residency application personal statement psychiatry

• Apply for Psychiatric Residency

Guide to Applying for Psychiatric Residency

Updated July 2023

Congratulations on choosing one of the most exciting fields in medicine. Not only are psychiatrists uniquely trained to consider the patient from a "whole person" perspective, but the field also includes a wide range of practice settings and diverse opportunities for subspecialization.

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In the Roadmap to Psychiatric Residency (.pdf) , you will find:

What Should I Do During Medical School to Prepare For a Career in Psychiatry?

Psychiatry programs are generally holistic in their review of applicants. As such, participation in the following are highly valued - longitudinal and meaningful service, leadership, and scholarly experiences that may demonstrate unique individual attributes and a strong commitment to psychiatry.

Planning for 4th Year

Every school will have specific requirements for 4th year. A good place to start is to understand what these requirements are, how many required/elective courses you need to graduate, and generally when these courses are offered.

How to Choose The Right Program

The preferences of each residency applicant will be different, and everyone will prioritize different aspects of a program when making their rank list. The question of which programs might be right for you is a very individual question, and one that is based on your ultimate career goals and what you are looking for in a program.

How Many Programs to Apply To?

Deciding on the number of applications to submit is a difficult decision with a number of factors involved including geographic location. The number of students applying to psychiatry overall and the applications per student have dramatically increased over the last five years. This has made the application process more complicated both for students and residency training directors.

Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation (LOR) are an important opportunity to communicate your personal attributes, strengths, and abilities to programs. LOR usually include the extent to which the writer knows the applicant, specialty to which you are applying, and particular clinical strengths of the applicant. LOR also frequently highlight personal attributes such as humor or empathy and give an overall level of endorsement. Most Psychiatry programs will require three or four LOR.

Personal Statements

The least structured component of the ERAS application is the personal statement. This is an opportunity for you to inject your personal experiences and thoughts into what is otherwise a very structured application. Most students choose to focus on an experience or series or experiences that ignited or solidified their interest in psychiatry. While there may be many reasons why you are passionate about psychiatry, statements usually are more cohesive and read better if you pick one theme or experience and focus on developing it, rather than jump from one topic to another.

Nuts and Bolts of The Interview Day

In this section, you will be guided through scheduling, travel tips, and interview preparation. This includes suggested areas to discuss with your interviewer, as well as sample questions for residents.

Post-Interview Communication

Consider writing thank you notes to any program which you plan to rank. You may consider sending thank you notes to the individual people you interviewed with, the Program Director and the program coordinators and assistants who helped to schedule your interview. However, make sure to know the guidelines for interview and post-interview communication prior to reaching out.

What Happens If You Do Not Match?

On the third Monday of March, you will learn whether you matched. Students who do not match have the opportunity to participate in the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP) to apply to any unfilled programs.

Special Topics

Within this section, find highlights on faculty advisors, advice for at-risk students, considerations for Osteopathic medical students, and International Medical Graduates (IMGs).

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Zen Psychiatry

By Elana Miller, MD

Sample Psychiatry Personal Statement

Here’s the personal statement I used for my psychiatry residency application. This post is a continuation from my blog, How to Apply to Residency in Psychiatry, that details how to schedule your 4th year rotations, requesting letters of recommendations, what to consider when choosing a residency program, how to prepare for your residency interviews, and of course, how to write your own psychiatry personal statement. If you’re in the process of applying to psychiatry residency, check out that post too!

My Psychiatry Personal Statement 

I came to the field of psychiatry circuitously. For almost as long as I wanted to pursue medicine, I thought my future would be in surgery. At an early age, I remember visiting my mother’s laboratory, where she worked as a neuropathologist, and helping her dissect neurological tissue under the microscope. I would sit with her, mesmerized, gently teasing tissue off a monkey spinal cord with the delicate instruments, and imagining a future using similar tools to manipulate tissues and heal illnesses of the body. But while I believed that my future path was in surgery, I naturally gravitated toward the study of the human mind and behavior.

My father is a psychiatrist, and between him and my mother, the dynamic between the mind and brain were always topics of conversation at the dinner table. Partially because of their influence, and largely because of my own inclination and interest, I have always been driven to understand not only the “how” of thought processes and interpersonal interaction, but the “why”. Why do some minds create happiness, and others suffering, in the face of the same external circumstances? How do our internal states transform our external experiences? To what extent are these habits and predispositions fixed, and to what degree can they be reconstructed to improve our relationship with the external world and with ourselves?

When I entered college, instead of focusing on a basic science such as biology or chemistry like many of my pre-med colleagues, I was drawn to the study of psychology. It was here that I first began to investigate the more mysterious aspects of the human mind, and learned the ways the mind and brain can act unpredictably and destructively. I was fascinated by the complex psychopathologies of mental illness and motivated to understand the anatomical and biological basis of psychiatric disorders. I was struck by the realization that often our own mental processes, in trying to alleviate suffering, would instead create it.

When I graduated, I decided to further investigate these ideas in a research context. I joined the Department of Psychiatry at Stanford University and delved into the study of the relationship between stress, cortisol levels, APOE genotype and cognitive decline in older adults. I found the subject matter challenging and stimulating, and loved the excitement of discovering something new and contributing to the fund of knowledge available to all clinicians and practitioners. But when I entered medical school, I was drawn back toward the surgical specialties. I appreciated the technical aspects of surgery, the almost artistic nature of the field, and the dedicated, conscientious and disciplined nature of the surgeons. I focused on urology as a subspecialty, and directed the same interest that led me to pursue research at Stanford to a project at the USC/Norris Cancer Center investigating comparative pathological findings in men who underwent prostate biopsy and subsequent radical prostatectomy.

I began my third year surgery rotation excited to finally put into practice what I had studied from a theoretical perspective for so long. But instead of dreaming of spending time in the OR, I would look forward to clinic days, where I could sit across from patients about to have surgery, or recovering from a recent operation, and listen attentively as they told stories of fear, sadness and apprehension. I learned how underlying anxiety or distress could manifest as subtle physical complaints, such as pain or insomnia. I began to appreciate how mental states could influence a patient’s interpretation of his or her illness, and either aggravate or mitigate the suffering the patient felt in the face of the same degree of pain. I learned that by simply being attentive and mindful, I could demonstrate my empathy and concern, and show these patients they were not alone in the process.

Physicians in both surgery and psychiatry share a profoundly intimate role in the patient’s life. As a surgeon plunges into the body to heal with a scalpel, a psychiatrist plunges into the mind to heal with a few well-chosen words, an empathetic nod, or medications that modulate the neurochemistry of the brain. My subsequent third and fourth year psychiatry rotations have confirmed that my passion lies in alleviating suffering through reconstructing the mind, rather than in fixing the mechanics of the body. I look forward to developing the skills to transform both the mind and brain to serve my patients in a meaningful way, and am enthusiastic to combine my interest in clinical practice with my passion for academic research to create a fulfilling career in psychiatry.

Residency & What Happened Next

I ended up doing my residency in psychiatry at UCLA from 2010-2013. In late 2013, I found a passion for exploring and studying integrative medicine, and decided to start a private practice after graduation.

However, on December 17, 2013, I went to the ER for what I thought were minor symptoms — but it turned out to be Stage IV Acute Lymphoblastic Lymphoma. I was diagnosed 6 months before completely my residency program.

You can read what happened next here (don’t worry, it has a good ending).

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• Residency Application

Residency Personal Statement Examples from Matched Residents

Use these residency personal statement examples as a reference as you are working on  preparing you residency applications . The following are printed with permission from our own past successful students who worked with us as part of our  residency application review  programs. If you are having trouble getting started, you are not alone. Many students find that the personal statement can be one of the most challenging components of the  ERAS  or  CaRMS  residency applications. However, your personal statement can make or break your application. Get started on the right track by following the guidelines outlined for you below reviewing the emergency medicine residency personal statement example , pediatrics personal statement example , cardiology personal statement example, and more..  

This blog will outline what types of things to include in your residency personal statement. It will also give you 10 examples of personal statements from 10 different specialties written by actual students who matched into those fields. Reviewing personal statement examples is also good essay writing practice if you decide to write a residency letter of intent . Many of the same principles you apply to the personal statement can be applied to other application materials as well, so consider this review comprehensive. Believe it or not, personal statements also entail a great deal of self-reflection, which means they also function as a great review for residency interview questions , like the “tell me about yourself” residency interview question .

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Article Contents 39 min read

Residency personal statement example #1: family medicine.

During the pre-clerkship years of study in medical school, I enjoyed learning about the many specialties within medicine and actively considered pursuing several of them. I was drawn to the complex pharmacology of the drugs used by anesthesiologists, the acuity of care faced by emergency medicine physicians and the complicated medical issues of patients cared for by internal medicine specialists. I also found myself interested in psychiatrists’ thorough history-taking and the technical skills in performing procedures exhibited by surgeons. It started becoming clear to me that I was interested in many different areas of medicine. I began realizing that I wanted a career that combined the many things I enjoyed in different specialties. A family physician has the flexibility to practice all of these facets of medicine. As clerkship drew nearer, I knew I wanted to gain more clinical experience in family medicine to see if it would be a good fit for me.

My clinical experiences in family medicine were fantastic. I worked with family physicians and family medicine residents not only during my core family medicine rotation and family medicine electives, but also during my psychiatry, surgery, anesthesiology, and pediatrics rotations. These clinical experiences confirmed my belief that family medicine is a diverse and exciting specialty; family physicians, while maintaining a broad base of medical knowledge, can tailor their practices to the needs of their communities and to their own interests and areas of expertise. During my family medicine rotation and electives, I also found myself greatly enjoying my encounters with patients. I enjoy hearing patients’ stories and sorting through their many medical and psychosocial issues. I am also naturally a fastidious person. Being a thorough history-taker and a meticulous recorder of details helps me in formulating a complete story about a patient. My joy in interacting with patients and my attention to detail allow me to appreciate patients as people, not just as disorders or diseases. I am both interested in learning about and have a certain affinity for, family medicine clinical experiences; pursuing a career in this specialty is an obvious choice for me.

The versatility and diversity of family practice initially drew my interest but the wonderful encounters I had with family physicians solidified my desire to pursue a career in this specialty. These family physicians have not only been skilled and knowledgeable clinicians but also, variously, dedicated teachers, researchers, and administrators. They were committed to improving their clinical skills by attending continuing education lectures and courses. They practiced patient-centered care and were knowledgeable about community resources that may help their patients. They worked cooperatively with other health-care professionals to improve patient care. Importantly, these physicians have also been friendly and approachable towards both learners and patients. The family physicians I have worked with also strive toward a healthy work-life balance; all of them seemed to have many interests and hobbies outside of their professions. These clinicians demonstrated to me what being a family physician involves: practicing both the science and art of medicine, advocating for patients, guiding patients through the health-care system, being committed to improving clinical knowledge and, importantly, maintaining one’s own health and happiness.

Being sure of the specialty I want to pursue is the first step in my career. There are many learning opportunities ahead. [Name of the program]’s family medicine residency program is attractive in so many ways: the protected academic days, the opportunity to participate in research and, most importantly, the clinical curriculum, all appeal to me. I believe the solid foundation of family medicine experience, as well as the exposure to other specialties, alongside the opportunities to build the skills necessary for life-long learning through the academic experiences and research, make this an ideal program for me. On a personal note, I grew up in [hometown] and did my undergraduate studies at [name of university]; I would be thrilled to return to my hometown and a university already familiar to me. My career goals after finishing my residency include having a community-based, urban family practice and being actively involved in teaching residents and medical students. I am also open to being involved in research and administration. Career goals, however, may change as I progress through my training. I am excited to begin the next stage of medical training and begin my residency in family medicine!

1. Emphasis on why the applicant wants to enter that specific specialty

This family medicine personal statement example does a great job of explaining why the applicant wants to enter that specific specialty. Their interest is clearly stated and the decision to enter the field is well explained. The author does an excellent job of talking up the specialty and stating what they like about the field based on their clinical experience. For your residency personal statement, you want to highlight any influential moment you had during these experiences. If you had a certain “aha” moment, you might mention this. If demonstrating this commitment is difficult for you, you can always find a reputable ERAS application review service .

2. Intentions are clear

Clearly stating your intentions and using the program's name makes your statement personal and stand out. It shows that you pay attention to details and that your goals and passion align with what the program offers. Use strong, precise language when you are writing. You only have about 800 words, so state your intentions and keep your story clear.

3. Personal connection is established

This particular applicant has a personal connection to the city in which the residency would take place. This won’t be true for every applicant, but if it is, be sure to make room to mention it as long as it fits with your personal narrative. In this example, the applicant also ties this in with one of their goals: having a community-based, urban family practice. In your personal statement, you should merge these elements together for a more cohesive essay.

What to Include in Your Personal Statement

Most residency programs, whether through  ERAS  (US-based) or  CaRMS  (Canada-based) require applicants to submit a personal statement or letter. Some programs will include specific instructions for what they wish you to talk about, while others will not give you a topic. When you’re doing your research for residency programs you want to apply for, you should also take a look at the selection criteria. Each school will have its own rubric that they use to evaluate candidates, so it’s a good idea to review these before you start working on your personal statement. Here is an example of some information stated by McMaster University regarding their residency selection criteria:

“Programs may consider a range of criteria in making their selection decisions for interviews including but not limited to: Medical School Performance Report (MSPR), scores on standardized tests, interest in and aptitude for the discipline, reference letter, experience in research or other scholarly activities, extracurricular activities, and personal qualities.”

ERAS, as well as most CaRMS programs, ask that your statement be within a one-page limit, about 750-850 words. Please check the specific program requirements through the ERAS or CaRMS websites.

The experiences in your  residency CV  can be used to help you indicate why you are applying to a particular program and how you came to that decision.

1. Introduction

Typically, your residency personal statement will have three to five paragraphs, which you will use to divide the introduction, body, and conclusion. The personal statement is a formal essay, so you must adhere to the proper structure. The introduction is for you to capture the attention of the reader; for this, you will need a strong hook or opening statement. Feel free to get creative with this. The remainder of your introduction should focus on what drew you to the specialty and how your background experiences informed your decision to apply to the school and program. Your introduction should also contain a thesis statement that allows you to connect your personal background with your suitability for the program, school, and a career in medicine (in this exact specialty).

2. Body (or middle)

The body of the essay is for you to expand on a few critical experiences that made you the excellent, qualified candidate you are today. A good strategy for the body paragraph(s) is to talk about relevant clinical rotation experiences; so for example, if you’re applying to a psychiatry residency, you can talk about a specific patient experience that solidified your decision to pursue this specialty, or an experience that sticks out in your memory. This will be similar to your answer to the interesting case residency interview question . Your goal should be to use these experiences to address your specific interests, goals, and what makes you a good fit for the program. Do some research into the program format, the patient population you will be working with, and the clinical environment. This will help you connect your experiences with what the school/program offers.

3. Conclusion

You might be thinking that once you’ve written a strong introduction and body, the conclusion will be simple. However, this isn’t necessarily the case. You need to use the space in your conclusion to tie everything together and show enthusiasm for the program and for your future career. You can revisit a few key points here to highlight them once again and to relate them to what you’re hoping to gain from the forthcoming training experience. Show passion, determination, and consistency throughout your letter and tie up any loose ends in the conclusion. Some applicants will use this part of the letter to mention a specific goal they want to achieve in residency, such as working with specific faculty members or research plans. You may also mention aspirations to complete a fellowship or what you want your future practice to look like.

Here's why "show, don't tell" is the most important tip for any personal statement:

Questions to Ask Yourself to Help You Brainstorm Ideas

• What makes you right for this specialty?
• What experiences drew you to this specialty?
• What appeals to you about this specific program?
• Do you have any experiences working in the city of the program you’re applying to?
• How will your residency training help you achieve your goals?
• What are some of your personal strengths that will allow you to contribute to the program?
• What evidence do you have that you possess those strengths?
• Do you have any research/publications that align with the research the school is doing?
• Do you have any gaps in your medical education or evaluations that you would like to address?
• What’s something you think the program director should know that isn’t obvious from your application materials?

  Growing up the first-born daughter of a hard-working Saskatchewan cattle farmer and hairdresser, medicine was never a consideration. In a small town, I could easily see how too much free time got many of my peers in trouble. From grade 8-12 I devoted myself to sports, playing high school, club and provincial beach volleyball, weeknights and weekends year round. Despite my small stature and lack of innate abilities, with determination and persistence, I overcame these obstacles. At the end of my grade 11 year, I received an athletic scholarship and chose to pursue business administration and athletics.

After the first six months, it became apparent that I was not going to attain my full potential in education at [university name}. Despite my parent’s reservations, I left and enrolled at a [university name] for the next semester. This university was much more challenging as I was now balancing my educational and financial responsibilities by working evenings and weekends managing a number of part-time jobs. With little direction as to what degree I wanted to pursue, I happened to enroll in anatomy and physiology. This was the first time I became really excited about my future prospects and began actively considering a career in medicine.

The first time I applied to medicine, I was rejected. Despite my initial devastation, in hindsight, it was a great opportunity for myself to reflect on my own motivations for medicine and work as a laboratory technician at a potash mine in my hometown. I gained additional life experience, spent time with my family and was able to help financially support my husband’s pursuit of education after he had so selflessly supported me for many years.

My first exposure to anesthesia was in my first year of medical school with [Dr. name here] as my mentor in clinical reasoning. I was again, intrigued by the anatomy and physiology with the interlacing of pharmacology. I remained open to all specialties, however, after summer early exposures, research, and clerkship it became clear to me that anesthesia is where I felt the most fulfilled and motivated.

In a way, anesthesia was reminiscent of the competitive volleyball I had played years prior. I was again a part of a team in the operating room with a common goal. Similarly, our countless years of education and practice had brought us together to achieve it. In volleyball, my role was the setter, which to many is considered a lackluster position as we rarely attack the ball and score points with power. However, as a setter, my role is to set the pace, strategize and dictate the game from my team’s perspective. There is a long sequence of crucial events before a “kill” in volleyball and I strategized my teammate's individual strengths in both offense and defense to win. Anesthesia gives me the same opportunities to strategize anesthetics, balance individual patient’s comorbidities and anatomy all while maintaining a calm demeanor and level head through unexpected circumstances. In volleyball, I never shied away from tense games or difficult situations, instead I trusted in my own abilities and training despite uncharted territory. Lastly, I didn't need to actually score the point in order to understand my role and contributions to my team.

As an athlete, I understand the importance of practice and repetition which allow us to fail, but most importantly, to learn. I believe that the curriculum at this program will provide me with a well-respected education, which strongly reflects my learning style. I also admire the mandatory communication block in the curriculum because I believe an emphasis on clear and concise communication, is essential as an anesthetist.

Throughout the course of the next 5-10 years, I anticipate that both my husband and I will complete the next chapter in our educational pursuits. We both agree that [program name here] has the potential to nurture the next chapter in both our private and professional lives if given the opportunity.

What Makes This Sample Effective?

1. the theme is personal and consistent.

In this anesthesiology residency personal statement example , the author of this passage carries the theme of athletics throughout the statement. Having a theme can unify your personal statement and give it direction. This is a good example of a way to use a theme to tie together different ideas. Having a good theme is also something you should keep in mind when you’re answering anesthesiology residency interview questions , as program directors want to see that this particular specialty choice wasn’t simply drawn out of a hat; rather, your emphasis on a theme can demonstrate that your choice was intentional and the right fit.

2. The tone is positive throughout

Also, take note of how the author explained the transition to different schools without speaking negatively of the institutions. In your own personal statement, feel free to use the names of the universities you attended. They have been redacted here for anonymity. This statement has parts where you could customize it. Use the name of the program when possible or the name of the town. Taking time to add this into your statement shows the program that you pay attention to detail while personalizing it to each program.

3. Lessons learned apply to medicine

The writer of this personal statement relies on analogy to connect their experience to their interest in anesthesiology: “I understand the importance of practice and repetition which allow us to fail, but most importantly, to learn.” This analogy works so well because it shows why the applicant is suited to the program and specialty, it reveals an important aspect of their personality with evidence, and it sets expectations for how they want to contribute to the field. In your essay, you can use a similar strategy by tying together a major life theme or event with what you learned and how that applies to your medical training.

I was six years old when my father read to me the first chapter of “How Things Work.” The first chapter covered doors and specifically, the mechanics in a doorknob. What lay hidden and confined in the door panel was this complex system that produced a simple action. I credit this experience as the onset of my scientific curiosity and eventually my passion for complex systems found in medicine. Intensivists vigilantly maintain homeostasis within the human body, a complex system in and of itself, a concept I recognize as personally fascinating and enticing. I find myself especially drawn to the field of critical care and intensive care medicine. My dreams to become an intensivist would be highly complimented by a residency in surgery.

In critical care, each patient in the ICU is usually in a general state of shock. From the initial state of shock, the patient can be further complicated with comorbidities and chronic diseases that may require further intensive medical intervention so that they may recover from a recent surgery or traumatic event. This dynamic nature of the ICU is not available in every unit of the hospital and the high level of acuity does not suit everyone. I, however, enjoy the high energy of the enthralling, engaging and exciting environment offered by the ICU. I am personally energized and awakened by managing patients with surgically-altered physiology coupled with comorbidities. There is an overwhelming satisfaction when a patient following a bilateral lung transplant gets up from his bed and walks through the unit after days of being bedridden, or the moment we can discontinue the lines we had the patient on and finally talk to them after two weeks of intubation and sedation. Being in the ICU also encompasses the emotional seesaw of going from a successful patient case to a room in which a family has just decided that comfort care is the best way to proceed, which gives me chills just to type and verbalize.

The work of an intensivist is not only limited to the patient, but also the emotional well-being of the patient’s family as well. My involvement in the ICU has taught me that sometimes it is necessary to talk to a patient’s family, to explain to them simply that the postoperative expectations that they had had, may not be met. Communication is key in this field, both with the patients and the physicians of the OR. Communication prevents perioperative complications, establishes a willingness to follow directions and relays professionalism. It is important for an intensivist to have an excellent understanding of surgical procedures, so that they may explain to the patient what to expect as well as ease the nerves of the patient preoperatively. A surgical residency would facilitate this understanding and undoubtedly prove to be useful in my future training.

Studying medicine in Europe has taught me volumes about myself, how driven, motivated and open-minded I can be. To move so far away from home and yet be so familiar with the language, I feel blessed to be able to say that I’ve had a high level of exposure to diversity in my life. The mentality in [insert country name here] is if you don’t see the doctor, you are not sick. This common thought has to lead to an outstanding environment to study medicine and to see end-stage, textbook presentations of various pathologies and their management. Studying medicine in two languages has in itself taught me that medicine is a language and that the way a patient presents, conveys themselves, and the findings of the physical examination, all represent the syntax of the diagnosis. This awareness has reminded me that patient care, relief of patient suffering and illness, transcends the grammatical rules of the patient’s native tongue. My clinical experience in [insert country here] will aid me in providing thoughtful care to my future patients.

All things considered, I am ready to leave my home of the last four years and come back to the United States, to enter the next stage of my life and career. I am ready to work harder than ever, to prove myself to my future residency program and most importantly, learn so that I may be a suitable candidate for a future fellowship program in critical care. My experiences abroad have constantly pushed me to new horizons and encouraged responsibilities that I don’t believe I would otherwise have. I’ve developed a new level of human connection through my work in the ICU, the OR and my travels throughout Europe. These experiences will aid me in working with a diverse patient population and a diverse team of physicians. I hope [the program name here] can give me the variety and the background in surgery that I will need to succeed.

1. Atypical experiences are justified

This surgery personal statement example has to do double duty for the admissions committee. It has to explain why surgery, what this student can offer, and why this student is passionate about the field while simultaneously explaining why the applicant chose medical school abroad. If you are applying to a country where you did not attend medical school there, you have to explain why you studied abroad. This often poses a challenge for students. Be honest and positive about your experience. This student did an excellent job of explaining why it was such a good fit for their personality while highlighting the advantages of this experience.

Focus on the characteristics you gained from your experience abroad. Explain how your experience will translate into success in your residency. There are many things to be gained from having spent time outside of your home country. Talk about the skills you developed from living abroad. Unique details like those will set you apart when you are writing your statement.

2. Makes unique experiences an advantage

This applicant studied abroad in Europe. The way they talk about it is key: they explain how the experience was a challenge that they learned from. Most programs and schools are looking for medical school graduates who can contribute to their vision of diversity. If you have experience travelling abroad, this is a good chance for you to explain how this enriched your perspective and professional capabilities. Some of the skills that this applicant discusses are assets for a career in medicine: speaking two languages, exposure to diverse people and methods, and the ability to work with a large patient and physician population from different backgrounds. If you endeavor to explain some of your diverse experiences, be sure to make it clear what you gained and how you can apply it to your residency training.

3. The writer’s voice and style are unique

To get matched to the program and school of your choice, you will need to stand out from the crowd. To do this effectively in your personal statement, give your writing a unique style and allow your personality to shine through. In this example, the writer achieves this in the first paragraph in the “hook” in which they describe when their father used to read “How Things Work”; this life event left a lasting impression, and the writer links this to why a residency in surgery would benefit their goal of becoming an intensivist. With a first draft, it’s okay to experiment with word choice and content. Make sure you include all the necessary elements and formatting requirements, but try your best to put the “personal” in personal statement. Note that this is a general surgery example; if you were applying for plastic surgery or neurosurgery, you should read plastic surgery residency personal statement examples or neurosurgery personal statement examples for a slightly varied essay strategy.

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Residency Personal Statement Examples #4: Emergency Medicine

One of the most surprising things that I learned through my emergency medicine (EM) electives is that working in an emergency department is like leading a horse. I grew up on a farm in the [name of city], and working with animals was very much a part of my childhood. When walking a horse, one must be prepared for anything should the animal become spooked. It can startle at any moment and one must react quickly and calmly to redirect the thousand-pound creature. Similarly, in EM, one never knows when the department is going to become “spooked” by what comes through the door. EM is exciting, with a variety of patient presentations and medical procedures done on a daily basis. I enjoy dealing with the unexpected challenges that arise in caring for patients with backgrounds vastly different from my own. It would be a privilege to gain the skills as an emergency physician to provide acute life-saving care, to connect patients with resources and other healthcare professionals, and to provide comfort to patients and families in the settings of acute loss or difficult diagnoses. I feel that the [name of program] is the ideal path to reach that goal.

First, the [name of program] offers additional support and training to continue to perform research and other scholarly activities. Through my experience in quality improvement, I have learned of the value of research and how it can be applied to practical problems. For instance, while volunteering in a pool rehabilitation program for individuals with neurological disabilities, a patient who I had worked with for a year tragically suffered a fall and broke his hip leaving him significantly disabled. This led me to research inpatient falls during medical school and I initiated a quality improvement project and presented at several conferences, quality improvement rounds, and meetings with hospital stakeholders. After several years of work, I am very proud that this led to the implementation of a province-wide quality improvement initiative funded by [name of organization]. This initiative is physician-led and is aimed at reducing inpatient falls across [name of city]. This project demonstrated how rewarding research is when it can be translated into tangible initiatives and is why I am particularly interested in quality improvement research. I look forward to more dedicated time in the [name of program] to develop my research skills and to apply quality improvement to EM.

In addition to increased training in research, the [name of program] offers the opportunity to subspecialize within EM. While in medical school, I helped my single mother raise my much younger siblings and this has inspired my interest in pediatric EM. I maximized my studying through the effective use of weekly group study sessions and podcasts to allow for free weekends to return home to spend with my brother and sister. Through my experiences teaching and playing with my siblings, I have learned to deal with children in a calm and friendly manner. I used these skills to maintain positive therapeutic relationships with children during my pediatric EM rotation at [name of hospital]. For instance, I was able to cast the forearm of a frightened child by first demonstrating the procedure on her toy rabbit, and then calmly fitting a cast on her arm. I enjoy the emphasis on patient and family education as well as the focus on making the patient feel safe and cared for. I would love to explore this field further as my niche within the [name of program] in emergency medicine.

Alongside research and pediatric EM, I am also interested in teaching. Some of my fondest memories involve the evening teaching sessions during primary and secondary school spent with my grandpa, a retired teacher. My grandpa modeled effective teaching techniques, first assessing my knowledge and then expanding on it by asking questions and providing guidance when needed. Similarly, some of my best memories in medical school include the five-minute bedside teaching sessions after interesting cases that were taught in that way. Inspired by many residents and staff I have worked with, I look forward to expanding my teaching role in residency. Like my grandpa and my clinical mentors, I hope to help future students maximize their learning potential through the delivery of lectures and bedside teaching. Training within the [name of program] would allow additional time to develop the skills necessary for this, through increased exposure to mentorship, teaching role models, and opportunities to be involved in curricular development.

I would feel privileged to join the resident team in the [name of program]. I was fortunate that most of my core clerkship training including EM, as well as my fourth year EM elective, was at the [name of hospital]. What stands out the most to me most about working in the [name of hospital] is the tight-knit community feel in the setting of a high volume, high acuity ED. I value that the small program leads to a cohesive resident group and staff who are invested in their learners. Furthermore, from my rotations there, I know the ample procedural and hands-on exposure residents get from the beginning of their training. With my interest in pediatric EM, I value the longitudinal exposure to pediatrics at [name of program], with opportunities to do dedicated pediatric rotations both at [name of hospital], as well as [name of hospital]l. Finally, the [name of city] is my home; my family and friends are here, and I love the hiking, fishing, kayaking, and snowboarding that are all less than an hour away. I would be incredibly honored to have the privilege of pursuing EM in the [name of program], and look forward to serving my community.

Read some more Emergency Medicine Personal Statement Examples !

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The thought of caring for severely ill children seemed disheartening and overwhelming when I first began shadowing [name of doctor] at [name of hospital] five years ago. I was very nervous. While some of the cases were indeed difficult, my experience was starkly different. In one of our first cases, I quickly jumped in to comfort a scared child suffering from kidney disease. The mother of our patient confided in me about her son's struggles with bullying due to the disfiguring edema. I felt how much she appreciated being able to share her son’s challenges with me. Throughout my clinical experiences, I saw that caring for a pediatric patient often involves delicately navigating complex social situations and family dynamics. From that point on, I knew I had both the passion and compassion to succeed as a future pediatrician.

I am particularly keen to complete my residency at the [name of school], because I had such an immersive learning experience completing 5 years of research with [name of doctor] at [name of hospital] and at [name of hospital], not to mention [name of school]'s stellar international reputation. The incredibly high standard of excellence at [name of school], as well as [name of city] being my hometown, make the [name of school] my top choice to complete my residency. To further demonstrate the excellent education, I remember a time while shadowing at [name of hospital] in the genetics clinics where we discussed the pathophysiology of Bartter’s syndrome. The residents were having a hard time understanding this disease, but [name of doctor] explained the exact pathophysiology and downstream effects of it. The incredible intellect, mentorship and leadership [name of doctor] demonstrated has inspired me to pursue a nephrology fellowship upon completion of my residency.

During my elective rotations in [name of cities], I saw indigenous pediatric patients with a variety of ailments from hypoglycemia to cystic fibrosis. I spoke with them about the struggles of travelling long distances to obtain care. As an Inuit member of the [name of group], I have spent time reflecting on the medical needs of this much-overlooked population and hope to explore ways of reaching out to underserved populations in my future career.

I am prepared to be a leader and engaged learner in my residency program because of my participation in impactful leadership roles. I am currently the president of the [name of society], where one of my main duties is coordinating the [name of initiative], an initiative that teaches children about hospitals and healthy living. I was able to spend one-on-one time with disabled children teaching them about the heart through dance and instruments and activities to decrease fears associated with hospitals. This demonstrated the importance of promoting health care initiatives for kids and educate families and their children on how to be advocates of their own health.

As a competitive Irish dancer for sixteen years, I developed perseverance, determination, and time management that have been critical throughout my medical school training. Competing in front of judges and thousands of spectators all over the world, performing to my best ability under intense pressure was a necessity. I persevered with the challenge of competing at an international level and still maintained a very high level of academic performance while achieving my career high of second at the World Championships.

As an IMG applicant born and raised in [name of city] and educated in [name of country], I believe that my international education provides many advantages. I was exposed to diverse cultures and innovative ways of thinking from teachers from all over the globe at the [name of college] that I hope to bring back to Canada with me. Through the last 6 years, I have also had many research experiences and clinical electives in Canada that have given me insights into the intricacies of the Canadian Health Care system.

I am confident that pediatrics is the field I wish to pursue and I cannot wait to begin my residency so that I can start becoming an excellent clinician who advocates for children, as well as a scholar involved in research projects that will help advance the field. After successfully completing my pediatric residency program, I plan to pursue a pediatric fellowship. I am excited at the prospect of working and learning at the [name of school] while being an active and professional member of your residency program. I am also looking forward to developing my teaching skills and contributing to the community while also enjoying bike rides down the paths in the [name of path] and to be reunited with my [name of city] based family.

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“Code blue, electrophysiology laboratory” a voice announces overhead during my cardiology rotation. As the code team, we rush to the patient, an elderly man in shock. Seamlessly, we each assume our preassigned roles. I quickly review his chart and note to the team-leader that this patient had a previous EF of 10 percent and just got cardioverted. Vasopressors administered, intubation, central line secured, and the patient is stabilized and sent to our floor. During my rotations in internal medicine, I was constantly elated by my team’s ability to come together at such key moments. This gave me a sense of joy I did not find in other rotations. Moreover, I had inspiring attending physicians and residents who served as my mentors. They taught me that an internist is a medical expert committed to evidence-based medicine and perpetual learning, a compassionate physician, and an engaged community member. These lessons and the satisfaction of managing highly complex cases with a dedicated team consolidated my interest in internal medicine.

Compassion and a holistic approach to medicine remain quintessential for patient care. During my rotations, I took advantage of opportunities to learn from my patients both at the bedside and through independent reading. As a senior student, I prepared learning capsules that I presented to my team. This taught me to synthesize and communicate information efficiently. Beyond that, I took courses outside of the formal curriculum such as a point-of-care ultrasound course to improve my ultrasound procedural skills. When we no longer had any curative interventions to offer patients, I learned that acknowledging the patients’ suffering and being present for them in their most vulnerable time can ease their pain. As a resident at [name of school], I will continue my dedication to academic excellence and compassionate, patient-centered care in my efforts to care for my patients.

I have built strong ties to my community serving as president of the [name of school] Biology Student Union. Together, we enacted a complex study space and locker initiative through my role as a mentor at [name of organization]. These experiences instilled in me the values of proactivity and advocacy which I aim to bring with me to [name of school]. There, I hope to continue my community engagement as a mentor with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of [name of city]. Moreover, as I learn more about [name of town]'s healthcare system, I hope to combine that knowledge with my medical education to add my perspective to health policy decision-making in the province.

In addition to its excellent academic reputation, [name of school]’s commitment to academic excellence and continuing education, as exemplified by the abundant academic teaching, drew me to the program. Moreover, given my belief that we develop to be an amalgam of characteristics and values our mentors espouse, I was delighted to learn about the mentorship opportunities available. This was a unique characteristic that motivated me to apply to [name of school]. Finally, having lived in [name of city] for the last ten years, I am looking forward to spending the next chapter of my life in a smaller, more tightly knit community of [name of city].

As I learned and modeled the different roles of an internist, I also learned a lot about myself. I learned of my thirst for knowledge, of my desire to treat as well as to heal the patient, and of my urge to be a leader in my community. These characteristics will play a defining role in my residency. I also learned of my passion for acute medicine. After my residency, I hope to further subspecialize in cardiology. As a future cardiologist, I aim to provide patient-centered care, conduct research, continue my community engagement, and act as a role model to future generation.

Get inspired with these Cardiology Personal Statement Examples !

Watch this to learn what red flags to avoid in your residency personal statement!

Residency Personal Statement Examples #7: Psychiatry

I grew up in a tight knit military family in a community struck with the stigma of mental illness. Throughout my childhood we lost friends to the complications of untreated mental illness including overdose and suicide. I knew at that point that I wanted to pursue mental illness and completed a psychology degree and then a nursing degree. In University, I volunteered in a distress service for 6 years, providing individual sessions to students on issues including suicidality, interpersonal violence and addiction. As a registered nurse, I honed my skills in mental status examinations and cared for their comorbid psychiatric illness with medical disease utilizing communication and building rapport. I saw the impact of life altering conditions and procedures on their mental health. As a medical student, I continued to explore psychiatry through City X summer studentship and appreciated the breadth of psychiatric practice. As a clerk, I completed a range of psychiatric electives, caring for patients in multiple care settings and across various socioeconomic and age ranges. I enrolled in the integrated community clerkship, in X town, a community 900 km North of X city. The socioeconomic disparities and lack of access to mental health services had a negative impact on community, with suicidality and addictions. I followed my patients across practice domains assessing their functioning, medication regimen and continued to build a collaborative relationship. This proved crucial to uncover their health status across domains and helped me identify areas to support their challenges. 

I value the ability to understand my patients from a biopsychosocial framework and addressing negative thought processes in support of their wellness. I view our duty in psychiatry is to support their strengths on a trajectory to wellness and provide guidance and resources utilizing pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies. Psychiatry is a newer field of medicine, allowing for ongoing innovations in treatment and practice. This is exciting to explore novel approaches to treatments as we continue to uncover the physiological, neurological and pharmacological dimensions of mental health. It is also important to recognize the challenges of psychiatry. The history of mental illness creates access to care barriers from both a structural viewpoint with longer wait times and on a personal level due to their concern about the social and occupational implications of stigma. As our population ages, this threatens to overwhelm the current psychiatric infrastructure and will require more complex approaches due to medical comorbidities and medication contraindications. We will require ongoing research focused on medical comorbidities of neuropsychiatric illness and treatment modalities to improve quality of care. 

I am drawn to the University of X psychiatry program due to its resident focused approach. I appreciate the ongoing mentorship and supervision and the preparatory endeavors including the mock examinations. From a clinical perspective, the program has a strong psychotherapy curriculum and offers unique elective opportunities including electroconvulsive therapy. The ability to continue serving rural communities solidifies my interests in this well-known program. 

Check out these Psychiatry Personal Statement Examples !

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Residency Personal Statement Examples #8: Internal Medicine

“People are drawn to medicine in one of two ways: the humanity or the science.” My mentor, [name of doctor], staff medical oncologist at the [name of hospital], once told me this. As a volunteer during my premedical studies, I assisted him with his impromptu lunchtime clinics while others were on break and was able to catch a glimpse of his patients’ unshakable trust in him. Those moments sparked my interest in Internal Medicine. Internists are entrusted with the most complex patients in any hospital. Therefore, Internists take on the responsibility of a patient’s trust in their lowest, most disoriented moments. Accordingly, when I finally started clinical rotations, I saw it as my responsibility to fully understand each patient’s motivations and fears to advocate for their goals. One patient I had gotten to know still stands out in my mind. She was 95, witty, and self-assured but was found to have bone metastasis causing excruciating pain during her hospital stay. She knew she did not want aggressive life-prolonging treatment and declined further workup, but how could we help her? I suggested palliative radiotherapy to my team because I remember her telling me “I had a good life. I am not scared of death, but if I have to be around for a while, can’t I be more comfortable?” Therefore, my team entrusted me to talk to her and her family about a referral to Radiation Oncology. She responded to me with “I don’t think there’s anyone who knows what I’d want better than you. You’ve listened to me so much. I trust you.” I spent the next half hour explaining the rationale behind the referral to both her and her family. She received urgent Radiotherapy two weeks later. Her narcotic requirement decreased by more than half. After that moment, I envisioned that one day, I could also look into the eyes of someone at their most vulnerable moment and give them confidence to trust me and my team with their care.

Although my interest in Internal Medicine is rooted in the human connection, my attention to detail, work ethic, and natural curiosity, also makes me especially well-suited for the challenges of Internal Medicine. Indeed, beyond the human connection, Internal Medicine’s challenges of complex problem solving, and large ever-growing breadth of knowledge is also what makes each day so satisfying. When I was on the Nephrology Consult service, I was following a patient with a kidney transplant who was admitted for Line Sepsis. I noticed a mild Non-Anion Gap Metabolic Acidosis and a persistent mild Hyperkalemia. I presented my findings to my staff as a possible Type 4 RTA. He complimented me on my attention to detail and warned that a Type 4 RTA in a kidney transplant patient could be a sign of rejection. We restarted his anti-rejection medication that had been held due to his infection, his electrolyte abnormalities corrected in less than two days. My attention to detail is a particular asset for Internal Medicine because more than any other specialty, the tiniest details like a mildly abnormal lab work, when pieced together in the correct way, could solve the most difficult clinical problem. That is also what makes problem-solving in Internal Medicine so satisfying. My mentors have always complimented me on my work ethic. However, I enjoy staying late for admissions and additional learning or reading hours around my patients at home because learning Internal Medicine is so interesting.

On the other hand, Internists are also tasked with the very large, working with multiple professionals and navigate system issues to keep patients healthy and out of hospital such as when [name of doctor] entrusted me with planning the discharge of a homeless patient during my Medicine CTU elective at [name of hospital]. The patient had Schizophrenia and Grave’s Disease and had been admitted to hospital multiple times that year with thyrotoxicosis due to medication non-adherence. During his admission, I had elicited the help of two homeless outreach coordinators to ensure proper follow-up. Therefore, by the time of discharge, he had a new family doctor, timely appointments with the family doctor and endocrinologist, maps with directions to each appointment, his prescription medications ready to go, as well as a new apartment application.

Ultimately, I am fortunate to be drawn to Internal Medicine for both its humanity and science. I believe that I have the qualities that will help me excel in its smallest details and its largest responsibilities. In residency, I aim to explore and learn as much Internal Medicine as possible before becoming an expert in one area so I can make an informed choice and be a well-rounded physician. Therefore, the fact that [name of city] has so many leading experts especially suits my learning goals. Indeed, during my electives in [name of city], I’ve already learned knowledge that I’ve not encountered elsewhere like the Bernese method of Buprenorphine induction. The availability of resources such as the DKA management simulation and the use of presentations of cutting-edge knowledge as part of evaluation also suits my self-directed learning style. Furthermore, my research has focused on the PMCC Gastro-Esophageal Cancer Database where we were able to discover various new details in the clinical behavior of Gastro-Esophageal cancer due to the large volume of patients are PMCC and its world-class expertise. This line of research would not work as well anywhere else in [name of country]. Indeed, our database is currently the second-largest in the world. Therefore, the second reason [name of city] is my ideal place for training is for its unique research opportunities, so I can continue to contribute to further medical knowledge. Lastly, [name of city] is the most diverse city in [name of country]. Growing up as an immigrant, I had experienced how cultural backgrounds can become a barrier to receiving good medical care. Therefore, the diverse patient population and strong allied health support in [name of city] could also allow me to hone the skills required to assist me in providing good quality care to all patients, regardless of background.

Here are more Internal Medicine Personal Statement Examples !

My first exposure to Family Medicine occurred during my time as a Medical Officer working in a small clinic in Nigeria in fulfilment of the [name of service]. There, I recognized that a career in this specialty would offer me the opportunity to not only experience the aspects I cherished most about other specialties, but fulfill my personal interests in advancing community health.

My many encounters with patients during my days in the clinic reaffirmed my view of Primary care physicians as being on the frontline of diagnosis and preventive medicine. There was the middle-aged diabetic patient who had first presented to the emergency with diabetic ketoacidosis, the hypertensive man whose initial complaint of a persistent headache prompted the discovery of his soaring blood pressure, and the adolescent with a family history of allergies who was diagnosed with asthma. These encounters highlighted that as the first point of contact, the general practitioner is not only responsible for diagnosis, but often in ensuring patients are set on the path of healthy habits to prevent disease complications. This unique opportunity to significantly advance the well-being of a patient, and by extension, the community renewed my interest in the field.

An especially appealing feature of Family Medicine is that it provides an opportunity for patient care without limitations of age, sex, disease or organ system. From treating colds and routine checkups to referral for a suspected malignancy, I enjoyed that every day in the clinic was a learning experience and no day was routine. In addition, having a diverse population of patients and cases requires an abundance of clinical knowledge and I cherish the chance to learn and expand my skills every day.

I also value that an essential part of Primary care is in the enduring relationships the practitioners develop with patients. I recall several moments during my clinical experiences when I recognized that some of the bonds formed during ongoing patient interactions had evolved into lasting friendships. Being a practice of continual care, I appreciate that this specialty provides many opportunities to follow patients through different stages of their lives ensuring a deepening of relationship and compliance with care. I was inspired during my clinical rotation here in the United States when I saw how my preceptorís long-term relationships with patients enabled their compliance and often extended to different generations within one family.

Ultimately, I am confident that my experiences have prepared me for a career in this specialty. An agreeable, attentive and compassionate nature has aided me in gaining trust as well as building meaningful interpersonal relationships which are crucial components of this field. Furthermore, my interaction with an extensive array of patients during my clinical and volunteer experiences has equipped me with the ability to communicate and relate to patients across different age groups and backgrounds. In addition, I enjoy working to coordinate patient care with colleagues and other specialties and value that the wellness of the patient is a result of hard work, dedication, and teamwork.

Thus, I hope to find a residency program dedicated to providing in-depth clinical training with a diverse patient population and an emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention through patient education and community service. Moreover, I look forward to being part of a program that will encourage my pursuit of intellectual development and advancement to enable my transition into a well-rounded, competent and skilled physician committed to serving people with needs in all areas of medicine. With a career in this specialty, I know that every day will bring a new opportunity to influence health behaviors, and while there will be challenges, fulfilling them will always be satisfying.

Here I am, yet again. Last year, I also applied for a position as a dermatology resident. Though I was not selected, I return with the same diligence and perseverance, as well as additional skills and knowledge. My continued dedication to pursue a career in dermatology reminds me that no good thing comes easily and pushes me to stay motivated and work hard toward my goals. 

I am drawn to dermatology for a host of reasons, one of which is the opportunity to work with my hands. In my current residency program, I have had the opportunity to assist in various surgical procedures. I recall the subdued exhilaration I felt when removing my first lipoma and the satisfaction of observing the surgeon completed the procedure with precision and care. My excitement for surgery continued to be reinforced in the many subsequent procedures I assisted with and I look forward to honing my surgical skills further as I complete my training in dermatology. 

However, to me, “hands-on” is defined as more than just its literal meaning. The opportunity to build relationships with patients steers me more towards a career in outpatient medicine. During my dermatology outpatient rotation, I was involved in the care of a patient who presented initially complaining of a heliotrope rash and gottron’s papules. When she expressed a deep sense of shame about this rash, I became acutely aware of how patient’s external disease can influence their internal emotions. I thus responded empathetically, simultaneously validating her concerns and providing her with much-needed assurance. When she was later diagnosed with dermatomyositis secondary to underlying breast cancer, this patient requested to speak to me specifically, recalling the positive interaction we had shared before. Again, I was able to explain the diagnosis and treatment plan with patience and regard for her every concern. Developing a trusted physician-patient relationship is crucial in the field of dermatology because most patients exhibit strong internal emotions from their visually external disease. Also important is the ability to deliver difficult news and be considerate of patients’ feelings in these delicate moments. I plan to continue to use these skills during my career as a dermatologist.  

To me, dermatology is also a field that is thought-provoking and stimulating due to its constant evolution and advancements. Thus, during my internship, I committed to educating myself in the field of dermatology through multiple research projects. My research thus far has been focused on whether UV light lamps used in gel manicures increases the risk of skin cancers as well as the outcomes of using intralesional 5-fluorouracil for squamous cell carcinoma and keratoacanthomas. While my research was focused in the field of dermatology, I did not hesitate to take on additional projects, pursuing assignments in both breast cancer and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. I strongly believe the best doctors have a thorough understanding of the practice of medicine in totality as our ability to incorporate this knowledge in our diagnosis and treatment of our patients directly impacts their wellbeing. For these reasons, I strive to continually educate myself in not only dermatology, but other fields that might have implications on my practice. 

My ideal dermatology program would allow me to manage a variety of complex medical dermatological conditions and engage in research, both of which will continue to challenge me intellectually and push me to exercise creativity to develop innovative solutions to dermatological treatments. As someone who enjoys working with my hands and the instant gratification of the surgical approach as a treatment option, I would also value the opportunity to perform surgeries and improve my surgical skills. Furthermore, I have found that beyond medicine, the people in each program make or break an experience. Positive attitudes, expressed dedication, and mentorship are vital characteristics in any program of my interest.

I am confident my aspirations will be fulfilled in the field of dermatology, but more importantly, I know I will be a good contribution to this field and your program – my work ethic, motivation, and commitment unwavering. I am determined, impassioned, and excited to embark on this next phase of my journey. 

Check out even more Dermatology Personal Statement Examples !

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How To Address Areas of Concern

There are some things that are out of our control. Sometimes we have to take time off to deal with personal issues, or sometimes we have to retake tests. If you have something you feel like you need to explain in your application, the personal statement is the area to address it. If you had a leave of absence or failed an exam, you should offer a clear, unemotional explanation of the situation. Use positive language. Whatever the area of concern, try and phrase it in the most favorable light. Take accountable for what has happened, but do not place blame or make an excuse. Here are some phrases you can try and use in your personal statement.

Sometimes we have to interact with people who we don't see eye to eye with. When I worked with (you can choose to say the person's name or just use their title) I learned how to (insert a lesson here). Even though it was a challenge, I have gained skills that will better my future practice. ","label":"Unfavorable Evaluation by an Attending","title":"Unfavorable Evaluation by an Attending"}]" code="tab1" template="BlogArticle">

Keep in mind that these are suggestions. If you are concerned about an area of your application that might be a red flag, it may be in your best interest to address it head-on. The choice to write about them is your own individual opinion. Your personal statement should highlight the best side of you. If you think that an area of weakness might hurt your chances, it may be beneficial to take ownership of the problem and write it in a way that will show what you learned and how it made you better.

For the most part, your residency personal statement should be within a one-page limit or approximately 750-850 words. Be sure to check your specific program requirements to verify before you begin writing.

It's entirely up to you if you want to address unfavorable grades or gaps in your studies. However, if you feel something in your application will be seen as a red flag, it's best to address issues head-on instead of having admissions committees dwell on possible areas of concern.

If you're going to address a gap, just ensure that you have a clear narrative for why you took these breaks, what you did on break and what this break means for your ability to function at a very high academic level for many years to come.

If you're addressing a poor evaluation, ensure that you take responsibility for your grade, discuss what you learned and how your performance will be improved in the future - then move on. It's important that you don't play the victim and you must always reflect on what lessons you've learned moving forward.

Absolutely. While it's not necessary to discuss your personal connection to a program location, showing program directors that you have ties to their program's location can give you a competitive edge over other applicants. The reason being is that it's a way to show program directors that you are invested in practicing medicine locally.

That's not to say that you have to apply to programs that are within your home state or province, but if one of the reasons you love a particular program is because of its location in your hometown, don't be afraid to mention this. Whether you enjoy the outdoor activities in the program's location, have family and friends in the area, or even grew up in the area at some point, these can all be great aspects to mention.

Firstly, it's important to check the program's specific requirements for your statement because some programs have a specific prompt or multiple prompts that you'll need to address. If you are not given a prompt, in general, your statement needs to answer “why this specialty?” and “why this program?”. Your responses must be supported with your personal experiences and your statement should incorporate your future career goals.

No, instead you'll be preparing one personal statement for each specialty. For example, if you're applying to emergency medicine and family medicine, you'll need to prepare one statement for emergency medicine and one statement for family medicine.

As long as it's during the application season, you can edit and review your personal statement. However, keep in mind that if you edit your personal statement, there is no guarantee that programs will review the most up to date version. For this reason, it's best to only assign your personal statement to programs once you've 100% happy with the final version.

No, there is no limit on how many personal statements you can create. 

Your personal statement should have three major structural elements: the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. Your thesis statement will appear in your introduction in the first paragraph. The body is for you to discuss major experiences relevant to your chosen specialty, and the conclusion is generally the place to summarize and highlight some of the item you mentioned in the body or introduction.

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Effective Guide: Psychiatry Personal Statement Examples

Table of Contents

Achieving acceptance into a prestigious psychiatry residency program is no small feat. And a personal statement can make or break your chances of success. Gaining insight into the personal statement writing process for psychiatry can be a daunting challenge.

However, by gaining inspiration from psychiatry personal statement examples , applicants can craft a compelling narrative that reflects their individual experience and expertise. This guide provides valuable tips for writing your psychiatry personal statement and examples for inspiration.

What Is a Psychiatry Personal Statement?

A psychiatry personal statement is a vital component of an individual’s application for residency training in psychiatry. It serves as an introduction to the applicant’s academic and professional achievements , qualifications, experience, and goals.

The purpose of this document is to demonstrate that the individual has the right skills and qualities necessary to become a successful psychiatrist. It must be written with precision and clarity, using factual examples and colloquial language to effectively convey the message.

Tips for Writing a Psychiatry Personal Statement

We have compiled some essential tips to help you write an effective personal statement for psychiatry. Keep the following tips in mind when crafting your own:

Start With a Story

Begin with an anecdote that reflects the writer’s journey to becoming a psychiatrist. This is an excellent way to engage readers and set the stage for the rest of your statement.

Detail Your Experiences

Use detailed descriptions and imagery when discussing experiences related to psychiatry. Don’t just list them off, but add how they made you feel or what lesson you learned from them.

Focus on Areas of Interest Within Psychiatry

Identify topics you find interesting and want to learn more about, then expand upon these in your personal statement

Mention Relevant Research Work or Projects

Discuss any research projects or activities related to psychiatry that you have participated in. Highlight their purpose and outcomes while discussing the skills you acquired through them.

Highlight Your Qualities

Highlight both tangible and intangible qualities that make you suited for a career as a psychiatrist. Include qualities such as empathy, compassion, resilience, objectivity, etc.

Provide Relevant Examples

Incorporate examples throughout your writing that illustrate your expertise. Bring up specific cases where you succeeded in diagnosing or treating patients or any awards/recognition from organizations related to psychiatry.

Reiterate Your Interest in Psychiatry

End with a powerful conclusion summarizing why you are interested in psychiatry and why you would be an ideal candidate. Use clear language that paints a vivid picture of who you are as a person and what makes you different from other applicants.

Psychiatry Personal Statement Examples

Below are two psychiatry personal statement examples for inspiration:

I have long been fascinated with the complexities of the human psyche, and my commitment to exploring this domain has deepened over the years. My interest in psychiatry began when I was a child, as I noticed how diverse mental states could affect people’s lives profoundly. To further deepen my understanding of this field, I obtained my undergraduate degree in psychology. And I followed it up with a Master’s in Counseling Psychology.

As part of my postgraduate program, I gained hands-on experience working with patients suffering from various psychiatric illnesses and conditions. This gave me invaluable insight into the challenges faced by psychiatrists every day. My work also revealed the healing power that compassionate care and counseling could have on individuals struggling with mental health. In these moments, I knew that I wanted to be involved in providing comfort and support to those who need it most.

My internship at a community clinic solidified my decision to pursue a career in psychiatry. Here I had the chance to engage closely with clients from different backgrounds and learn about their unique coping strategies. I developed greater empathy for others with each case and gained more expertise in clinical diagnosis and treatment planning. Furthermore, I collaborated closely with other professionals and managed complex administrative tasks efficiently.

I am confident that studying Psychiatry at [INSERT UNIVERSITY] will enable me to hone my knowledge and sharpen my skills. This is why I am eager to join your prestigious program. Upon completing my studies, I aspire to become an esteemed psychiatrist capable of providing excellent care. I also wish to advocate for better policies that promote mental well-being.

I have had an abiding interest in psychiatry, driven by a natural curiosity and aptitude for understanding human behavior. I have also been keenly aware of the complexities involved in studying such a multifaceted subject and its therapeutic potential. Having studied psychology at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, my appreciation for the intricacies of mental health has only grown.

I believe my educational background has positioned me to become an effective psychiatrist. Learning about clinical practice combined with laboratory research has helped hone my skills and develop a more holistic view of the discipline. My experience working with mental health professionals has further inspired me to pursue this specialty. This is why I am eager to join the prestigious program offered by [University]. It will allow me to deepen my knowledge of psychological theory and practice while expanding my clinical abilities.

Upon completing the program, I hope to work in private practice providing comprehensive therapy services. With empathy and evidence-based approaches, I want to help individuals suffering from various disorders find their way back to meaningful lives. Eventually, I plan to contribute to advancing psychiatric research and continue to improve public access to quality mental healthcare.

In conclusion, there is no one-size-fits-all approach when writing a psychiatry personal statement . You must understand the unique nuances of each program and demonstrate your qualifications through a combination of storytelling and concrete examples. Use the tips and examples in this post to write a personal statement that will stand out from the rest.

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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Home    /   Residency   /   General Psychiatry Residency   /  How To Apply

How to Apply

Application procedure and dates.

All complete applications must be in ERAS by: September 25, 2024

The Stanford Adult Psychiatry Residency Program interviews applicants for fourteen PGY-1 positions: ten categorical, two research track, and two community/public psychiatry track. We receive about 1,100 applications for these PGY-1 positions and invite about 100 candidates to interview. Although the majority of our past and current residents are U.S. allopathic (MD) medical school graduates, we also consider osteopathic (DO) and international medical graduate applicants.

We base our candidate selection upon a number of factors. In particular, we examine your academic performance (specifically in your psychiatry and medicine clerkships), dedication to clinical care, personal qualities including self-motivation and intellectual curiosity, letters of recommendation, clinical and/or research performance. We look for candidates who we believe will make exceptional colleagues during and after residency.

Visiting Electives

Visiting Elective Clerkships : Stanford Psychiatry is pleased to offer visiting electives on a wide array of services in our program. Some examples of available rotations include: Trauma Psychiatry, Addiction Treatment Services, Psychosomatic Medicine, Geriatric Psychiatry, and Sub-internships on inpatient psychiatry services. 

Stanford Clinical Opportunity for Residency Experience (SCORE) program : The Stanford Psychiatry Residency program is proud to participate in the SCORE program, which supports Stanford Medicine’s mission to diversify its workforce  by bringing fourth-year medical students from diverse backgrounds, including those individuals who are underrepresented in medicine, and/or socially, economically, or educationally disadvantaged, to Stanford for a four-week residential clinical training rotation.

General Information

The Stanford Adult Psychiatry Residency Program only participates in the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS).

Within the NRMP and ERAS we offer three tracks:

• Categorical   [NRMP Program Code: 1820400C0 ]: Main residency match for all PGY-1 applicants.
• Research C   [NRMP Program Code: 1820400C1 ]: Our research track is for residents interested in pursuing an academic research career that culminates in a NIH T-32 research-training grant.  For more information on the research track, please visit our learning page. Categorical residents interested in pursuing research during residency, may do so by through our scholarly concentration.
• Community/Public Psychiatry C  [NRMP Program Code:  1820400C2 ]: The community and public psychiatry track is for residents who are deeply committed to careers addressing mental health inequities, broadly defined. Modeled upon our existing research track and the UC PRIME model, this new track offers enhanced training and curriculum with an emphasis on mental health equity, cultural psychiatry, public policy, and advocacy in both the East Bay and throughout the Peninsula.  

When do I apply?

We recommend you to submit your completed applications by this date, as our interview schedule fills quickly.

Applications received in ERAS after this date will not be screened or reviewed. No exceptions.  

How do I apply for a PGY-2 position?

Currently, our program is full and we do not anticipate any PGY-2 openings. If our program status has changed, contact the residency training office ([email protected]) in late December or early June for an available PGY-2 position in the upcoming academic year.  Please include your curriculum vitae (CV) and psychiatry personal statement.

Application Materials

Please use  myERAS  to track the status of your documents.  Due to the large volume of applications, we will not be able to let you know which documents we received.

A complete application includes the following documents in ERAS:

• ERAS application.
• Personal statement.
• From faculty members who have worked with you in clinical settings and know you well. 
• At least one (1) letter of rec from a psychiatry clinical setting; and
• One (1) letter of rec from a primary care specialty (internal medicine, pediatrics, family medicine, or ob-gyn) clinical setting.
• Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE).
• Official medical school transcripts.
• Curriculum vitae.
• Official copy of your  United States Medical Licensing Examination  ( USMLE ) scores.* Candidates must pass Step 1 and Step 2 CK to be considered for NRMP ranking. It is recommended to have Step 2 scores available as early as possible in the selection process. *Osteopathic (DO) Medical Graduates:  USMLE scores are preferred and recommended.
• Photo. Preferably, a professional high-resolution headshot.

International Medical Graduates must also submit the following  ECFMG Supporting Documents  in ERAS:

• ECFMG Certificate and Status Report
• Stanford Hospital and Clinics does not sponsor the H-1B visa.

For more information, please review the  ECFMG Supporting Document Submission At-a-Glance

Interview Details

All interviews will be conducted virtually.

When are interviews held?

Our interview season begins in mid-October and goes through the end of January.

We conduct Categorical interviews exclusively on Thursdays, starting at 7:45 AM and ending at 5:15 PM.

We conduct Research Track interviews on the following Friday, typically starting at 8:00 AM and ending around 4:00 PM.

We review complete applications in late September. If you receive an invitation to interview, please respond promptly to confirm your interview date.

*Our program uses the  Thalamus GME  application to send out invitations to interview. Invitations generally are sent once a week on Tuesdays.*

Information for International Applicants

All applicants to the Stanford Adult Psychiatry Residency Program must be eligible for medical licensure in the State of California.  Graduates of international medical schools should first contact the Medical Board of California to ensure the requirements to obtain a medical license and practice medicine in California have been met.

International Medical Graduates must obtain the ECFMG Certificate and Status Report . it is required to be submitted with the ERAS application to the Stanford Adult Psychiatry Residency Program.

Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates ( ECFMG ) resources:

• ECFMG Certification
• ECFMG Application Process for ERAS

International Medical Graduates Visa Requirement

Stanford Hospital and Clinics does not sponsor the H-1B visa. All trainees in residency and clinical fellowship programs are placed on  ECFMG-sponsored J-1 visas . Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates ( ECFMG ) 3624 Market Street Philadelphia, PA 19104-2685 Telephone (215) 386-5900

Canadian Visa Requirements

Stanford Hospital and Clinics does not sponsor the H-1B visa.  Graduates of Canadian medical schools are placed on ECFMG-sponsored J-1 visas .

Canadian medical graduates are not required to take the qualifying examinations such as FMGEMS, NBME, and USMLE in order to obtain visas. At this time, the government of Canada is restricting approval of physicians wishing to obtain clinical training outside Canada. Stanford Hospital and Clinics is unable to obtain a J-1 visa without the consent of the Canadian government.

These licensure requirements are for California only. If you intend to train or practice in another state please contact their respective Medical Board. To be eligible for licensure in California, you must have received all of your medical school education from and graduated from a:

• U.S. or Canadian medical school accredited by the Liaison Committee for Medical Education (LCME), the Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools, or the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation; or LCME Accredited U.S. Programs.
• A foreign medical school which has been evaluated by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) or one of the ECFMG authorized foreign medical school accreditation agencies and deemed to meet the minimum requirements substantially equivalent to the requirements of medical schools accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, the Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools, or the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation. The foreign medical school must be listed on the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) and the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER) World Directory of Medical Schools joint directory, or the World Directory of Medical Schools; or World Directory of Medical Schools.
• A foreign medical school that has been approved by the Medical Board of California (Board) .

Medical Board of California 2005 Evergreen Street, Suite 1200 Sacramento, CA 95815 Telephone (916) 263-2382 or (800) 633-3233

General Psychiatry Residency Program

Application process.

Our program provides gradated patient care responsibilities for each resident according to their individual experience, interests, and educational needs.

• Info for Applicants

Our program participates exclusively in the  National Resident Matching Program ( NRMP ).

Applications for PGY-1 positions are accepted only through the  Electronic Residency Application Service ( ERAS ) . Paper applications or any documents sent to us outside ERAS are not accepted. If you are not familiar with the ERAS process, please contact your Dean's office or  Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates .

Applicants to the Brown Psychiatry Residency Program from the United States or Canada must have graduated from an LCME-approved medical school listed under "accredited programs" at the  LCME  website. If you are a graduate of an international medical school please review the requirements below. We generally do not interview applicants who have been out of medical school or medical practice for more than five years.  

In addition to the General Psychiatry Residency, Brown offers other unique training experiences. Three positions per year are available in the  Triple Board Residency   (Combined Pediatrics/General Adult Psychiatry/Child and Adolescent Psychiatry). 

Preparing Your Application

We support holistic review considering each applicant's attributes, academic metrics, and experiences. A completed application includes:

• A completed electronic  ERAS common application form
• Personal statement
• Official transcript sent from your medical school
• Passing board scores on USMLE Step 1**, first attempt preferred.
• Passing scores on COMLEX exam along with passing scores on the USMLE Step 1.
• A minimum of three (3) letters of recommendation, including one from a psychiatrist familiar with your work.
• Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE) will be sent from your Dean’s Office via ERAS on September 29.  Please confirm this with your school.

Your medical school advisor should be able to guide you in preparing your application. Additionally, there is a summary of the application process on the APA website as part of their  Residency Experience Guide . 

Deadline:   We have a rolling application process and continue to review applications until all of our interview slots have been filled. You should apply as soon as you decide to interview at Brown.  

Research Track:  Please note, there is no special application or match number for our research track.  ALL applicants use the same application.

We do not invite more applicants than available interview slots.

If you have any questions about the program or application process, please email our  Program Coordinator , or call us at (401) 455-6375.

**USMLE Exams are not required for DO applicants.

Requirements for International/Foreign Medical Graduates

Graduates of foreign medical schools who meet current federal regulations concerning post-graduate education of foreign-trained physicians are also considered. Applicants must be eligible for a limited license to practice medicine in Rhode Island. If you are an International (Foreign) Medical Graduate, in addition to the documents listed above, your application  must  include:

• A copy of your ECFMG certification
• Copies of all ECFMG/FMGEMS/FLEX scores
• At least one letter of recommendation originating from the USA
• The program/hospital accepts only J1 visas
• Psychiatric clinical experience in the United States is required. However, an extended course of psychiatric research experience may also be considered. 

The selection process at Brown conforms to procedures adopted by the National Residency Matching Program.

National Residency Matching Program

Association of Directors of Medical Student Education in Psychiatry

Updated "A Roadmap to Psychiatric Residency"

Greetings Epic Educators!

An updated version of "A Roadmap to Psychiatric Residency" is now live on the APA website.

This document - created with educators from ADMSEP, AADPRT, AAP and involvement of PsychSign - first arrived in 2019. It was updated this year to reflect changes in Psychiatry Match and in it you will find practical guidance on personal statements, how to think about applying, personal statements and questions for the interview day. There is also specialty advice for military match, couples match, osteopathic students and internal students.

Many members of ADMSEP contributed to this document, for which I am eternally grateful.

Applying for Psychiatric Residency Guide to Applying for Psychiatric Residency. Congratulations on choosing one of the most exciting fields in medicine. Not only are psychiatrists uniquely trained to consider the patient from a "whole person" perspective, but the field also includes a wide range of practice settings and diverse opportunities for subspecialization. www.psychiatry.org

I encourage you to share this widely with students planning on applying to our field, with faculty advisors and even with your student affairs deans.

Best, Lia A. Thomas, MD She / Her / Hers Medical Director, MH Trauma Services Team , VANTHCS Associate Residency Training Director at the Dallas VA and Recruitment Strategies Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry UT Southwestern Medical Center

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GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION

Application Requirements

  IN THIS SECTION

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Thank you for your interest in the UVM Medical Center / University of Vermont Psychiatry Residency Program!

We accept all of our applications through ERAS (Electronic Residency Application Service).

We also participate in the NRMP ( National Resident Matching Program ). Our program begins downloading applications from ERAS in September  for each year's Match.

Materials required from all applicants before rank deadline are:

• Application
• Curriculum Vitae
• Personal Statement
• MSPE/Dean's Letter
• Transcripts
• A minimum of three (3) recent letters of reference from direct clinical supervisors (at least 1 from psychiatry)
• Successful completion of both Steps/Parts 1 and 2 of the USMLE or COMLEX

Below are additional requirements needed from International Medical Graduates (IMGs):

• J-1 visa, Permanent Resident or U.S. citizen status. No other visa will be accepted, including the H1B visa. For those applying for a J-1 visa, you must be graduating prior to June 1 in order to be able to ensure starting on time.
• A copy of your current, valid certificate from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). If you do not have this certificate you will need to contact the ECFMG directly and arrange to take the United States Medical Licensing Exam ( USMLE ) Steps 1 and 2 before applying to our program.
• A minimum of three (3) recent letters of reference from direct clinical supervisors in the U.S., Canada or U.K. only. We prefer a previous residency in psychiatry in your home country and/or at least six months previous psychiatry clinical experience in the U.S., Canada or U.K. An observership does not fulfill this requirement.
• You must have graduated within the last 2 years. Your application may be considered for up to 5 years from graduation depending on the number and quality of the applications we have received and if you have a significant amount of clinical experience in psychiatry.

USMLE/COMLEX

We do not have a minimum score requirement for the USMLE or COMLEX; however, applicants with higher scores and less attempts may have a better chance at receiving an interview with us.

Photographs

While photographs are not required to complete your ERAS application, having a photograph on file is very helpful to us, especially once you have been scheduled to participate in an interview day. During the initial screening process through ERAS, the program is intentionally blinded to submitted photographs to help minimize bias in providing interview invitations.

The basic components of your application (the common application form, personal statement, transcripts, and Dean's letter) must be received by December 1. You may be invited for an interview prior to our receiving all of your information, but we will need to have your complete file before January 1. Your application will not be considered unless you are able to fulfill all of the above criteria.

Interview Process

Once our selection committee has reviewed the applications, we will then contact selected applicants to arrange interviews. Interviews are scheduled on Tuesdays and Fridays during the months of November and December. Each interview day has limited space so it is important that selected candidates respond as early as possible to our invitation in order to schedule the date that works best for you.

The University of Vermont Medical Center Department of Psychiatry conducts a daylong interview (virtually through Thalamus). A typical interview day begins at approximately 8:00 a.m. and ends at approximately 4:15 p.m. ET.  The interview day consists of interviews with faculty, the Program Director (Jeremiah Dickerson, M.D.), our Chief Resident (Emma Zhao, M.D.), our Program Administrator (Michele Peliel), a group meeting with the Department’s Chair (Robert Althoff, M.D., Ph.D.), as well as a virtual tour of our facilities guided by a resident and a virtual presentation of the program by the Program Director. Our child track applicants will meet with the Child-track Program Director (Maya Strange, M.D.). There will be built in breaks throughout the day as well as a lunch break.  

The Monday before your scheduled interview day, there will be a virtual “meet and greet” with residents and fellows. Applicants are strongly encouraged to participate in the whole interview day process, including the meet and greet which may allow you to get a feel around ‘goodness of fit’ with our program and our current residents. Attendance is not taken at the evening meet and greet and your participation (or not) does not influence the final decision around match list ranking. However, should you have any special needs, please be sure to let us know ahead of time so we can try to accommodate those needs into the schedule as best we can.

At this time, our program is not offering formal in-person or virtual ‘second look’ opportunities.   

If you need further information about applying to the Psychiatry Residency Program, please contact our GME Program Administrator, Michele Peliel to discuss any questions you may have.

Michele Peliel UVM Medical Center/University of Vermont GME Program Administrator, Psychiatry 111 Colchester Avenue, Patrick 4 Burlington, VT 05401

Writing a Personal Statement for Residency Application

Personal statements are an essential, required part of applying to residency. Residency programs screen thousands of applications every cycle and read many hundreds of these statements in the process. You should aim to write an interesting statement that showcases your personality as well as your achievements. Perhaps most importantly, you will need to skillfully articulate the reasons for your interest in family medicine and the particular program you're applying to.

How to Write a Great Personal Statement

A great personal statement sets itself apart from a good personal statement in several ways.

• First, it includes a level of specificity that shows your motivations and interests are authentic. For example, when conveying why you want to match into family medicine, show awareness of the exciting developments in the specialty, or describe your experience with or knowledge of topics like population health management, care coordination, and the social determinants of health.
• Feel free to highlight items in your CV if they help remind your reader of the experiences you’ve had that prepared you for the position. This is your opportunity to expand upon activities that are just listed in the CV but deserve to be described so your reader can appreciate the breadth and depth of your involvement in them. It should not be another comprehensive list of your activities, but rather should refer to activities that are listed in detail on the CV.
• The personal statement is also an appropriate place to address anything that may be ambiguous on your CV. In particular, you should address any nontraditional path you’ve taken through medical school, such as time off or an altered curricular journey. It is better to address these than to leave a program wondering. If you write about academic or personal challenges that you faced during medical school, make a positive impression by focusing on what you've learned from those experiences and how they brought you to where you are now. 

You may choose to relate significant personal experiences, but do so only if they are relevant to your candidacy for the position.

Sharpen Your Writing Skills 

The importance of good writing in a personal statement cannot be overemphasized. Unfortunately, not only are good writing skills allowed to deteriorate during medical school, but in some sense, they also are deliberately undermined in the interest of learning to write concise histories and physicals. For the moment, forget everything you know about writing histories and physicals. While preparing your personal statement:

• Avoid abbreviations.
• Avoid repetitive sentence structure.
• Avoid using jargon. If there is a shorter, simpler, less pretentious way of putting it, use it.
• Don't assume your reader knows the acronyms you use. As a courtesy, spell everything out.
• Use a dictionary and spell check. 
• Use a thesaurus. Variety in the written language can add interest, but don't get carried away.
• Write in complete sentences.

If you need a crash course in good writing, read  The Elements of Style ,  Fourth Edition  by Strunk and White. If you have friends or relatives with writing or editing skills, enlist their help. Student organizations at your school may host personal statement clinics, or your school may offer review services. Many student, medical, and specialty societies, local and national, may offer personal statement reviews or workshops.

Even if you're a great writer and feel confident about your application, you should ask trusted advisors, mentors, and friends to critique your personal statement (and your CV! ). They can help you make your statement as flawless as possible by giving you feedback about areas that might have been unclear or things that should be added.

Don't cross the line

Your personal statement should remain an original composition, even as you seek input and advice. Retain your voice as you refine your writing and don't ever plagiarize. Be aware of other ethical lines you shouldn't cross as well, for example, don't use vague references that would allow for the reader to misinterpret the nature of your experience, and don't take full credit for a project if others worked on it with you.

Copyright © 2024 American Academy of Family Physicians. All Rights Reserved.

• Weill Cornell Medicine

On Psychiatry Residency: An Insider's Guide to Getting in and Thriving

In this video episode of On the Mind, our host and Weill Cornell Medicine General Psychiatry Residency Director, Dr. Daniel Knoepflmacher , meets with two second year residents, Drs. Maya Graves and Nathen Spitz , for an inside look at residency training. They share invaluable insights on the application process, crafting personal statements, and why psychiatry is a rewarding specialty. Hear directly from our residents as they discuss the realities of work-life balance during residency, tips for choosing where to apply, and other essential advice for medical students considering a future in psychiatry.

On Psychiatry Residency: An Insider’s Guide for Getting in and Thriving | Weill Cornell Medicine

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INFORMATION FOR

• Residents & Fellows
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Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions for pgy i applicants.

All applications for PGY1 positions must be submitted through ERAS/Thalamus or, if you are a graduate of a non-U.S. medical college, through the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates “ECFMG” office ( www.ecfmg.org ).

We begin reviewing applications as soon as they are opened to programs in ERAS and begin conducting interviews in mid-November. We have no formal deadline for the submission of applications, but interview slots fill quickly. We do maintain a waitlist. All interview offers are typically made by mid-to-late December.

Frequently asked questions from graduates of non-U.S. medical colleges

Frequently asked questions regarding applications for advanced positions.

Applicant Information

How to apply .

Applications are only accepted through the  Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS) . All applications, transcripts, Dean’s letters, board scores, and reference letters will be processed through ERAS. To apply to the program, please review the resident selection criteria and contact your medical school Dean’s office or the  Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) .

A personal interview is required and will be arranged for eligible candidates after the complete application is received and reviewed by our Residency Admission Committee. Our program offers interviews from October through January and will send out multiple rounds of interview offers throughout the cycle. Interview offers are typically completed by mid-December and late applications will only be considered in special cases. We are committed to only inviting the number of candidates per number of spots we have available and will give applicants a minimum of 72 hours to schedule.

We currently offer two programs through our department in general Psychiatry training. We only take applications through the ERAS system and we participate in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).  The Michigan State University Psychiatry Residency Program match number is: 2436400C0 Psychiatry Categorical and the match number for the rural program is: 2436400C1 Rural Program Track Categorical.  The program is accredited by the  Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) .

Applications are accepted from graduates of  Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME)  and AOA-approved medical schools.

Eligibility Criteria

Graduated from a U.S. or Canadian medical school accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), or Graduated from a U.S. osteopathic medical school accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) or Graduated from a medical school outside the U.S. or Canada with the following qualifications: ​

A current fully valid certificate from the Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduate (ECFMG) ​

Must be eligible for an unrestricted osteopathic or medical license in the State of Michigan. Please visit  www.michigan.gov/lara  to ensure that you meet all requirements. ​

Please note, the Michigan Board of Medicine allows applicants to attempt any one step of USMLE 3 times; Osteopathic Board of Medicine and Surgery allows 6 total attempts for each examination​

Five years or less from medical school graduation with clinic experience during this time ​

Received USMLE or COMLEX Scores​

Passed USMLE Step 1/COMLEX Part 1​

Passed USMLE Step 2 CK/COMLEX Part 2 CE​  (for applicants who graduated prior to 2020)​

Passed USMLE Step 2 CS/COMLEX Part 2 PE  (for applicants who graduated prior to 2020)​

Aptitude for psychiatry as demonstrated in personal statements ​

Personal characteristics ​

Expert written and oral command of the English Language (personal statement, application, lets of recommendation)​

Volunteer or previous professional psychiatry experience in the U.S. within the last 2 years​

Evidence of a commitment to psychiatry as a career​

3 Letters of Recommendation; recommend two from a psychiatrist

Evidence of participation in a training experience within the past 2 years ​

Applicants shall participate in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) only. ​

Applications and information are accepted only through ERAS (Electronic Residency Application Service). 

Selection Criteria

The MSU Psychiatry Residency Program is governed by the rules of the Residency Review Committee for Psychiatry, an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) institution created for the accreditation and review of U.S. Residency Training Programs. ​

The MSU Psychiatry Residency Review Committee and its subgroup the Residency Selection Committee supervises the selection of all psychiatric residents in the MSU program. ​

Only unsanctioned individuals or entities will be employed or contacted. The term “unsanctioned” refers to those individuals or entities not included on the Office of Inspector General (OIG) Exclusion List or General Service Administration (GSA) List of Parties Excluded from Federal Programs. 

Contract and Benefits

Residents are appointed as instructors at Michigan State University. A benefit plan is provided, which includes health insurance, dental coverage, disability insurance, malpractice insurance, and travel and death benefits. The department provides a $1,000 continuing medical education reimbursement for all residents. Residents have 20 vacation and 5 CME days per program year.

• Sample Contract

• Guide to Applying for Psychiatry Residency
• Application through ERAS  
• Rotations and Didactics
• MSU Psychiatry Residency Handbook

Residency Contacts

Emily Schnurr, DO Program Director Phone: (517) 353-4362  [email protected]

Jordan Sturgill Residency Program Administrator Phone: (517) 353-4362  [email protected]

Ryan Conway Event/Seminar Coordinator Phone: (517) 353-4362  [email protected]

• ERAS Insights

September Residency Recruitment; Updated ERAS® Statistics

Updates from leadership.

Dear Colleagues, 

As summer ends, the 2025 Electronic Residency Application Service® (ERAS®) September residency recruitment season is officially just around the corner. As we prepare for this exciting time of the year, I wanted to share three reasons I’m especially energized about this residency application season: 

• Through the AAMC-Thalamus collaboration, institutions will have complimentary access to Cerebellum , a comprehensive data analytics tool that will enable them to access even more detail in the recruitment cycle.  
• DWS Analytics for Schools will provide deans, advisors, and other student affairs professionals with insights that will enable them to support students throughout the residency recruitment season.   
• Medical students and residency applicants have an even more powerful resource for researching programs with the new Residency Explorer™ tool. Read more about this enhanced resource below. 

Sharing a Moment of Gratitude  

The ERAS team and I also have two words for the graduate medical education (GME) program community: Thank you! We asked, and you answered by registering for the ERAS season, opting in to program signaling, and requesting access to Thalamus.  

• We have 96% of residency programs registered for the September recruitment cycle. 
• There are 93% of eligible residency programs participating in program signals for the ERAS residency season. 
• Nearly 85% of residency programs have opted in to Thalamus for the ERAS residency season. 
• That means that almost 7,300 fellowship and residency programs will be using Thalamus products to support applicants and streamline the recruitment process. 

Together we are improving the transition to residency and supporting the next generation of physicians. 

Thank you for your continued collaboration and contributions to improving the ERAS program. We hope you will keep the ideas coming by sharing them with us . 

Patrick Fritz   Senior Director for Residency and Fellowship Services 

New! ERAS Statistics Webpage Updates: 2024 ERAS Final Program Signaling and Geographic Preferences Data 

We have made several recent updates to the ERAS Statistics webpage: 

• Final Program Signaling and Geographic Preference data and their impact on interview invitations by specialty is now available 
• Final 2024 ERAS Data have also been updated for Residency, Residency Cross Specialty Applicants, and Fellowships. 

We are sharing these data much earlier than in years past and encourage you to review and discuss them with your teams. They will also soon be available on the Careers in Medicine® (CiM) website within the respective specialty profiles . (Sign-in required; if you don’t have CiM access, contact your affiliated medical school’s CiM liaison .)   

Program Signaling Now Available to December Cycle Fellowship Programs 

We are pleased to extend program signaling to programs and applicants in the 2025 ERAS December fellowship cycle: 

• National specialty leaders have until Friday, Aug. 30, at 5 p.m. ET to complete the participation form and indicate how many signals will be available to their programs. 
• Following that date, individual programs can log in to the PDWS and use the Program Management tab to opt in to program signals for this season. The deadline to complete this action is Thursday, Oct. 31, at 5 p.m. ET . 
• Learn more by visiting our website .  

Take Advantage of Thalamus Training Before the Season Begins 

All Thalamus training resources can be found on the Thalamus Training webpage.   

Follow Thalamus on Facebook , LinkedIn , X (formerly Twitter) , and Instagram for the latest training and season updates. 

New Thalamus Cortex Webinar Series 

Thalamus is excited to announce a new Cortex webinar series. This series will equip programs with the tools and knowledge to optimize your application review process. 

Register for all four comprehensive training sessions to enhance your application review process in Cortex and Thalamus. The sessions take place from Aug. 28 to Sept. 23.  

With expert guidance from the Thalamus Customer Success Team, you’ll learn how to prepare for the season, use Thalamus Holistic Review, manage your review team effectively, and make data-driven decisions to select the best candidates. 

Register today to join Thalamus for the Cortex webinar series to prepare for a seamless recruitment process. 

Residency Explorer™ Tool Now Offers Data on 5,000+ Programs in 25 Specialties 

The updated Residency Explorer tool is now available and free to anyone with an AAMC login. Programs are encouraged to review their data. The updates benefit both applicants and programs by enabling applicants to make strategic decisions when building their application portfolio. A personalized profile paired with interview invitation data helps applicants target programs that match their personal and professional goals, while also helping programs attract candidates who are better suited and genuinely interested. This also potentially reduces application volume and enhances the overall selection process. 

Registration Now Open for the 2024 Fall Careers in Medicine® (CiM) Workshop 

The 2024 Fall CiM Workshop will be held on Oct. 24-25 in Washington, D.C. This two-day training is designed for those responsible for advising medical students about their career options and/or who manage the career advising program at their medical school; however, all faculty and staff engaged with career advising are welcome. Learn more and register on the meeting website . 

New AAMC Infographic Highlights Data from the Class of 2024 

As recent medical school graduates are starting the next step of their journey into a career in medicine, the AAMC has compiled a new infographic that looks at the accomplishments, traits, and aspirations of the graduating class of 2024 from premed through medical school. Explore these and more in the new Graduating Medical School Class Statistics infographic . 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Webinar Recording Now Available 

Medical schools and residency programs can advance toward more efficient, effective, fair, and informed selection processes by thoughtfully applying artificial intelligence (AI). To help schools and programs leverage AI tools to streamline their operations and promote equity, the AAMC — in collaboration with a multidisciplinary technical advisory committee — developed six key principles to guide the design and use of AI-based selection systems . These principles were included in a recent AI webinar. Watch the webinar recording .  

Events and Resources 

• New! PDWS Getting Started Guide  
• MyERAS Q&A Session for Applicants   Thursday, Sept. 5 at 1 p.m. ET 
• Establishing and Implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy in GME Recruitment  A Webinar from the AAMC and Organization of Program Director Associations (OPDA)  Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. ET 
• Navigating the PDWS to Drive Holistic Review   Thursday, Sept. 12 at 1 p.m. ET 
• ERAS PDWS Q&A Session  Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 1 p.m. ET 
• ERAS - Electronic Residency Application System

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I-131F, Application for Parole in Place for Certain Noncitizen Spouses and Stepchildren of U.S. Citizens

ALERT: On Aug. 26, 2024, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, in Texas v. Department of Homeland Security,  Case Number 24-cv-306 administratively stayed DHS from granting parole in place under Keeping Families Together for 14 days.

To comply with the district court’s administrative stay, USCIS will:

• Not grant any pending parole in place requests under Keeping Families Together.
• Continue to accept filings of Form I-131F, Application for Parole in Place for Certain Noncitizen Spouses and Stepchildren of U.S. Citizens.
• Continue to schedule biometric appointments and capture biometrics at Application Support Centers (ASCs).

The district court’s administrative stay order does not affect any applications that were approved before the administrative stay order was issued at 6:46 p.m. Eastern Time on Aug. 26, 2024.

Use this form to request a discretionary grant of parole in place under  Keeping Families Together .

What This Form Can Help You Do

• Keeping Families Together

Frequently Asked Questions About Keeping Families Together

Form Details

Form I-131F must be filed online.

File Online

You can find the filing fee for Form I-131F by visiting our  Fee Schedule  page. There is no fee waiver available for Form I-131F.

Starting Aug. 19, 2024, you may file Form I-131F, Application for Parole in Place for Certain Noncitizen Spouses and Stepchildren of U.S. Citizens, online with the applicable filing fee. There is no fee waiver available for Form I-131F.

Each requestor, including noncitizen stepchildren, must file a separate Form I-131F requesting parole in place, and each requestor must have their own USCIS online account. A parent or legal guardian may create an online account for their minor child if the purpose is to submit a form on behalf of the minor. If a parent or legal guardian is not available, a primary caregiver or legal assistance provider may also help a child create their own USCIS online account. Information on creating a USCIS online account is available on the  How to Create a USCIS Online Account page.

• Frequently Asked Questions About the Keeping Families Together Process
• Form I-131F Filing Guide (PDF, 8.95 MB)

Filing Online

• How to Create a USCIS Online Account
• Tips for Filing Forms Online
• Online Filing for Attorneys and Accredited Representatives

Get the Reddit app

/r/medicalschool is an international community for medical students

I asked Chat GPT to "Write a psychiatry residency personal statement in the style of Holden Caulfield"

Dear admissions committee,

I'm not very good at this whole personal statement thing, so bear with me. I guess what I want to say is that I've always been interested in people and their minds. But it's not like I want to be some kind of big-shot doctor or anything. I just want to understand why people do the things they do.

I've spent a lot of time over the years trying to figure out my own mind, and it's been a pretty rough road. But I've learned a lot about myself in the process, and I think that makes me better equipped to understand other people too.

See, I'm not really interested in the textbooks and the academic side of psychiatry. I mean, sure, I'll do the reading and learn what I need to learn. But what really matters to me is connecting with the people I'm trying to help.

I've spent a lot of time in therapy myself, and I know how hard it can be to open up and trust someone with your thoughts and feelings. But I also know how much it can help when you find someone who really gets it.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I don't want to be some kind of distant, clinical psychiatrist. I want to be the kind of doctor who really listens and cares about their patients. The kind of doctor who can sit down with someone and really understand what they're going through, even if it's messy and complicated and doesn't fit neatly into a textbook.

I know I have a lot to learn, and I'm not always the easiest person to work with. But I'm passionate about this field, and I'm willing to put in the work to become the best psychiatrist I can be.

So if you're looking for someone who's going to be a cookie-cutter resident, I'm probably not your guy. But if you want someone who's going to put their heart and soul into this work, who's going to really try to make a difference in people's lives, then I hope you'll consider me.

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