Getting Personal: 8 Tips for Acing Your Med or Physician Assistant School Statement

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Getting into Physician Assistant (PA) or med school is a very competitive process and requires careful planning and execution. A compelling personal statement will help you stand out among the competition.

When it comes to making your personal statement extraordinary, think passion. The key is answering the questions “why medicine?” and “why me in medicine?” Your personal statement is an opportunity to convince the admissions committee you are going to make a difference in healthcare, according to the AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges).

We asked the experts for their advice on how to craft your story for med and PA school admission committees. Here are eight tips for writing captivating statements and making your personal essay stand out and gain acceptance to these very competitive programs.

Start early and be enthusiastic

It’s hard to find time for writing when you are immersed in studying scientific subjects and cramming for exams, but make time for your essay. Begin crafting your personal essay early and don’t be afraid to revise, revise and revise. You don’t want to submit a lackluster statement. That can translate into disinterest or a lack of reflection. A well-written statement will tell a story that details your specific goals and accomplishments, and it will convey your personality.

Take time for reflection

Before you take pen to paper, or fingertips to your keyboard, think about what makes you special and why you want to attend medical school.

Tell stories

Share stories and anecdotes about your unique real-life experiences that demonstrate you have the heart and passion for this meaningful profession. This is the place to share your reflections, experiences and goals that will convince the reader why you want to be a physician or PA. Consider these questions for reflection:

What did you learn from the experience?
How did you change as a result of the experience?
What insight did you gain?

Go for the tears

The difference between a good personal statement and a great statement is the emotional connection the essay makes with the admissions committee, according to HealthcareerCERTS partner, MyPABox.

Highlight your individuality

Make sure your essay is unique and not clichéd, recommends U.S. News & World Report. Instead of listing everything you’ve done, write about what you are really good at, what you really value and how this will drive your medical career.

Follow guidelines

Pay strict attention to the guidelines.. Make sure your essay is interesting, follows a logical and orderly flow, relates to your reasons for choosing medicine, and describes why you believe you will be successful as a physician. Proofread and pay attention to formatting and word or character counts.

Don’t oversell yourself

One of the biggest mistakes you can make is trying so hard to appear perfect that you don’t seem human. Create a genuine snapshot of who you are, and that requires demonstrating vulnerability. Admissions committees want to know that your journey to medicine has been transformative.

Review, review, review

Be prepared to spend many hours writing, rewriting, rearranging, editing, cutting, and polishing your essay, says the American Academy of Physician Assistants. Give yourself at least a month to write and edit before you plan on submitting your personal statement and – this is key – have several proofreaders. Allow enough time for them to make suggestions, and for you to consider and incorporate their advice.

Additional Resources

Healthcareer CERTS partner, MyPABox.com offers a tailored personal statement editing service for pre-health students that helps you highlight your experiences and personality. You also can receive a critique of your content style and grammar and flow to craft the best personal statement possible.