🟦 Personal Statement Writing Guide
Tell Your Story. Stand Out. Get More Interviews.
🎯 What is the Personal Statement really for?
Your personal statement is not an essay.
It’s not a biography.
It’s not a list of achievements.
It’s not a place to repeat your CV.
It is your chance to answer one simple question:
👉 “Why should we choose you?”
This is the only part of ERAS where programs hear your voice.
Scores show numbers.
Your CV shows history.
But your personal statement shows who you are.
And sometimes, that’s what makes the difference between getting an interview or being ignored.
🧩 Why it matters more than most IMGs think
Many IMGs say:
“My scores are good, the statement doesn’t matter.”
This is a mistake.
When programs review hundreds of similar applications, the personal statement often becomes the deciding factor.
A strong statement can:
✅ make you memorable
✅ show maturity and personality
✅ explain your journey
✅ justify gaps or changes
✅ increase interview invites
A weak one can:
❌ sound generic
❌ look careless
❌ make you forgettable
❌ reduce your chances
It’s a small document with a big impact.
📌 What programs actually want to see
They are NOT looking for:
❌ perfect English
❌ dramatic stories
❌ “medicine is my childhood dream”
❌ copied templates
They ARE looking for:
✔ clarity
✔ authenticity
✔ professionalism
✔ insight
✔ genuine motivation
They want a real doctor, not a movie script.
✍️ Simple structure that always works
Don’t overcomplicate it.
Follow this safe structure:
🟦 Paragraph 1 — Your story
How did your journey into medicine begin?
Briefly introduce yourself and what shaped you.
Keep it personal but professional.
🟦 Paragraph 2 — Clinical experiences
What experiences made you grow as a doctor?
Talk about:
• rotations
• meaningful cases
• challenges
• lessons learned
Show maturity, not just events.
🟦 Paragraph 3 — Why this specialty?
This is the most important part.
Why Internal Medicine?
Why Surgery?
Why Pediatrics?
Be specific.
Avoid generic lines like:
“I love helping people.”
Every doctor helps people.
Show deeper reasons.
🟦 Paragraph 4 — Why the U.S.?
Programs want to know:
Why not stay in your home country?
Explain what attracts you to the U.S. system:
• training quality
• diversity
• research
• structure
• patient safety
Be honest and logical.
🟦 Paragraph 5 — Your future goals
What kind of doctor do you want to become?
Academic?
Clinician?
Researcher?
Community leader?
Show direction and purpose.
Programs prefer candidates with vision.
📏 How long should it be?
One page only.
Around 650–800 words maximum.
Longer essays hurt you.
Program directors are busy.
Short, clear, and focused always wins.
⚠️ Common mistakes IMGs make
These instantly weaken applications:
❌ Copying statements from seniors or the internet
❌ Using templates
❌ Too dramatic or emotional
❌ Repeating CV details
❌ Writing 2–3 pages
❌ Poor grammar
❌ Being too generic
If your statement could belong to “any doctor,” it’s not good enough.
It should sound like only YOU.
💡 Smart writing tips
✔ Write in simple English
✔ Use short sentences
✔ Be honest
✔ Show reflection and growth
✔ Edit multiple times
✔ Ask mentors to review
✔ Read it aloud to check flow
Clarity is more impressive than fancy vocabulary.
🧠 What makes a statement memorable
Small details matter.
Instead of:
“I learned teamwork during my rotation”
Say:
“During a busy night shift managing 20 admissions, I learned how clear communication prevented medication errors.”
Specific experiences feel real.
Real stories are remembered.
🔄 How long should you spend preparing it?
Give yourself at least:
2–3 weeks
Not one night before submission.
Write → edit → rewrite → polish.
Good writing takes time.
🎯 Golden rule to remember
Your CV shows what you did.
Your personal statement shows who you are.
Programs don’t just select scores.
They select people they want to work with for 3–5 years.
Sound professional. Sound genuine. Sound human.
🧠 Final takeaway
A strong personal statement will not magically match you.
But a weak one can definitely stop you from matching.
So don’t rush it.
Be clear. Be authentic. Be thoughtful.
Tell your story simply — and let your journey speak for itself.