If you are in your 3rd year of med school, then it is high time to fine-tune your personal statement writing skills again for the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) application.
Don’t sweat about it. You already got accepted into medical school on the basis of your personal statement that you wrote 3 years ago, what’s stopping you now?
We understand that you have groomed yourself a lot over the years and you find your previously written application cringe now. But you will have to dig a little deeper to siphon a more creative spirit that was there about 3 years back.
Can’t siphon your creative spirit? Are you one of those students who seek some special formula to write a catchy personal statement too? If yes, then we are sorry to force you out of your delusion, but there is no secret formula for it.
So, what are you going to do now? You surely cannot give up your studies, only because you cannot write a good personal statement, can you?
Well, to help you with this issue, we are here to let you in on a secret about the perfect length of personal statements, along with some do’s and don’ts.
In this blog, we will shed light on the ideal length, and some major do’s and don’ts of writing a perfect application for yourself. So, let us dive right in.
How Long Should A Residency Personal Statement Be?
Although you are allowed to write 28,000 characters (approximately up to 5 pages) for your residency personal statement essay section on ERAS, however, we advise you to steer clear of maxing out your character count. The standard length of your application must not go beyond one page, (about 500 to 800 words).
It might be quite challenging to wrap all your a-ha moments in a single page but challenge yourself to be as concise and clear as you can. Use your words effectively and clearly in a limited space. Keep in mind that you have to keep the reader engaged, and entice them with your story. You would not want them to bore themselves to death by reading your personal statement, would you?
If your first draft exceeds more than 1 page, then re-read and edit it as many times as you can until you have successfully pared it down. A lot of students do not know where to start, so we recommend you break your essay into bite-sized sections. To do this, use a typical 4-5 paragraph structure to get small and manageable goals. These paragraphs must be in the below-given order:
- A concise introduction paragraph
- 2-3 paragraphs to deliver your theme
- A conclusion paragraph to wrap your essay up.
And voila, you are all done. Now that you know the ideal length of a personal statement, you are good to write one for yourself. If you do not want to take the risk, then get help from the best residency personal statement writing service.
However, if you are willing to write one right now, then we suggest you go through the do’s and don’ts of writing a personal statement too. Below we have shed light on them to help you.
Do’s And Don’ts Of A Residency Personal Statement
We have gathered a detailed list of do’s and don’ts to help you write a perfect application for yourself. So, what are you waiting for, give it a read right now.
Do’s Of A Residency Personal Statement:
Starting with the do’s, read below to understand what elements you should incorporate while writing a residency application.
- Do Use A Narrative Structure: When you are writing your personal statement, it is advised that you use a narrative story. Tell a story about your accomplishments, background, as well as your future goals. This narrative structure compels the readers to take more interest in your story because it allows them to get a proper understanding of your life’s happenings.
- Do Discuss Your Value As A Candidate: We understand that it might feel a little awkward to brag about your life qualifications and accomplishments. However, it is valuable for you to highlight your value as a potential candidate. Keep in mind that you are competing against other residents who want to apply to the same programs. Thus, hone in on your best skills and abilities to gain an advantage over them.
- Do Solicit Feedback From Someone You Trust: After you have completed your personal statement, ask for honest feedback from multiple sources. Try getting it proofread by a trusted colleague, mentor, or even your friends, and family. Ask them to offer suggestions to strengthen it and point out any errors including grammatical mistakes and typos. Then implement their suggestions in your work and edit it until you feel a hundred percent satisfied with it. If you don’t have anyone to proofread your work for you, you can get residency personal statement help to do it for you.
Don’ts Of A Residency Personal Statement:
Now that you are well aware of the do’s, why not have a look at the don’ts of writing this application as well? Read below to get acquainted with them.
- Don’t Write About Sensitive Topics: When writing your application, we strictly advise you to steer clear of writing about any controversial or sensitive topic that might make the reader overly emotional or uncomfortable. It does not mean that you should not include your hardships in your statement to showcase your ability to combat challenges. However, you must make sure to tell your story in an uplifting and positive manner. Writing in a positive tone will ensure that the admission committee pays attention to the growth curve of your life and your overall abilities
- Don’t Procrastinate: Start working on your personal statement as early as you can. It is crucial that you have sufficient time on your hands to think about the topics that you wish to include, create several drafts, outline your thoughts, and seek feedback. If you waste your time procrastinating and start working on your application close to the deadline, then you might not be able to submit a great-quality statement.
- Don’t Use Overly Complex Language: It is common to get the impulse to use overly formal language to show your command of complex vocabulary and intelligence. However, it is better to resist this urge. Try to write your statement in your voice. By doing so, you will make it reflect yourself as an individual. Thus, keep in mind to mix formal and colloquial vocabulary in your application to stay authentic to yourself.
Summing It All Up – Stand Out From The Crowd By Writing A Perfect Residency Personal Statement
A striking residency personal statement must incorporate great storytelling skills that highlight your experiences as a medical student. Moreover, it should also make the admission committee believe that you are a perfect fit for residency. By keeping in mind the above-mentioned do’s and don’ts, and keeping your word count limited, we assure you that you will get a response from the admission committee very soon.