When you apply for medical school, you are going up against some of the top students in the nation. Most of these students also had fantastic MCAT scores. Because of this fact, you may find it difficult to stand out among the masses. One area that you can make your mark is in your medical school personal statement.

While schools will look to your work history and grades to help distinguish you from your competitors, your medical school personal statement will give you the opportunity to let the school know who you really are. You can tell them your passions, your ambitions, and why you are wanting to find a career in the medical field.

You’re probably thinking, “well that is great, but how do I write the darn thing!?” That is what this post is designed to help you out with. Although it is tough to find a winning formula for everyone writing a medical school personal statement, I will do my best to at least get you started in the right direction.

1. Make Sure You Outline Your Medical School Personal Statement

As was mentioned before, medical schools are super competitive. Because your personal statement is a chance for you to flash your personality and become more than just some numbers on a sheet, you need to outline what you are going to say so that you get everything you need in it.

An outline will help you keep your medical school personal statement tight so that you can make sure that you are showing your audience what your strengths are instead of just telling them what they are. You will have room for concrete examples of why you should be selected.

2. Don’t Try To Wear Too Many Hats

What I mean by this is don’t gloss over a bunch of information in an effort to show your diversity. Find one “hat” to wear and wear the heck out of it. Just about everyone will have the classic format of:

(1) Introduction
(2-4) In any order, community service, clinical experience, research experience
(5) Conclusion

Why not make yourself stand out by focusing on one thing that you did very well and talk about that. Dare to be a little different!

3. Don’t be a Doctor Yet

Trying to impress the readers with all of your doctorly knowledge is not a good idea. Keep it simple and straightforward so that the reader likes you and wants to take you into their program.