know what Residency Experts is capable of, it’s time to get your residency application cycle started. Cross off the most delicate tasks on your residency to-do list today.

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What is a residency application service without an experienced, well-trained, energetic, and outstanding team? Each member of the Residency Experts team is hand picked from a talented pool of qualified professional writers and former medical professionals, and carefully educated in every aspect of the medical residency application and process. After learning everything there is to know about the medical residency application, Experts also undergo specialized training to acquaint them with the unique protocols, systems, checklists, and logistics of the Residency Experts system. Each Residency Expert is guaranteed to be hardworking, experienced, educated, and enthusiastic in supporting the dreams of residency candidates.

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Residency Experts blends the benefits of many years of comprehensive residency application experience with the efficiency of a carefully devised method for maximizing every member’s submitted ERAS Application supporting documents. Every document passes through a research-based and tested procedure that will evaluate for any weaknesses with the use of an exclusive checklist for each document type. Based on the results of the checklist, your document will either receive a thorough revision or review complete with work summaries and notes. Your documents will be returned to you as a strong, integrated package crafted to bring out your very best qualities and help you shine as a unique residency applicant.

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Residency Experts values your safety, comfort and confidence above all else. All documents are handled safely and securely within the Residency Experts system, supported by SurveyMonkey Apply, to minimize the time you would be spending uploading, downloading, and worrying about sending sensitive and personal information through email. The Residency Experts MyERAS Application Written Content Submission SurveyMonkey form is an innovation in gathering the most vital material for your Residency Expert. The interactive and innovative form will walk you through content submission with Residency Experts exclusive instructions, and additional helpful tips. Once your Residency Expert has finished you will have the written content and tools you need for completing the MyERAS Application in the ERAS System.

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Every aspect of the Residency Experts ERAS Application services is based on thousands of hours of research, consultation with prominent members of the medical field and residency community and years of residency experience. Residency Experts was developed with the combined years of expertise from partners such as Match A Resident, Residency Statement and Electronic Residency. While Match A Resident provides valuable data and insight into medical residency as a whole, Residency Statement was able to contribute specific observations and comprehension of the multi-faceted Medical Residency Personal Statement, and Electronic Residency’s history of working with residency applications in the Post-Match Scramble was incredibly useful as well. Residency Experts stands on a deep foundation of residency knowledge and experience.

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I would like to thank Residency Experts. You made my life easier. My reviewer was really helpful and approached me to clarify part of my CV to reword it a better way but at the same time ensured that she was not missing anything. I am impressed about the authenticity and honesty of the reviewer I worked with. In the end, my ERAS application was the way I wanted it to be, and people were impressed about it.

I was very pleased with the professional service provided by El from Residency Experts. She reviewed my ERAS application and I received my feedback in 1-2 days as promised. The editing was thorough including whether my photo was acceptable. I appreciated the feedback on why certain wording was changed and is preferred as well as where I could improve by adding more details. I felt very confident when submitting my application and would definitely recommend the service to others.

Thanks a lot for the reviewed application. Maureen did an incredible job. I am really grateful for all the advice. I will do the necessary modifications, as suggested, before I upload the application.

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Hello – I am writing in order to thank the person who worked on my ERAS application materials. No matter the outcome of the residency match process this cycle, I am confident that the edits provided (especially the personal statement additions) showcase my academic accomplishments in the best possible light. I am very appreciative of the time and thoughtful consideration that was clearly put forth to produce the final version I received. I feel that the money I invested was well-spent and I am very grateful.

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How to Write Your ERAS Personal Statement

Alexandra R., MD

4 Keys to Writing A Compelling Residency Application Personal Statement

There are a variety of mixed opinions about the importance of the ERAS personal statement in the residency application process. Some people think that a personal statement, if it is captivating enough, can be your gateway to obtaining an interview. Others, however, think that a personal statement is simply a formality and that most programs do not take the time to look at it closely. Thus, in the latter scenario, the main goal is to not have your personal statement stand out in a negative way. Regardless of what you have heard and may continue to hear throughout the residency application process, you need to interpret the advice in the context of your particular scenario: decide for yourself how important the ERAS personal statement may be in the setting of your background and experiences as well as how important it may be for the field that you are applying into.

In general, you should start working on your ERAS personal statement early so that you can have multiple rounds of revisions. It is actually completely normal (and a good sign) if you end up having multiple completely different versions! The hardest part is sitting down and starting- just do it! The earlier you start writing, the more time you have to continue re-working and re-thinking your story. Sometimes it’s even good to put it away for a few weeks at a time so that when you look at it again you can have a fresh perspective. Remember, having a great personal statement hook is a key component to writing a compelling statement that residency program directors will actually want to read. The hook is so important, we have actually dedicated an entire post to writing it correctly here. Sometimes it’s even good to put it away for a few weeks at a time so that when you look at it again you can have a fresh perspective.

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Once you feel comfortable with a first draft, consider who you would like to share it with to receive constructive feedback. Ideally, it would be somebody whose opinions you value and who has demonstrated some success of their own accord – either friends who have gone through the application cycle and matched at one of their top 3 ranked programs, or faculty you have developed a relationship with. Often, medical schools also have advisory deans or some advising office, who may provide valuable insight into what residency program directors are looking for. An alternative advising source may even be the career center at your university. Even though career centers advise undergraduates, professional degree students (MD, JD, MS, etc), and even graduate students, their writing advice is broadly applicable to any field and their close attention to detail can be invaluable. Additionally, if you have friends that have applied in previous years, particularly in the same specialty in which you are currently applying, it can be helpful to see if they feel comfortable letting you read their statement – this can give you insight into the many shapes and form the PS may take and can provide helpful tidbits of information they’ve gleaned from the application process itself. You can also ask your advising office / deans for examples of personal statements specific to your specialty. In the event that you exhaust the resources available to you and you still feel uncertain about your statement, we welcome residency applicants to look into our residency matching services at Elite Medical Prep. We offer focused professional personal statement help from students who have successfully matched into some of the most competitive and prestigious residency programs in the world. 

Keep in mind that you do not need to incorporate everyone’s feedback into your personal statement. However, it is helpful to have multiple people’s advice and perspective, thus we encourage you to reach out to more than one person. We took a survey of our EMP tutors and ~60% said they worked with 6+ people, ~30% worked with 3-5 people, and 10% worked with <3 people to edit, read, and provide suggestions.

Lastly, once you have your personal statement finalized, please make sure you know what it is about. More than 85% of our tutors surveyed had an interview question about something specifically relating to their personal statement that was not anywhere else on their application. Be ready to talk about whatever stories you included—use the personal statement as an opportunity to help you shine and be remembered in a positive way!

We surveyed our tutors about advise they received about their own personal statements and collected feedback points from ERAS personal statements they have reviewed to see what feedback you should remember:

1) Don’t make your ERAS personal statement too long:

• The structure of the personal statement should be about 4 paragraphs.
• You do not want it to be more than one page single-spaced (standard font like arial or times new roman, size 12).
• If your personal statement is too long, it is even more likely for programs to not read it completely.

2) Don’t make your ERAS personal statement weird or controversial:

• “It’s okay to make your personal statement ‘vanilla’. You don’t want it to be a red flag /too creative that it strikes readers the wrong way.”
• “It’s far more likely that your personal statement will be entirely forgettable than that stand out, and that’s OK. Better to have a relatively bland, but acceptable PS and otherwise stellar application than to have a stellar application tainted by a PS that went too far in trying to be too interesting or original, or having something you write strike a reader the wrong way.”
• “Never write about something that could possibly make you cry if brought up.”
• “ Unless you feel very strongly about certain political beliefs or controversial topics (i.e. abortion) and would not want to be at a program where anyone felt otherwise, it’s probably better to avoid writing about anything polarizing in your statement.”
• “Your personal statement should be neither personal nor a statement”… basically, you aren’t necessarily going to stand out with your personal statement, you just want it to support the rest of your application, and it doesn’t need to be groundbreaking.”

3) Highlight what uniquely draws you to that particular specialty:

• “Remember that everyone reading your statement has gone into the field you have chosen and they know why it is awesome – so avoid singing general praises of a field – it needs to be PERSONAL!”
• “Tie everything into why you chose that particular specialty.”

4) Make your statement easy to read by telling a short and concise story about yourself:

• “That was way too long and formulaic. Cut to the chase but also paint a story rather than tell one.
• “Tell a unique story that gives insight to who you are as a person.”
• “Think about the purpose of your personal statement in the context of all the other components of your application: this is mainly useful as more of a personality gauge – ie who are you and what makes you tick?”
• “After reading your personal statement, the reader should come away with the feeling that they really want to meet you – not that you just summarized your ERAS in paragraph form. This is your opportunity to convey what is intangible on ERAS and in your letters – so use it as such!”
• “Even though your life is not coherent, you should present a coherent narrative – and make it brief! Not more than 500 words.”
• “Build a story around an interesting fact or experience.”
• “Show, don’t tell” – Try to use anecdotes as much as possible

Good Luck!!!

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About the Author

Alexandra earned her Neuroscience degree from the University of Michigan, graduating with Summa Cum Laude recognition in 2014. She continued her education at the University…

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One Chance to Tell Your Story.

We understand the pivotal role that a well-crafted personal statement and ERAS application plays in securing your spot in a competitive residency program.

Our commitment is to provide a personalized and comprehensive approach to showcase your strengths and unique qualifications and leave lasting impressions on residency selection committees.

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Our editors takes the time to understand your individual journey, achievements, and aspirations. 

We tailor your personal statement to reflect your personality, experiences, and future goals, ensuring your application stands out.

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We have successfully assisted countless medical students in articulating their thoughts and experiences in a compelling and effective manner.

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Can I Update My Personal Statement Throughout the Residency Application Season?

You can no longer edit many documents in ERAS once you have begun applying for medical residency. Yet, applicants may wonder, “ Can I still update my personal statement? ”  

According to the AAMC, the Personal Statement can be updated throughout the residency application season, even for programs you have already applied to. The following is directly from the AAMC:

Can I edit my Personal Statement after I apply to programs?

Yes, Personal Statements can be edited at any point during the application season – even when assigned to programs applied to. (Source – MyERAS Documents section of: https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-residency/faq/faq-eras-residency-applicants/ )

Now, you may be wondering, “ Why would I want to update my personal statement in the middle of the season?” 

Reasons to Consider Updating Your Personal Statement

1) not getting enough interviews.  .

Perhaps you are running low on interview opportunities. As such, it is common to wonder what could be going wrong. One issue could be that you did not get the right help or enough help crafting your personal statement(s). It is very possible that your personal statement might be completely missing the mark. Additionally, it could be turning programs off from you as an applicant for reasons you did not realize before. 

2) Outdated or irrelevant information.

For example, some applicants leave an asterisk noting the arrival of test scores. Or, perhaps there were extenuating circumstances that you included in your original application which are no longer relevant to you anymore. 

3) New and important experiences. 

The application season takes many months. In September, when you may have applied, perhaps you didn’t have US Clinical Experience. But now you have a wonderful experience that would be very powerful and helpful for you to share. Of course, this is another great opportunity to keep fine-tuning your application throughout the season. 

Landing a residency position is challenging. Optimizing your application at all points of the residency season is important to overcoming the hurdles of residency. This is especially true for IMGs and/or those who have red flags in their application. Now, you may be thinking, “ Should I update my personal statement?” Our support staff is happy to provide guidance and input regarding this extremely important document. 

Call Residency Statement at 858-221-8590 or email support@residencystatement.com today. 

Related Posts

• Why Writing Your Residency Personal Statement Early Pays Off

Can A Residency Personal Statement Be Over One Page?

How to Write Specialty Specific Residency Personal Statements

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• Crafting a Cohesive Application: Aligning Your Personal Statement with LORs
• Residency Interview Planning: How To Plan Cost-Effective Trips
• Interview Prep: Anticipating Questions Based on Your Personal Statement
• How NOT to Write a Medical Residency Personal Statement
• Common Mistakes
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• Residency Personal Statement
• Residency Programs
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Use these residency personal statement examples as a reference as you are working on  preparing you residency applications . The following are printed with permission from our own past successful students who worked with us as part of our  application review  programs. If you are having trouble getting started, you are not alone. Many students find that the personal statement can be one of the most challenging components of the  ERAS  or  CaRMS  residency applications. However, your personal statement can make or break your application. Get started on the right track by following the guidelines outlined for you below reviewing the emergency medicine residency personal statement example , pediatrics personal statement example , cardiology personal statement example, and more..  

This blog will outline what types of things to include in your residency personal statement. It will also give you 10 examples of personal statements from 10 different specialties written by actual students who matched into those fields. Reviewing personal statement examples is also good essay writing practice if you decide to write a residency letter of intent . Many of the same principles you apply to the personal statement can be applied to other application materials as well, so consider this review comprehensive. Believe it or not, personal statements also entail a great deal of self-reflection, which means they also function as a great review for residency interview questions , like the “tell me about yourself” residency interview question .

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free strategy call here . <<

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Article Contents 39 min read

Residency personal statement example #1: family medicine.

During the pre-clerkship years of study in medical school, I enjoyed learning about the many specialties within medicine and actively considered pursuing several of them. I was drawn to the complex pharmacology of the drugs used by anesthesiologists, the acuity of care faced by emergency medicine physicians and the complicated medical issues of patients cared for by internal medicine specialists. I also found myself interested in psychiatrists’ thorough history-taking and the technical skills in performing procedures exhibited by surgeons. It started becoming clear to me that I was interested in many different areas of medicine. I began realizing that I wanted a career that combined the many things I enjoyed in different specialties. A family physician has the flexibility to practice all of these facets of medicine. As clerkship drew nearer, I knew I wanted to gain more clinical experience in family medicine to see if it would be a good fit for me.

My clinical experiences in family medicine were fantastic. I worked with family physicians and family medicine residents not only during my core family medicine rotation and family medicine electives, but also during my psychiatry, surgery, anesthesiology, and pediatrics rotations. These clinical experiences confirmed my belief that family medicine is a diverse and exciting specialty; family physicians, while maintaining a broad base of medical knowledge, can tailor their practices to the needs of their communities and to their own interests and areas of expertise. During my family medicine rotation and electives, I also found myself greatly enjoying my encounters with patients. I enjoy hearing patients’ stories and sorting through their many medical and psychosocial issues. I am also naturally a fastidious person. Being a thorough history-taker and a meticulous recorder of details helps me in formulating a complete story about a patient. My joy in interacting with patients and my attention to detail allow me to appreciate patients as people, not just as disorders or diseases. I am both interested in learning about and have a certain affinity for, family medicine clinical experiences; pursuing a career in this specialty is an obvious choice for me.

The versatility and diversity of family practice initially drew my interest but the wonderful encounters I had with family physicians solidified my desire to pursue a career in this specialty. These family physicians have not only been skilled and knowledgeable clinicians but also, variously, dedicated teachers, researchers, and administrators. They were committed to improving their clinical skills by attending continuing education lectures and courses. They practiced patient-centered care and were knowledgeable about community resources that may help their patients. They worked cooperatively with other health-care professionals to improve patient care. Importantly, these physicians have also been friendly and approachable towards both learners and patients. The family physicians I have worked with also strive toward a healthy work-life balance; all of them seemed to have many interests and hobbies outside of their professions. These clinicians demonstrated to me what being a family physician involves: practicing both the science and art of medicine, advocating for patients, guiding patients through the health-care system, being committed to improving clinical knowledge and, importantly, maintaining one’s own health and happiness.

Being sure of the specialty I want to pursue is the first step in my career. There are many learning opportunities ahead. [Name of the program]’s family medicine residency program is attractive in so many ways: the protected academic days, the opportunity to participate in research and, most importantly, the clinical curriculum, all appeal to me. I believe the solid foundation of family medicine experience, as well as the exposure to other specialties, alongside the opportunities to build the skills necessary for life-long learning through the academic experiences and research, make this an ideal program for me. On a personal note, I grew up in [hometown] and did my undergraduate studies at [name of university]; I would be thrilled to return to my hometown and a university already familiar to me. My career goals after finishing my residency include having a community-based, urban family practice and being actively involved in teaching residents and medical students. I am also open to being involved in research and administration. Career goals, however, may change as I progress through my training. I am excited to begin the next stage of medical training and begin my residency in family medicine!

1. Emphasis on why the applicant wants to enter that specific specialty

This family medicine personal statement example does a great job of explaining why the applicant wants to enter that specific specialty. Their interest is clearly stated and the decision to enter the field is well explained. The author does an excellent job of talking up the specialty and stating what they like about the field based on their clinical experience. For your residency personal statement, you want to highlight any influential moment you had during these experiences. If you had a certain “aha” moment, you might mention this. If demonstrating this commitment is difficult for you, you can always find a reputable ERAS application review service .

2. Intentions are clear

Clearly stating your intentions and using the program's name makes your statement personal and stand out. It shows that you pay attention to details and that your goals and passion align with what the program offers. Use strong, precise language when you are writing. You only have about 800 words, so state your intentions and keep your story clear.

3. Personal connection is established

This particular applicant has a personal connection to the city in which the residency would take place. This won’t be true for every applicant, but if it is, be sure to make room to mention it as long as it fits with your personal narrative. In this example, the applicant also ties this in with one of their goals: having a community-based, urban family practice. In your personal statement, you should merge these elements together for a more cohesive essay.

What to Include in Your Personal Statement

Most residency programs, whether through  ERAS  (US-based) or  CaRMS  (Canada-based) require applicants to submit a personal statement or letter. Some programs will include specific instructions for what they wish you to talk about, while others will not give you a topic. When you’re doing your research for residency programs you want to apply for, you should also take a look at the selection criteria. Each school will have its own rubric that they use to evaluate candidates, so it’s a good idea to review these before you start working on your personal statement. Here is an example of some information stated by McMaster University regarding their residency selection criteria:

“Programs may consider a range of criteria in making their selection decisions for interviews including but not limited to: Medical School Performance Report (MSPR), scores on standardized tests, interest in and aptitude for the discipline, reference letter, experience in research or other scholarly activities, extracurricular activities, and personal qualities.”

ERAS, as well as most CaRMS programs, ask that your statement be within a one-page limit, about 750-850 words. Please check the specific program requirements through the ERAS or CaRMS websites.

The experiences in your  residency CV  can be used to help you indicate why you are applying to a particular program and how you came to that decision.

1. Introduction

Typically, your residency personal statement will have three to five paragraphs, which you will use to divide the introduction, body, and conclusion. The personal statement is a formal essay, so you must adhere to the proper structure. The introduction is for you to capture the attention of the reader; for this, you will need a strong hook or opening statement. Feel free to get creative with this. The remainder of your introduction should focus on what drew you to the specialty and how your background experiences informed your decision to apply to the school and program. Your introduction should also contain a thesis statement that allows you to connect your personal background with your suitability for the program, school, and a career in medicine (in this exact specialty).

2. Body (or middle)

The body of the essay is for you to expand on a few critical experiences that made you the excellent, qualified candidate you are today. A good strategy for the body paragraph(s) is to talk about relevant clinical rotation experiences; so for example, if you’re applying to a psychiatry residency, you can talk about a specific patient experience that solidified your decision to pursue this specialty, or an experience that sticks out in your memory. This will be similar to your answer to the interesting case residency interview question . Your goal should be to use these experiences to address your specific interests, goals, and what makes you a good fit for the program. Do some research into the program format, the patient population you will be working with, and the clinical environment. This will help you connect your experiences with what the school/program offers.

3. Conclusion

You might be thinking that once you’ve written a strong introduction and body, the conclusion will be simple. However, this isn’t necessarily the case. You need to use the space in your conclusion to tie everything together and show enthusiasm for the program and for your future career. You can revisit a few key points here to highlight them once again and to relate them to what you’re hoping to gain from the forthcoming training experience. Show passion, determination, and consistency throughout your letter and tie up any loose ends in the conclusion. Some applicants will use this part of the letter to mention a specific goal they want to achieve in residency, such as working with specific faculty members or research plans. You may also mention aspirations to complete a fellowship or what you want your future practice to look like.

Here's why "show, don't tell" is the most important tip for any personal statement:

Questions to Ask Yourself to Help You Brainstorm Ideas

• What makes you right for this specialty?
• What experiences drew you to this specialty?
• What appeals to you about this specific program?
• Do you have any experiences working in the city of the program you’re applying to?
• How will your residency training help you achieve your goals?
• What are some of your personal strengths that will allow you to contribute to the program?
• What evidence do you have that you possess those strengths?
• Do you have any research/publications that align with the research the school is doing?
• Do you have any gaps in your medical education or evaluations that you would like to address?
• What’s something you think the program director should know that isn’t obvious from your application materials?

  Growing up the first-born daughter of a hard-working Saskatchewan cattle farmer and hairdresser, medicine was never a consideration. In a small town, I could easily see how too much free time got many of my peers in trouble. From grade 8-12 I devoted myself to sports, playing high school, club and provincial beach volleyball, weeknights and weekends year round. Despite my small stature and lack of innate abilities, with determination and persistence, I overcame these obstacles. At the end of my grade 11 year, I received an athletic scholarship and chose to pursue business administration and athletics.

After the first six months, it became apparent that I was not going to attain my full potential in education at [university name}. Despite my parent’s reservations, I left and enrolled at a [university name] for the next semester. This university was much more challenging as I was now balancing my educational and financial responsibilities by working evenings and weekends managing a number of part-time jobs. With little direction as to what degree I wanted to pursue, I happened to enroll in anatomy and physiology. This was the first time I became really excited about my future prospects and began actively considering a career in medicine.

The first time I applied to medicine, I was rejected. Despite my initial devastation, in hindsight, it was a great opportunity for myself to reflect on my own motivations for medicine and work as a laboratory technician at a potash mine in my hometown. I gained additional life experience, spent time with my family and was able to help financially support my husband’s pursuit of education after he had so selflessly supported me for many years.

My first exposure to anesthesia was in my first year of medical school with [Dr. name here] as my mentor in clinical reasoning. I was again, intrigued by the anatomy and physiology with the interlacing of pharmacology. I remained open to all specialties, however, after summer early exposures, research, and clerkship it became clear to me that anesthesia is where I felt the most fulfilled and motivated.

In a way, anesthesia was reminiscent of the competitive volleyball I had played years prior. I was again a part of a team in the operating room with a common goal. Similarly, our countless years of education and practice had brought us together to achieve it. In volleyball, my role was the setter, which to many is considered a lackluster position as we rarely attack the ball and score points with power. However, as a setter, my role is to set the pace, strategize and dictate the game from my team’s perspective. There is a long sequence of crucial events before a “kill” in volleyball and I strategized my teammate's individual strengths in both offense and defense to win. Anesthesia gives me the same opportunities to strategize anesthetics, balance individual patient’s comorbidities and anatomy all while maintaining a calm demeanor and level head through unexpected circumstances. In volleyball, I never shied away from tense games or difficult situations, instead I trusted in my own abilities and training despite uncharted territory. Lastly, I didn't need to actually score the point in order to understand my role and contributions to my team.

As an athlete, I understand the importance of practice and repetition which allow us to fail, but most importantly, to learn. I believe that the curriculum at this program will provide me with a well-respected education, which strongly reflects my learning style. I also admire the mandatory communication block in the curriculum because I believe an emphasis on clear and concise communication, is essential as an anesthetist.

Throughout the course of the next 5-10 years, I anticipate that both my husband and I will complete the next chapter in our educational pursuits. We both agree that [program name here] has the potential to nurture the next chapter in both our private and professional lives if given the opportunity.

What Makes This Sample Effective?

1. the theme is personal and consistent.

In this anesthesiology residency personal statement example , the author of this passage carries the theme of athletics throughout the statement. Having a theme can unify your personal statement and give it direction. This is a good example of a way to use a theme to tie together different ideas. Having a good theme is also something you should keep in mind when you’re answering anesthesiology residency interview questions , as program directors want to see that this particular specialty choice wasn’t simply drawn out of a hat; rather, your emphasis on a theme can demonstrate that your choice was intentional and the right fit.

2. The tone is positive throughout

Also, take note of how the author explained the transition to different schools without speaking negatively of the institutions. In your own personal statement, feel free to use the names of the universities you attended. They have been redacted here for anonymity. This statement has parts where you could customize it. Use the name of the program when possible or the name of the town. Taking time to add this into your statement shows the program that you pay attention to detail while personalizing it to each program.

3. Lessons learned apply to medicine

The writer of this personal statement relies on analogy to connect their experience to their interest in anesthesiology: “I understand the importance of practice and repetition which allow us to fail, but most importantly, to learn.” This analogy works so well because it shows why the applicant is suited to the program and specialty, it reveals an important aspect of their personality with evidence, and it sets expectations for how they want to contribute to the field. In your essay, you can use a similar strategy by tying together a major life theme or event with what you learned and how that applies to your medical training.

I was six years old when my father read to me the first chapter of “How Things Work.” The first chapter covered doors and specifically, the mechanics in a doorknob. What lay hidden and confined in the door panel was this complex system that produced a simple action. I credit this experience as the onset of my scientific curiosity and eventually my passion for complex systems found in medicine. Intensivists vigilantly maintain homeostasis within the human body, a complex system in and of itself, a concept I recognize as personally fascinating and enticing. I find myself especially drawn to the field of critical care and intensive care medicine. My dreams to become an intensivist would be highly complimented by a residency in surgery.

In critical care, each patient in the ICU is usually in a general state of shock. From the initial state of shock, the patient can be further complicated with comorbidities and chronic diseases that may require further intensive medical intervention so that they may recover from a recent surgery or traumatic event. This dynamic nature of the ICU is not available in every unit of the hospital and the high level of acuity does not suit everyone. I, however, enjoy the high energy of the enthralling, engaging and exciting environment offered by the ICU. I am personally energized and awakened by managing patients with surgically-altered physiology coupled with comorbidities. There is an overwhelming satisfaction when a patient following a bilateral lung transplant gets up from his bed and walks through the unit after days of being bedridden, or the moment we can discontinue the lines we had the patient on and finally talk to them after two weeks of intubation and sedation. Being in the ICU also encompasses the emotional seesaw of going from a successful patient case to a room in which a family has just decided that comfort care is the best way to proceed, which gives me chills just to type and verbalize.

The work of an intensivist is not only limited to the patient, but also the emotional well-being of the patient’s family as well. My involvement in the ICU has taught me that sometimes it is necessary to talk to a patient’s family, to explain to them simply that the postoperative expectations that they had had, may not be met. Communication is key in this field, both with the patients and the physicians of the OR. Communication prevents perioperative complications, establishes a willingness to follow directions and relays professionalism. It is important for an intensivist to have an excellent understanding of surgical procedures, so that they may explain to the patient what to expect as well as ease the nerves of the patient preoperatively. A surgical residency would facilitate this understanding and undoubtedly prove to be useful in my future training.

Studying medicine in Europe has taught me volumes about myself, how driven, motivated and open-minded I can be. To move so far away from home and yet be so familiar with the language, I feel blessed to be able to say that I’ve had a high level of exposure to diversity in my life. The mentality in [insert country name here] is if you don’t see the doctor, you are not sick. This common thought has to lead to an outstanding environment to study medicine and to see end-stage, textbook presentations of various pathologies and their management. Studying medicine in two languages has in itself taught me that medicine is a language and that the way a patient presents, conveys themselves, and the findings of the physical examination, all represent the syntax of the diagnosis. This awareness has reminded me that patient care, relief of patient suffering and illness, transcends the grammatical rules of the patient’s native tongue. My clinical experience in [insert country here] will aid me in providing thoughtful care to my future patients.

All things considered, I am ready to leave my home of the last four years and come back to the United States, to enter the next stage of my life and career. I am ready to work harder than ever, to prove myself to my future residency program and most importantly, learn so that I may be a suitable candidate for a future fellowship program in critical care. My experiences abroad have constantly pushed me to new horizons and encouraged responsibilities that I don’t believe I would otherwise have. I’ve developed a new level of human connection through my work in the ICU, the OR and my travels throughout Europe. These experiences will aid me in working with a diverse patient population and a diverse team of physicians. I hope [the program name here] can give me the variety and the background in surgery that I will need to succeed.

1. Atypical experiences are justified

This surgery personal statement example has to do double duty for the admissions committee. It has to explain why surgery, what this student can offer, and why this student is passionate about the field while simultaneously explaining why the applicant chose medical school abroad. If you are applying to a country where you did not attend medical school there, you have to explain why you studied abroad. This often poses a challenge for students. Be honest and positive about your experience. This student did an excellent job of explaining why it was such a good fit for their personality while highlighting the advantages of this experience.

Focus on the characteristics you gained from your experience abroad. Explain how your experience will translate into success in your residency. There are many things to be gained from having spent time outside of your home country. Talk about the skills you developed from living abroad. Unique details like those will set you apart when you are writing your statement.

2. Makes unique experiences an advantage

This applicant studied abroad in Europe. The way they talk about it is key: they explain how the experience was a challenge that they learned from. Most programs and schools are looking for medical school graduates who can contribute to their vision of diversity. If you have experience travelling abroad, this is a good chance for you to explain how this enriched your perspective and professional capabilities. Some of the skills that this applicant discusses are assets for a career in medicine: speaking two languages, exposure to diverse people and methods, and the ability to work with a large patient and physician population from different backgrounds. If you endeavor to explain some of your diverse experiences, be sure to make it clear what you gained and how you can apply it to your residency training.

3. The writer’s voice and style are unique

To get matched to the program and school of your choice, you will need to stand out from the crowd. To do this effectively in your personal statement, give your writing a unique style and allow your personality to shine through. In this example, the writer achieves this in the first paragraph in the “hook” in which they describe when their father used to read “How Things Work”; this life event left a lasting impression, and the writer links this to why a residency in surgery would benefit their goal of becoming an intensivist. With a first draft, it’s okay to experiment with word choice and content. Make sure you include all the necessary elements and formatting requirements, but try your best to put the “personal” in personal statement. Note that this is a general surgery example; if you were applying for plastic surgery or neurosurgery, you should read plastic surgery residency personal statement examples or neurosurgery personal statement examples for a slightly varied essay strategy.

Writing a residency personal statement? Here are the top books for residency applicants:

Residency Personal Statement Examples #4: Emergency Medicine

One of the most surprising things that I learned through my emergency medicine (EM) electives is that working in an emergency department is like leading a horse. I grew up on a farm in the [name of city], and working with animals was very much a part of my childhood. When walking a horse, one must be prepared for anything should the animal become spooked. It can startle at any moment and one must react quickly and calmly to redirect the thousand-pound creature. Similarly, in EM, one never knows when the department is going to become “spooked” by what comes through the door. EM is exciting, with a variety of patient presentations and medical procedures done on a daily basis. I enjoy dealing with the unexpected challenges that arise in caring for patients with backgrounds vastly different from my own. It would be a privilege to gain the skills as an emergency physician to provide acute life-saving care, to connect patients with resources and other healthcare professionals, and to provide comfort to patients and families in the settings of acute loss or difficult diagnoses. I feel that the [name of program] is the ideal path to reach that goal.

First, the [name of program] offers additional support and training to continue to perform research and other scholarly activities. Through my experience in quality improvement, I have learned of the value of research and how it can be applied to practical problems. For instance, while volunteering in a pool rehabilitation program for individuals with neurological disabilities, a patient who I had worked with for a year tragically suffered a fall and broke his hip leaving him significantly disabled. This led me to research inpatient falls during medical school and I initiated a quality improvement project and presented at several conferences, quality improvement rounds, and meetings with hospital stakeholders. After several years of work, I am very proud that this led to the implementation of a province-wide quality improvement initiative funded by [name of organization]. This initiative is physician-led and is aimed at reducing inpatient falls across [name of city]. This project demonstrated how rewarding research is when it can be translated into tangible initiatives and is why I am particularly interested in quality improvement research. I look forward to more dedicated time in the [name of program] to develop my research skills and to apply quality improvement to EM.

In addition to increased training in research, the [name of program] offers the opportunity to subspecialize within EM. While in medical school, I helped my single mother raise my much younger siblings and this has inspired my interest in pediatric EM. I maximized my studying through the effective use of weekly group study sessions and podcasts to allow for free weekends to return home to spend with my brother and sister. Through my experiences teaching and playing with my siblings, I have learned to deal with children in a calm and friendly manner. I used these skills to maintain positive therapeutic relationships with children during my pediatric EM rotation at [name of hospital]. For instance, I was able to cast the forearm of a frightened child by first demonstrating the procedure on her toy rabbit, and then calmly fitting a cast on her arm. I enjoy the emphasis on patient and family education as well as the focus on making the patient feel safe and cared for. I would love to explore this field further as my niche within the [name of program] in emergency medicine.

Alongside research and pediatric EM, I am also interested in teaching. Some of my fondest memories involve the evening teaching sessions during primary and secondary school spent with my grandpa, a retired teacher. My grandpa modeled effective teaching techniques, first assessing my knowledge and then expanding on it by asking questions and providing guidance when needed. Similarly, some of my best memories in medical school include the five-minute bedside teaching sessions after interesting cases that were taught in that way. Inspired by many residents and staff I have worked with, I look forward to expanding my teaching role in residency. Like my grandpa and my clinical mentors, I hope to help future students maximize their learning potential through the delivery of lectures and bedside teaching. Training within the [name of program] would allow additional time to develop the skills necessary for this, through increased exposure to mentorship, teaching role models, and opportunities to be involved in curricular development.

I would feel privileged to join the resident team in the [name of program]. I was fortunate that most of my core clerkship training including EM, as well as my fourth year EM elective, was at the [name of hospital]. What stands out the most to me most about working in the [name of hospital] is the tight-knit community feel in the setting of a high volume, high acuity ED. I value that the small program leads to a cohesive resident group and staff who are invested in their learners. Furthermore, from my rotations there, I know the ample procedural and hands-on exposure residents get from the beginning of their training. With my interest in pediatric EM, I value the longitudinal exposure to pediatrics at [name of program], with opportunities to do dedicated pediatric rotations both at [name of hospital], as well as [name of hospital]l. Finally, the [name of city] is my home; my family and friends are here, and I love the hiking, fishing, kayaking, and snowboarding that are all less than an hour away. I would be incredibly honored to have the privilege of pursuing EM in the [name of program], and look forward to serving my community.

Read some more Emergency Medicine Personal Statement Examples !

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The thought of caring for severely ill children seemed disheartening and overwhelming when I first began shadowing [name of doctor] at [name of hospital] five years ago. I was very nervous. While some of the cases were indeed difficult, my experience was starkly different. In one of our first cases, I quickly jumped in to comfort a scared child suffering from kidney disease. The mother of our patient confided in me about her son's struggles with bullying due to the disfiguring edema. I felt how much she appreciated being able to share her son’s challenges with me. Throughout my clinical experiences, I saw that caring for a pediatric patient often involves delicately navigating complex social situations and family dynamics. From that point on, I knew I had both the passion and compassion to succeed as a future pediatrician.

I am particularly keen to complete my residency at the [name of school], because I had such an immersive learning experience completing 5 years of research with [name of doctor] at [name of hospital] and at [name of hospital], not to mention [name of school]'s stellar international reputation. The incredibly high standard of excellence at [name of school], as well as [name of city] being my hometown, make the [name of school] my top choice to complete my residency. To further demonstrate the excellent education, I remember a time while shadowing at [name of hospital] in the genetics clinics where we discussed the pathophysiology of Bartter’s syndrome. The residents were having a hard time understanding this disease, but [name of doctor] explained the exact pathophysiology and downstream effects of it. The incredible intellect, mentorship and leadership [name of doctor] demonstrated has inspired me to pursue a nephrology fellowship upon completion of my residency.

During my elective rotations in [name of cities], I saw indigenous pediatric patients with a variety of ailments from hypoglycemia to cystic fibrosis. I spoke with them about the struggles of travelling long distances to obtain care. As an Inuit member of the [name of group], I have spent time reflecting on the medical needs of this much-overlooked population and hope to explore ways of reaching out to underserved populations in my future career.

I am prepared to be a leader and engaged learner in my residency program because of my participation in impactful leadership roles. I am currently the president of the [name of society], where one of my main duties is coordinating the [name of initiative], an initiative that teaches children about hospitals and healthy living. I was able to spend one-on-one time with disabled children teaching them about the heart through dance and instruments and activities to decrease fears associated with hospitals. This demonstrated the importance of promoting health care initiatives for kids and educate families and their children on how to be advocates of their own health.

As a competitive Irish dancer for sixteen years, I developed perseverance, determination, and time management that have been critical throughout my medical school training. Competing in front of judges and thousands of spectators all over the world, performing to my best ability under intense pressure was a necessity. I persevered with the challenge of competing at an international level and still maintained a very high level of academic performance while achieving my career high of second at the World Championships.

As an IMG applicant born and raised in [name of city] and educated in [name of country], I believe that my international education provides many advantages. I was exposed to diverse cultures and innovative ways of thinking from teachers from all over the globe at the [name of college] that I hope to bring back to Canada with me. Through the last 6 years, I have also had many research experiences and clinical electives in Canada that have given me insights into the intricacies of the Canadian Health Care system.

I am confident that pediatrics is the field I wish to pursue and I cannot wait to begin my residency so that I can start becoming an excellent clinician who advocates for children, as well as a scholar involved in research projects that will help advance the field. After successfully completing my pediatric residency program, I plan to pursue a pediatric fellowship. I am excited at the prospect of working and learning at the [name of school] while being an active and professional member of your residency program. I am also looking forward to developing my teaching skills and contributing to the community while also enjoying bike rides down the paths in the [name of path] and to be reunited with my [name of city] based family.

Want to see more Pediatrics Personal Statement Examples ?

“Code blue, electrophysiology laboratory” a voice announces overhead during my cardiology rotation. As the code team, we rush to the patient, an elderly man in shock. Seamlessly, we each assume our preassigned roles. I quickly review his chart and note to the team-leader that this patient had a previous EF of 10 percent and just got cardioverted. Vasopressors administered, intubation, central line secured, and the patient is stabilized and sent to our floor. During my rotations in internal medicine, I was constantly elated by my team’s ability to come together at such key moments. This gave me a sense of joy I did not find in other rotations. Moreover, I had inspiring attending physicians and residents who served as my mentors. They taught me that an internist is a medical expert committed to evidence-based medicine and perpetual learning, a compassionate physician, and an engaged community member. These lessons and the satisfaction of managing highly complex cases with a dedicated team consolidated my interest in internal medicine.

Compassion and a holistic approach to medicine remain quintessential for patient care. During my rotations, I took advantage of opportunities to learn from my patients both at the bedside and through independent reading. As a senior student, I prepared learning capsules that I presented to my team. This taught me to synthesize and communicate information efficiently. Beyond that, I took courses outside of the formal curriculum such as a point-of-care ultrasound course to improve my ultrasound procedural skills. When we no longer had any curative interventions to offer patients, I learned that acknowledging the patients’ suffering and being present for them in their most vulnerable time can ease their pain. As a resident at [name of school], I will continue my dedication to academic excellence and compassionate, patient-centered care in my efforts to care for my patients.

I have built strong ties to my community serving as president of the [name of school] Biology Student Union. Together, we enacted a complex study space and locker initiative through my role as a mentor at [name of organization]. These experiences instilled in me the values of proactivity and advocacy which I aim to bring with me to [name of school]. There, I hope to continue my community engagement as a mentor with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of [name of city]. Moreover, as I learn more about [name of town]'s healthcare system, I hope to combine that knowledge with my medical education to add my perspective to health policy decision-making in the province.

In addition to its excellent academic reputation, [name of school]’s commitment to academic excellence and continuing education, as exemplified by the abundant academic teaching, drew me to the program. Moreover, given my belief that we develop to be an amalgam of characteristics and values our mentors espouse, I was delighted to learn about the mentorship opportunities available. This was a unique characteristic that motivated me to apply to [name of school]. Finally, having lived in [name of city] for the last ten years, I am looking forward to spending the next chapter of my life in a smaller, more tightly knit community of [name of city].

As I learned and modeled the different roles of an internist, I also learned a lot about myself. I learned of my thirst for knowledge, of my desire to treat as well as to heal the patient, and of my urge to be a leader in my community. These characteristics will play a defining role in my residency. I also learned of my passion for acute medicine. After my residency, I hope to further subspecialize in cardiology. As a future cardiologist, I aim to provide patient-centered care, conduct research, continue my community engagement, and act as a role model to future generation.

Get inspired with these Cardiology Personal Statement Examples !

Watch this to learn what red flags to avoid in your residency personal statement!

Residency Personal Statement Examples #7: Psychiatry

I grew up in a tight knit military family in a community struck with the stigma of mental illness. Throughout my childhood we lost friends to the complications of untreated mental illness including overdose and suicide. I knew at that point that I wanted to pursue mental illness and completed a psychology degree and then a nursing degree. In University, I volunteered in a distress service for 6 years, providing individual sessions to students on issues including suicidality, interpersonal violence and addiction. As a registered nurse, I honed my skills in mental status examinations and cared for their comorbid psychiatric illness with medical disease utilizing communication and building rapport. I saw the impact of life altering conditions and procedures on their mental health. As a medical student, I continued to explore psychiatry through City X summer studentship and appreciated the breadth of psychiatric practice. As a clerk, I completed a range of psychiatric electives, caring for patients in multiple care settings and across various socioeconomic and age ranges. I enrolled in the integrated community clerkship, in X town, a community 900 km North of X city. The socioeconomic disparities and lack of access to mental health services had a negative impact on community, with suicidality and addictions. I followed my patients across practice domains assessing their functioning, medication regimen and continued to build a collaborative relationship. This proved crucial to uncover their health status across domains and helped me identify areas to support their challenges. 

I value the ability to understand my patients from a biopsychosocial framework and addressing negative thought processes in support of their wellness. I view our duty in psychiatry is to support their strengths on a trajectory to wellness and provide guidance and resources utilizing pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies. Psychiatry is a newer field of medicine, allowing for ongoing innovations in treatment and practice. This is exciting to explore novel approaches to treatments as we continue to uncover the physiological, neurological and pharmacological dimensions of mental health. It is also important to recognize the challenges of psychiatry. The history of mental illness creates access to care barriers from both a structural viewpoint with longer wait times and on a personal level due to their concern about the social and occupational implications of stigma. As our population ages, this threatens to overwhelm the current psychiatric infrastructure and will require more complex approaches due to medical comorbidities and medication contraindications. We will require ongoing research focused on medical comorbidities of neuropsychiatric illness and treatment modalities to improve quality of care. 

I am drawn to the University of X psychiatry program due to its resident focused approach. I appreciate the ongoing mentorship and supervision and the preparatory endeavors including the mock examinations. From a clinical perspective, the program has a strong psychotherapy curriculum and offers unique elective opportunities including electroconvulsive therapy. The ability to continue serving rural communities solidifies my interests in this well-known program. 

Check out these Psychiatry Personal Statement Examples !

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Residency Personal Statement Examples #8: Internal Medicine

“People are drawn to medicine in one of two ways: the humanity or the science.” My mentor, [name of doctor], staff medical oncologist at the [name of hospital], once told me this. As a volunteer during my premedical studies, I assisted him with his impromptu lunchtime clinics while others were on break and was able to catch a glimpse of his patients’ unshakable trust in him. Those moments sparked my interest in Internal Medicine. Internists are entrusted with the most complex patients in any hospital. Therefore, Internists take on the responsibility of a patient’s trust in their lowest, most disoriented moments. Accordingly, when I finally started clinical rotations, I saw it as my responsibility to fully understand each patient’s motivations and fears to advocate for their goals. One patient I had gotten to know still stands out in my mind. She was 95, witty, and self-assured but was found to have bone metastasis causing excruciating pain during her hospital stay. She knew she did not want aggressive life-prolonging treatment and declined further workup, but how could we help her? I suggested palliative radiotherapy to my team because I remember her telling me “I had a good life. I am not scared of death, but if I have to be around for a while, can’t I be more comfortable?” Therefore, my team entrusted me to talk to her and her family about a referral to Radiation Oncology. She responded to me with “I don’t think there’s anyone who knows what I’d want better than you. You’ve listened to me so much. I trust you.” I spent the next half hour explaining the rationale behind the referral to both her and her family. She received urgent Radiotherapy two weeks later. Her narcotic requirement decreased by more than half. After that moment, I envisioned that one day, I could also look into the eyes of someone at their most vulnerable moment and give them confidence to trust me and my team with their care.

Although my interest in Internal Medicine is rooted in the human connection, my attention to detail, work ethic, and natural curiosity, also makes me especially well-suited for the challenges of Internal Medicine. Indeed, beyond the human connection, Internal Medicine’s challenges of complex problem solving, and large ever-growing breadth of knowledge is also what makes each day so satisfying. When I was on the Nephrology Consult service, I was following a patient with a kidney transplant who was admitted for Line Sepsis. I noticed a mild Non-Anion Gap Metabolic Acidosis and a persistent mild Hyperkalemia. I presented my findings to my staff as a possible Type 4 RTA. He complimented me on my attention to detail and warned that a Type 4 RTA in a kidney transplant patient could be a sign of rejection. We restarted his anti-rejection medication that had been held due to his infection, his electrolyte abnormalities corrected in less than two days. My attention to detail is a particular asset for Internal Medicine because more than any other specialty, the tiniest details like a mildly abnormal lab work, when pieced together in the correct way, could solve the most difficult clinical problem. That is also what makes problem-solving in Internal Medicine so satisfying. My mentors have always complimented me on my work ethic. However, I enjoy staying late for admissions and additional learning or reading hours around my patients at home because learning Internal Medicine is so interesting.

On the other hand, Internists are also tasked with the very large, working with multiple professionals and navigate system issues to keep patients healthy and out of hospital such as when [name of doctor] entrusted me with planning the discharge of a homeless patient during my Medicine CTU elective at [name of hospital]. The patient had Schizophrenia and Grave’s Disease and had been admitted to hospital multiple times that year with thyrotoxicosis due to medication non-adherence. During his admission, I had elicited the help of two homeless outreach coordinators to ensure proper follow-up. Therefore, by the time of discharge, he had a new family doctor, timely appointments with the family doctor and endocrinologist, maps with directions to each appointment, his prescription medications ready to go, as well as a new apartment application.

Ultimately, I am fortunate to be drawn to Internal Medicine for both its humanity and science. I believe that I have the qualities that will help me excel in its smallest details and its largest responsibilities. In residency, I aim to explore and learn as much Internal Medicine as possible before becoming an expert in one area so I can make an informed choice and be a well-rounded physician. Therefore, the fact that [name of city] has so many leading experts especially suits my learning goals. Indeed, during my electives in [name of city], I’ve already learned knowledge that I’ve not encountered elsewhere like the Bernese method of Buprenorphine induction. The availability of resources such as the DKA management simulation and the use of presentations of cutting-edge knowledge as part of evaluation also suits my self-directed learning style. Furthermore, my research has focused on the PMCC Gastro-Esophageal Cancer Database where we were able to discover various new details in the clinical behavior of Gastro-Esophageal cancer due to the large volume of patients are PMCC and its world-class expertise. This line of research would not work as well anywhere else in [name of country]. Indeed, our database is currently the second-largest in the world. Therefore, the second reason [name of city] is my ideal place for training is for its unique research opportunities, so I can continue to contribute to further medical knowledge. Lastly, [name of city] is the most diverse city in [name of country]. Growing up as an immigrant, I had experienced how cultural backgrounds can become a barrier to receiving good medical care. Therefore, the diverse patient population and strong allied health support in [name of city] could also allow me to hone the skills required to assist me in providing good quality care to all patients, regardless of background.

Here are more Internal Medicine Personal Statement Examples !

My first exposure to Family Medicine occurred during my time as a Medical Officer working in a small clinic in Nigeria in fulfilment of the [name of service]. There, I recognized that a career in this specialty would offer me the opportunity to not only experience the aspects I cherished most about other specialties, but fulfill my personal interests in advancing community health.

My many encounters with patients during my days in the clinic reaffirmed my view of Primary care physicians as being on the frontline of diagnosis and preventive medicine. There was the middle-aged diabetic patient who had first presented to the emergency with diabetic ketoacidosis, the hypertensive man whose initial complaint of a persistent headache prompted the discovery of his soaring blood pressure, and the adolescent with a family history of allergies who was diagnosed with asthma. These encounters highlighted that as the first point of contact, the general practitioner is not only responsible for diagnosis, but often in ensuring patients are set on the path of healthy habits to prevent disease complications. This unique opportunity to significantly advance the well-being of a patient, and by extension, the community renewed my interest in the field.

An especially appealing feature of Family Medicine is that it provides an opportunity for patient care without limitations of age, sex, disease or organ system. From treating colds and routine checkups to referral for a suspected malignancy, I enjoyed that every day in the clinic was a learning experience and no day was routine. In addition, having a diverse population of patients and cases requires an abundance of clinical knowledge and I cherish the chance to learn and expand my skills every day.

I also value that an essential part of Primary care is in the enduring relationships the practitioners develop with patients. I recall several moments during my clinical experiences when I recognized that some of the bonds formed during ongoing patient interactions had evolved into lasting friendships. Being a practice of continual care, I appreciate that this specialty provides many opportunities to follow patients through different stages of their lives ensuring a deepening of relationship and compliance with care. I was inspired during my clinical rotation here in the United States when I saw how my preceptorís long-term relationships with patients enabled their compliance and often extended to different generations within one family.

Ultimately, I am confident that my experiences have prepared me for a career in this specialty. An agreeable, attentive and compassionate nature has aided me in gaining trust as well as building meaningful interpersonal relationships which are crucial components of this field. Furthermore, my interaction with an extensive array of patients during my clinical and volunteer experiences has equipped me with the ability to communicate and relate to patients across different age groups and backgrounds. In addition, I enjoy working to coordinate patient care with colleagues and other specialties and value that the wellness of the patient is a result of hard work, dedication, and teamwork.

Thus, I hope to find a residency program dedicated to providing in-depth clinical training with a diverse patient population and an emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention through patient education and community service. Moreover, I look forward to being part of a program that will encourage my pursuit of intellectual development and advancement to enable my transition into a well-rounded, competent and skilled physician committed to serving people with needs in all areas of medicine. With a career in this specialty, I know that every day will bring a new opportunity to influence health behaviors, and while there will be challenges, fulfilling them will always be satisfying.

Here I am, yet again. Last year, I also applied for a position as a dermatology resident. Though I was not selected, I return with the same diligence and perseverance, as well as additional skills and knowledge. My continued dedication to pursue a career in dermatology reminds me that no good thing comes easily and pushes me to stay motivated and work hard toward my goals. 

I am drawn to dermatology for a host of reasons, one of which is the opportunity to work with my hands. In my current residency program, I have had the opportunity to assist in various surgical procedures. I recall the subdued exhilaration I felt when removing my first lipoma and the satisfaction of observing the surgeon completed the procedure with precision and care. My excitement for surgery continued to be reinforced in the many subsequent procedures I assisted with and I look forward to honing my surgical skills further as I complete my training in dermatology. 

However, to me, “hands-on” is defined as more than just its literal meaning. The opportunity to build relationships with patients steers me more towards a career in outpatient medicine. During my dermatology outpatient rotation, I was involved in the care of a patient who presented initially complaining of a heliotrope rash and gottron’s papules. When she expressed a deep sense of shame about this rash, I became acutely aware of how patient’s external disease can influence their internal emotions. I thus responded empathetically, simultaneously validating her concerns and providing her with much-needed assurance. When she was later diagnosed with dermatomyositis secondary to underlying breast cancer, this patient requested to speak to me specifically, recalling the positive interaction we had shared before. Again, I was able to explain the diagnosis and treatment plan with patience and regard for her every concern. Developing a trusted physician-patient relationship is crucial in the field of dermatology because most patients exhibit strong internal emotions from their visually external disease. Also important is the ability to deliver difficult news and be considerate of patients’ feelings in these delicate moments. I plan to continue to use these skills during my career as a dermatologist.  

To me, dermatology is also a field that is thought-provoking and stimulating due to its constant evolution and advancements. Thus, during my internship, I committed to educating myself in the field of dermatology through multiple research projects. My research thus far has been focused on whether UV light lamps used in gel manicures increases the risk of skin cancers as well as the outcomes of using intralesional 5-fluorouracil for squamous cell carcinoma and keratoacanthomas. While my research was focused in the field of dermatology, I did not hesitate to take on additional projects, pursuing assignments in both breast cancer and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. I strongly believe the best doctors have a thorough understanding of the practice of medicine in totality as our ability to incorporate this knowledge in our diagnosis and treatment of our patients directly impacts their wellbeing. For these reasons, I strive to continually educate myself in not only dermatology, but other fields that might have implications on my practice. 

My ideal dermatology program would allow me to manage a variety of complex medical dermatological conditions and engage in research, both of which will continue to challenge me intellectually and push me to exercise creativity to develop innovative solutions to dermatological treatments. As someone who enjoys working with my hands and the instant gratification of the surgical approach as a treatment option, I would also value the opportunity to perform surgeries and improve my surgical skills. Furthermore, I have found that beyond medicine, the people in each program make or break an experience. Positive attitudes, expressed dedication, and mentorship are vital characteristics in any program of my interest.

I am confident my aspirations will be fulfilled in the field of dermatology, but more importantly, I know I will be a good contribution to this field and your program – my work ethic, motivation, and commitment unwavering. I am determined, impassioned, and excited to embark on this next phase of my journey. 

Check out even more Dermatology Personal Statement Examples !

10 more residency personal statement examples, residency personal statement example #11, residency personal statement example #12, residency personal statement example #13, residency personal statement example #14, residency personal statement example #15, residency personal statement example #16, residency personal statement example #17, residency personal statement example #18, residency personal statement example #19, residency personal statement example #20.

Want some more residency personal statement tips?

How To Address Areas of Concern

There are some things that are out of our control. Sometimes we have to take time off to deal with personal issues, or sometimes we have to retake tests. If you have something you feel like you need to explain in your application, the personal statement is the area to address it. If you had a leave of absence or failed an exam, you should offer a clear, unemotional explanation of the situation. Use positive language. Whatever the area of concern, try and phrase it in the most favorable light. Take accountable for what has happened, but do not place blame or make an excuse. Here are some phrases you can try and use in your personal statement.

Sometimes we have to interact with people who we don't see eye to eye with. When I worked with (you can choose to say the person's name or just use their title) I learned how to (insert a lesson here). Even though it was a challenge, I have gained skills that will better my future practice. ","label":"Unfavorable Evaluation by an Attending","title":"Unfavorable Evaluation by an Attending"}]" code="tab1" template="BlogArticle">

Keep in mind that these are suggestions. If you are concerned about an area of your application that might be a red flag, it may be in your best interest to address it head-on. The choice to write about them is your own individual opinion. Your personal statement should highlight the best side of you. If you think that an area of weakness might hurt your chances, it may be beneficial to take ownership of the problem and write it in a way that will show what you learned and how it made you better.

For the most part, your residency personal statement should be within a one-page limit or approximately 750-850 words. Be sure to check your specific program requirements to verify before you begin writing.

It's entirely up to you if you want to address unfavorable grades or gaps in your studies. However, if you feel something in your application will be seen as a red flag, it's best to address issues head-on instead of having admissions committees dwell on possible areas of concern.

If you're going to address a gap, just ensure that you have a clear narrative for why you took these breaks, what you did on break and what this break means for your ability to function at a very high academic level for many years to come.

If you're addressing a poor evaluation, ensure that you take responsibility for your grade, discuss what you learned and how your performance will be improved in the future - then move on. It's important that you don't play the victim and you must always reflect on what lessons you've learned moving forward.

Absolutely. While it's not necessary to discuss your personal connection to a program location, showing program directors that you have ties to their program's location can give you a competitive edge over other applicants. The reason being is that it's a way to show program directors that you are invested in practicing medicine locally.

That's not to say that you have to apply to programs that are within your home state or province, but if one of the reasons you love a particular program is because of its location in your hometown, don't be afraid to mention this. Whether you enjoy the outdoor activities in the program's location, have family and friends in the area, or even grew up in the area at some point, these can all be great aspects to mention.

Firstly, it's important to check the program's specific requirements for your statement because some programs have a specific prompt or multiple prompts that you'll need to address. If you are not given a prompt, in general, your statement needs to answer “why this specialty?” and “why this program?”. Your responses must be supported with your personal experiences and your statement should incorporate your future career goals.

No, instead you'll be preparing one personal statement for each specialty. For example, if you're applying to emergency medicine and family medicine, you'll need to prepare one statement for emergency medicine and one statement for family medicine.

As long as it's during the application season, you can edit and review your personal statement. However, keep in mind that if you edit your personal statement, there is no guarantee that programs will review the most up to date version. For this reason, it's best to only assign your personal statement to programs once you've 100% happy with the final version.

No, there is no limit on how many personal statements you can create. 

Your personal statement should have three major structural elements: the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. Your thesis statement will appear in your introduction in the first paragraph. The body is for you to discuss major experiences relevant to your chosen specialty, and the conclusion is generally the place to summarize and highlight some of the item you mentioned in the body or introduction.

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Eras & Personal Statement

Our Residency Personal Statement Writing & Editing Service can make your application stand out. Our team of experts knows what the admission committee looks for in an applicant. We can create a professional, unique, and effective personal statement that will grab their attention. With our experience in writing these documents, we ensure your statement is perfect. We check everything from grammar and punctuation to content and structure. We also offer editing services to improve any mistakes. Trust us to handle your residency personal statement writing or editing needs. We’ll give you the best chance at getting accepted into your dream program.

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At our company, we take pride in helping applicants stand out from the competition. Our residency personal statement writing and editing services are crafted with strict adherence to the ERAS® application system requirements and provide a unique, professional, and effective product that is customized to each applicant’s particular case. Our experienced experts understand precisely what the admission committee is looking for in an applicant and make use of special questionnaires that ensure our documents are highly personalized to each customer. We also offer editing services to make sure all aspects of your statement are polished and free of mistakes. With our help, you will have the best chance at getting accepted into your dream program.

Get Assistance from The Experts:

If you are looking for help with your residency personal statement, you should consider enlisting the services of an experienced editing service. Professional editors understand the nuances of writing a strong and impactful Personal Statement, which is essential for standing out from other applicants. Such services provide expert feedback on your draft, ensuring that it follows all stylistic and grammatical standards, as well as providing insight into how to improve the overall flow and structure of your essay. Furthermore, these professionals are familiar with the specific requirements of different residency programs, so they can help you make sure that your statement includes all relevant facts and information. By taking advantage of such a personalized service, you can be confident that your personal statement will give a good impression to the admission committee and convince them why you are the best fit for their program.

• Eras Application
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ERAS application is one of the most important documents to create your first impression of the program director. Remember, If your application does not communicate your experience, research and personality effectively, you can lose some great career opportunities. Our experts already went through this process, and they will guide you on exactly how to write your ERAS application. We help IMGs to prepare their ERAS application to enhance their chances to get interviewed and finding the best match.

A personal statement has a huge impact on the entire application process . A major part of your selection for a specific program relies on a personal statement. Writing a personal statement can be very tricky and stressful. It is not about what you do, but rather who you are and how you present your skills, ambitions, and passions. But don’t worry, Differential Diagnosis got this covered too. We have a team of experts to assist you to construct an eye-catching personal statement.

Our expert personal statement writer will work with you to identify the skills and activities that you have been a part of, in relevance to the selection panel. The aim is to showcase a whole life experience and activities in 400 to 1000 words not exceeding a single page. The slightest mistake in writing a personal statement can result in rejection. If you are facing trouble creating a compact personal statement, Differential Diagnosis offers a personal statement that will be completely bespoke based on your experiences and activities to match the person’s specifications for the role. We will continue to make amendments until you are 100% satisfied.

YOUR SATISFACTION IS OUR PRIORITY!

How It Works

Our Editing & Writing Service is designed to provide personalized attention and guidance for every applicant. To get started, simply submit your first draft for editing or complete our questionnaire for writing services. Within hours, you will be connected with one of our experienced editors/writers who will review your document and discuss any modifications needed to ensure it meets all stylistic and grammatical standards.

Once you are satisfied with the first draft, you can work together with your editor/writer to make any necessary changes until the final version is ready. Once approved, your statement will be available in both PDF and Word formats for easy export. With the help of our Pro Service, you can rest assured that your application materials will stand out from other applicants and give a good impression to the admission committee.

Documents for Admission:

Your residency application will require you to submit a variety of documents in order to be considered for admission. These documents may include transcripts, letters of recommendation, and other evidence of your qualifications and experience. In addition, you may need to submit a personal statement that can help you demonstrate why you are an ideal candidate for the program. To ensure that your personal statement is the best it can be, enlisting the help of a professional writer or editor will be beneficial. With their assistance, you can make sure your document effectively conveys who you are as an individual and what makes you an ideal candidate for the position.

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Professional Graduate Editors:

Professional graduate editors can help you stand out in the competitive residency application process. With our expertise, we provide valuable insight into how to best craft your personal statement and make sure it accurately reflects who you are and what makes you an ideal candidate for the program. Our experts can advise you on how to effectively communicate your academic and research experiences, clinical skills, leadership abilities, and any other information that is pertinent to your candidacy. Professional graduate editors can also help proofread and edit your statements for clarity, accuracy, grammar, spelling, syntax, consistency, tone of voice, and more. With their assistance, you can ensure that your personal statement is professional and engaging—and that it will give you the best chance of being accepted into a residency program.

Getting Started Is Easy:

Getting started with a Differential Diagnosis residency writing service is easy. First, you will need to place an order. Provide the files you need help with, select a service type, and make payment online using secure methods such as Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover. Once the payment is complete, log in to your personal customer area and track the process of transformation of your statement. Lastly, when it’s finished, download the final version of your essay and send it to an educational institution of your choice—you’re on your way to becoming a resident! With our professional team of editors guiding you every step of the way toward success, we can help ensure that you have the best chance possible of getting into a top program.

Personal Statement Editing Features

We offer custom editing services tailored to your specific needs, including support from experienced editors who understand the admissions process for residencies. Our editors provide detailed feedback about grammar and structure, as well as identifying areas where you can improve your writing style. Additionally, our team of experts can help you improve your essay’s content by providing valuable insights on common pitfalls to avoid and how to make the most out of your essay. As part of our commitment to quality, we also guarantee that all edited essays are original and free of plagiarism before submission. Finally, we offer unlimited revisions until you are satisfied with the final product – so that you have full confidence in submitting a polished statement!

Flexibility:

We offer flexibility in the services we provide – from brainstorming to polishing the final draft – so that no matter what stage you are in, you can get the help you need. Our experts will also ensure that your essay is free of plagiarism before submission, giving you full confidence when submitting your statement. So take advantage of our flexible services today and let us help make your residency journey easier!

Real Doctors. Insider Insights:

Our team of experienced doctors bring with you a wealth of knowledge and insight on the residency selection process. With their insider insights, they will craft an application that stands out from the crowd and increases your chances of being accepted into your desired program. So if you’re looking to improve your chance of success, take advantage of our team’s experience today!

Surgical Precision:

Our approach to statement writing is designed to ensure surgical precision. Every essay is written with the utmost care and attention to detail, ensuring that every word counts towards creating a compelling narrative. Our editors also review each essay for accuracy, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and clarity of thought. All edits are made directly in the document so you can see exactly what was changed and why. This rigorous process ensures that your final product is a polished piece of work that highlights your strengths and stands out from the crowd. With our precise approach to personal statement writing, you can rest easy knowing that you’re submitting your best work possible!

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Frequently asked questions.

At DifferntialDiagnosis, we understand the importance of your residency application and strive to help you succeed. With that in mind, here are a few answers to frequently asked questions about our residency personal statement writing and editing services:

What is included in the service?

Our comprehensive editing service includes careful proofreading, expert advice on structure and content, as well as personalized support throughout the process.

How long does it take for my order to be completed?

We guarantee delivery within three business days or less.

Are there any guarantees?

Absolutely! Our team is committed to providing high-quality services that stand out from other applications. If you are not satisfied with the outcome, we offer a 100% money-back guarantee.

What happens when I upload my draft personal statement?

Once you have uploaded your draft residency personal statement to your profile, a writer will be assigned to work with you on perfecting and polishing it. The writer will contact you by email to ask for clarifications or additional information that can help them create the best possible statement. After they have incorporated this information, you will get the chance to review the statement and suggest any necessary changes. Finally, the writer will make all final revisions before submitting your personal statement, ensuring it is of the highest quality. Throughout this process, our team is here to provide personalized support and advice, helping to guarantee that your application stands out from other applicants.

I am applying to two specialties, do I need two different residency personal statements?

When applying for multiple specialties, it is important to create separate personal statements for each specialty. This allows you to tailor your statement to the specific requirements of each specialty and emphasize the qualities that make you uniquely qualified for that speciality. Crafting two distinct statements also gives you the opportunity to highlight your unique qualifications and particular interest in each specialty, ensuring that your application stands out from other applicants. At our residency personal statement writing & editing service, we specialize in helping applicants craft custom personal statements that effectively communicate their individual strengths and experiences. Our team of experienced writers are here to provide personalized support throughout the process, guaranteeing an impressive application.

What if I have writer's block and simply can't write 650 words?

If you are struggling to write a residency personal statement due to writer’s block, our experienced team of writers can provide you with the necessary guidance and support. We understand the importance of crafting a well-written statement that conveys your unique experiences and qualifications in an engaging manner. Our editing service is designed to help you overcome any creative barriers you may be facing and ensure that your residency personal statement reflects your story in an articulate manner. We will review your existing drafts and provide constructive feedback on how to improve each section, whether it be developing more compelling stories or improving sentence structure. Don’t worry if you’re struggling to write 650 words – we are here to help get you through this challenging process.

How many revisions will you do?

At our residency personal statement writing and editing service, we offer two revisions of your statement. After you submit your first draft, our team of dedicated writers will review it and provide feedback on how to make it stronger. This includes suggesting areas that need improvement, adding more engaging stories, and providing advice on how to make the content more cohesive. Once you have incorporated these changes into the second draft, we will do a final review to ensure that your residency personal statement is of the highest quality. Our experienced writers are available to answer any questions you may have throughout the process and ensure that your statement fully reflects who you are as an individual.

How much time does it take for you to edit a personal statement?

Our professional editors typically require between two and four days to provide a thorough review of your personal statement. During this time, we will read the draft for any errors in grammar or syntax, assess the overall structure of your essay, and offer feedback on how to improve its impact. We also take into consideration the specific requirements of your program and make sure that you include all relevant information. Our goal is to help you craft an engaging and persuasive statement that highlights why you are the best fit for the residency position. By taking advantage of our personalized editing service, you can rest assured that you are presenting yourself in the best light possible when applying for residency programs.

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2024-2025 ERAS Residency Application Guide

• By Med School Insiders
• March 26, 2024
• Medical Student
• Residency , Residency Application

The ERAS residency application is completed in your final year of medical school—but really—you should begin preparing yourself for this crucial step throughout your entire time at med school.

Although residencies are educational, they’re quite a bit different from medical school. A residency provides on-the-job training for people to acquire their medical license so that they can become a practicing physician.

This means the application components are quite different from your original medical school application. They must reflect a sense of maturity, growth, and deepened dedication to medicine. Continue reading our ERAS residency application guide, which covers the following topics:

An Introduction to the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS)

Eras residency application timeline, what happens next, eras residency application checklist, residency application mistakes to avoid, eras residency application faqs.

The Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) is the centralized online application service applicants use to deliver their application and supporting documents to residency programs. ERAS streamlines the application process for applicants as well as their Designated Dean’s Office, letter of recommendation authors, and program directors.

ERAS includes four individual but connected applications, which were created to meet the needs of each user group involved in the application process. ERAS provides an impartial, confidential transmission of all applications to programs.

The 4 ERAS Applications:

• MyERAS is where applicants complete their applications, assign supporting documents, select programs, and submit the materials for their selected programs.
• Dean’s Office Workstation (DWS) is where Designated Dean’s Offices upload medical school transcripts and medical school performance evaluations (MSPEs) in support of the applications submitted through ERAS.
• Letters of Recommendation Portal (LoRP) is where letters of recommendation authors submit their letters in support of the applicant applying through ERAS.
• Program Director’s Workstation (PDWS) is where training programs receive and review applications and supporting documents.

How ERAS Works:

• Applicants receive a token (one-time access code) from their Designated Dean’s Office.
• Applicants use the token to register with MyERAS.
• Applicants complete their MyERAS application, assign supporting documents, select programs, and apply to programs.
• The applicant’s Designated Dean’s Office and letters of recommendation authors upload supporting documents.
• Examining boards receive and process requests for transcripts.
• Programs receive the application materials through the Program Director’s Workstation (PDWS).

Technically speaking, ERAS season begins in June, but you should be thinking about your residency application long before then. Use the earlier part of the year to prepare for application season. In the spring, you should be considering which schools you want to apply to, acquiring letters of recommendation, and thinking about the direction you want to take your personal statement.

The ERAS season begins in early June. Obtain your token (one-time access code) at this time by contacting your Designated Dean’s Office. This will grant you access to MyERAS. It’s also a good idea to determine if you will need to take the Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics, also known as Casper.

Here is a list of medical schools that require Casper . If you need to take the test, read our Casper Test Guide for information about scoring, preparation, and more.

Start filling in your application with your work, volunteering, and research experience. Take full advantage of the ERAS Tools and Worksheets for Residency Applicants ; this will help you to determine exactly what kind of information you need to gather to complete your application.

As you work on your application, search for programs you’re interested in and save them for later so that you can organize the correct documents for each program.

June – August

You can only register for ERAS once. Do your utmost to ensure your application is flawless. DO NOT certify your application before you are absolutely sure it is complete, accurate, and exactly what you want to submit. You can only certify your application once—doing so will lock in your application, making it unchangeable for the rest of the application season.

Get all of your details in order and continue fine-tuning your application. Check in to ensure your letters of recommendation are confirmed, get feedback on your personal statement, and make final decisions about which residency programs you want to apply to.

Read: How to Choose a Medical Specialty in 6 Steps

Request your relevant transcripts (USMLE, COMLEX-USA, MSPE, etc.) during this time. You should also begin interview prep during these months so that you are prepared and able to present your best self on the residency interview trail .

ERAS will start accepting applications at the beginning of September. We highly recommend submitting your application well before the deadline . The site also tends to crash around the time they are due because of the high volume of applicants, so ensure you’re not leaving it to the last possible day.

Applications are released to programs at the end of September, and interview invitations can be sent out as early as the next day, so if you submit your application close to the day ERAS releases your application, you could miss out on the first round of interviews.

You also have to apply for the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) , also known as The Match, around this time, which requires a separate application.

1 | Residency Interviews

Interview season for residency programs begins in October and lasts until February. Don’t stray too far from your computer or phone during this time as ideal interview slots fill up fast. Keep your calendar updated at all times so that you can pick optimal dates as soon as they become available.

Read our Residency Interview Guide , which includes common interview questions, 7 strategies for preparing, what to wear, and resources to guarantee your success.

2 | Matched Through NRMP (National Residency Match Program)

The NRMP, also known as The Match, is a system based on a Nobel Prize-winning algorithm designed to allow medical students who are applying for residency to be placed or “matched” into a residency spot at a US program in their chosen specialty.

To participate in a Match, you need to use the NRMP’s secure Registration, Ranking, and Results (R3) system to register and create a username and password. You must have an AAMC ID to register for the Main Residency Match. After registering with NRMP, log back into ERAS and update your profile with your NRMP ID so that program directors can more easily identify you for placement on the program’s rank order lists.

Learn the 7 Things You Must Know About the NRMP Residency Match .

1 | ERAS Experiences Section

The experience section on the residency application provides an opportunity for you to share your work, volunteering, and research experience. Include all relevant experience—not only the experiences relevant to your specialty. You can tailor your personal statement to your specialty, but when it comes to experiences, you want to highlight all that you’ve been up to and what you’ve learned.

When describing each activity, try to answer these three questions in three sentences: What is it? What did you do? What did you learn? This will help the reader to quickly understand your background and what each activity meant to you. A lot of your interview questions will come from this section, so be sure to review it before any interviews.

2 | ERAS Personal Statement

The residency personal statement is your chance to tell your story, explain why you want to join a certain specialty, and demonstrate why you’re qualified to do so. It’s your single opportunity outside of interviews to personally highlight anything that you feel was underrepresented in other parts of your application and provide necessary context for your accomplishments.

Much of your residency application material focuses on your scores and grades, which don’t tell much about who you are as a person or what you’re passionate about. Your letters of recommendation will shed light on your dedication and professionalism, but the personal statement is your chance to tell your story as you see it.

While this may sound like the medical school personal statement, don’t assume you’ll be able to rehash it when writing your residency personal statement. The two are quite different. Residency programs aren’t looking for medical students; they’re looking for young professionals who have vastly improved their medical knowledge, earned their doctorate, and deepened their focus and dedication to medicine.

Your residency personal statement must reflect these differences. You are no longer a wide-eyed premed. Keep the focus of your personal statement on your professional development and why your experiences have made you want to join a certain specialty. Be confident yet humble about your accomplishments so far, and speak passionately about what you hope to accomplish in the specialty.

Technically, the residency personal statement allows for 28,000 characters. We do not recommend using all of this space. Keep your personal statement to one typed page, which is about 700-800 words.

A stand out essay can be enough to get you an interview offer while a poor statement can shut the door on an otherwise top-tier applicant. View our database of Residency Personal Statement Samples , take careful care editing, ask mentors for feedback, and consider professional personal statement editing .

3 | ERAS Letters of Recommendation

Just like the letters of recommendation for your medical school application, ERAS letters of recommendation give residency programs crucial insight into how professional physicians see you—your work ethic, character, specific strengths and attributes, and how well you’ll fit in and contribute to your chosen specialty.

You are allowed to upload an unlimited number of references, but only a maximum of four letters of recommendation per program. Your MSPE or Dean’s Letter do not count as one of your letters. Your letters do not need to be addressed to the specific residency program but should instead be standardized, so that letter writers do not need to draft multiple letters.

It’s ideal to find writers from a range of different specialties and experiences who you have worked closely with, know you extremely well, and who will speak highly of your skills, work ethic, and personal characteristics. You must have at least one letter from an attending you worked with closely, a department chair, or a mentor in your chosen specialty so that they can speak to your aptitude and suitability for that specific specialty.

Your program may also require a letter from someone outside the field of medicine. Carefully scan the specific program requirements of each program on their website to determine exactly what you’ll need.

4 | ERAS Photo

Adding a photo is optional for your application, but it’s highly recommended, as a friendly, professional photo will help those assessing your application remember you. Faculty will see your photo as they make decisions and deliberate over your potential candidacy for residency, and it will help them identify you when you report to interviews.

Upload your own photo in MyERAS by selecting Upload New Photo in the Actions column.

The photo file cannot exceed these requirements:

• Dimensions: 2.5 in. x 3.5 in.
• Resolution: 150dpi
• File Size: 100kb

Ensure it’s a professional-looking, high-quality photo. Wear professional clothing; ideally, something that would be appropriate for a medical school interview. Smile, and ensure you appear friendly and approachable. The background should be plain and subtle, with nothing that will distract from you.

If you know any photographer friends, this is a good time to ask for a favor. If you aren’t experienced using a professional camera yourself, and you don’t know anyone who is, you should pay for a professional photo. You’ve come all this way and have already spent an unbelievable amount of money on medical school. Pay this small cost to ensure you have a quality headshot.

Learn more: ERAS Residency Application Photo Requirements and Tips .

5 | Transcripts

You need to request your USMLE transcript (or COMLEX-USA transcript for DO schools) for your application. Authorize the release of this document during the summer. As you create a timeline for your final years of medical school, ensure you schedule Step 2CK well before the September of your residency application, as it can take weeks for test results to come back.

If you’ve made the request, your school will assemble your MSPE (Medical School Performance Evaluation) letter and transcripts and upload them for you.

Avoid these common mistakes when preparing for and submitting your residency application.

• Certifying (locking in) your ERAS application before it’s perfect.
• Submitting a bland personal statement that doesn’t directly address why you will be a good fit to join a certain specialty.
• Allowing small mistakes to slip through due to carelessness and sloppy editing.
• Not getting strong letters of recommendation from people who will speak highly of you.
• Rehashing your original medical school personal statement.
• Not bothering to submit a photo of yourself.
• Submitting a low-quality or distracting photo.
• Waiting until the deadline to submit your application.
• Waiting too long to begin researching and considering your preferred specialty.
• Not taking notes during your work, volunteer, and research experiences. (Notes will help you describe your experiences in detail.)
• Not considering your residency application throughout your time in medical school.

Applying to residency is quite a bit different than applying to medical school. Read our 9 essential strategies for applying to residency .

How Do I Access MyERAS?

Contact your Designated Dean’s Office to access MyERAS . They will issue you a token, which is a one-time access code to register for MyERAS.

You must acquire an ERAS token from your own Designated Dean’s Office, as your documents will not be accurately uploaded with a token from a different school or organization. You also must make sure that your ERAS token is from the current MyERAS season, as a token from a previous season will not work. ERAS tokens can only be used once to register.

An AAMC account is required to register for MyERAS. If you don’t already have one, you will need to register for one.

How Much Do Residency Applications Cost?

ERAS application fees are based on the number of programs applied to per specialty. If you apply to up to ten programs, it will cost you $99. If you apply to 11-20 programs, the cost is $19 each. Applying to 21-30 programs will cost you $23 each, and applying to 31 programs or more will cost you $27 each.

Additional fees include your USMLE transcript ($80) or your COMLEX-USA transcript ($80), both of which are assessed once per season.

MyERAS automatically calculates your fees. You can pay online using Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover. ERAS does not offer refunds for any reason.

Are There Programs That Don’t Participate in ERAS?

Some specialties or programs do not participate in ERAS. If that’s the case for a program you are interested in, you need to contact that program directly to determine how to apply.

Which Specialties Require a Supplemental ERAS Application?

There are a few specialties that require a supplemental ERAS application in addition to the main MyERAS application. Internal medicine, dermatology, and general surgery use a short (and free) supplemental ERAS application with new questions that provide programs with more information about applicants.

Residency Application Editing With Med School Insiders

Approaching your residency application with care and tact is critical to your success. Our team of doctors has years of experience helping medical students get matched with their ideal program.

Med School Insiders can help you prepare a stand out residency application. We offer a number of Residency Admissions Consulting Services tailored to your needs, including personal statement editing , USMLE tutoring , interview prep and mock interviews , and overall application editing .

Med School Insiders

How to Apply to Dermatology Residency: Step-by-Step Guide

This is everything you need to know about applying to dermatology residency, including how to stand out, signaling, and preparing for the Match.

2024-2025 Residency Application Timeline and Month-by-Month Schedule

We outline the residency application timeline you should follow, including key dates and an ideal month-by-month preparation schedule.

6 Shocking Facts From the 2024 NRMP Match

Let’s dive into the results of the 2024 NRMP Residency Match. Did emergency medicine make a comeback, or is it still a declining specialty? Why are more DOs applying?

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The Residency Personal Statement (2023/2024): The Insider’s Guide (with Examples)

A physician and former residency program director explains how to write your residency personal statement to match in to your top-choice residency program in 2024.

Read example residency personal statements and suggested outlines..

Introduction

The residency personal statement allows residency program directors and associate directors the chance to get a sense of who you are and your commitment to your chosen specialty. 

As a former program director who understands how residency personal statements are reviewed, what “stands out,” and, most importantly, what will earn you interview invitations, the information below will help you write a residency personal statement to match!

It is imperative to make sure you get the most accurate guidance possible with regards to your residency personal statement content and optimal residency personal statement length (up to 5300 characters with spaces).

Want more personalized suggestions? Sign up for a FREE residency personal statement consultation .

Table of Contents

Goals for Writing Your 2024 Residency Personal Statement

Above all else, your residency personal statement offers the opportunity to show your interest in your chosen specialty when applying to residency to illustrate you are a good fit.

The more details you offer about why you are interested in the specialty and how your med school rotations, accomplishments and experiences have reinforced this interest, the stronger your personal statement will be, the more it will appeal to selection committees and the better you will do in the match process .

I encourage applicants to offer as much “evidence” as possible to “show” rather than “tell” what qualities, characteristics and interests they have. “Telling” a reader, for example, that you are compassionate and hard working means nothing. Instead, you must “show” that you embody these qualities based on your experiences in health care and the patients for whom you have cared.

The residency personal statement also offers the opportunity to write about who you are as a person to convey some details about your background, influences, and interests outside of your given specialty.

The Importance of a Balanced Residency Personal Statement

The key when writing your residency personal statement is to ensure that it is well-balanced so it appeals to a large group of people who might read your ERAS residency application.

However, it is important to understand that every program director and faculty member has his or her own idea of what he would like to read in a personal statement. As an applicant, you must go into this process understanding that you cannot please everyone, or a specific program, and your personal statement should therefore have the broadest appeal possible.

For example, some program directors would rather hear about your personal interests and curiosities and get to know who you are rather than have you focus on the specialty in which you are interested.

At MedEdits, we suggest taking a “middle of the road” approach; include some details about who you are but also focus on the specialty itself. In this way, you will make more traditional reviewers who want to hear about your interest in the specialty happy while also satisfying those who would rather learn about you as a person.

Above all, be authentic and true to yourself when writing your statement. This always leads to the best results! Read on to learn more about how to write a winning personal statement.

About MedEdits

Getting into a residency has never been more competitive. Founded by a former associate program director, the experts at MedEdits will make your residency personal statement shine. We’ve worked with more than 5,000 students and 94% have been matched to one of their top-choice programs.

Need Help With Your Residency Personal Statement?

Schedule a Free 15 Minute Consultation with a MedEdits expert.

Residency Personal Statement Outline & Structure

Residency applicants often do well when given outlines or templates to follow, so, we will offer that, but, it is important to realize that many applicants deviate from these rigid rules. One very typical outline that serves applicants quite well in the residency admissions process is:

• Compose a catchy introduction. Your intro can be related to your interest in the specialty to which you are applying, about a hobby or personal experience, or about your background. Regardless of the topic you choose, you want to tell a story and start with something that will interest your reader and engage him.
• The next two to four paragraphs comprise the body of your personal statement. We encourage applicants to write about any significant experiences they have had related to their desired specialty and/or future goals. This would include information about rotations, electives, and sub internships related to the specialty, volunteer and research experiences and even significant outside interests.
• Finally, you want to conclude your essay. In your conclusion, write about what you seek in a residency program, what you will bring to a residency program, and, if you have any idea of your future career goals, write about those as well. Your conclusion is also where you can tailor a personal statement to a specific geographic area of interest or type of program (rural, urban, community).

Residency Personal Statement Length & Residency Personal Statement Word Limit

Residency Personal Statement Length: Our recommendation is that your residency personal statement be between 4000 – 5300 characters with spaces or up to 900 words in length. 

The allowed ERAS residency personal statement length is 28,000 characters which equates to about five pages!

We have been hearing from more and more applicants that the personal statement should not exceed one page when typed in to the ERAS application . Because of this overwhelming trend, we are supporting this guidance unless you have extenuating circumstances that require your personal statement be longer.

Our recommendation is that your residency personal statement be a maximum of 5300 characters with spaces.

ERAS Residency Personal Statement Checklist

• Ensure your personal statement flows well

The best personal statements are easy to read, don’t make the reader think too much, and make your path and interests seem logical. Rarely does a personal statement have a theme. Also try to have each paragraph transition to the next seamlessly. 

2. Your personal statement should be about you!

Your personal statement should be about you and no one else. Focus on your interests, your accomplishments and your path. This is your opportunity to be forthcoming about your achievements – by writing in detail about what you have done.

3. Be sure your personal statement clearly outlines your interest in the specialty.

Since the reader wants to be convinced of your understanding of, experience in, and curiosity about the specialty to which you are applying, be sure you highlight what you have done to explore your interest as well as your insights and observations about the specialty to show your understanding of it.

4. Make it human.

Again, your personal statement should be about you! The reader wants to know who you are, where you are from, what your interests are and who you are outside of medicine. Therefore, try to include those details about your background that are intriguing or important to you.

5. Express your interest in the specialty.

The reader fundamentally wants to know why you are pursuing the specialty. The more details you offer the more convincing you are about your commitment and your understanding of the specialty. Be sure to include details that might seem obvious. For example, in emergency medicine you must like acute care, but try to include more nuanced details about your interest, too. What do you enjoy about the diagnoses and pathologies involved? What do you value about the actual work you will do? What do you enjoy about the patients for whom you will care? How about the setting in which you will practice?

6. The start and evolution of your interest.

Readers want to know how and when you became interested in your specialty. Was this before medical school? During medical school? What have you done to pursue and nurture your interest in the specialty?

7. What you have done to learn more about the specialty.

You should explain what you have done to pursue your interest. What rotations have you done or have planned? What research, scholarly work or community service activities have you pursued to further your interest?

8. Where you see yourself in the future – if you know!

Without going into too much detail, write about the type of setting in which you see yourself in the future. Do you hope to also participate in research, teaching, public health work or community outreach as a part of your career? What are your future goals? Since many programs typically train a certain type of physician, it is important that your goals are aligned with the programs to which you are applying.

9. What do you bring to the specialty?

You should try to identify what you can bring to the program and the specialty to which you are applying as a whole. For example, are you applying to family medicine and have a distinct interest in public health? Are you applying for internal medicine and do you have demonstrated expertise in information technology and hope to improve electronic medical records? Do you have extensive research or teaching experience, and do you hope to continue to pursue these interests in the future? Have you developed a commitment to global health, and do you hope to continue making contributions abroad? Programs have a societal obligation to select residents who will make valuable contributions in the future, so the more ambitions you have the more desirable a candidate you will be.

10. What type of program you hope to join?

Do you hope to be part of a community or university-based program? What are you seeking in a residency program? Programs are looking for residents who will be the right “fit” so offering an idea of what you are seeking in a program will help them determine if your values and goals mesh with those of the program.

11. Who you are outside of the hospital?

Try to bring in some personal elements about who you are. You can do this in a few ways. If you have any outside interests or accomplishments that complement your interest in your specialty, such as extracurricular work, global work, teaching or volunteer efforts, write about them in detail, and, in doing so, show the reader a different dimension of your personality. Or, consider opening your statement by writing about an experience related to your hobbies or outside interests. Write about this in the form of an introductory vignette. I suggest taking this nontraditional approach only if you are a talented writer and can somehow relate your outside interest to the specialty you are pursuing, however. An interest in the arts can lend itself to dermatology, plastic surgery or ophthalmology, for example. Or, an interest in technology could relate to radiology .

12. Any personal challenges?

Also explain any obstacles you have overcome: Were you the first in your family to graduate from college? Were you an immigrant? Did you have limited financial resources and work through college? Many applicants tend to shy away from the very things that make them impressive because they are afraid of appearing to be looking for sympathy. As long as you explain how you have overcome adversity in a positive or creative way, your experience will be viewed as the tremendous accomplishment that it is. The personal statement should explain any unusual or distinctive aspects of your background.

• Residency Match: How It Works & How To Get Matched

Common ERAS Residency Personal Statement Mistakes

Do not tell your entire life story or write a statement focused on your childhood or undergraduate career. 

Do not write about why you wanted to be a doctor. This is old news. From the reviewers perspective, you already are a doctor!

Do not write a personal statement focused on one hobby or begin with your birth. Some background information might be useful if it offers context to your choices and path, but your residency personal statement should be focused on the present and what you have done to pursue your interest in the specialty to which you are applying.

Do not preach. The reader understands what it means to practice his specialty and does not need you to tell him. Don’t write, for example: Internal medicine requires that a physician be knowledgeable, kind and compassionate. The reader wants to know about you!

Do not put down other specialties. You don’t need to convince anyone of your interest by writing something negative about other specialties. Doing so just makes you look bad. If you switched residencies or interests, you can explain what else you were seeking and what you found in the specialty of your choice that interests you.

Do not embellish. Program directors are pretty good at sniffing out inconsistencies and dishonesty. Always tell the truth and be honest and authentic. 

Do not plagiarize. While this seems obvious to most people, every year people copy personal statements they find online or hire companies that use stock phrases and statement to compose statements for applicants. Don’t do it!

Do not write about sensitive topics. Even if you were in a relationship that ended and resulted in a poor USMLE score , this is not a topic for a personal statement. In general, it is best to avoid discussing relationships, politics, ethical issues and religion.

Do not boast. Any hint of arrogance or self-righteousness may result in getting rejected. There is a fine line between confidence and self promotion. Some people make the mistake of over-selling themselves or writing about all of their fantastic qualities and characteristics. Rarely do readers view such personal statements favorably.

Do not write an overly creative piece. A residency personal statement should be professional. This work is equivalent to a job application. Don’t get too creative; stay focused.

Writing ERAS Residency Personal Statements For Multiple Specialties

An increasing number of applicants are applying to more than one specialty in medicine especially if the first choice specialty is very competitive. If you are applying to more than one specialty, even if there is disciplinary overlap between the two (for example family medicine and pediatrics ), we advise you write a distinct specialty for each. Remember that a physician who practices the specialty you hope to join will most likely be reviewing your statement. He or she will definitely be able to determine if the personal statement illustrates a true understanding of the specialty. If you try to recycle an entire personal statement or parts of a personal statement for two specialties, there is a high likelihood the personal statement will communicate that you aren’t sincerely interested in that specialty or that you don’t really understand what the specialty is about.

Writing About Red Flags in your ERAS Personal Statement

The personal statement is also the place to explain any red flags in your application, such as gaps in time or a leave of absence. When addressing any red flags, explain what happened succinctly. Be honest, don’t make excuses, and don’t dwell on the topic. Whenever possible, write about how you have matured or grown from the adversity or what you may have learned and how this benefits you.

If you have left a program or had a break in your medical education, you will also have the chance to explain this in your ERAS application . You should also write about this topic in your personal statement only if you have more to explain, however. 

If you have failed a Step exam or one course in medical school, this likely isn’t something to address in the personal statement. However, you should be prepared to discuss any failure during an interview. By the same token, it is best not to address one low grade or poor attending evaluation in your statement. 

Have you taken a circuitous path to medicine? If so you might address why you made these choices and what you found so interesting about medicine that was lacking in your former career.

Residency Personal Statement Example

Below are two great examples of residency personal statements that earned the applicants who wrote them numerous interviews and first choice matches. As you will see, these two applicants took very different approaches when writing the personal statement yet wrote equally persuasive and “successful” personal statements.

Residency Personal Statement Example, Analysis, and Outline: The Traditional Approach

The most common approach to the personal statement is what I will call the traditional approach, in which the applicant conveys her interest in the specialty, when that interest began and what she has done to pursue the particular specialty.

Suggested outline:

• Introduction: Catchy Story
• Paragraph 2: Background Information and how Interest Started
• Paragraph 3: Write about what you did to explore your interest
• Paragraph 4: Second paragraph about your experiences related to your specialty
• Conclusion: Wrap it up. Write something about your future goals.

Below is an example of the traditional approach:

I looked into her eyes and saw terror. She knew the life of her unborn baby was in jeopardy. As tears streamed down her face, she looked to the attending physician. In desperation, she pleaded, “Please save our baby.” She and her husband had been trying to conceive for more than two years, and they knew this could be their only chance to have a healthy child. She went into labor at home and because of a horrible snowstorm was not able to reach the hospital for several hours. When she arrived in labor and delivery, she was crowning. But, the baby was having late decelerations. Because of the sweat on my attending’s forehead I knew the situation was serious. Yet we all tried to remain calm and to keep the patient and her husband calm as well. 

I entered medical school with an open mind as everyone suggested. Even as a first year medical student, however, I was fascinated with embryology. I entered my third year still unsure of what I would pursue. I knew I wanted a career that would be challenging and interesting. Because of my background in drawing and painting, I always loved working with my hands. Yet I also enjoyed working with people. Thankfully, my obstetrics and gynecology (ob/gyn) rotation was the first of my third year and I was immediately hooked.

I quickly sought out opportunities for research and became involved in a clinical study investigating the impact of a vegan diet on birth outcomes. I have always had an interest in wellness and nutrition, and this seemed like a perfect fit for me. My research is still in process, but through this experience I have learned how to analyze data, stay objective and critically evaluate the literature. So far, our findings suggest better than normal outcomes for babies born to vegan mothers. This reinforces my goal to educate my patients about the important of diet and nutrition, which I hope to make a part of my future practice. 

Early in my fourth year, I completed an elective rotation at Inner City Medical Center. There I cared for a diverse group of patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings. I realized how much I enjoy labor and delivery, but I also value the operative aspects of ob/gyn. I appreciate the importance of understanding the female anatomy so I can operate with precision.  I also value the diversity of practice in ob/gyn. Whether caring for a woman about to give birth, helping a woman newly diagnosed with breast cancer navigate her treatment options, or caring for a perimenopausal woman who is coping with symptoms of hormone fluctuations, I enjoy caring for patients with knowledge and compassion. The outpatient aspect of ob/gyn brings satisfaction as well. I look forward to building relationships with my patients, helping them to lead the healthiest lives possible. I have also realized how much I want to care for those who lack access to care. The work I have done at Medical School Free Clinic has helped me realize the gaps that exist in access to care and education. As a future practicing ob/gyn, I hope to work in such a setting at least on a part time basis.

On that snowy night, when we realized the baby was having difficulty being born because of shoulder dystocia, a simple maneuver eased the situation. The baby’s first cry brought such joy and relief to everyone in the room and, at that moment, I knew I had to be part of this specialty. I hope to join a program where I will have the clinical exposure that will give me the skills and experience to care for a wide range of patients. I do not yet know if I will subspecialize, and I will seek out mentors and experiences as a resident to make an informed decision. I would be honored to interview at your program and thank you for your consideration.

Why It’s Great

This is a great personal statement because it clearly conveys the applicant’s interest in, and understanding of, obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) and what the applicant has done to pursue that interest. Not only does this applicant have a long-standing interest in OB/GYN, but, she conveys that she has experienced the specialty in different settings and understands the diverse nature of the specialty. She also includes information about her hobbies and interests and writes about her exploration of OB/GYN outside of the clinical arena. An added bonus is that the applicant writes well and uses descriptive language making her statement interesting and fun to read.

Residency Personal Statement Example, Analysis, and Outline: The Outside Interests Approach

Many mentors advise applicants to tell the reader something about them that is unrelated to medicine or the specialty they are pursuing. This is a fine idea, but be sure your personal statement also includes some details about your interest in your specialty if you decide to move in this direction.

Suggested Outline:

• Introduction: Write a Catchy Introduction. Be creative! Think outside the box.
• Paragraph 2:Elaborate on your introduction offering more details
• Paragraph 3: Write about your specialty choice and what appeals to you.
• Paragraph 4: Write more about your explorations in medical school.
• Concluding paragraph(s): Write about your future goals, the type of program you hope to join and consider looping back to your introduction.

Below is an example of the outside interests approach:

The landscape before me was lush and magical. We had been hiking for hours and had found a great spot to set up camp. As I was unloading my backpack and helping to pitch the tent, I saw a scene I knew I had to capture. I quickly grabbed my carefully packed Leica before the magnificent sunset disappeared. Trying to get the perfect exposure, I somehow managed to capture this image so accurately that it reflected the beauty of what was before us high in the mountains of Utah, so far away from the hustle and bustle of New York City where we attended medical school.

Throughout my life, I have pursued my interests and curiosities with focus and creativity. One of those interests is photography. Even as a small child, I wanted my own camera, and I started snapping interesting scenes and images at the age of 6. As I grew older, this hobby took on more significance. I took a college level course in photography as a high school student, worked as a photographer’s assistant and even considered a career in photography. Paralleling my interest, however, was a desire to travel and experience new places, foods, and cultures.

I have been fortunate to travel all over the world. Rather than stopping in a city or place for a couple of days and seeing the sights, I prefer to immerse myself in my surroundings, eating the food, meeting the people, and staying for as long as I can. My fluency in Spanish and Italian has made it easier to “fit in” naturally. My most recent trip to Costa Rica allowed me to visit sugar cane fields and rain forests. I also volunteered in a clinic that helps the most desperate citizens. Of course, because I never travel without my camera, I also captured the beauty of this country; those pictures can be found on my blog.

Surgery seemed like a natural choice for me. It is a very tactile and visual field that requires patience, attention to detail and creativity—just like photography. The operating room setting is invigorating. I love to be a member of a team, and in surgery team work is an essential part of practice. The ability to deal with anatomical variations also satisfies my creative side; I have always been fond of puzzles, and the field of surgery represents a real-world puzzle to me. I also appreciate the intensity of surgery and believe I have the personality and demeanor for the field. I have always enjoyed solving problems quickly, something the field of surgery requires. My rotations in surgery – in addition to my core surgery rotation I have done trauma and cardiothoracic surgery – have helped me to understand the tremendous opportunities and diversity of the field. I have heard some residents lament that the only reason they went into surgery is to operate. However, I really enjoy seeing patients postoperatively. It is only at that time that a surgeon can really appreciate the impact of his or her work.

Finally, my trip to Honduras with a surgical team from my hospital and medical school made me realize that I can make a great contribution globally in the field of surgery. There we saw patients who had no resources or access to care. The facilities in which we worked were bare-bones. Yet the impact we made was tremendous, given that this was a group of people who otherwise would have no surgical care. In this way, I hope to combine my interests in travel and surgery as a resident, if I have time, and certainly as a practicing physician. My ultimate goal is to use my training to help populations globally and domestically.

To gain the most clinical exposure possible, I hope to train in a busy urban hospital. I believe that such a setting will give me the operative experience I need to be able to navigate many situations in the future. Such a setting will also give me the outpatient experience to understand how to manage patients once the surgery is completed.

I look forward to the day when I can be snapping my camera intraoperatively, documenting what I am doing and seeking to help other surgeons. For some, such pictures may not represent the art of those pictures I take in the wilderness, but for me they reflect the beauty of surgery and the great opportunity to make a lasting impression on another human being’s life.

This is a really intriguing personal statement because the author writes about his outside interests in a compelling way that makes him instinctively likable. He then goes on to explain what he enjoys about surgery and what he has done to pursue that interest. As you can see, this applicant writes less about his specialty (surgery) than the applicant in statement #1 did, but, he still convinces the reader of his understanding of, and commitment to, surgery. In this statement, the reader gains a much broader understanding of who the applicant is as a person and what he likes to do in his free time.

Final Thoughts

Writing your residency personal statement should be about telling your story in your own voice and style. You want to highlight your interest in the specialty for which you are applying while also conveying some ideas about who you are as a person to keep your reader engaged in learning about you as a person.

Residency Personal Statement Consulting Services

MedEdits Medical Admissions offers comprehensive guidance and document review services for residency applicants to every specialty in medicine. With more than twenty years of experience in residency admissions and founded by a former residency admissions officer and physician, MedEdits understands what program directors want to read and can help you decide what aspects of your background to focus on in your residency personal statement to earn the most interviews possible.

Getting into a residency has never been more competitive. Let the experts at MedEdits help you with your ERAS personal statement. We’ve worked with more than 5,000 students and 94% have been matched to one of their top-choice programs.

Sample Residency Personal Statements

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Writing Your Personal Statement for Residency

Tips to convey “ why you for residency specialty”, use your personal statement to introduce yourself to your interviewer..

• Include topics that help the interview go smoothly.
• Be sincere and help the interviewer know what’s important to you.
• Include only the information that you want to discuss.

Write a focused essay, four or five paragraphs in length, that covers the basics.

• The first paragrap h could introduce the reader to you and could focus on what led you to a career in medicine, more importantly your specialty. The tone of the first paragraph sets the tone for the rest of your personal statement.
• The second paragraph should let the reader know how you arrived at your choice of the specialty. (Personal experiences from rotations, leadership activities, work, volunteer, community service, studying abroad, background and/or life/ family experiences).
• The third/fourth paragraphs should confirm why you think this choice is right for you AND why you are right for the specialty. This is an opportunity further distinguish yourself.
• The  close/final paragraph could inform the reader what you see as your long-term goals and/or how you see yourself in this specialty. Also, avoid spending too much content on “ What I want/seek/am interested in from a residency program …” The focus should be more on why they should choose you over other candidates

Questions to ask when approaching your Personal Statement:

• What are the reasons for choosing the specialty?
• What are your key attributes?
• What contributions can I make to the specialty and the residency program?
• What are your career plans and how will your background/additional education contribute to the field?
• What makes me unique enough to stand out among other candidates?

Your goal should be to write a well-crafted statement that is both original in its presentation and grammatically correct. Articulate your personal drive in as eloquent language as you can provide. The writing should flow. No one expects you to be a novelist. The most important thing is to write a concise, clear statement about why you?

Don’t spend a lot of time providing information about you that programs will generally assume to be true for most competent medical students; “I want to help people”, “I love medicine”, “I want to match into a residency program where I can learn”

If you explain your reasons for entering the field of medicine, do so to inform the reader of points beyond the career choice. Avoid spending too much time on “Why I Wanted to Go into Medicine.” How did you arrive at your specialty choice and what experiences support how you arrived at the specialty choice?

Support your strengths and skillset with examples . Most medical student personal statement list similar strengths, “hard worker/will work hard”, “good communication skills”, “relate to/interact with patients” – so if you provide strengths that are common among medical students or even unique to you, it will be important to provide evidence to support your claims, directing programs to come to their own conclusion about your strength.

I f you repeat accomplishments already listed on your CV , they should be relevant to your personal/professional growth. You want the emphasis to encourage the reader to bring this up in the interview.

Use your own words rather than rely on quotes; your own thoughts are more powerful. If you can make it work, great, but don’t dwell on quotes. With only 800 words or less…it is favorable to make them all your own.

Do NOT plagiarize your personal statement.

Length ; Since one page in length in a Word Doc is not the same as what one page will equal one page in ERAS for personal statement formatting, the key is stick to 750-850 words for your ERAS/residency application personal statement. One page in ERAS equals nearly 1,200 words, however most programs preferences for a typical personal statements in terms of Word Count will be within range of 650-850 – this will be acceptable for most residency programs.

Need a review of your personal statement…professional review and editing?

• Melva Landrum , TCOM Residency Counselor will provide thorough feedback through an evaluation form that breaks down your entire personal statement including: content, grammar, structure, flow and overall impact. You can email your personal statement to [email protected] within one week.
• The Career Center can also review personal statements and Center for Academic Performance (CAP) office can provide feedback mostly on grammar and structure.

This page was last modified on November 10, 2023

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MyERAS® Application for Residency Applicants

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The MyERAS® application is the form you will use to enter information about yourself. You will submit the MyERAS application along with your supporting documents when you apply to programs. Programs will use the information in your MyERAS application to determine if you are an eligible candidate for their program.

• Sign In to the MyERAS® Portal
• ERAS® Timelines for Residency Applicants
• ERAS Participating Specialties and Programs

You do not have to complete the entire application at one time and it can be complete in any order that works best for you. For details, please see the application section of the MyERAS User Guide. 

The MyERAS system does not allow you to customize or personalize the MyERAS application for individual programs. You only have one application that will be sent to all programs applied to in the MyERAS portal.

• You may customize your application for individual programs or groups of programs in the same specialties using the assignment of specific ERAS documents such as Personal Statements and LoRs.
• You are not required to complete your MyERAS application in one sitting and are advised to take your time working on each section as desired.
• Information in each section of the MyERAS application can be stored individually.
• You may change information in their MyERAS application at any time prior to certifying and submitting.

Support and Guidance While Completing Your Application

• The AAMC Support Center (ASC)  is available to assist all applicants with technical support regarding inquires and issues related to the MyERAS web application.
• Residency applicants seeking support in completing the content of the MyERAS application or relevant documents are advised to use their best judgment and reach out to their Designated Dean’s Office for further guidance.

ERAS System FAQs

Keeping your personal information up-to-date.

We recommend that you complete as much of your  Personal Information  as soon as possible.  Personal Information  is very important to the programs to which you've applied; therefore, it is essential that this information be kept up-to-date throughout the application season. If updates are made after programs have been applied to, they will be available to programs after clicking  Save Personal Information .

Certifying and Submitting Your Application

Certifying and submitting the MyERAS application is a one-time action that cannot be reversed or undone as it will lock on submission to ensure that all programs receive the same copy of your application. A few things to keep in mind before submitting the MyERAS application:

• All required fields denoted by a red asterisk (*) must be completed and saved.
• It is important to carefully review the entire MyERAS application before certifying and submitting to ensure everything is complete and correct.
• Use the Application section on the Dashboard to locate high-level omissions (e.g., major sections that were not saved).
• The MyERAS application does not include a spell or grammar check feature.
• You cannot apply to programs until your application has been certified and submitted.
• Once you have submitted your MyERAS application, you will not be able to make any changes or updates outside of the information provided under the Personal Information section. There are no exceptions. 

Note : When you click Submit on the final screen of the certify and submit process, a message will appear that reads:

"Once you have certified and submitted your application, it will be irrevocably locked and no changes will be permitted. Your application, once certified and submitted, is provided to all programs to which you apply during this ERAS program season. Please take the additional time to proofread your application for any errors or omissions."

Viewing Your MyERAS Application

The MyERAS application can be viewed as a PDF version of the information you've entered by selecting View/Print MyERAS Application  located on the Application section on the Dashboard and top right area of every page under the Application section. This allows you to see how the contents of the MyERAS application will be displayed to programs.

• The PDF version of the MyERAS applications is displayed in APA format to programs.

Viewing the Curriculum Vitae (CV)

The Curriculum Vitae (CV) is the same information you entered in the application section of the MyERAS system. The CV is nothing more than the MyERAS application formatted differently for the benefit of those programs that prefer to view a CV format.

• ERAS 2024 Webinars for Residency Applicants

Please contact the AAMC Support Center (ASC).

Send us a message.

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Closed Wednesday, 3 - 5 p.m. ET

Please visit this page to stay up to date on ERAS news and announcements.

Use the free Residency Explorer™ tool to search and compare programs. Browse the AAMC's Careers in Medicine website to research specialties.

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