amcas personal statement length

Section 8 of the AMCAS® Application: Essays

New section.

Here you will upload your Personal Comments essay.

• AMCAS® Sign In

Every applicant is required to submit a Personal Comments essay. The available space for this essay is 5,300 characters (spaces are counted as characters), or approximately one page. You will receive an error message if you exceed the available space. Click the "What information should I consider including in my personal comments?" link in the application or see Section 8 of the  AMCAS Applicant Guide  for suggestions of things to think about when writing this essay.

• If you're applying to an MD-PhD program, you must complete two additional essays: the MD-PhD Essay and the Significant Research Experience Essay.
• To avoid formatting issues, we recommend that you type your essay directly into the AMCAS ® application rather than copying and pasting your essay from other software.
• Alternately, you can draft your essay(s) in text-only word processing software, such as Microsoft Notepad or Mac TextEdit, then copy and paste your essay(s) into the application. Copying formatted text into the application may result in formatting issues that you will not be able to edit after your application is submitted.
• Proofread carefully! There is no “spellchecker” in the AMCAS application, and no changes will be permitted to this section after you have submitted your application.

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The 2025 AMCAS application is now open . If you wish to start medical school in Fall 2025, please complete and submit the 2025 AMCAS application.

As of May 17  AMCAS is:

Marking transcripts as "Received" that were delivered on or before:

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Parchment – May 16

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Outline of the current AMCAS application process, policies, and procedures.

This resource is designed to help you prepare your materials for the AMCAS ® application but does not replace the online application.

The application processing fee is $175 and includes one medical school designation. Additional school designations are $46 each. Tax, where applicable, will be calculated at checkout. 

If approved for the Fee Assistance Program, you will receive a waiver for all AMCAS fees for one (1) application submission with up to 20 medical school designations ($1,030 value). Benefits are not retroactive.

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AMCAS Personal Statement: Tips From Real MDs

Featured Expert: Dr. Monica Taneja, MD

Your AMCAS personal statement is one of the most important components of your AMCAS application . This is your best chance to share information about yourself with the admissions committee that they might not learn from reading the other sections of your application. But your AMCAS personal statement won’t write itself, and synthesizing all your ideas, experience, and background into about 5,300 characters is no easy feat. Consider the following AMCAS personal statement example along with expert advice from real MDs who’ve graduated from some of the best medical schools in the US and Canada to get a good idea of what's expected.

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Article Contents 13 min read

Amcas personal statement: what to write – advice from experts.

 On how to stand out in your AMCAS personal statement:

“The personal statement is an opportunity for you to shine and really impress the committee to invite you for an interview. In order to stand out, it is important to answer the main questions well: a bit about yourself and what led you to medicine, why you would make an ideal medical student and future physician, what attracts you to this particular institution, and what sets you apart from the other candidates.” - Dr. Neel Mistry, MD

“what i did was start with a story. like any good novel, the stories first lines are meant to hook the reader. this can be about anything if you can bring it back and relate it to your application... it is important that the story be real... while in my opinion it is ok to slightly embellish some details of story to make it more interesting, straight lying or overly unrealistic situations should be avoided.” - dr. jamie cazes, md, university of toronto temerty faculty of medicine, “i focused on my journey to medicine and opportunities that i sought out along the way. everyone’s path and validation is unique, so walking the reader through your growth to the point of application will naturally be different.” - dr. monica taneja, md, university of maryland school of medicine, tip #1: the essay is a story, not a resume.

Your AMCAS personal statement should NOT be a recitation of your medical student CV. Your CV is just data: it does not tell the story of why you want to become a doctor, or why you are particularly suited to medicine. As Dr. Jaime Cazes pointed out, you want to think of yourself as a character in a story, and you don’t want to give a “cookie-cutter” answer that almost every other person has written.

You don’t only want to think of yourself as a character in your story, but you also have to consider your audience. One of our students, Alison Edwards, who is now a student at the Dell Medical School , one of the newest medical schools in Texas , remembered that when she was brainstorming for what to write for her personal statement she thought about “what is the theme, basically, going to be of my application.”

Ashley thought of a theme because she wanted to “create an element of consistency”, which “makes it easy for the reader to be able to work their way through.” Because, as Ashely says, if there’s one thing to remember when brainstorming what you’re going to write about for your AMCAS personal statement it’s “thinking about who was going to read this application.” Understanding that there are human eyes that are going to read your AMCAS personal statement and a hundred other AMCAS personal statements should be a guiding factor, as the “more digestible that you can make it for them, it kind of gives you a little win.”

Tip #2: How to Write Without a Prompt

It’s always easier to write an essay if someone assigns you the topic. For instance, maybe you had to research diversity and inclusion in medical education at some point and think you know the “secret” to writing an excellent diversity secondary essay . But what do you do when there is no prompt – or the topic is you? Where do you start? How do you choose? What do medical schools want to hear? How do you come across as unique when the purpose of the essay is so generic?

The fact is, there is no one like you, and if you are applying to medical school, chances are you’re already pretty fantastic. All you need to do is reach back into your experiences and identify a moment that really defined your view of medicine and your potential place in the profession.

Or as our expert, Dr. Neel Mistry says,

“The key here is answering ‘why this school?’ and ‘what sets you apart’. Most candidates simply highlight what they have done, but do not reflect on it or mention how what they have done has prepared them for a future medical career. The personal statement is your chance to be reflective and go beyond what is stated on your CV and sketch. In addition to this, remember to use specific personal examples throughout your statement to make it more impactful and memorable for the readers. Often, painting a picture in the reader’s mind in the form of a story helps with this.”

“i have been working with matthew triolo on my amcas application over the last few weeks. he has provided me with insightful feedback to my essays and has made the application process significantly less stressful. he has provided feedback in a timely manner and helped me to create a strong application.” - anonymous, bemo student.

While American medical schools usually have rolling admissions process, applicants who make it into the pool early have a better chance at both interviewing and acceptance. When the AMCAS application service opens in May, your brain will be overloaded with lists upon lists of requirements and data to collect, such as medical school recommendation letters , verifiers, contact information, and transcripts. 

So, get to work soon on your essay draft and have it ready for upload when application season opens. You should allow yourself about eight weeks to reflect on and write your AMCAS personal statement. It’s not a task that should be rushed, and you’ll be glad you took the time to prepare it properly, to effectively convey why you want to go into medicine.

Tip #4: Address Setbacks; Don’t Dwell on Them

Basically, your essay is meant to be an authentic expression of you as a person – and as the saying goes, bad things happen to good people. One student might lose their parents in their second year of university. Another might get injured in varsity sports. Still others might see their grades fall drastically after they migrate during high school to escape war and famine.

If you experienced any event that negatively impacted your GPA, AMCAS expects you to mention it before it is raised as a red flag or becomes one of the 5 mistakes to avoid while writing your medical school personal statement.

“Portraying yourself in a negative manner can be tricky. It is important to stick to what is asked but also be diplomatic in your response (i.e., be careful with the example you choose). For instance, you could highlight a situation in which you were working on a group project, but the stress and pressure of the deadline affected your behavior and communication with the members. It is not only important to highlight the situation in detail but to also reflect on your actions. Drawing upon lessons from this experience and how you used what you learned to make changes the next time around is key to demonstrating a growth mindset.” - Dr. Neel Mistry, MD, on how to address negative qualities.

And this may seem like a huge challenge. You want admissions committees to know that you are strong, capable, and resilient. You want them to consider all that you have come through when they note that your GPA is less than 3.8. But you don’t want them to take pity on you or think you’re asking for favors.

Do you need inspiration for your AMCAS personal statement? Check out this video with examples:

Tip #5: Remember that Writing Is a Craft

Knowing how to write a compelling introduction and opening sentence for a medical school personal statement is a skill that can be learned. It’s really as simple as that. Become a good – even great – writer in the process of applying to medical school, and you can rest easy that you’ve given this particular part of your application your best shot.

“I found it helpful to give schools a ‘punch-line’ as in I wanted them to remember 1-2 things about me that are my differentiators and I reiterated those throughout.” - Dr. Monica Taneja, MD, on a writing technique that helped her stand out in her AMCAS personal statement.

Getting behind the idea of creative writing may not appeal to science majors, but believe us, it’s a skill that will serve you in medicine in more ways than you can imagine. However, at this stage, right before applying, it may seem like just another chore to get out of the way. If that’s your mindset, you should change it – because your AMCAS personal statement is a real opportunity to reflect on and distill your passion for medicine. Whatever else we say or advice we give, if you know how to answer the medical school personal statement and interview question: “Why do you want to become a doctor?” with clarity, conviction, and confidence, that’s half the task of applying to medical school.

Great resources on writer’s craft include Phillip Lopate’s “The Art of the Personal Essay” and “To Show and To Tell”, as well as Stephen King’s “On Writing”. For a fulfilling experience and a break from reading, listen to the latter on audiobook.

And why not take advantage of our free offer to acquire BeMo’s Ultimate Guide to Medical School Personal Statements & Secondary Essays? This 300-page guide with tips, strategies, and sample successful personal statements promises to “help you learn to write captivating essays, even if you are not a natural writer.”

Tip #6: Get Expert Feedback

“i met with dr. nagra to review my amcas experiences. it was an amazing session that helped me tailor what i wanted to express in this section of the application. i appreciated her to-the-point feedback and criticism for my paragraphs. many times, i am frustrated with reviewers who do not offer meaningful comments; however, dr. nagra found the holes in my paragraphs that i knew were lacking and gave me helpful ideas on how to patch them up. overall, the session was insightful and efficient, which is crucial for people using consulting services.” - anonymous, bemo student.

Get an expert second set of eyes to look at your AMCAS personal statement draft and provide you with objective feedback. That means your mom is probably not the best person to ask (even if she’s an accomplished writer) because your family and friends cannot remain objective and will be afraid of hurting your feelings.

“Dr. Trevor Blanchard consulted me for my first AMCAS personal statement (PS) brainstorming session. He patiently listened to everything I had to say and asked questions to help me reflect upon my experiences. Then, he assisted me in compiling together a story to paint for my PS. He also helped walk me through the process of writing a PS and the important components of it. I really appreciated all the advice and help he provided me with!” - Phong, BeMo student

The reality is that every great writer has an editor, and you will need one. Given the importance of the AMCAS personal statement, there’s really no reason not to consider medical school personal statement editing services to help you out. In addition, these editing services offer far more than simply proofreading and language enhancement. Because our specialists who edit medical school personal statements are admissions experts who are intimately familiar with the application procedure for medical schools, they can also advise you on content, structure, and what schools look for in your AMCAS personal statement. There’s no question that a medical school application tutor is worth it to radically improve your personal statement and other components that can highly influence your admission chances.

“Reza helped me with some ideas for my opening essay in the AMCAS application. It was nice to hear what types of things they are looking for and the types of stories that could be useful for applying. Having a third party listen to your ideas and getting feedback can be quite useful when you are stuck or just beginning.” - Chris Czarnecki, BeMo student

•  You must enter all information directly into the various sections of the AMCAS form.
• You cannot make any changes to your personal statement after submitting your application to the AMCAS program.
• You can’t run a spell check either, so proofread all your texts carefully before entering them into the forms.

The following are some reminders from AMCAS:

• Use US English characters; others may not be recognized.
• Use normal writing practices: avoid using all uppercase or all lowercase letters.
• Don’t repeat information added elsewhere on your application.
• Your personal statement will be sent to all the medical schools you apply to.
• Plagiarism or misrepresentations will result in an investigation.
• Remember: You are allotted 5,300 characters, or about one page, for your AMCAS personal statement. It’s not necessary to use every word you are allowed but do show that you have enough to say to fill a few paragraphs (about 1 page).

AMCAS Personal Statement Example #1

916 words (5,181 of the maximum 5,300 characters with spaces)

My mother grew up as one of 14 children in a very poor home in rural Ontario, where both parents, while loving and warm, suffered from alcoholism. She and her siblings experienced significant childhood adversity, the legacy of which still looms large. Later, as the matriarch of her own family, she ran a small business, supported my aunts, uncles, and cousins, and provided stability for all of us. She modelled, and I internalized, compassion for my loved ones as they lived through uncertainty, conflict, illness, and loss.

You might wonder why I tell my mother’s story, rather than my own. I could say that my mother inspired me to go into medicine and leave it at that. However, to call it inspiration would be a discredit to the profound influence my mother has had on my life and the lives of everyone around us.

They say, “it takes a village,” but my family basically made up half the village where I lived. I’m exaggerating, but it’s almost true. In such an isolated place, the few families that existed formed a close, interdependent community. When someone fell ill, it was often the family who stepped in, since the nearest clinic was 40 minutes away.

That is not to say we were completely helpless. We had a doctor who actually did house calls for many years. It wasn’t always the same doctor, but the service was set up to come to us. These doctors in my family’s story buffered the effects of poverty and social exclusion. For example, when my uncle Elvin was dying of liver cancer, our family doctor regularly stopped by our house to manage his palliative care, even as he continued to drink alcohol. I still recall how the doctor treated him with such humanity and with full recognition of his life arc.

You will have noticed that I said, “our house,” which is where my mother comes in again. Indeed, when her brother got sick, there was no question of where he would stay or who would look after him. He was not alone; my mother was already looking after her ailing father and several young children. Moreover, before my uncle Elvin arrived, she had offered our neighbor’s son, who was studying to be a nurse, a job. She didn’t stop there. Those of us siblings who were old enough to take on greater responsibility were assigned new tasks: more cleaning, more cooking, more laundry.

With dozens of relatives who could potentially drop in at any moment, our home had never been empty or quiet, so at first, I didn’t notice the change. Gradually, however, the house was transformed. As my uncle’s condition and that of my grandfather grew more serious, we had more visiting physicians and twice the number of nurses. Someone was always knocking into someone else with a basket of laundry, and everything smelled like disinfectant.

This state of affairs eventually prompted the oncologist to suggest a more private arrangement for our two patients, but my mother had insisted that they would stay in their rooms, on the first floor, where they were comfortable and where no one was ever too far away. There was something about the matter of fact approach my mother took to the reality of having sick people in her home that impressed me. In her mind, it felt perfectly normal, and even to be expected, that they would remain with us, as part of the family, until the end. And although I wasn’t given a choice about it – and maybe even because I was given no choice – my mother’s decision made perfect sense to me and even reassured me. As she argued for the security of her “patients,” she made us feel more secure ourselves as kids.

I won’t lie, there were many difficult moments after that, and we couldn’t have done it without the visiting health care team, but the year my mother ventured into hospice care changed the course of my life, as I am sure you have gathered by now. As I embarked on my undergrad in social sciences, I was certain I wanted to follow my mother’s example of community care, but all my extracurricular interests have centered around health care. I have volunteered in other nursing homes – not my own – and served as an intake worker at a local rehabilitation day center, registering clients for their medication. These and other similar positions have only confirmed my attraction to the field of medicine.

I’m seriously considering family medicine because I appreciate that patients’ social, economic, and biological narratives are critical to their primary care experiences. Family medicine is where the lives of patients are wholly expressed. However, I’m equally interested in oncology because I witnessed first-hand how these specialists work to improve treatment, alleviate suffering, prolong life, and enhance quality of life.

What I am certain of is that I want to be of direct, longitudinal service to my community through innovative and solutions-oriented work that helps people live well – in other words, I want to be just like my mother. At the core of my service vision is health equity, or the elimination of avoidable, unfair differences in health status experienced by different groups. My dedication to health equity is clearly reflected in my academic and work life, but it is rooted in the lived experiences of my family.

AMCAS stands for American Medical College Application Service. Most medical schools in the US use this centralized application service.

You have 5,300 characters, including spaces, to work with.

You would not discuss your MCAT score or academics in your personal statement, but if you have used an MCAT score calculator and found that you fall short or have had to retake the MCAT , you may want to address the issue in your personal statement to explain how your grades and/or other achievements offset your lower score and why you remain an excellent candidate for medical school.

We recommend giving yourself about 8 weeks to brainstorm, draft, polish, and revise. Don’t hesitate to get medical school application help if you are struggling with any aspect of admissions.

If you’re applying to medical schools in Texas, you will use TDMSAS , and if you are applying to medical schools in Canada, you might use OMSAS . Moreover, certain medical schools may have their own distinct application procedures, so be sure to research the specific medical school requirements for the schools to which you are applying. 

Yes, we recommend a standard academic essay structure with an eye-catching introduction, three body paragraphs, and compelling conclusion.

Writing skills are a big part of producing any application essay, but what you include and why are just as important. Admissions advisors can guide you with their advanced knowledge of medical school application processes.

No, your AMCAS personal statement will be sent to all the schools you apply to, so it should focus on you and your interest in pursuing medicine, not the specific schools that interest you.

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Have a question ask our admissions experts below and we'll answer your questions.

Nadia mourtada

Thanks for providing us with some good ideas on how to write a good statement. That helped with my personal statement, however, I have a question: Do they really read our personal statement? Please let me. Thanks

BeMo Academic Consulting

Hello Nadia! Thanks for your comment. Yes, admissions committees do read your personal statements. After your grades and MCAT score meet the requirements, your personal statement is usually one of the most influential components of the application. It can really help you get the interview invite, so we strongly recommend spending time and effort on it!

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Great Medical School Personal Statement Examples (2024-2025) Insider’s Guide

A physician and former medical school admissions officer teaches you how to write your medical school personal statement, step by step. Read several full-length medical school personal statement examples for inspiration.

In this article, a former medical school admissions officer explains exactly how to write a stand-out medical school personal statement!

Our goal is to empower you to write a medical school personal statement that reflects your individuality, truest aspirations and genuine motivations.

This guide also includes:

• Real life medical school personal statement examples
• Medical school personal statement inventory template and outline exercise
• AMCAS, TMDSAS, and AACOMAS personal statement prompts
• Advanced strategies to ensure you address everything admissions committees want to know
• The secret to writing a great medical school personal statement

So, if you want your medical school personal statement to earn more more medical school interviews, you will love this informative guide.

Let’s dive right in.

Table of Contents

Medical School Personal Statement Fundamentals

If you are getting ready to write your medical school personal statement for the 2024-2025 application year, you may already know that almost 60% of medical school applicants are not accepted every year . You have most likely also completed all of your medical school requirements and have scoured the internet for worthy medical school personal statement examples and guidance.

You know the medical school personal statement offers a crucial opportunity to show medical schools who you are beyond your GPA and MCAT score .

It provides an opportunity to express who you are as an individual, the major influences and background that have shaped your interests and values, what inspired you to pursue medicine, and what kind of a physician you envision yourself becoming.

However, with so much information online, you are not sure who to trust. We are happy you have found us!

Because the vast majority of people offering guidance are not former admissions officers or doctors , you must be careful when searching online.

We are real medical school admissions insiders and know what goes on behind closed doors and how to ensure your medical school personal statement has broad appeal while highlighting your most crucial accomplishments, perspectives, and insights.

With tight limits on space, it can be tough trying to decide what to include in your medical school personal statement to make sure you stand out. You must think strategically about how you want to present your personal “big picture” while showing you possess the preprofessional competencies med schools are seeking.

When a medical school admissions reviewer finishes reading your medical school personal statement, ask yourself:

• What are the most important things you want that person to remember about you?
• Does your medical school personal statement sum up your personality, interests, and talents?
• Does your medical school personal statement sound as if it’s written from the heart?

It’s pretty obvious to most admissions reviewers when applicants are trying too hard to impress them. Being authentic and upfront about who you are is the best way to be a memorable applicant.

The Biggest Medical School Personal Statement Mistakes

The most common medical school personal statement mistake we see students make is that they write about:

• What they have accomplished
• How they have accomplished it

By including details on what you have accomplished and how, you will make yourself sound like every other medical school applicant. 

Most medical school applicants are involved in similar activities: research, clinical work, service, and social justice work. 

To stand out, you must write from the heart making it clear you haven’t marched through your premedical years and checking boxes.

We also strongly discourage applicants from using ChatGPT or any AI bot to write their medical school personal statement. Writing in your own voice is essential and using anything automated will undermine success.

The Medical School Personal Statement Secret

MedEdits students stand out in the medical school personal statement because in their personal statements they address:

WHY they have accomplished what they have.

In other words, they write in more detail about their passions, interests, and what is genuinely important to them. 

It sounds simple, we know, but by writing in a natural way, really zeroing in on WHY YOU DO WHAT YOU DO, you will appeal to a wide variety of people in a humanistic way. 

MedEdits students have done extremely well in the most recent medical school admissions cycle. Many of these applicants have below average “stats” for the medical schools from which they are receiving interviews and acceptances.

Why? How is that possible? They all have a few things in common:

• They write a narrative that is authentic and distinctive to them.
• They write a medical school personal statement with broad appeal (many different types of people will be evaluating your application; most are not physicians).
• They don’t try too hard to impress; instead they write about the most impactful experiences they have had on their path to medical school.
• They demonstrate they are humble, intellectual, compassionate, and committed to a career in medicine all at the same time.

Keep reading for a step by step approach to write your medical school personal statement.

“After sitting on a medical school admissions committee for many years, I can tell you, think strategically about how you want to present your personal “big picture.” We want to know who you are as a human being.”

As physicians, former medical school faculty, and medical school admissions committee members, this article will offer a step by step guide to simplify the medical school personal statement brainstorming and writing process.

By following the proven strategies outlined in this article, you will be and to write a personal statement that will earn you more medical school interviews . This proven approach has helped hundreds of medical school applicants get in to medical school the first time they apply!

Learn the 2024-2025 Medical School Personal Statement Prompts ( AMCAS , TMDSAS , AACOMAS )

The personal statement is the major essay portion of your primary application process. In it, you should describe yourself and your background, as well as any important early exposures to medicine, how and why medicine first piqued your interest, what you have done as a pre med, your personal experiences, and how you became increasingly fascinated with it. It’s also key to explain why medicine is the right career for you, in terms of both personal and intellectual fulfillment, and to show your commitment has continued to deepen as you learned more about the field.

The personal statement also offers you the opportunity to express who you are outside of medicine. What are your other interests? Where did you grow up? What did you enjoy about college? Figuring out what aspects of your background to highlight is important since this is one of your only chances to express to the med school admissions committee before your interview what is important to you and why.

However, it is important to consider the actual personal statement prompt for each system through which you will apply, AMCAS, AACOMAS, and TMDSAS, since each is slightly different.

Getting into a medical school has never been more competitive. Let the experts at MedEdits help you with your medical school application materials. We’ve worked with more than 5,000 students and 94% have been admitted to medical school.

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2024 AMCAS Personal Statement Prompt

The AMCAS personal statement instructions are as follows:

Use the Personal Comments Essay as an opportunity to distinguish yourself from other applicants. Consider and write your Personal Comments Essay carefully; many admissions committees place significant weight on the essay. Here are some questions that you may want to consider while writing the essay:

• Why have you selected the field of medicine?
• What motivates you to learn more about medicine?
• What do you want medical schools to know about you that hasn’t been disclosed in other sections of the application?

In addition, you may wish to include information such as:

• Unique hardships, challenges, or obstacles that may have influenced your educational pursuits
• Comments on significant fluctuations in your academic record that are not explained elsewhere in your application

As you can see, these prompts are not vague; there are fundamental questions that admissions committees want you to answer when writing your personal statement. While the content of your statement should be focused on medicine, answering the open ended third question is a bit trickier.

The AMCAS personal statement length is 5,300 characters with spaces maximum.

2024 TMDSAS Personal Statement Prompt

The TMDSAS personal statement is one of the most important pieces of your medical school application.

The TMDSAS personal statement prompt is as follows:

Explain your motivation to seek a career in medicine. Be sure to include the value of your experiences that prepare you to be a physician.

This TMDSAS prompt is very similar to the AMCAS personal statement prompt. The TMDSAS personal statement length is 5,000 characters with spaces whereas the AMCAS personal statement length is 5,300 characters with spaces. Most students use the same essay (with very minor modifications, if necessary) for both application systems.

You’ve been working hard on your med school application, reading medical school personal statement examples, editing, revising, editing and revising.  Make sure you know where you’re sending your personal statement and application.  Watch this important medical school admissions statistics video.

2024 AACOMAS Personal Statement Prompt

The AACOMAS personal statement is for osteopathic medical schools specifically. As with the AMCAS statement, you need to lay out your journey to medicine as chronologically as possible in 5,300 characters with spaces or less. So you essentially have the same story map as for an AMCAS statement. Most important, you must show you are interested in osteopathy specifically. Therefore, when trying to decide what to include or leave out, prioritize any osteopathy experiences you have had, or those that are in line with the osteopathic philosophy of the mind-body connection, the body as self-healing, and other tenets.

Medical School Application Timeline and When to Write your Personal Statement

If you’re applying to both allopathic and osteopathic schools, you can most likely use the same medical school personal statement for both AMCAS and AACOMAS. In fact, this is why AACOMAS changed the personal statement length to match the AMCAS length several years ago.

Most medical school personal statements can be used for AMCAS and AACOMAS.

Know the Required Medical School Personal Statement Length

Below are the medical schools personal statement length limits for each application system. As you can see, they are all very similar. When you start brainstorming and writing your personal statement, keep these limits in mind.

AMCAS Personal Statement Length : 5,300 characters with spaces.

As per the AAMC website :   “The available space for this essay is 5,300 characters (spaces are counted as characters), or approximately one page. You will receive an error message if you exceed the available space.”

AACOMAS Personal Statement Length : 5,300 characters with spaces

TMDSAS Personal Statement Length : 5,000 characters with spaces

As per the TMDSAS Website (Page 36): “The personal essay asks you to explain your motivation to seek a career in medicine. You are asked to include the value of your experiences that prepare you to be a physician. The essay is limited to 5000 characters, including spaces.”

Demonstrate Required Preprofessional Competencies

Next, your want to be aware of the nine preprofessional core competencies as outlined by the Association of American Medical Colleges . Medical school admissions committees want to see, as evidenced by your medical school personal statement and application, that you possess these qualities and characteristics. Now, don’t worry, medical school admissions committees don’t expect you to demonstrate all of them, but, you should demonstrate some.

• Service Orientation
• Social Skills
• Cultural Competence
• Oral Communication
• Ethical Responsibility to Self and Others
• Reliability and Dependability
• Resilience and Adaptability
• Capacity for Improvement

In your personal statement, you might be able to also demonstrate the four thinking and reasoning competencies:

• Critical Thinking
• Quantitative Reasoning
• Written Communication
• Scientific Inquiry

So, let’s think about how to address the personal statement prompts in a slightly different way while ensuring you demonstrate the preprofessional competencies. When writing your personal statement, be sure it answers the four questions that follow and you will “hit” most of the core competencies listed above.

1. What have you done that supports your interest in becoming a doctor?

I always advise applicants to practice “evidence based admissions.” The reader of your essay wants to see the “evidence” that you have done what is necessary to understand the practice of medicine. This includes clinical exposure, research, and community service, among other activities.

2. Why do you want to be a doctor?

This may seem pretty basic – and it is – but admissions officers need to know WHY you want to practice medicine. Many applicants make the mistake of simply listing what they have done without offering insights about those experiences that answer the question, “Why medicine?” Your reasons for wanting to be a doctor may overlap with those of other applicants. This is okay because the experiences in which you participated, the stories you can tell about those experiences, and the wisdom you gained are completely distinct—because they are only yours. 

“In admissions committee meetings we were always interested in WHY you wanted to earn a medical degree and how you would contribute to the medical school community.”

Medical school admissions committees want to know that you have explored your interest deeply and that you can reflect on the significance of these clinical experiences and volunteer work. But writing only that you “want to help people” does not support a sincere desire to become a physician; you must indicate why the medical profession in particular—rather than social work, teaching, or another “helping” profession—is your goal. 

3. How have your experiences influenced you?

It is important to show how your experiences are linked and how they have influenced you. How did your experiences motivate you? How did they affect what else you did in your life? How did your experiences shape your future goals? Medical school admissions committees like to see a sensible progression of involvements. While not every activity needs to be logically “connected” with another, the evolution of your interests and how your experiences have nurtured your future goals and ambitions show that you are motivated and committed.

4. Who are you as a person? What are your values and ideals?

Medical school admissions committees want to know about you as an individual beyond your interests in medicine, too. This is where answering that third open ended question in the prompt becomes so important. What was interesting about your background, youth, and home life? What did you enjoy most about college? Do you have any distinctive passions or interests? They want to be convinced that you are a good person beyond your experiences. Write about those topics that are unlikely to appear elsewhere in your statement that will offer depth and interest to your work and illustrate the qualities and characteristics you possess.

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• How To Get Into Columbia Medical School
• How To Get Into UT Southwestern Medical School
• How To Get Into Harvard Medical School

Complete Your Personal Inventory and Outline (Example Below)

The bulk of your essay should be about your most valuable experiences, personal, academic, scholarly, clinical, academic and extracurricular activities that have impacted your path to medical school and through which you have learned about the practice of medicine. The best personal statements cover several topics and are not narrow in scope. Why is this important? Many different people with a variety of backgrounds, interests, and ideas of what makes a great medical student will be reading your essay. You want to make sure you essay has broad appeal.

The following exercise will help you to determine what experiences you should highlight in your personal statement. 

When composing your personal statement, keep in mind that you are writing, in effect, a “story” of how you arrived at this point in your life. But, unlike a “story” in the creative sense, yours must also offer convincing evidence for your decision to apply to medical school. Before starting your personal statement, create an experience- based personal inventory:

• Write down a list of the most important experiences in your life and your development. The list should be all inclusive and comprise those experiences that had the most impact on you. Put the list, which should consist of personal, extracurricular, and academic events, in chronological order.
• From this list, determine which experiences you consider the most important in helping you decide to pursue a career in medicine. This “experience oriented” approach will allow you to determine which experiences best illustrate the personal competencies admissions committees look for in your written documents. Remember that you must provide evidence for your interest in medicine and for most of the personal qualities and characteristics that medical school admissions committees want to see.
• After making your list, think about why each “most important” experience was influential and write that down. What did you observe? What did you learn? What insights did you gain? How  did the experience influence your path and choices?
• Then think of a story or illustration for why each experience was important.
• After doing this exercise, evaluate each experience for its significance and influence and for its “story” value. Choose to write about those experiences that not only were influential but that also will provide interesting reading, keeping in mind that  your goal is to weave the pertinent experiences together into a compelling story. In making your choices, think about how you will link each experience and transition from one topic to the next.
• Decide which of your listed experiences you will use for your introduction first (see below for more about your introduction). Then decide which experiences you will include in the body of your personal statement, create a general outline, and get writing!

Remember, you will also have your work and activities entries and your secondary applications to write in more detail about your experiences. Therefore, don’t feel you must pack everything in to your statement!

Craft a Compelling Personal Statement Introduction and Body

You hear conflicting advice about application essays. Some tell you not to open with a story. Others tell you to always begin with a story. Regardless of the advice you receive, be sure to do three things:

• Be true to yourself. Everyone will have an opinion regarding what you should and should not write. Follow your own instincts. Your personal statement should be a reflection of you, and only you.
• Start your personal statement with something catchy.  Think about the list of potential topics above.
• Don’t rush your work. Composing thoughtful documents takes time and you don’t want your writing and ideas to be sloppy and underdeveloped.

Most important is to begin with something that engages your reader. A narrative, a “story,” an anecdote written in the first or third person, is ideal. Whatever your approach, your first paragraph must grab your reader’s attention and motivate him to want to continue reading. I encourage applicants to start their personal statement by describing an experience that was especially influential in setting them on their path to medical school. This can be a personal or scholarly experience or an extracurricular one. Remember to avoid clichés and quotes and to be honest and authentic in your writing. Don’t try to be someone who you are not by trying to imitate personal statement examples you have read online or “tell them what you think they want to hear”; consistency is key and your interviewer is going to make sure that you are who you say you are!

When deciding what experiences to include in the body of your personal statement, go back to your personal inventory and identify those experiences that have been the most influential in your personal path and your path to medical school. Keep in mind that the reader wants to have an idea of who you are as a human being so don’t write your personal statement as a glorified resume. Include some information about your background and personal experiences that can give a picture of who you are as a person outside of the classroom or laboratory.

Ideally, you should choose two or three experiences to highlight in the body of your personal statement. You don’t want to write about all of your accomplishments; that is what your application entries are for!

Write Your Personal Statement Conclusion

In your conclusion, it is customary to “go full circle” by coming back to the topic—or anecdote—you introduced in the introduction, but this is not a must. Summarize why you want to be a doctor and address what you hope to achieve and your goals for medical school. Write a conclusion that is compelling and will leave the reader wanting to meet you.

Complete Personal Statement Checklist

When reading your medical school personal statement be sure it:

Shows insight and introspection

The best medical school personal statements tell a great deal about what you have learned through your experiences and the insights you have gained.

You want to tell your story by highlighting those experiences that have been the most influential on your path to medical school and to give a clear sense of chronology. You want your statement always to be logical and never to confuse your reader.

Is interesting and engaging

The best personal statements engage the reader. This doesn’t mean you must use big words or be a literary prize winner. Write in your own language and voice, but really think about your journey to medical school and the most intriguing experiences you have had.

Gives the reader a mental image of who you are

You want the reader to be able to envision you as a caregiver and a medical professional. You want to convey that you would be a compassionate provider at the bedside – someone who could cope well with crisis and adversity.

Illustrates your passion for, and commitment to, medicine

Your reader must be convinced that you are excited about and committed to a career in medicine!

Above all, your personal statement should be about you. Explain to your reader what you have done and why you want to be a doctor with insight, compassion, and understanding.

Medical School Personal Statement Myths

Also keep in mind some common myths about personal statements that I hear quite often:

My personal statement must have a theme.

Not true. The vast majority of personal statements do not have themes. In fact, most are somewhat autobiographical and are just as interesting as those statements that are woven around a “theme.” It is only the very talented writer who can creatively write a personal statement around a theme, and this approach often backfires since the applicant fails to answer the three questions above.

My personal statement must be no longer than one page.

Not true. This advice is antiquated and dates back to the days of the written application when admissions committees flipped through pages. If your personal statement is interesting and compelling, it is fine to use the entire allotted space. The application systems have incorporated limits for exactly this reason! Many students, depending on their unique circumstances, can actually undermine their success by limiting their personal statement to a page. That said, never max out a space just for the sake of doing so. Quality writing and perspectives are preferable to quantity.

My personal statement should not describe patient encounters or my personal medical experiences.

Not true. Again, the actual topics on which you focus in your personal statement are less important than the understanding you gained from those experiences. I have successful clients who have written extremely powerful and compelling personal statements that included information about clinical encounters – both personal and professional. Write about whichever experiences were the most important on your path to medicine. It’s always best, however, to avoid spending too much space on childhood and high school activities. Focus instead on those that are more current.

In my personal statement I need to sell myself.

Not exactly true. You never want to boast in your personal statement. Let your experiences, insights, and observations speak for themselves. You want your reader to draw the conclusion – on his or her own – that you have the qualities and characteristics the medical school seeks. Never tell what qualities and characteristics you possess; let readers draw these conclusions on their own based on what you write.

Medical School Personal Statement Examples and Analysis for Inspiration

Below are examples of actual medical school personal statements. You can also likely find medical school personal statements on Reddit.

AMCAS Medical School Personal Statement Example and Analysis #1 with Personal Inventory  

We will use Amy to illustrate the general process of writing an application to medical school, along with providing the resulting documents. Amy will first list those experiences, personal, extracurricular, and scholarly, that have been most influential in two areas: her life in general and her path to medical school. She will put this personal inventory in chronologic order for use in composing her personal statement.

She will then select those experiences that were the most significant to her and will reflect and think about why they were important. For her application entries, Amy will write about each experience, including those that she considers influential in her life but not in her choice of medicine, in her application entries. Experiences that Amy will not write about in her activity entries or her personal statement are those that she does not consider most influential in either her life or in her choice of medicine.

Amy’s personal inventory (from oldest to most recent)

• Going with my mom to work. She is a surgeon — I was very curious about what she did. I was intrigued by the relationships she had with patients and how much they valued her efforts. I also loved seeing her as “a doctor” since, to me, she was just “mom.”
• I loved biology in high school. I started to think seriously about medicine then. It was during high school that I became fascinated with biology and how the human body worked. I would say that was when I thought, “Hmm, maybe I should be a doctor.”
• Grandmother’s death, senior year of high school. My grandmother’s death was tragic. It was the first time I had ever seen someone close to me suffer. It was one of the most devastating experiences in my life.
• Global Health Trip to Guatemala my freshman year of college. I realized after going to Guatemala that I had always taken my access to health care for granted. Here I saw children who didn’t have basic health care. This made me want to become a physician so I could give more to people like those I met in Guatemala.
• Sorority involvement. Even though sorority life might seem trivial, I loved it. I learned to work with different types of people and gained some really valuable leadership experience.
• Poor grades in college science classes. I still regret that I did badly in my science classes. I think I was immature and was also too involved in other activities and didn’t have the focus I needed to do well. I had a 3.4 undergraduate GPA.
• Teaching and tutoring Jose, a child from Honduras. In a way, meeting Jose in a college tutoring program brought my Guatemala experience to my home. Jose struggled academically, and his parents were immigrants and spoke only Spanish, so they had their own challenges. I tried to help Jose as much as I could. I saw that because he lacked resources, he was at a tremendous disadvantage.
• Volunteering at Excellent Medical Center. Shadowing physicians at the medical center gave me a really broad view of medicine. I learned about different specialties, met many different patients, and saw both great and not-so-great physician role models. Counselor at Ronald McDonald House. Working with sick kids made me appreciate my health. I tried to make them happy and was so impressed with their resilience. It made me realize that good health is everything.
• Oncology research. Understanding what happens behind the scenes in research was fascinating. Not only did I gain some valuable research experience, but I learned how research is done.
• Peer health counselor. Communicating with my peers about really important medical tests gave me an idea of the tremendous responsibility that doctors have. I also learned that it is important to be sensitive, to listen, and to be open-minded when working with others.
• Clinical Summer Program. This gave me an entirely new view of medicine. I worked with the forensics department, and visiting scenes of deaths was entirely new to me. This experience added a completely new dimension to my understanding of medicine and how illness and death affect loved ones.
• Emergency department internship. Here I learned so much about how things worked in the hospital. I realized how important it was that people who worked in the clinical department were involved in creating hospital policies. This made me understand, in practical terms, how an MPH would give me the foundation to make even more change in the future.
• Master’s in public health. I decided to get an MPH for two reasons. First of all, I knew my undergraduate science GPA was an issue so I figured that graduate level courses in which I performed well would boost my record. I don’t think I will write this on my application, but I also thought the degree would give me other skills if I didn’t get into medical school, and I knew it would also give me something on which I could build during medical school and in my career since I was interested in policy work.

As you can see from Amy’s personal inventory list, she has many accomplishments that are important to her and influenced her path. The most influential personal experience that motivated her to practice medicine was her mother’s career as a practicing physician, but Amy was also motivated by watching her mother’s career evolve. Even though the death of her grandmother was devastating for Amy, she did not consider this experience especially influential in her choice to attend medical school so she didn’t write about it in her personal statement.

Amy wrote an experience-based personal statement, rich with anecdotes and detailed descriptions, to illustrate the evolution of her interest in medicine and how this motivated her to also earn a master’s in public health.

Amy’s Medical School Personal Statement Example:

She was sprawled across the floor of her apartment. Scattered trash, decaying food, alcohol bottles, medication vials, and cigarette butts covered the floor. I had just graduated from college, and this was my first day on rotation with the forensic pathology department as a Summer Scholar, one of my most valuable activities on the path to medical school. As the coroner deputy scanned the scene for clues to what caused this woman’s death, I saw her distraught husband. I did not know what to say other than “I am so sorry.” I listened intently as he repeated the same stories about his wife and his dismay that he never got to say goodbye. The next day, alongside the coroner as he performed the autopsy, I could not stop thinking about the grieving man.

Discerning a cause of death was not something I had previously associated with the practice of medicine. As a child, I often spent Saturday mornings with my mother, a surgeon, as she rounded on patients. I witnessed the results of her actions, as she provided her patients a renewed chance at life. I grew to honor and respect my mother’s profession. Witnessing the immense gratitude of her patients and their families, I quickly came to admire the impact she was able to make in the lives of her patients and their loved ones.

I knew I wanted to pursue a career in medicine as my mother had, and throughout high school and college I sought out clinical, research, and volunteer opportunities to gain a deeper understanding of medicine. After volunteering with cancer survivors at Camp Ronald McDonald, I was inspired to further understand this disease. Through my oncology research, I learned about therapeutic processes for treatment development. Further, following my experience administering HIV tests, I completed research on point-of-care HIV testing, to be instituted throughout 26 hospitals and clinics. I realized that research often served as a basis for change in policy and medical practice and sought out opportunities to learn more about both.

All of my medically related experiences demonstrated that people who were ‘behind the scenes’ and had limited or no clinical background made many of the decisions in health care. Witnessing the evolution of my mother’s career further underscored the impact of policy change on the practice of medicine. In particular, the limits legislation imposed on the care she could provide influenced my perspective and future goals. Patients whom my mother had successfully treated for more than a decade, and with whom she had long-standing, trusting relationships, were no longer able to see her, because of policy coverage changes. Some patients, frustrated by these limitations, simply stopped seeking the care they needed. As a senior in college, I wanted to understand how policy transformations came about and gain the tools I would need to help effect administrative and policy changes in the future as a physician. It was with this goal in mind that I decided to complete a master’s in public health program before applying to medical school.

As an MPH candidate, I am gaining insight into the theories and practices behind the complex interconnections of the healthcare system; I am learning about economics, operations, management, ethics, policy, finance, and technology and how these entities converge to impact delivery of care. A holistic understanding of this diverse, highly competitive, market-driven system will allow me, as a clinician, to find solutions to policy, public health, and administration issues. I believe that change can be more effective if those who actually practice medicine also decide where improvements need to be made.

For example, as the sole intern for the emergency department at County Medical Center, I worked to increase efficiency in the ED by evaluating and mapping patient flow. I tracked patients from point of entry to point of discharge and found that the discharge process took up nearly 35% of patients’ time. By analyzing the reasons for this situation, in collaboration with nurses and physicians who worked in the ED and had an intimate understanding of what took place in the clinical area, I was able to make practical recommendations to decrease throughput time. The medical center has already implemented these suggestions, resulting in decreased length of stays. This example illustrates the benefit of having clinicians who work ‘behind the scenes’ establish policies and procedures, impacting operational change and improving patient care. I will also apply what I have learned through this project as the business development intern at Another Local Medical Center this summer, where I will assist in strategic planning, financial analysis, and program reviews for various clinical departments.

Through my mother’s career and my own medical experiences, I have become aware of the need for clinician administrators and policymakers. My primary goal as a physician will be to care for patients, but with the knowledge and experience I have gained through my MPH, I also hope to effect positive public policy and administrative changes.

What’s Good About Amy’s Medical School Personal Statement:  

Paragraphs 1 and 2: Amy started her personal statement by illustrating a powerful experience she had when she realized that medical caregivers often feel impotent, and how this contrasted with her understanding of medicine as a little girl going with her mother to work. Recognition of this intense contrast also highlights Amy’s maturity.

Paragraph 3: Amy then “lists” a few experiences that were important to her.

Paragraph 4: Amy describes the commonality in some of her experiences and how her observations were substantiated by watching the evolution of her mother’s practice. She then explains how this motivated her to earn an MPH so she could create change more effectively as a physician than as a layman.

Paragraph 5: Amy then explains how her graduate degree is helping her to better understand the “issues in medicine” that she observed.

Paragraph 6: Amy then describes one exceptional accomplishment she had that highlights what she has learned and how she has applied it.

Paragraph 7: Finally, Amy effectively concludes her personal statement and summarizes the major topics addressed in her essay.

As you can see, Amy’s statement has excellent flow, is captivating and unusual, and illustrates her understanding of, and commitment to, medicine. She also exhibits, throughout her application entries and statement, the personal competencies, characteristics, and qualities that medical school admissions officers are seeking. Her application also has broad appeal; reviewers who are focused on research, cultural awareness, working with the underserved, health administration and policy, teaching, or clinical medicine would all find it of interest.

med school personal statement examples

Osteopathic Medical School Personal Statement Example and Analysis #2

Medical School Personal Statement Example Background: This is a nontraditional applicant who applied to osteopathic medical schools. With a 500 and a 504 on the MCAT , he needed to showcase how his former career and what he learned through his work made him an asset. He also needed to convey why osteopathic medicine was an ideal fit for him. The student does an excellent job illustrating his commitment to medicine and explaining why and how he made the well-informed decision to leave his former career to pursue a career in osteopathic medicine.

What’s Good About It: A nontraditional student with a former career, this applicant does a great job outlining how and why he decided to pursue a career in medicine. Clearly dedicated to service, he also does a great job making it clear he is a good fit for osteopathic medical school and understands this distinctions of osteopathic practice.. 

Working as a police officer, one comes to expect the unexpected, but sometimes, when the unexpected happens, one can’t help but be surprised. In November 20XX, I had been a police officer for two years when my partner and I happened to be nearby when a man had a cardiac emergency in Einstein Bagels. Entering the restaurant, I was caught off guard by the lifeless figure on the floor, surrounded by spilled food. Time paused as my partner and I began performing CPR, and my heart raced as I watched color return to the man’s pale face.

Luckily, paramedics arrived within minutes to transport him to a local hospital. Later, I watched as the family thanked the doctors who gave their loved one a renewed chance at life. That day, in the “unexpected,” I confirmed that I wanted to become a physician, something that had attracted me since childhood.

I have always been enthralled by the science of medicine and eager to help those in need but, due to life events, my path to achieving this dream has been long. My journey began following high school when I joined the U.S. Army. I was immature and needed structure, and I knew the military was an opportunity to pursue my medical ambitions. I trained as a combat medic and requested work in an emergency room of an army hospital. At the hospital, I started IVs, ran EKGs, collected vital signs, and assisted with codes. I loved every minute as I was directly involved in patient care and observed physicians methodically investigating their patients’ signs and symptoms until they reached a diagnosis. Even when dealing with difficult patients, the physicians I worked with maintained composure, showing patience and understanding while educating patients about their diseases. I observed physicians not only as clinicians but also as teachers. As a medic, I learned that I loved working with patients and being part of the healthcare team, and I gained an understanding of acute care and hospital operations.

Following my discharge in 20XX, I transferred to an army reserve hospital and continued as a combat medic until 20XX. Working as a medic at several hospitals and clinics in the area, I was exposed to osteopathic medicine and the whole body approach to patient care. I was influenced by the D.O.s’ hands-on treatment and their use of manipulative medicine as a form of therapy. I learned that the body cannot function properly if there is dysfunction in the musculoskeletal system.

In 20XX, I became a police officer to support myself as I finished my undergraduate degree and premed courses. While working the streets, I continued my patient care experiences by being the first to care for victims of gunshot wounds, stab wounds, car accidents, and other medical emergencies. In addition, I investigated many unknown causes of death with the medical examiner’s office. I often found signs of drug and alcohol abuse and learned the dangers and power of addiction. In 20XX, I finished my undergraduate degree in education and in 20XX, I completed my premed courses.

Wanting to learn more about primary care medicine, in 20XX I volunteered at a community health clinic that treats underserved populations. Shadowing a family physician, I learned about the physical exam as I looked into ears and listened to the hearts and lungs of patients with her guidance. I paid close attention as she expressed the need for more PCPs and the important roles they play in preventing disease and reducing ER visits by treating and educating patients early in the disease process. This was evident as numerous patients were treated for high cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, and diabetes, all conditions that can be resolved or improved by lifestyle changes. I learned that these changes are not always easy for many in underserved populations as healthier food is often more expensive and sometimes money for prescriptions is not available. This experience opened my eyes to the challenges of being a physician in an underserved area.

The idea of disease prevention stayed with me as I thought about the man who needed CPR. Could early detection and education about heart disease have prevented his “unexpected” cardiac event? My experiences in health care and law enforcement have confirmed my desire to be an osteopathic physician and to treat the patients of the local area. I want to eliminate as many medical surprises as I can.

Texas Medical School Personal Statement Example and Analysis #3

Medical School Personal Statement Example Background: This applicant, who grew up with modest means, should be an inspiration to us all. Rather than allowing limited resources to stand in his way, he took advantage of everything that was available to him. He commuted to college from home and had a part-time job so he was stretched thin, and his initial college performance suffered. However, he worked hard and his grades improved. Most medical school admissions committees seek out applicants like this because, by overcoming adversity and succeeding with limited resources, they demonstrate exceptional perseverance, maturity, and dedication. His accomplishments are, by themselves, impressive and he does an outstanding job of detailing his path, challenges, and commitment to medicine. He received multiple acceptances to top medical schools and was offered scholarships.

What’s Good About It: This student does a great job opening his personal statement with a beautifully written introduction that immediately takes the reader to Central America. He then explains his path, why he did poorly early in college, and goes on to discuss his academic interests and pursuits. He is also clearly invested in research and articulates that he is intellectually curious, motivated, hard working, compassionate and committed to a career in medicine by explaining his experiences using interesting language and details. This is an intriguing statement that makes clear the applicant is worthy of an interview invitation. Finally, the student expresses his interest in attending medical school in Texas.

They were learning the basics of carpentry and agriculture. The air was muggy and hot, but these young boys seemed unaffected, though I and my fellow college students sweated and often complained. As time passed, I started to have a greater appreciation for the challenges these boys faced. These orphans, whom I met and trained in rural Central America as a member of The Project, had little. They dreamed of using these basic skills to earn a living wage. Abandoned by their families, they knew this was their only opportunity to re-enter society as self- sufficient individuals. I stood by them in the fields and tutored them after class. And while I tried my best to instill in them a strong work ethic, it was the boys who instilled in me a desire to help those in need. They gave me a new perspective on my decision to become a doctor.

I don’t know exactly when I decided to become a physician; I have had this goal for a long time. I grew up in the inner city of A City, in Texas and attended magnet schools. My family knew little about higher education, and I learned to seek out my own opportunities and advice. I attended The University with the goal of gaining admission to medical school. When I started college, I lacked the maturity to focus on academics and performed poorly. Then I traveled to Central America. Since I was one of the few students who spoke Spanish, many of the boys felt comfortable talking with me. They saw me as a role model.

The boys worked hard so that they could learn trades that would help them to be productive members of society. It was then I realized that my grandparents, who immigrated to the US so I would have access to greater opportunities, had done the same. I felt like I was wasting what they had sacrificed for me. When I returned to University in the fall, I made academics my priority and committed myself to learn more about medicine .

Through my major in neuroscience, I strengthened my understanding of how we perceive and experience life. In systems neurobiology, I learned the physiology of the nervous system. Teaching everything from basic neural circuits to complex sensory pathways, Professor X provided me with the knowledge necessary to conduct research in Parkinson’s disease. My research focused on the ability of antioxidants to prevent the onset of Parkinson’s, and while my project was only a pilot study at the time, Professor X encouraged me to present it at the National Research Conference. During my senior year, I developed the study into a formal research project, recruiting the help of professors of statistics and biochemistry.

Working at the School of Medicine reinforced my analytical skills. I spent my summer in the department of emergency medicine, working with the department chair, Dr. Excellent. Through Dr. Excellent’s mentorship, I participated in a retrospective study analyzing patient charts to determine the efficacy of D-dimer assays in predicting blood clots. The direct clinical relevance of my research strengthened my commitment and motivated my decision to seek out more clinical research opportunities.

A growing awareness of the role of human compassion in healing has also influenced my choice to pursue a career in medicine. It is something no animal model or cell culture can ever duplicate or rival. Working in clinical research has allowed me to see the selflessness of many physicians and patients and their mutual desire to help others. As a research study assistant in the department of surgery, I educate and enroll patients in clinical trials. One such study examines the role of pre-operative substance administration in tumor progression. Patients enrolled in this study underwent six weeks of therapy before having the affected organ surgically excised. Observing how patients were willing to participate in this research to benefit others helped me understand the resiliency of the human spirit.

Working in clinical trials has enabled me to further explore my passion for science, while helping others. Through my undergraduate coursework and participation in volunteer groups I have had many opportunities to solidify my goal to become a physician. As I am working, I sometimes think about my second summer in Central America. I recall how one day, after I had turned countless rows of soil in scorching heat, one of the boys told me that I was a trabajador verdadero—a true worker. I paused as I realized the significance of this comment. While the boy may not have been able to articulate it, he knew I could identify with him. What the boy didn’t know, however, was that had my grandparents not decided to immigrate to the US, I would not have the great privilege of seizing opportunities in this country and writing this essay today. I look forward to the next step of my education and hope to return home to Texas where I look forward to serving the communities I call home.

Final Thoughts

Above all, and as stated in this article numerous times, your personal statement should be authentic and genuine. Write about your path and and journey to this point in your life using anecdotes and observations to intrigue the reader and illustrate what is and was important to you. Good luck!

Medical School Personal Statement Help & Consulting

If all this information has you staring at your screen like a deer in the headlights, you’re not alone. Writing a superb medical school personal statement can be a daunting task, and many applicants find it difficult to get started writing, or to express everything they want to say succinctly. That’s where MedEdits can help. You don’t have to have the best writing skills to compose a stand-out statement. From personal-statement editing alone to comprehensive packages for all your medical school application needs, we offer extensive support and expertise developed from working with thousands of successful medical school applicants. We can’t promise applying to medical school will be stress-free, but most clients tell us it’s a huge relief not to have to go it alone.

MedEdits offers personal statement consulting and editing. Our goal when working with students is to draw out what makes each student distinctive. How do we do this? We will explore your background and upbringing, interests and ideals as well as your accomplishments and activities. By helping you identify the most distinguishing aspects of who you are, you will then be able to compose an authentic and genuine personal statement in your own voice to capture the admissions committee’s attention so you are invited for a medical school interview. Our unique brainstorming methodology has helped hundreds of aspiring premeds gain acceptance to medical school.

Sample Medical School Personal Statement

Example Medical School Personal Statement

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• March 30, 2024

6 Important Tips for the AMCAS Personal Statement (AMCAS PS)

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Recent Posts

Amcas: 5 critical points to make you stand out, aacomas: 6 important steps to stand out, 3 critical tips for the amcas work and activities section, tmdsas application: a 6 point comprehensive guide.

CLICK ON THE SECTION TITLE TO JUMP TO IT!

Introduction

Understanding the amcas personal statement.

Explanation of what the AMCAS Personal Statement is.

Discussion of the character limit and its implications for content.

Crafting a Compelling Narrative

Importance of storytelling in the personal statement.

Tips for selecting experiences that highlight unique qualities.

Show, Don’t Tell: Demonstrating Your Qualities

Strategies for illustrating personal attributes through specific examples.

Avoiding the trap of simply listing achievements.

Addressing Challenges and Setbacks

How to effectively discuss obstacles without dwelling on them.

Balancing honesty with positivity.

Making Your Statement Stand Out

Techniques for creating a memorable and distinctive personal statement.

The role of reflection and personal growth in the narrative.

The Role of Feedback and Revision

Importance of seeking constructive criticism from trusted sources.

The iterative process of refining the personal statement.

The pivotal milestones in your medical school application path is crafting an exceptional AMCAS Personal Statement. This crucial component of your application is more than just a formality; it’s a canvas for your narrative, a platform to showcase your passion for medicine, and a chance to stand out the thousands of aspiring physicians. The AMCAS Personal Statement is your opportunity to go beyond the numbers and give the admissions committee a glimpse into your character, your motivations, and your vision for your future in healthcare.

Navigating the 5,300-character limit can feel like a tightrope walk, balancing between being concise and expressive. It’s about finding that sweet spot where your experiences, aspirations, and the essence of who you are come together to form a compelling story. This narrative is your ticket to capturing the attention of medical school admissions officers and making them see not just an applicant, but a future doctor with a unique perspective and a heart full of determination. Let’s dive into how you can make your personal statement a memorable and impactful part of your medical school application.

Explanation of what the AMCAS Personal Statement is

At its core, the AMCAS Personal Statement is your chance to transcend beyond grades and scores. It’s about telling your story in a way that highlights your passion for medicine, your empathy, your resilience, and your commitment to the field. Through this narrative, you’re given the freedom to illustrate the experiences that have shaped you, the challenges you’ve overcome, and the moments that solidified your decision to pursue medicine. Unlike the quantitative data that fills the rest of your application, this qualitative aspect allows you to connect on a more personal level with those deciding your fate in the medical field.

Crafting a statement that leaves a lasting impression requires introspection and a deep understanding of what drives you. This isn’t about reiterating your resume; it’s about peeling back the layers to reveal the real you. The AMCAS application facilitates this conversation between you and the admissions committee, providing a platform for you to articulate your personal journey towards medicine.

Discussion of the character limit and its implications for content

Navigating the 5,300-character limit of the AMCAS Personal Statement might seem daunting at first. This restriction places a premium on your ability to communicate efficiently and effectively, challenging you to distill your experiences and aspirations into a concise yet powerful narrative. Every word counts, pushing you to think critically about what details are truly essential to your story and which ones can be left unsaid.

This character limit encourages precision. It forces you to prioritize the experiences that best represent your journey, highlighting the resilience, empathy, and dedication that have propelled you toward a career in medicine. In this space, you must strike a balance between depth and brevity, ensuring that each sentence contributes to the overarching narrative you wish to convey. The constraint isn’t just a limit; it’s an opportunity to fine-tune your message, ensuring that your personal statement is both compelling and focused.

Moreover, the character limit underscores the importance of reflection in the application process. Deciding what to include and what to omit isn’t just about storytelling; it’s about understanding yourself and what defines you as a future medical professional. This introspective process can illuminate your path to medicine in ways you hadn’t considered, providing a clearer vision of who you are and the doctor you aspire to be.

In essence, the AMCAS Personal Statement is more than an essay; it’s a narrative mosaic of your journey to medicine. The character limit shapes this narrative, ensuring that each word serves a purpose, each sentence builds your case, and the final product paints a vivid picture of your passion for and commitment to the field of medicine.

The AMCAS Personal Statement is more than just an academic essay; it’s a storytelling opportunity that allows you to weave together the threads of your experiences, aspirations, and personal growth. Crafting a compelling narrative is crucial in making your application stand out in the competitive landscape of medical school admissions.

Importance of storytelling in the personal statement

Storytelling is a powerful tool in the AMCAS Personal Statement because it transforms your application from a mere collection of achievements into a memorable and engaging narrative. A well-crafted story can convey your passion for medicine, demonstrate your resilience, and provide insight into your character in ways that data and statistics cannot. It’s about showing the admissions committee who you are, not just telling them.

Through storytelling, you can connect emotionally with the reader, making your application more relatable and human. This emotional connection can be the difference between a forgettable essay and one that resonates long after it’s been read. A narrative approach allows you to highlight the journey that has led you to pursue a career in medicine, showcasing your growth, challenges overcome, and the moments that have defined your path.

Tips for selecting experiences that highlight unique qualities

When selecting experiences for your narrative, it’s essential to choose those that showcase your unique qualities and align with the values of the medical profession. Here are some tips to help you identify and highlight these experiences in your AMCAS Personal Statement:

1. Reflect on pivotal moments : Think about the experiences that have had a significant impact on your decision to pursue medicine. These could be clinical encounters, volunteer work, research projects, or personal challenges. Focus on moments that sparked your interest in healthcare or reinforced your commitment to the field.

2. Showcase your growth : Select experiences that demonstrate your personal and professional development. Admissions committees are interested in seeing how you’ve evolved over time and how your experiences have shaped your understanding of medicine.

3. Highlight your empathy and compassion : Medicine is a field that requires a deep sense of empathy and compassion. Include experiences that illustrate your ability to connect with others, understand their perspectives, and provide support during difficult times.

4. Demonstrate resilience and adaptability : The journey to and through medical school is challenging. Share experiences that showcase your resilience in the face of adversity and your ability to adapt to changing circumstances.

5. Emphasize teamwork and collaboration : Medicine is inherently collaborative. Highlight experiences that demonstrate your ability to work effectively in teams, communicate clearly, and contribute to shared goals.

6. Be authentic : Choose experiences that genuinely reflect who you are and what matters to you. Authenticity is key to creating a narrative that feels true to your character and resonates with the admissions committee.

By carefully selecting experiences that highlight your unique qualities and weaving them into a cohesive narrative, you can create an AMCAS Personal Statement that not only stands out but also provides a compelling glimpse into your journey to medicine.

In the AMCAS Personal Statement, the statement “show, don’t tell” is a guiding principle that can transform your essay from a mere recitation of accomplishments into a vivid portrayal of your character and potential as a future physician. This section explores strategies to bring your qualities to life and avoid the common pitfall of merely listing achievements.

Strategies for illustrating personal attributes through specific examples

To effectively demonstrate your qualities, you need to provide specific examples that showcase these attributes in action. Here are some strategies to help you do that:

1. Use vivid anecdotes : Share detailed stories from your experiences that highlight your qualities. For example, instead of stating that you are empathetic, describe a moment when you comforted a patient or connected with someone from a different background.

2. Focus on your actions and reactions : Illustrate your qualities through your actions and responses to various situations. Show how you solved a problem, overcame a challenge, or made a positive impact on others.

3. Provide context : Set the scene for your examples by providing enough background information. This helps the reader understand the significance of your actions and the qualities they demonstrate.

4. Reflect on your experiences : Don’t just describe what happened; reflect on what you learned and how it shaped your understanding of medicine or your personal growth. This reflection shows depth and self-awareness.

5. Use specific, concrete details : Rather than using general statements, use specific details to paint a vivid picture of your experiences and the qualities they reveal.

Avoiding the trap of simply listing achievements

While it’s important to highlight your accomplishments, your AMCAS Personal Statement should not read like a resume. Here’s how to avoid turning your essay into a mere list of achievements:

1. Prioritize quality over quantity : Instead of trying to include every achievement, focus on a few meaningful experiences that showcase your most relevant qualities.

2. Integrate achievements into your narrative : Incorporate your accomplishments naturally into your story, showing how they are a result of your qualities and how they have prepared you for a career in medicine.

3. Explain the significance : Don’t just mention an achievement; explain why it matters. Discuss the skills you developed, the challenges you overcame, and the impact it had on your journey to medicine.

4. Show the journey, not just the destination : Instead of just stating that you received an award or achieved a high grade, describe the effort, dedication, and growth that led to that accomplishment.

5. Balance humility with confidence: Be proud of your achievements, but maintain a tone of humility. Acknowledge the contributions of others and the opportunities that allowed you to succeed.

By focusing on illustrating your qualities through specific examples and integrating your achievements into a cohesive narrative, your AMCAS Personal Statement will provide a compelling and authentic portrayal of who you are and why you are destined for a career in medicine. Remember, the goal is to show the admissions committee the depth of your character, not just the breadth of your accomplishments.

The journey to medical school is often marked by hurdles and setbacks. In your AMCAS Personal Statement, discussing these obstacles is not just about showcasing resilience but also about revealing depth, growth, and a balanced perspective on your journey. Let’s explore how to approach this aspect of your narrative effectively.

How to effectively discuss obstacles without dwelling on them

Discussing challenges in your AMCAS Personal Statement requires a delicate balance. You want to acknowledge the difficulties you’ve faced without letting them overshadow your achievements or the positive aspects of your journey. Here’s how to strike that balance:

1. Focus on the learning experience : When mentioning an obstacle, quickly pivot to what it taught you or how it contributed to your personal or professional growth. This approach shifts the focus from the challenge itself to the positive outcomes of facing it.

2. Keep it relevant : Choose setbacks that have a direct relevance to your path to medicine or your personal development as a future healthcare provider. This ensures that every part of your story ties back to your central narrative of pursuing a medical career.

3. Be concise : While it’s important to provide context, avoid going into unnecessary detail about the obstacle itself. Instead, spend more time on your response to the challenge and the steps you took to overcome it.

4. Demonstrate resilience : Show how facing these challenges has prepared you for the rigorous path of medical education and the demands of a career in healthcare. Highlight qualities like perseverance, adaptability, and strength.

Balancing honesty with positivity

Your AMCAS Personal Statement is a reflection of your authentic self, including how you handle adversity. Here’s how to maintain a balance between being honest about your struggles and maintaining a positive tone:

1. Acknowledge without exaggeration: It’s important to be honest about the challenges you’ve faced, but avoid dramatizing them. A straightforward, factual approach shows maturity and self-awareness.

2. Highlight positive outcomes : For every challenge discussed, ensure there’s a corresponding positive takeaway or outcome. Whether it’s a lesson learned, a skill acquired, or a new perspective gained, make sure the reader sees the silver lining.

3. Maintain a forward-looking perspective : Emphasize how the obstacles you’ve encountered have equipped you for future challenges. This demonstrates optimism and a readiness to tackle the difficulties inherent in medical training and practice.

4. Show gratitude : If appropriate, express appreciation for the support and opportunities that helped you overcome challenges. This not only shows humility but also acknowledges the interconnectedness of your journey with others.

Addressing challenges and setbacks in your AMCAS Personal Statement is not just about recounting difficulties; it’s about illustrating your journey towards resilience, maturity, and a deeper understanding of the medical profession. By focusing on the lessons learned and maintaining a balance between honesty and positivity, you can craft a narrative that resonates with admissions committees and underscores your readiness for the challenges of medical school and beyond. Remember, the way you discuss obstacles can significantly impact how your overall application is perceived, turning potential weaknesses into demonstrations of character strength and determination.

Creating a memorable and impactful AMCAS Personal Statement is crucial for standing out in the competitive medical school application process. Let’s look at techniques that can help you craft a distinctive narrative and the role of reflection and personal growth in your personal statement.

Techniques for creating a memorable and distinctive personal statement

1. Start with a captivating hook : Begin your AMCAS Personal Statement with an engaging story or anecdote that highlights a key aspect of your journey to medicine. This could be a pivotal moment, a challenging experience, or an inspiring encounter that shaped your decision to pursue a career in medicine.

2. Showcase your unique voice: Your personal statement should reflect your individuality. Use a conversational yet professional tone, and avoid overused phrases or clichés. Share your personal experiences, thoughts, and reflections in a way that only you can.

3. Focus on your strengths and passions : Highlight your strengths, achievements, and passions related to medicine. Emphasize what sets you apart from other applicants, whether it’s your dedication to community service, your research accomplishments, or your unique perspective on healthcare.

4. Be specific and concise : Use specific examples to illustrate your points rather than making general statements. This not only makes your personal statement more memorable but also demonstrates your ability to communicate effectively and concisely.

5. Connect your experiences to your future goals : Demonstrate how your past experiences have prepared you for a career in medicine and how they align with your future aspirations. This shows that you have a clear vision and are committed to your path.

The role of reflection and personal growth in the narrative

1. Highlight personal growth : Your AMCAS Personal Statement should showcase your journey of personal growth and development. Reflect on how your experiences have shaped your character, values, and aspirations.

2. Demonstrate self-awareness : Show that you have a deep understanding of yourself and your motivations for pursuing medicine. Discuss how your experiences have challenged you, what you’ve learned from them, and how they have influenced your decision to become a physician.

3. Emphasize resilience and adaptability : Medical school and a career in medicine are challenging. Highlight instances where you’ve overcome obstacles, adapted to change, or persevered through difficult situations. This demonstrates your resilience and readiness for the rigors of medical training.

4. Incorporate introspection : Use your personal statement to share insights gained from your experiences. Discuss how they have impacted your perspective on medicine, healthcare, and serving others.

5. Connect to your values and motivations : Tie your reflections and personal growth to your core values and motivations for entering the medical field. This creates a cohesive narrative that resonates with admissions committees and underscores your commitment to medicine.

By incorporating these techniques and emphasizing reflection and personal growth in your AMCAS Personal Statement, you can create a compelling narrative that stands out. Remember, your personal statement is an opportunity to showcase your unique journey, qualities, and dedication to a career in medicine. Make it count!

Feedback and revision play crucial roles in shaping a narrative for the AMCAS that truly reflects your journey to medicine. Let’s explore the importance of seeking constructive criticism and the iterative process of refining your personal statement.

Importance of seeking constructive criticism from trusted sources

1. Gaining fresh perspectives : Even the most self-aware individuals can benefit from an external viewpoint. Friends, mentors, or professionals who are familiar with the medical school application process can provide insights that you might have overlooked.

2. Identifying weaknesses : Constructive criticism helps pinpoint areas of your AMCAS Personal Statement that may be unclear, unconvincing, or irrelevant. Recognizing these weaknesses is the first step toward addressing them.

3. Enhancing clarity and coherence : Feedback can highlight sections of your personal statement that lack clarity or fail to convey your intended message effectively. This allows you to refine your narrative for better coherence.

4. Validating your strengths : Positive feedback on certain aspects of your personal statement reinforces your strengths. It’s essential to know what works well so you can maintain those elements during revisions.

5. Building confidence : Constructive criticism, when received from trusted sources, can boost your confidence in your personal statement. Knowing that your narrative has been vetted and approved by others can be reassuring.

The iterative process of refining the personal statement

1. Embracing revision : Accept that your first draft is just the starting point. Be open to making changes, reorganizing content, and rephrasing sentences to improve the overall impact of your AMCAS Personal Statement.

2. Focusing on one section at a time : Break down the revision process into manageable sections. Concentrate on refining one part of your personal statement before moving on to the next. This approach prevents feeling overwhelmed and ensures thorough revisions.

3. Seeking multiple rounds of feedback : Don’t settle for feedback from just one source. Approach different individuals at various stages of the revision process. Each round of feedback brings new perspectives and ideas for improvement.

4. Balancing between revisions and originality : While it’s essential to incorporate feedback, ensure that your personal statement remains authentically yours. Strike a balance between making revisions and preserving your unique voice and experiences.

5. Setting aside time for reflection: After each round of revisions, take a step back and reflect on the changes you’ve made. Consider how each revision aligns with your overall goals and the message you want to convey in your AMCAS Personal Statement.

6. Finalizing with a critical eye : Before submitting your personal statement, review it critically one last time. Check for coherence, clarity, and conciseness. Ensure that your narrative effectively communicates your journey and aspirations in medicine.

The process of seeking feedback and revising your AMCAS Personal Statement is iterative and essential for crafting a narrative that resonates with admissions committees. Embrace constructive criticism, remain open to change, and refine your statement until it accurately reflects your journey and aspirations in medicine.

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In crafting your AMCAS Personal Statement, remember that it’s not just an essay; it’s a reflection of your journey, aspirations, and dedication to medicine. By understanding its significance, weaving a compelling narrative, showcasing your unique qualities, addressing challenges with resilience, and ensuring your statement stands out, you set the stage for a successful application. Receiving feedback and embracing the revision process are integral to refining your story, ensuring it resonates with admissions committees. As you finalize your personal statement, keep in mind that it’s your opportunity to share your voice, your experiences, and your vision for your future in medicine. Make it count. 

1. What is the AMCAS Personal Statement?

   The AMCAS Personal Statement is a crucial component of your medical school application. It’s your opportunity to share your journey, aspirations, and dedication to medicine with admissions committees. This personal statement is your chance to highlight what makes you unique and why you are an ideal candidate for medical school.

2. How long should my AMCAS Personal Statement be?

   Your AMCAS Personal Statement should not exceed 5,300 characters, including spaces. This typically amounts to about one page of text. It’s important to use this space wisely to convey your experiences, qualities, and motivation for pursuing a career in medicine.

3. Can I discuss my MCAT score in my AMCAS Personal Statement?

   It’s not advisable to discuss your MCAT score in your AMCAS Personal Statement. This section is intended for you to share your personal journey and qualities, not academic metrics. Your MCAT score will already be visible to admissions committees elsewhere in your application.

4. How should I start writing my AMCAS Personal Statement?

   Begin by reflecting on your experiences and what led you to pursue medicine. Consider moments that defined your view of the medical field and your potential place in it. Choose a story or theme that can effectively illustrate your passion for medicine and your unique qualities.

5. Should I address setbacks or challenges in my AMCAS Personal Statement?

   Yes, addressing setbacks or challenges can showcase your resilience and growth. However, it’s important to discuss these obstacles without dwelling on them. Focus on how you overcame these challenges and what you learned from them, highlighting your strengths and positive attitude.

6. How can I make my AMCAS Personal Statement stand out?

   To make your AMCAS Personal Statement stand out, focus on crafting a compelling narrative that highlights your unique qualities and experiences. Use specific examples to demonstrate your attributes and show your personal growth. Reflect on your journey and how it has shaped your desire to pursue medicine.

7. What is the role of feedback and revision in crafting my AMCAS Personal Statement?

   Feedback and revision are essential in crafting an effective AMCAS Personal Statement. Seeking constructive criticism from trusted sources can provide valuable insights and help you refine your narrative. Embrace the iterative process of revising your statement to ensure it accurately reflects your experiences and aspirations.

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Understanding the AMCAS personal statement length

• Assignment Help

It is inevitable for medical students to submit a personal statement. Though the length of the statement depends on the medical school and their guidelines, the most common AMCAS personal statement length is around 5300 characters. In simple terms, the length should be around a page. However, many might not think of writing a single page statement to be a big deal. It is far from the truth, and if you are looking to study in a medical school, you will have to put significant thought behind each word of the statement so that it makes perfect sense. Therefore, allowing yourself proper time to prepare and write the personal statement is key to an effective AMCAS personal statement. There is no need to hurry, and allow yourself ample time to think and edit until everything is just perfect.

The importance: Before we understand the AMCAS personal statement length, we need to first understand its significance. In many cases, the personal statement will be the most important paper you write since your career will depend on it as it will help you further your education. Therefore, you must put your utmost effort into this endeavour. There are probably hundreds of aspirants like you who would be sending in their personal statements, be ready to face some stiff competition. Thus, not only will you need to set yourself apart from the crowd of the candidates but also prove it with all possible pieces of evidence. Therefore, it is advisable that you prepare well for the task and concentrate on why you want to study in a medical school.

Writing guidelines: To understand the AMCAS personal statement length, we first need to understand the basic guidelines. These are as follows:

• List out all your educational achievements. Again, though, you probably would not want to point out achievements from your high school years. Instead, select something relevant and noteworthy and present them appropriately. It allows the reader to evaluate your potential and actual possibilities.
• Pose questions about your future. Describe the purpose you are looking to achieve and what dream you are looking to fulfil. Try to answer all these questions to help the reader form an opinion about you. It is the main reason your purpose and aim should be clear to the reader.
• Create an outline of your personal and educational life. Describe the different experiences you had in your life that left a profound impact. Describe the turning points and the important events that inspired you to become a medical professional and study in a medical school.

Now that you are clear on the guidelines let us discuss the AMCAS personal statement length. A personal statement is required when applying for a position in an organisation, institution, or even a medical school. The personal statement aims to inform the reader about you. Usually, several elements need to be included to have a particular structure; however, they tend to differ in one way or another. In any case, if you are looking to write an effective personal statement, there are a few requirements that you need to stick to. Let us go over them and familiarise ourselves with the AMCAS personal statement length and several other characteristics that your text has to align with. These are as follows:

• Mention all the major challenges that you faced in life. Then, describe some of the fascinating challenges you endured and decide how to describe them in your personal statement. Try to be as objective as possible when talking about your strengths and weaknesses and mention what you learned from the obstacles in life.
• Proceed with a deep analysis of the purpose and reason in life and your career. Figure out exactly why you want to study in a medical school. Is it because you are interested in treating the poor or in the monetary benefits it offers? Be honest and formulate your statement accordingly.
• List out all the aspects of your life that you would like to highlight to the reader. Then, consider how you can shed light on your past and include any different achievements you got. You can also write about your plans, purpose and what you are looking to achieve.
• Try to point out how studying in medical school will help you fulfil your purpose and aim. For example, why do you think it is the best option and what attracts you the most about medical school? Also, include your motivations for choosing the path. All this information helps the reader gather an excellent impression of you.
• Try to find as much information as you can about medical school. It shows your dedication, and this can also be a great chance of writing what your reader wants to hear.
• After collecting all the relevant information, you can start writing the statement by following the guidelines above and form a proper AMCAS personal statement length. Do not forget to proofread and edit after you are done with the writing.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ’s)

What is the amcas, and what does it stand for.

AMCAS stands for the American Medical College Application Service, which is the centralised medical school application processing service of the AAMS (Association of American Medical Colleges).

What is the correct AMCAS personal statement length?

Though different medical schools have different length guidelines, the AMCAS personal statement length is around a page long or around 5300 characters.

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AMCAS Personal statement checker

Check your amcas personal statement with our character counter tool, personal statement guidelines and formatting.

• • AMCAS personal statements must not exceed 5300 characters.
• • Characters can include spaces, carriage returns, symbols, numbers and punctuation.
• • Tabs, italics, multiple spaces and other styling are not allowed in the personal statement.
• • To delineate paragraphs, type a double return.

Note: If you check your character count in Microsoft Word it might be lower than the character count in AMCAS because Word does not count a carriage return (the enter key) as a character. Our counter does count carriage returns to better comply with AMCAS.

How to use our AMCAS character counter

To use our AMCAS character counter, start by typing into the text box above. Additionally, if you are using another source to type out your personal statement, you can copy and paste into our text box above.

As the text gets entered into the text box, you will notice the character count getting updated directly above the text box.

The character count on the top left represents the total characters typed so far out of 5300.

The character count on the top right represents the number of characters remaining.

If you go past the 5300 character limit, the two character counts will turn red. This is an indicator that you need to reduce the length of your personal statement.

When you are done typing in the text box, you can click the green Copy Text button to copy the text inside the text box. You can then paste this into the AMCAS website.

Alternatively, if you need to start fresh and delete everything inside the text box, click the red Clear Text button. Warning: only click this button if you are sure you want to delete everything.

Personal Statement FAQ

What is the amcas personal statement word limit, how long should your amcas personal statement be.

AMCAS has a character limit of 5300 characters. Paste your statement into our counter tool above to check your length.

How many words is 5300 characters?

Accoring to our Characters to Words Converter , 5300 characters is equal to an estimated 815 to 1060 words. Keep in mind that this estimate also includes spaces, periods etc.

Is the AMCAS personal statement character limit with or without spaces?

It includes spaces. Also, spaces can include carriage returns (the enter key). However, tabs are not allowed. Keep in mind, Microsoft Word does not count carriage returns as a character and will give you a different character count than AMCAS. Please use ours, as it will better comply with AMCAS's formatting guidelines.

*This character counting tool is not affiliated with AMCAS

*No personal statements are sent to the hosting server

2024 AACOMAS Personal Statement Guide

• By Med School Insiders
• January 30, 2024
• AACOMAS , Personal Statement

The AACOMAS personal statement is an opportunity to tell your story and how your journey has led you to osteopathic medicine specifically.

Why do you want to study osteopathic medicine? How do your values align with those of osteopathy? What drew you to medicine? What drives you? Admissions committees expect a lot more than a rehash of your CV. This is your chance to let an admissions committee know who you really are beyond your grades.

This post will cover AACOMAS personal statements, including how they fit within the application process, how to write a personal statement for a DO school, and common mistakes to avoid.

Not sure what application type you need to submit? Read our guide to AMCAS vs. AACOMAS vs. TMDSAS Med School Application Differences to find out how the three application services compare.

What is a Medical School Personal Statement?

Your grades and MCAT score are certainly vital pieces of your medical school application, but your personal statement is the heart. The personal statement is your chance to sell yourself to an admissions committee and speak about who you are beyond your grades and accomplishments.

Why do you want to devote your life to helping and healing people? What moments and experiences in your past crystalized your ambition to pursue medicine? When did you know you had to become an osteopathic doctor? Who in your life inspires you? What separates you from the other candidates?

This isn’t your CV in complete sentences. The personal statement is your opportunity to show the admissions committee who you are and the journey that got you to where you are today.

The Anatomy of a AACOMAS Application

Each year at the start of May, the AACOMAS application opens for submissions. Colleges begin to receive applications around mid-June. For your best chance of success, it’s important to get your application submitted as quickly as possible after submissions open.

Your chances of acceptance decrease the later you submit your application because of rolling admissions , so it’s a very bad idea to procrastinate. Staying on top of your deadlines could be the difference between acceptance and rejection. Complete your primary application as well as your secondary applications long before the actual submission deadline.

Consider our timeline below, which includes possible and ideal schedules.

The personal statement is only one piece of your primary application. In order to submit a successful application, you must work on multiple application components at once.

• GPA and MCAT Score
• Personal Statement
• Letters of Evaluation (also called Letters of Recommendation)
• Experiences and Achievements Section
• Mini Essays
• Depending on the schools you apply to, you may also be required to take a Casper test .

Read our complete AACOMAS Application Guide For DO Schools for more information about the other application components.

What Makes the AACOMAS Personal Statement Different?

The major thing that separates the AACOMAS personal statement from the AMCAS personal statement is the specificity of the initial question; instead of asking “why do you want to be a doctor,” the AACOMAS personal statement asks why you want to study osteopathic medicine.

Osteopaths (DOs) take pride in their holistic approach to patient care and focus on preventative medicine. DOs treat the person—not the symptoms. The focus of osteopathy is on recognizing the connections between different systems and organs in the body and their influence on each other. This is how DOs differentiate themselves from allopathic doctors (MDs), and these differences are the core of the osteopathic philosophy.

Therefore your personal statement must illustrate your interest in the osteopathic approach to medicine and show that you understand the values of osteopathy with clear examples from your own life.

How have your experiences shaped your aspiration to become an osteopath? The AACOMAS personal statement is your chance to demonstrate to admissions committees that you have the ability, passion, and determination it takes to succeed in osteopathic medical school.

AACOMAS Personal Statement Character Limit

The AACOMAS personal statement is the same length as the AMCAS personal statement. You are limited to 5300 characters, which is around 1.5 pages of single-spaced 12-point Times New Roman font. You don’t have a lot of room to tell your life story, which means the challenge is choosing the key moments from your life that inspired you to want to become a DO and communicating them in an engaging yet concise way.

How to Write a AACOMAS Personal Statement

1 | Take Time to Reflect on Your Past Experiences

Writing your personal statement will take a lot of time. Don’t think you’re going to be able to crank this out in an afternoon. Begin thinking about your personal statement as soon as possible, and give yourself plenty of time to brainstorm ideas and reflect on the events in your life that have led you to this point.

This is your opportunity to sell yourself to an admissions committee. What about your life and experiences make you unique? Think of your personal statement as your superhero origin story. What drives you? You may be naturally gifted in all things science and school-related, but why do you want to apply your skills to a field as demanding as medicine? Why do you want to dedicate your life to helping people?

Take The Batman. Does Batman fight crime because he’s naturally smart and strong and was born wealthy? Those things are true of Batman, but they don’t speak to why Bruce Wayne has dedicated his life to fighting crime and protecting the innocent. Seeing his parents shot and killed before his eyes forever changed Bruce Wayne and set him on the path to becoming Gotham’s dark knight. He fights in the hope that no other child in Gotham will be orphaned like he was.

Do you want to pursue medicine because you have a natural aptitude for it, or is it because of something deeper? Who in your life inspired you? What key events shaped your desire and made it clear to you that you had to become an osteopath?

2 | Illustrate Osteopathic Values

Demonstrating why you want to pursue a career in medicine is one thing, but the AACOMAS personal statement requires you to tailor your experiences to the osteopathic philosophy. Why do you want to study osteopathy specifically? What moments in your life have caused you to believe more strongly in the osteopathic approach to medicine versus the allopathic approach?

According to the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM), there are four osteopathic principles :

• The body is a unit; the person is a unit of body, mind, and spirit.
• The body is capable of self-regulation, self-healing, and health maintenance.
• Structure and function are reciprocally interrelated.
• Rational treatment is based upon an understanding of the basic principles of body unity, self-regulation, and the interrelationship of structure and function.

How did you find osteopathy? Did certain events in your life lead you to believe more strongly in the holistic approach of osteopathy? Did a trusted mentor inspire you to pursue a career as a DO?

Speak about these moments and how they have shaped your medical education journey. How do your values align with osteopathic medicine, and how do examples from your own life illustrate this alignment?

Read the full Philosophy of Osteopathic Medicine from AACOM.

3 | Provide Concrete Examples

It’s not enough to say you’re ‘compassionate’ or ‘driven.’ You need to demonstrate these strengths with concrete examples from your life. Admissions committees need to see your passion for osteopathic medicine reflected in the stories you share.

They’re not going to take you at your word; you need to back up your claims with tangible evidence. Sharing a story that exemplifies your better qualities is a lot more impactful to an admissions committee than simply stating that you’re resilient. How do you know you’re resilient? What are some specific moments in your life when you had to demonstrate resilience? When in your life have you displayed the qualities you want an admissions committee to know you have?

Show, don’t tell. If you want the admissions committee to know you’re hardworking, describe a moment in your life that demonstrates this quality.

4 | Develop a Narrative Across Your Application

You are applying to medical school along with thousands of fellow applicants, and many of them share your motivations, qualifications, and grades.

Standing out in this field is tough; if you and a fellow applicant have the exact same grades and clinical hours, what makes you the more appealing candidate?

Your personal statement is your chance to differentiate yourself from the competition. It’s an opportunity to tell your story. Repeating your CV but in paragraph form is monotonous and will do nothing to help you stand out amongst the competition.

A personal statement is a story, not a list of your accomplishments. The admissions committee needs to be excited to learn more about you, and you can inspire this excitement by developing a narrative across your entire application. Demonstrate how your skills and experiences make you an ideal candidate who has much to offer their program.

5 | Choose Clear and Direct Language

You may be telling a story, but don’t worry about sounding poetic. Extravagant word choices and flowery language won’t impress an admissions committee. 5300 characters is not a lot of space, so choose clear, concise language over long, complicated words and convoluted sentence structure.

If you read over a sentence and think you can simplify it—do so. Find the simplest, clearest way to convey your message.

Tools like Grammarly or the Hemingway App can help you keep your language clear, direct, and concise.

6 | Leave Enough Time to Adapt and Edit

Writing a personal statement isn’t something you’re going to start and finish in a couple of days or even a couple of weeks. You will need to spend ample time reflecting on your past in order to develop a first draft of your personal statement, and it may take several drafts before you land on something that really works.

Don’t be shy about sharing your personal statement with friends, family, and mentors. Your personal statement won’t improve without detailed, constructive feedback. For your best chances of success, speak to a mentor or professor who has been involved in the admissions process and ask them to review your personal statement. They will have invaluable insight.

If you don’t have anyone in your life to fill these shoes, consider hiring an editing service that’s able to do more than correct your spelling and grammar. For best results, your personal statement should be reviewed by people who have an intimate, behind-the-scenes understanding of what an admissions committee is really looking for.

This is why it’s so important to start this process early. You need plenty of time on either side of writing your personal statement for editing and revision . Don’t procrastinate on your personal statement; start as soon as possible.

For a more in-depth look at writing a personal statement, read our Personal Statement Guide , which includes 11 steps for starting, writing, and editing your personal statement.

Common Personal Statement Mistakes to Avoid

Please don’t make these common personal statement mistakes. The personal statement is a critical piece of your application; it deserves ample attention, careful planning, and rigorous editing.

• Failing to connect your personal statement to osteopathic values.
• Using the same personal statement for AMCAS and AACOMAS applications.
• Leaving your personal statement to the last minute. (You should begin months in advance.)
• Not developing a cohesive narrative across your application.
• Listing your accomplishments or rehashing your CV and extracurriculars.
• Overusing the word “I.”
• Using flowery language or words you found in a thesaurus.
• Explaining what medicine is all about. (The admissions committee already understands medicine.)
• Using clichés. (Every applicant likes science and wants to help people.)
• Fabricating stories or lying about your personal experiences.
• Making excuses for poor grades or a low MCAT score.
• Speaking negatively about another physician or healthcare professional.
• Pleading for an interview or acceptance.
• Making spelling or grammar errors.
• Editing your personal statement by yourself.

Make Your AACOMAS Personal Statement Stand Out

Med School Insiders will help you create a stand out AACOMAS personal statement. We offer a range of personal statement editing packages , from general editing to unlimited editing with a physician who will be there to advise you every step of the way.

We’re dedicated to creating a generation of happier, healthier, and more effective future doctors. Our Comprehensive Medical School Admissions Packages are tailored to your needs and the specific schools you are applying to. We can help you with every aspect of your application, including MCAT tutoring , mock interviews , secondary editing , and student advising. Our team is built of doctors who have years of experience serving on both MD and DO admissions committees, so you’ll receive key insights into the selection process.

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