It is known that application and acceptance into professional programs such as medicine, dentistry and veterinarian school can be extremely competitive; therefore, it is crucial to convey all applicable skills and influential experiences to provide yourself the best chance of achievement during the admissions process.

1. Brainstorming

While you may have an extensive list of experiences and skills you have learnt from them, a personal statement has to convey the best information in the most concise and effective way possible. What is the most important to you? What has made the biggest impact? Think of events, themes or experiences that are unique and represent you the best.

2. Creating a Draft First

Personal statements typically have a character limit. It is easier to write down all your ideas, then compress in the end to include only important and relevant information. This way, you are able to include the very best of your ideas.

3. What is your motive?

One of the most important concepts admission reviewers seek when reviewing applications is “why.” Why did you decide to pursue this subject or career? Ensure you maintain a positive but professional tone while communicating your reasons and passions. Further, avoid being too dramatic or including clichés. Don’t dive deep into personal stories, excluding too much emotion.

4. Being Cliché

Being cliché can put you in the background and make you blend in with the rest of the applicants. Further, it can make you sound impersonal and uninspired. Your personal statement is your chance to make an impact on the admissions committee and be remembered – express your original thoughts! Avoid things such as

• Only discussing experiences that make you seem the most impressive. This often leads students to forget about including their unique qualities

• Listing your qualities and accomplishments, like a resume. Make sure to “show, not tell” – provide examples and explain why this is important. This topic is further explained in tip #6 with the STAR method.

• For programs such as medicine, dentistry, and veterinarian – avoid simply stating you want to be in the program to help people or animals.

• Providing an idea but failing to explain how it relates. Explain your passions, why they are important and how they relate to the field.

• Opening with an overly dramatic first sentence. Sometimes in creating the “hook” you only think about catching the reader’s attention with the most compelling sentence you can come up with; however, you may fail to offer insight into your unique and personal motivations for studying the field.

5. Be honest and authentic

There is no need to create a false image. Have confidence in your skills and experiences. It is common for individuals to compare themselves to the competition and downplay their unique qualities; however, remember everyone has their own personal strengths, and this is the place to showcase them.

6. Use your own voice

The internet can provide so many sample personal statements. Don’t feel the need to “copy and paste” an example that a website says is excellent. Extracting helpful tips and structure from the samples are essential, but still make it your own, it is your personal statement after all.

7. Showcase you are appropriate for the spot

University is very challenging and it’s not for everybody. Recall any experiences that best demonstrate your academic ability and any specific skills that may pertain to medicine, dentistry, or veterinary science. Although your GSCEs and other grades provide good insight into you, mentioning other awards or achievements can formulate the best image for yourself.

8. Long-Terms Plans

After completion of the program, where do you envision yourself, or where would you like to be? If you have long-terms goals, such as pursuing this career to make a difference in a specific area, outline this. Also mention hopes of research or pursing a higher education, if suitable to you.

9. More than Academics

Now, more than ever before, extra-curriculars are important in showing there are more important things to you other than studying. Describing hobbies, sports, music, clubs, etc., can showcase your ability to maintain a healthy work-life balance, and again circling back to tip #2, showing that you can manage the workload and are the best candidate for the spot in the program. A lot of applicants are applying with exceptionally high grades, so this may your chance to stand out and be unique.

10. Proper structure

Although there is no “correct” way to structure your personal statement, there are a few guidelines applicants can follow:

• A clear introduction

• 75% Academics, achievements, and qualifications for the program

• 25% extra-curricular activities

• A clear conclusion