internal medicine personal statement guidelines

The Residency Personal Statement (2024/2025): The Insider’s Guide (with Examples)

A physician and  former residency program director  explains how to write your residency personal statement to match in to your top-choice residency program in 2025.

Read example residency personal statements and suggested outlines., introduction.

We have been working with residency applicants who successfully match into the programs and specialities of choice for more than 15 years and a key part of that success, is writing a compelling residency personal statement.

Having worked with so many applicants, we know you will get differing advice depending on who you ask. The key to our applicants’ success is that we understand how to write a residency personal statement that has broad appeal and will impress all types of readers.

The residency personal statement allows residency program directors and associate directors the chance to get a sense of who you are and your commitment to your chosen specialty. 

As a former program director who understands how residency personal statements are reviewed, what “stands out,” and, most importantly, what will earn you interview invitations, the information below will help you write a residency personal statement to match!

It is imperative to make sure you get the most accurate guidance possible with regards to your residency personal statement content and optimal residency personal statement length (up to one page).

Want more personalized suggestions?  Sign up for a FREE residency personal statement consultation .

Table of Contents

Goals for Writing Your 2025 Residency Personal Statement

Above all else, your residency personal statement offers the opportunity to show your interest in your  chosen specialty  when applying to  residency  to illustrate you are a good fit.

The more details you offer about why you are interested in the specialty and how your med school rotations,  accomplishments  and experiences have reinforced this interest, the stronger your personal statement will be, the more it will appeal to selection committees and the better you will do in the match process.

I encourage applicants to offer as much “evidence” as possible to “show” rather than “tell” what  qualities, characteristics and interests  they have. “Telling” a reader, for example, that you are compassionate and hard working means nothing. Instead, you must “show” that you embody these qualities based on your experiences in health care and the patients for whom you have cared.

The residency personal statement also offers the opportunity to write about who you are as a person to convey some details about your background, influences, and interests outside of your given specialty.

The Importance of a Balanced Residency Personal Statement

The key when writing your residency personal statement is to ensure that it is well-balanced so it appeals to a large group of people who might read your ERAS residency application.

However, it is important to understand that every program director and  faculty member  has his or her own idea of what he would like to read in a personal statement. As an applicant, you must go into this process understanding that you cannot please everyone, or a specific program, and your personal statement should therefore have the broadest appeal possible.

For example, some  program directors  would rather hear about your personal interests and curiosities and get to know who you are rather than have you focus on the specialty in which you are interested.

At MedEdits, we suggest taking a “middle of the road” approach; include some details about who you are but also focus on the specialty itself. In this way, you will make more traditional reviewers who want to hear about your interest in the specialty happy while also satisfying those who would rather learn about you as a person.

Above all, be authentic and true to yourself when writing your statement. This always leads to the best results! Read on to learn more about how to write a winning personal statement.

About MedEdits

Getting into a residency has never been more competitive. Founded by a former associate program director, the experts at MedEdits will make your residency personal statement shine. We’ve worked with more than 5,000 students and 94% have been matched to one of their top-choice programs.

Need Help With Your Residency Personal Statement?

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Residency Personal Statement Outline & Structure

Residency applicants often do well when given outlines or templates to follow, so, we will offer that, but, it is important to realize that many applicants deviate from these rigid rules. One very typical outline that serves applicants quite well in the  residency admissions process  is:

• Compose a catchy introduction. Your intro can be related to your  interest in the specialty  to which you are applying, about a hobby or personal experience, or about your background. Regardless of the topic you choose, you want to tell a story and start with something that will interest your reader and engage him.
• The next two to four paragraphs comprise the body of your personal statement. We encourage applicants to write about any significant experiences they have had related to their desired specialty and/or future goals. This would include information about rotations, electives, and sub internships related to the specialty, volunteer and research experiences and even significant outside interests.
• Finally, you want to conclude your essay. In your conclusion, write about what you seek in a residency program, what you will bring to a residency program, and, if you have any idea of your future career goals, write about those as well. Your conclusion is also where you can tailor a personal statement to a specific geographic area of interest or type of program (rural, urban, community).

Residency Personal Statement Length & Residency Personal Statement Word Limit

The allowed ERAS residency personal statement length is 28,000 characters which equates to about five pages!

We have been hearing from more and more applicants that the personal statement should not exceed  one page  when typed in to the  ERAS application . Because of this overwhelming trend, we are supporting this guidance unless you have  extenuating circumstances  that require your personal statement be longer.

Our recommendation is that your residency  personal statement be a maximum of 5300 characters with spaces.

ERAS Residency Personal Statement Checklist

• Ensure your personal statement flows well

The best personal statements are easy to read, don’t make the reader think too much, and make your path and interests seem logical. Rarely does a personal statement have a theme. Also try to have each paragraph transition to the next seamlessly.

2. Your personal statement should be about you!

Your personal statement should be about you and no one else. Focus on your interests, your accomplishments and your path. This is your opportunity to be forthcoming about your  achievements  – by writing in detail about what you have done.

3. Be sure your personal statement clearly outlines your interest in the specialty.

Since the reader wants to be convinced of your understanding of, experience in, and curiosity about the specialty to which you are applying, be sure you highlight what you have done to explore your interest as well as your insights and observations about the specialty to show your understanding of it.

4. Make it human.

Again, your personal statement should be about you! The reader wants to know who you are, where you are from, what your interests are and who you are outside of medicine. Therefore, try to include those details about your background that are intriguing or important to you.

5. Express your interest in the specialty.

The reader fundamentally wants to know why you are pursuing the specialty. The more details you offer the more convincing you are about your commitment and your understanding of the specialty. Be sure to include details that might seem obvious. For example, in  emergency medicine  you must like acute care, but try to include more nuanced details about your interest, too. What aspects of the diagnoses and pathologies involved do you enjoy? What do you value about the actual work you will do? How do you feel about the patients for whom you will care?

6. The start and evolution of your interest.

Readers want to know how and when you became interested in your specialty. Was this before medical school? During medical school? What have you done to pursue and nurture your interest in the specialty?

7. What you have done to learn more about the specialty.

You should explain what you have done to pursue your interest. What rotations have you done or have planned? What research, scholarly work or community service activities have you pursued to further your interest?

8. Where you see yourself in the future – if you know!

Without going into too much detail, write about the type of setting in which you see yourself in the future. Do you hope to also participate in research, teaching, public health work or community outreach as a part of your career? What are your future goals? Since many programs typically train a certain type of physician, it is important that your goals are aligned with the programs to which you are applying.

9. What do you bring to the specialty?

You should try to identify what you can bring to the program and the specialty to which you are applying as a whole. For example, are you applying to family medicine and have a distinct interest in public health? Are you applying for  internal medicine  and do you have demonstrated expertise in information technology and hope to improve electronic medical records? Do you have extensive research or teaching experience, and do you hope to continue to pursue these interests in the future? Have you developed a commitment to global health, and do you hope to continue making contributions abroad? Programs have a societal obligation to select residents who will make valuable contributions in the future, so the more ambitions you have the more desirable a candidate you will be.

10. What type of program you hope to join?

Do you hope to be part of a community or university-based program? What are you seeking in a residency program? Programs are looking for residents who will be the right “fit” so offering an idea of what you are seeking in a program will help them determine if your values and goals mesh with those of the program.

11. Who you are outside of the hospital?

Try to bring in some personal elements about who you are. You can do this in a few ways. If you have any outside interests or accomplishments that complement your interest in your specialty, such as extracurricular work, global work, teaching or volunteer efforts, write about them in detail, and, in doing so, show the reader a different dimension of your personality. Or, consider opening your statement by writing about an experience related to your hobbies or outside interests. Write about this in the form of an introductory vignette. I suggest taking this nontraditional approach only if you are a talented writer and can somehow relate your outside interest to the specialty you are pursuing, however. An interest in the arts can lend itself to dermatology, plastic surgery or ophthalmology, for example. Or, an interest in technology could relate to  radiology .

12. Any personal challenges?

Also explain any obstacles you have overcome: Were you the first in your family to graduate from college? Were you an immigrant? Did you have limited financial resources and work through college? Many applicants tend to shy away from the very things that make them impressive because they are afraid of appearing to be looking for sympathy. As long as you explain how you have overcome adversity in a positive or creative way, your experience will be viewed as the tremendous accomplishment that it is. The personal statement should explain any unusual or distinctive aspects of your background.

Common ERAS Residency Personal Statement Mistakes

Do not tell your entire life story or write a statement focused on your childhood or undergraduate career. 

Do not write about why you wanted to be a doctor. This is old news. From the reviewers perspective, you already are a doctor!

Do not write a personal statement focused on one hobby or begin with your birth. Some background information might be useful if it offers context to your choices and path, but your residency personal statement should be focused on the present and what you have done to pursue your interest in the specialty to which you are applying.

Do not preach. The reader understands what it means to practice his specialty and does not need you to tell him. Don’t write, for example: Internal medicine requires that a physician be knowledgeable, kind and compassionate. The reader wants to know about you!

Do not put down other specialties. You don’t need to convince anyone of your interest by writing something negative about other specialties. Doing so just makes you look bad. If you switched residencies or interests, you can explain what else you were seeking and what you found in the specialty of your choice that interests you.

Do not embellish. Program directors are pretty good at sniffing out inconsistencies and dishonesty. Always tell the truth and be honest and authentic. 

Do not plagiarize. While this seems obvious to most people, every year people copy personal statements they find online or hire companies that use stock phrases and statement to compose statements for applicants. Don’t do it!

Do not write about sensitive topics. Even if you were in a relationship that ended and resulted in a  poor USMLE score , this is not a topic for a personal statement. In general, it is best to avoid discussing relationships, politics, ethical issues and religion.

Do not boast. Any hint of arrogance or self-righteousness may result in getting rejected. There is a fine line between confidence and self promotion. Some people make the mistake of over-selling themselves or writing about all of their fantastic qualities and characteristics. Rarely do readers view such personal statements favorably.

Do not write an overly creative piece. A residency personal statement should be professional. This work is equivalent to a job application. Don’t get too creative; stay focused.

Writing ERAS Residency Personal Statements For Multiple Specialties

An increasing number of applicants are applying to more than one specialty in medicine especially if the first choice specialty is very competitive. If you are applying to more than one specialty, even if there is disciplinary overlap between the two (for example family medicine and pediatrics), we advise you write a distinct specialty for each. Remember that a physician who practices the specialty you hope to join will most likely be reviewing your statement. He or she will definitely be able to determine if the personal statement illustrates a true understanding of the specialty. If you try to recycle an entire personal statement or parts of a personal statement for two specialties, there is a high likelihood the personal statement will communicate that you aren’t sincerely interested in that specialty or that you don’t really understand what the specialty is about.

Writing About Red Flags in your ERAS Personal Statement

The personal statement is also the place to explain any red flags in your application, such as gaps in time or a leave of absence. When addressing any red flags, explain what happened succinctly. Be honest, don’t make excuses, and don’t dwell on the topic. Whenever possible, write about how you have matured or grown from the adversity or what you may have learned and how this benefits you.

If you have left a program or had a break in your medical education, you will also have the chance to explain this in your  ERAS application . You should also write about this topic in your personal statement only if you have more to explain, however. 

If you have failed a Step exam or one course in medical school, this likely isn’t something to address in the personal statement. However, you should be prepared to discuss any failure during an interview. By the same token, it is best not to address one low grade or poor attending evaluation in your statement. 

Have you taken a circuitous path to medicine? If so you might address why you made these choices and what you found so interesting about medicine that was lacking in your former career.

Residency Personal Statement Example

Below are two great examples of residency personal statements that earned the applicants who wrote them numerous interviews and first choice matches. As you will see, these two applicants took very different approaches when writing the personal statement yet wrote equally persuasive and “successful” personal statements.

Residency Personal Statement Example, Analysis, and Outline: The Traditional Approach

Suggested outline:.

• Introduction: Catchy Story
• Paragraph 2: Background Information and how Interest Started
• Paragraph 3: Write about what you did to explore your interest
• Paragraph 4: Second paragraph about your experiences related to your specialty
• Conclusion: Wrap it up. Write something about your future goals.

Below is an example of the traditional approach:

Why It’s Great

This is a great personal statement because it clearly conveys the applicant’s interest in, and understanding of, obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) and what the applicant has done to pursue that interest. Not only does this applicant have a long-standing interest in OB/GYN, but, she conveys that she has experienced the specialty in different settings and understands the diverse nature of the specialty. She also includes information about her hobbies and interests and writes about her exploration of OB/GYN outside of the clinical arena. An added bonus is that the applicant writes well and uses descriptive language making her statement interesting and fun to read.

Residency Personal Statement Example, Analysis, and Outline: The Outside Interests Approach

Many mentors advise applicants to tell the reader something about them that is unrelated to medicine or the specialty they are pursuing. This is a fine idea, but be sure your personal statement also includes some details about your interest in your specialty if you decide to move in this direction.

Suggested Outline:

• Introduction: Write a Catchy Introduction. Be creative! Think outside the box.
• Paragraph 2:Elaborate on your introduction offering more details
• Paragraph 3: Write about your specialty choice and what appeals to you.
• Paragraph 4: Write more about your explorations in medical school.
• Concluding paragraph(s): Write about your future goals, the type of program you hope to join and consider looping back to your introduction.

The landscape before me was lush and magical. We had been hiking for hours and had found a great spot to set up camp. As I was unloading my backpack and helping to pitch the tent, I saw a scene I knew I had to capture. I quickly grabbed my carefully packed Leica before the magnificent sunset disappeared. Trying to get the perfect exposure, I somehow managed to capture this image so accurately that it reflected the beauty of what was before us high in the mountains of Utah, so far away from the hustle and bustle of New York City where we attended medical school.

This is a really intriguing personal statement because the author writes about his outside interests in a compelling way that makes him instinctively likable. He then goes on to explain what he enjoys about surgery and what he has done to pursue that interest. As you can see, this applicant writes less about his specialty (surgery) than the applicant in statement #1 did, but, he still convinces the reader of his understanding of, and commitment to, surgery. In this statement, the reader gains a much broader understanding of who the applicant is as a person and what he likes to do in his free time.

Final Thoughts

Writing your residency personal statement should be about telling your story in your own voice and style. You want to highlight your interest in the specialty for which you are applying while also conveying some ideas about who you are as a person to keep your reader engaged in learning about you as a person.

Residency Personal Statement Consulting Services

MedEdits Medical Admissions offers comprehensive guidance and document review services for residency applicants to every specialty in medicine. With more than twenty years of experience in residency admissions and founded by a former residency admissions officer and physician, MedEdits understands what program directors want to read and can help you decide what aspects of your background to focus on in your residency personal statement to earn the most interviews possible.

Residency Related Articles and Guidance

• Residency Match Statistics
• Residency Personal Statement
• Residency Match: How It Works & How To Get Matched
• How to write a residency interview thank you letter.
• What Outfit To Wear To Your Residency Interview
• Medical Residency Timeline & Length
• Medical Residency Salary By Specialty
• How To Master MyERAS, The Medical Residency Interview, and Common Residency Interview Questions
• Master the ERAS (Electronic Residency Application Service) & ERAS Timeline
• Residency Letters Of Recommendation (with ERAS Samples)
• Residency Letter of Intent
• How to Write a Residency Letter of Intent
• Residency Love Letters
• Residency Match Success: Lessons Learned

Residency Specialty Articles

• Family Medicine Residency Match: Beat more than 4400 Applications
• Pediatrics Residency Match: Beat more than 3000 Applicaitons
• Internal Medicine Residency Match: Beat more than 10,000 Applications
• General Surgery Residency Match: BEAT more than 1900 Applications
• Emergency Medicine Residency Match: BEAT more than 2600 Applications
• Anesthesiology Residency Match: BEAT more than 2,000 Applicants

JESSICA FREEDMAN, M.D. , a former medical school and residency admissions officer at the  Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai , is the founder and chair of MedEdits Medical Admissions and author of three top-selling books about the medical admissions process that you can find on  Amazon .

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How to Write a Standout Internal Medicine Personal Statement

Learn how to write a standout internal medicine personal statement that will allow you to be a standout applicant to adcoms.

Posted January 10, 2024

Featuring Pravesh S.

Medical School Interview Office Hours

Starting wednesday, september 18.

10:00 PM UTC · 30 minutes

Table of Contents

If you're applying for an internal medicine residency program, writing a standout personal statement is one of the most important things you can do to increase your chances of getting accepted. In this article, we'll guide you through the process of crafting a compelling personal statement that showcases your unique qualities as an applicant, highlights your academic and clinical achievements, and demonstrates your commitment to the field of internal medicine.

Why a Strong Personal Statement is Important for Internal Medicine Residency

The personal statement is your chance to introduce yourself to the residency program directors and show them why you're the best fit for their program. It's your opportunity to explain why you chose internal medicine as your field of study and what makes you stand out from other applicants. A well-written personal statement can help you overcome any shortcomings in your application and persuade the program directors to invite you for an interview.

Additionally, a strong personal statement can also demonstrate your passion for internal medicine and your commitment to the field. It can showcase your unique experiences and skills that make you a valuable asset to the residency program. Furthermore, a well-crafted personal statement can help you stand out from the thousands of other applicants and increase your chances of being accepted into your desired program. Therefore, taking the time to write a compelling personal statement is crucial for anyone pursuing a career in internal medicine.

Step 1: Start Early and Plan Strategically

Effective personal statement writing is a process that requires careful planning and ample time. Begin early to allow for brainstorming, drafting, revising, and proofreading. Here's a strategic plan to guide your timeline:

• Months 6-12 before application: Start brainstorming ideas, reflecting on your experiences, and researching programs.
• Months 4-6 before application: Develop an outline, write a first draft, and seek feedback from mentors, advisors, or peers.
• Months 2-4 before application: Revise and refine your draft, paying close attention to clarity, structure, and grammar.
• Month 1 before application: Finalize and proofread your personal statement, making sure it adheres to word limits and formatting guidelines.

Step 2: Find Your Unique Narrative

Your personal statement should tell a unique and engaging story about your journey into internal medicine. Avoid clichés and generic statements. Consider the following strategies to help you find your unique narrative:

• Reflect on pivotal moments: Think about experiences, patients, or encounters that influenced your decision to pursue internal medicine. Share these stories to showcase your genuine passion.
• Highlight your growth: Discuss how you evolved personally and professionally throughout your medical journey, demonstrating your commitment to continuous improvement.
• Incorporate your values: Explain the values and principles that drive your desire to become an internal medicine specialist. Showcase your dedication to patient care and evidence-based practice.

Step 3: Structure and Content

A well-structured personal statement is easier to read and conveys your message effectively. Consider the following structure and content guidelines:

• Introduction: Begin with a captivating hook that grabs the reader's attention. Briefly introduce yourself and your interest in internal medicine.
• Body paragraphs: Organize your experiences and narrative into coherent paragraphs. Each paragraph should focus on a specific aspect of your journey or qualities that make you an excellent candidate.
• Demonstrated qualities: Showcase qualities like empathy, teamwork, resilience, and adaptability through specific examples from your experiences.
• Program fit: Explain why you are interested in the specific internal medicine program and how it aligns with your career goals.
• Conclusion: Summarize your key points, reiterate your passion for internal medicine, and leave a memorable impression.

Step 4: Proofread and Edit

After drafting your personal statement, proofreading and editing are crucial. Errors in grammar, punctuation, or spelling can detract from your message. Here's a checklist for effective proofreading:

• Grammar and syntax: Ensure correct grammar, sentence structure, and punctuation.
• Clarity and conciseness: Eliminate unnecessary words and phrases to make your writing more concise and focused.
• Consistency: Check that your writing style, tone, and formatting are consistent throughout the statement.
• Avoid clichés: Remove clichés and overused phrases to make your statement more original.
• Seek feedback: Work with a Leland Coach to review your statement for feedback and suggestions. Here are some coaches we highly recommend:

Writing a standout personal statement for internal medicine residency requires careful planning, thoughtful reflection, and a lot of hard work. By following the tips and advice in this article, you can craft a compelling personal statement that showcases your unique qualities as an applicant and increases your chances of getting accepted to your dream residency program.

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• How to Craft the Perfect Medical School Interview "Thank You" Letter
• Navigating Psychiatry-Focused Medical Schools: Top Choices and What to Expect
• The Top 10 Medical Schools in Texas -- and How to Get In
• Preparing for Medical School: A Comprehensive Guide

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Personal Statement Guidelines

Guidelines for writing personal statements.

The Personal Statement should be personal and specific to you and your experience/s. The goal of the personal statement is so that reviewers can get to know you as unique applicant and what you will bring to the program and the field. Consider the following when putting together your personal statement.      

• Never use another person or program to write your personal statement.
• Never copy another individual’s personal statement. This is a violation of professional conduct and the Match.

Before you get started:

• Some specialties may require that you have a separate personal statement for each program.
• Some students will choose to make a common personal statement but modify a paragraph that is program or location specific.
• Be sure to check with specialty and program requirements when drafting your personal statement.

General Tips :

• Grammarly® is an example of a free online resource.
• Stick to 1 page
• Save these highlights for your interview or your noteworthy characteristics.
• We recommend that you create your personal statements in a text file.
• The way you create a text file is Click on 'Start' menu on the desktop, under 'All Programs' Click 'Accessories', Click 'Notepad'. Change the Font to Courier New 10 which is used by ERAS. Keep it to less than one-page single spaced with one-inch margins all around and spaces between paragraphs.
• Do not use any special characters such as Bold, Italics, Underlines, &, ñ, µ, @,#,% etc.
• You don’t want it to look too cluttered.

When you may need more than ONE personal statement :

• If you are dual applying, you likely will need separate personal statements
• For a preliminary program personal statement, you may consider a separate personal statement or modify the personal statement to include what you are looking for in a preliminary program.
• You may consider personalizing a personal statement due to location, family, other circumstances. We recommend that you do this either early or at the end of the personal statement.
• If you are deciding between two or more specialties, it is sometimes helpful to write a personal statement for each. If you cannot see the real differences among them, others who read your statements may be able to discover your true passion.
• Label your personal statement files well so that you know which personal statement is being used for which specialty or program

Before drafting your personal statement, please use the information below to help you organize your thoughts :  

• 2-3 paragraphs with a theme (see prompts below)
• Final thoughts/projections forward

Suggested prompts for your personal statement might be : 

• Why you chose this field? 
• Personality traits
• Experiences such as education, leadership, service, research, or volunteerism
• Related hobbies, etc. 
• A brief explanation of gap time particularly for research, dual-degree or certification and how you see this time as beneficial to your residency goals.
• Some things of that nature might be best explained in your MSPE, if you wish.  Discuss this with the OSA dean writing your MSPE. 
• Applicants can describe any challenges or hardships that influenced their journey to residency. This could include experiences related to family background, financial background, community setting, educational experiences, and/or general life experiences. This question is intended for applicants who have overcome major challenges or obstacles.
• Some projection into your future, of both a professional and personal nature, if you wish. You may not want to be too specific about sub-specialty aspirations, though. People like to see an open mind. 
• What you see as the next exciting things happening in your field of interest? How do you see yourself as part of them?

Common Pitfalls:

• Avoid being a just list of reasons that you like the specialty
• Balance being personal without overly revealing in these cases
• If you don’t want to talk about a situation in your interview, it shouldn’t be in your personal statement
• If you can’t talk about a situation without becoming overly emotional, you may want to brainstorm if that should be in your personal statement (remember this is a job interview)
• If the description of your story is 1/3 of your personal statement, you are missing an opportunity to talk more about yourself.
• AVOID: I disliked all other specialties till I rotated on XXX.
• AVOID: I noticed that I didn’t really like the way XXX interacted with patients
• AVOID: The patient was angry and non-compliant.
• Run the risk of losing the reader’s attention

Final Thoughts :

• Be specific in what you ask them to review (I.e. grammar, content, voice)
• Faculty members in the type of program to which you are applying.
• People who know you well, on whom you can count for honest feedback, and who can make any necessary corrections in syntax and grammar. 
• Read your personal statement out loud to yourself- this is the best way to hear/find things that do not make sense grammatically or in syntax.

Additional Resources:

• Personal Statement Worksheet
• Personal Growth Program

• Admission Essay
• Statement of Purpose Editing
• Personal Statement Editing
• Recommendation Letter
• Motivation Letter
• Cover Letter
• Supplemental Essay
• Letter of Continued Interest
• Scholarship Essay
• Role Model Essay
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• College Admission Essay Examples
• College Cover Letter Examples
• College Personal Statement Examples
• Graduate Personal Statement Examples
• Graduate Statement of Purpose Examples
• MBA Essay Examples
• MBA Personal Statement Examples
• MBA Resume Examples
• MBA Recommendation Letter Examples
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• Pricing Plans
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• Dissertation
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• Thesis Editing
• Academic Editing
• Motivation letter
• Letter of Recommendation
• Personal Statement
• Statement of Purpose

Internal Medicine Personal Statement Writing Strategies

EssayEdge > Blog > Internal Medicine Personal Statement Writing Strategies

Because an internal medicine (IM) residency is an essential step towards a career in numerous sub-specialties, IM residency matching is particularly competitive. Therefore, including an internal medicine personal statement in your application package that helps you stand apart from the crowd is especially important.

Despite so many applicants with a variety of long-term goals either in IM or a subspecialty, IM residency selectors really want to read about your interest in IM and working with IM patients. They need to know that you’re passionate about being part of their IM residency program and have the personality and background to do the day-to-day work of being an internist. Follow these guidelines on how to write a personal statement for medical residency and grab the selector’s attention.

How to Stand Out

1. start with an experience related to im.

Yes, almost all internal medicine residency personal statements will begin this way. And yes, it is exactly what you should do, too. However, it is important that the anecdote that you choose make direct connections to the skills that you will use during your IM residency. Any anecdote that relates to managing a patient with multiple diagnoses, finding a correct diagnosis that required going beyond presentation of symptoms/initial testing or collaborating with physicians in other specialties to devise a tailored plan to suit the patient’s needs will show the IM residency selectors that you have the right mindset for internal medicine.

2. Focus on analytical skills

Working with IM patients can require significant detective skills. For this reason, make problem solving skills a focal point. Using a detective or Sherlock Holmes analogy is not uncommon in an internal medicine residency personal statement, and this works well when it is done well. If you choose this route, remember not to get so involved in the literary device that it takes over the statement. The main goal is to convey your ability to follow the facts wherever they lead to provide the highest level of care to each patient.

3. Highlight research skills

Finding the right course of treatment for IM patients, especially those with multiple diagnoses, often means digging into the literature. To demonstrate this to the IM residency selectors, you might want to include this as part of a larger paragraph on research experience (if you played a major role in conducting the literature review) or as part of a second anecdote specifically about a patient where consulting the literature was necessary.

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4. Discuss working with other providers

From Family Practitioners to Pathologists, internists frequently consult with other providers. Therefore, writing about your ability to work effectively as part of a healthcare team, especially having productive and effective interactions with providers from a variety of specialties, is an important aspect of your internal medicine residency personal statement. Also, emphasize your ability to be a leader as the primary advocate for your patient’s overall health and well-being.

5. Demonstrate your desire to build long-term relationships

Because IM patients may work with the same internist for years or even decades to manage chronic illnesses, the ability to build strong physician/patient rapport and earn a patient’s trust is an imperative aspect of the specialty. Additionally, these long-term relationships mean that IM doctors often get to know not only the patient personally but their loved ones. Let the selectors see that you are interested in patient care, patient education, and forming lasting bonds with your patients.

Personal Statement Internal Medicine Bonus Tip: While it’s fine to mention long-term goals beyond IM, don’t overdo it.

As stated above, many residents pursue IM training as either a supplement to a specialty or as part of a path to a subspecialty. Although it’s perfectly fine to be forthright about your career plans, remember to be clear that securing a spot in an IM residency program means more to you than just a means to an end. Always show that IM is where you really want to be at this stage in your career progress and that you are passionate about the opportunity to join an internal medicine residency program.

The internal medicine program will open numerous prospects to you. Make an effort on yourself and create a competitive personal statement to impress the faculty members. If you doubt your skills, find a medical school personal statement editor on EssayEdge. Some of our members have experience in this field, so you’ll get a perfect paper.

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Writing a Personal Statement for Residency Application

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

How to Write a Great Personal Statement

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

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

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

Sharpen Your Writing Skills 

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

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

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

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

Don't cross the line

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

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

Internal Medicine Residency Personal Statement Examples 

I hope you enjoy reading this blog post.

If you want our team to help you with your Residency Application,  click here .

Your personal statement is an opportunity to tell your story and journey to residency program directors! It’s your moment to shine and make program directors eager to meet you by presenting a compelling narrative that distinguishes you from the crowd.

In this blog, we provide you with a collection of outstanding internal medicine personal statement examples to help you perfect your personal statement for your residency application!

If you are looking for a full ALL-IN-ONE Application Resources for MATCH® 2025, including more personal statement examples, ERAS application template, MSPE samples, LOR examples, and much more, click here .

We also have detailed guides on how to write your personal statement , how to complete your ERAS application , and 200+ residency interview questions .

And now, let’s get started with the internal medicine residency personal statement examples:

Internal Medicine Personal Statement Example #1:

The basketball player.

A coach’s instructions, two team chants, followed by the blare of a whistle, opened and closed basketball practice every day. With repetition, my teammates and I strove for perfection to build a skill set that could be recalled when it mattered most. To love the sport of basketball is to love the grind. During my internal medicine rotation, I witnessed similar devotion by attending physicians and residents. Determination to master the foundation of medicine while engaging in a cohesive multidisciplinary team is what resonated deeply with me, and greatly influenced my choice to become an internist.

My passionate desire to become a physician first stemmed from when my grandfather was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and, later on, heart failure. Initially perplexed by the complexity of his diagnosis, I spent hours researching congestive heart failure, determined to find ways to increase his time with us. Being my grandfather’s primary caretaker towards the end of his life instilled the notion of service and fueled my passion for helping others through this career path in medicine.

During my third-year internal medicine rotation, one of my first patients was a 65-year-old female who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and began crying as my attending delivered her prognosis. I talked to her every day, trying to make her feel better. While nothing could completely change her affect, she seemed to appreciate my company. As I reflected on her case, I realized how much I enjoyed getting to know my patients and connecting with them personally, in addition to understanding the complex pathology that plagued them. Several similar experiences on my internal medicine rotation drew me to this specialty which offers a holistic approach and appeals to my innate desire to understand how things work. Internal medicine requires one to understand the interactions between the different systems to diagnose and treat a patient effectively. Additionally, I enjoy the acutely evolving nature of this field and the endless fellowship opportunities available upon completion of my residency training.

My passion for internal medicine led me to start the Internal Medicine Interest Group at our school. Listening to the experiences of different internists further solidified my resolve. Seeing the inspiration within the eyes of the younger medical students as our guests talked about this specialty made me realize the value of role models and generational teaching. This was a source of inspiration for me to pursue a career that not only allows me to take excellent care of my patients, but also teach the next generation of doctors on how to do the same. Being the president of this interest group and the point guard for Duke University’s basketball team, I gained invaluable insight as to how my past experiences shaped my ability to do better in the future, so that my team could achieve lofty goals. This awareness will prove to be paramount in the hospital when serving as an internal medicine physician.

As I enter my fourth year of medical school, I realize how similar medicine and basketball are. The teamwork, which unifies everyone towards a similar goal, the perseverance and long hours required to master the profession, and, arguably the most important, the confidence and trust you build between the team and the people relying on its performance, are critical to medicine and sport alike. Just as I was a trusted member of my basketball team who always put the team’s interest above mine to ensure our success, I am determined to serve as an integral part of the medical team and will do my best towards becoming an excellent clinician while training at your residency program.

Internal Medicine Personal Statement Example #2:

Growing up in a rural Kenyan village, where my father, a traditional healer, used herbs to alleviate suffering, and my mother, a teacher, instilled in me the value of knowledge, I developed a respect for the healing arts and a commitment to education. This unique upbringing laid the foundation for my medical journey, intertwining traditional practices with a scientific approach. My decision to pursue a career in medicine was cemented when an American medical mission dramatically improved healthcare outcomes in my community, including saving my neighbor’s life from severe malaria. This experience unveiled the stark disparities in healthcare between developed and developing nations and inspired my dream to bridge this gap.

After completing my medical degree at the University of Nairobi, I was accepted into their Masters of Medicine in Internal Medicine (equivalent to residency). During my training, I was exposed to a broad spectrum of diseases rarely seen in more developed nations and recognized the need for advanced training to bring substantial change to healthcare practices in my home country. It was this realization that prompted my journey to the United States, seeking a residency in internal medicine, motivated by the opportunity to learn from and contribute to one of the world’s most advanced healthcare systems.

Passing the USMLE exams was my first challenge, which I approached with diligence and the support of mentors who were instrumental in my academic and personal growth. My scores reflected not only my understanding of medical sciences but also my commitment to achieving my goals.

In the U.S., I secured opportunities to shadow internal medicine physicians in various settings, from city hospitals to rural clinics. These experiences enriched my understanding of the nuances of patient care across different contexts. They underscored the importance of cultural sensitivity, adaptability, and the need for a personal touch in patient interactions—qualities that were greatly appreciated by my peers and supervisors. While I have always been drawn to internal medicine, my experience in the US only served to strengthen this affinity. Given the greater accessibility to healthcare here, I felt that internists could truly change patients’ lives by providing routine health screening and maintenance. The ability to develop lifelong relationships with patients and their families is also an incredible privilege almost uniquely afforded to physicians.

My career aspirations do not stop at becoming a skilled clinician. I am driven by a vision to integrate effective, sustainable medical practices from the U.S. into the Kenyan healthcare landscape. While I remain open to pursuing a fellowship, my goal at present is to become a hospitalist, leveraging my training to tackle prevalent health issues in both the U.S. and Kenya. Though I plan to establish my full-time practice in the US, I look forward to establishing programs in my home country. Through collaborative research and leadership, I aim to develop healthcare models that are both innovative and adaptable to the constraints of resource-limited settings in both countries.

The resilience I have developed through my journey—from a small village to the world stage of U.S. medicine—is a testament to my dedication. I have navigated cultural transitions, educational challenges, and professional milestones with a clear vision and a steadfast heart. With each patient I meet and each case I handle, I am reminded of why I embarked on this path: to be a bridge between worlds, offering my skills where they are most needed and fostering healthcare advancements that are accessible and effective for all.

Internal Medicine Personal Statement Example #3:

Growing up, my father’s dream for my future was that I would someday take over from him in running the family farm. My childhood was a continuous balancing act between completing homework, executing my farm duties, and being a good son to my parents. Years of navigating these competing responsibilities had made me fairly adept at multi-tasking, and in the back of my mind, I still harbored the fantasy that I could both fulfill my obligations to the farm while also entertaining my growing passion for medicine. However, this naïve, but well-intentioned vision for my future came crashing down when I was admitted to the hospital for meningitis. Spending days on end in the largest hospital in our city, I witnessed firsthand the impact of exceptional and compassionate patient care. I was impressed by the vast scientific knowledge and skillful manner in which my physician communicated my diagnosis and treatment plan with me. I knew then that I could never work on the family farm and that my true life’s calling was to become a physician.

For the next two years, I worked as a waiter to be able to afford my dream of attending medical school. Every day after a long shift at work, I would return home and study for the admissions exam until I fell asleep. After a grueling two years, I gained admission to medical school, thrilled to finally be studying the subject to which I had chosen to dedicate my life.

I quickly developed a passion for internal medicine as I began my clinical rotations, and in particular, the high-acuity patients I encountered in the intensive care unit. I was amazed by the medical complexity of each patient and the breadth of knowledge that critical care physicians must have in order to rapidly diagnose and treat patients, many of whom were hanging on to life by a thread. What I most enjoyed about my time rotating in the ICU was that almost every single patient was a medical puzzle, and that it took the concerted and deep collaboration of a whole team of healthcare providers to come to a suitable consensus on patient management. It was particularly awe-inspiring to see patients on the brink of death fully recover after spending a few days in the ICU. I quickly realized that I had found my intellectual and spiritual home, and that I would like nothing more than to dedicate my life to the care of the sickest patients in the hospital.

When I expressed my interest in pursuing internal medicine residency followed by a critical care fellowship to my mentor, she immediately recommended pursuing my dream through training in the US given the comparatively better access to cutting-edge technology, clinical experts, and seemingly limitless research opportunities. However, the financial burden was a huge barrier for me. I tackled this obstacle in the only way I had ever known how; by working in the evenings after school and on days off to save up enough money to come to the US. But even that was not enough to reach my goals, so I took on a job as a general practitioner in India for two years to be able to afford the plane tickets and the battery of exams needed for entry into US residency programs. This experience helped to hone my clinical skills and bedside manner and will serve me well during my residency training. Additionally, since coming to the US, I have become more involved in clinical research, working alongside critical care physicians at the Mayo Clinic on a number of projects and learning more about the intricacies of the US healthcare system.

Having spent two years in the US, I am ready to embark on the next step in my academic journey and look for a program with comprehensive internal medicine training and robust research infrastructure to expand my growing passion for clinical research. I aspire to be a clinician-scientist who takes insights from my interactions with patients in the ICU to further the field, both from a treatment perspective and from the perspective of improving health care equity and access.

My journey has been arduous, circuitous, and marked by many obstacles along the way. But I know of no other pathway as intellectually stimulating or personally rewarding as medicine. My father has since come to terms with his initial disappointment that I would not be taking up his mantle to work on the family farm. But he has expressed newfound pride in my goal to pursue medicine and to provide excellent care for patients and their families the way that the doctors that treated my meningitis did for me all those years ago.

If you are applying to the Match and need a detailed guide on how to ace your ERAS application, check out our free ERAS Application Guide here .

Internal Medicine Personal Statement Example #4:

The war survivor.

The Afghan Civil War erupted when I was in elementary school. Soon after, the Taliban occupied Afghanistan, and, as a girl, I was barred from my school. I had always dreamed of becoming the first female doctor in my family, and this was a goal that required extensive education, let alone elementary school. My family uprooted everything to migrate to Pakistan so that I would be able to continue my education. Living in a country where we were not welcomed, bearing financial burdens, and worrying about safety issues, especially for girls, were the least of the challenges we faced, but that did not hold me back.

Still, that was not the last challenge I faced. When I graduated high school, I could not afford to attend medical school in Pakistan. Instead, I accepted the offer to serve as a teacher at our community school. Teaching at such a young age, tutoring those similar in age to me, and managing a class of thirty students taught me a great deal of discipline and leadership, skills which I have since carried with me throughout my career.

A decade later, the Taliban regime was finally over. We returned to Afghanistan, and I attended the entrance exam for Kabul Medical University. Among thousands of other participants, I was part of the lucky 25% who passed the exam. My endurance had paid off. Finally in medical school, I found myself fascinated by the detailed knowledge and interdisciplinary approach of my internist attendings. Their synchronized orchestration of patient care resonated with my experiences managing diverse students, while their instructive whiteboard sessions on pathophysiology echoed my own tenure at the front of a classroom. These encounters served as enlightening examples, aiding me in sculpting my identity as a burgeoning physician.

On my internal medicine rotation, I was responsible for the care of a patient with multiple myeloma. His low hemoglobin level led to significant limitations in his daily activity. His symptoms were initially attributed solely to his condition, but I was not satisfied with this explanation. When I ordered his iron studies, we were able to diagnose him with concomitant iron deficiency anemia. An iron infusion quickly helped improve his quality of life, which was precious to my patient, as I knew from the time I had spent with him. That ability to help my patient made me finally feel like the doctor I aspired to be. I had found my home in internal medicine. The convergence of laboratory tests, imaging studies, and critical analysis to reach a diagnosis fuels my desire to become an internist.

Despite my passion for internal medicine, women in Afghanistan faced scant opportunities in this field. This was due to a lack of female mentors and sociocultural constraints against females being on night shifts in predominantly male hospitals. Undeterred, I embarked on another journey away from home, this time to the United States. Here, I secured a position as a medical scribe, working in tandem with various healthcare providers. This experience allowed me to absorb their expertise, familiarize myself with the U.S. healthcare system, and diligently prepare for and ultimately pass the USMLE exams.

I have come a long way, and still have a long way to go. My accomplishment of becoming my family’s first female doctor fills me with pride. Yet, I aspire to achieve more – to become a distinguished internist and an empowering role model for the women of Afghanistan. I intend to personify the belief: if you dare to dream, you are destined to achieve.

Internal Medicine Personal Statement Example #5:

Changing specialties.

When I was a senior in high school, my girl scout troop would organize weekly medical trips to rural parts of our community, working with local physicians to provide basic medical services to underserved patient populations. I was particularly struck by the excellent care and bedside manner of one of the physicians who used his bilingualism to connect with a non-English speaking patient who had faced significant challenges in accessing care. The doctor’s small gesture left a lasting impression on me, and, for the first time, I realized not only the curative but also the humanistic power of medicine to connect with patients across cultural barriers and in some of their most vulnerable moments. Though I had always had a proclivity for science, it was not until that moment that I had ever seriously considered a career in medicine.

In medical school, I was captivated by pre-clinical coursework in pathology and lectures on disease pathophysiology. I was torn between pathology and internal medicine during my clinical rotations, as I enjoyed the cerebral, deductive nature of each field and the fact that neither was limited to a single organ system or patient population. The opportunity to be the frontline diagnostician and to utilize advanced equipment and laboratory methods eventually won me over to pathology.

However, during my pathology residency, the pendulum started to swing back toward internal medicine. I vividly remember the turning point in my decision making. I was staring down the barrel of my microscope at dozens of Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes on a peripheral blood smear. I paged the internal medicine team to help confirm the diagnosis of cerebral malaria. Hearing the excitement and celebration of the medical team on the other end, who had been struggling to identify the etiology of the patient’s undulant fevers and fatigue, I felt a pang of envy, a distinct feeling that I was missing out on the human factor of medicine.

Similarly, in my research on the utility of galectin-3 immunohistochemistry staining in papillary carcinoma of the thyroid, I found myself increasingly drawn to the human impacts of scientific investigation. For example, after my successful completion of several experiments, our department was able to secure funding to examine a wider range of malignancies. I was particularly excited when my research enabled our hospital to offer estrogen and progesterone receptor testing and hormonal therapy for breast cancer patients. I quickly realized that I did not just want to diagnose but to directly treat patients, and with each passing day, I yearned more for the ability to heal through empathic listening and the formation of meaningful rapport with patients.

Eventually, I decided to undertake the goal of retraining in internal medicine. To this end, I elected to travel to the United States to undertake hands-on clinical experiences. My time in the U.S. gave me firsthand exposure to a complex healthcare system and a deeper appreciation for the impact of advanced diagnostic technology, cutting-edge treatment modalities, and patient-centered, evidence-based care. I also gained confidence in my abilities to function as a member of a large, interdisciplinary care team, drawing on a skillset I had cultivated from many years of leading my girl scout troop and performing in church choirs.

I aspire to enter a residency program with an emphasis on strong clinical skills training, excellent research opportunities, and a dedication to clinical mentorship. Moreover, I want to be part of a program with strong camaraderie among residents and faculty and a spirit of collegiality and tireless dedication to patient care. Ultimately, I believe that my background in and extensive knowledge of pathology, my compassionate disposition, and my penchant for diligence and collaboration will make me a strong applicant to your residency program. Thank you for your consideration of my application.

Internal Medicine Personal Statement Example #6:

The impoverished.

“If you can dream it, you can achieve it.” These powerful words, spoken by my mother, have echoed in my mind since childhood. Growing up in a single-parent home on the south side of Chicago, my mother worked tirelessly as a nurse in Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital’s emergency department. Every night my brother and I would wait for her to arrive after her shift ended at 7 pm. As she shared stories of dedicated physicians and life-saving interventions, I began to view these doctors in the same manner my friends viewed superheroes or sports stars, inspiring me to pursue a career in medicine.

As an African American in a neighborhood lacking professional role models, the path to becoming a physician seemed distant if not impossible. However, my mother’s belief in the power of dreams instilled in me the courage to strive for the extraordinary. With determination, I worked diligently throughout grade school and middle school, propelled by the aspiration to transcend the limitations of my circumstances. Eventually, I was admitted to Whitney M. Young Magnet High School, a magnet school named after a civil rights activist and one of my personal heroes.

Continuing to embrace every opportunity, I was able to attend Northwestern University on a full academic scholarship, where I immersed myself in neuroscience studies. Additionally, I dedicated my time as a tutor, providing support to underserved children in my former neighborhood. Witnessing the impact of education and healthcare disparities further ignited my passion for addressing these inequities.

Entering the University of Chicago Medical School, I embarked on a transformative journey. During my third-year clerkships, I discovered my calling in primary care and internal medicine. Although initially drawn to the fast-paced environment of the emergency department, I found the thoughtful, cerebral approach of internal medicine captivating. Each day, I eagerly embraced the challenge of unraveling complex medical puzzles, weaving together a patient’s diverse comorbidities to form a comprehensive list of differential diagnoses.

Following my third year, I took a gap year dedicated to serving underserved populations in Chicago. This experience provided a profound understanding of social determinants of health and the importance of preventive medicine. It solidified my commitment to bridging the gaps in healthcare access and outcomes, particularly within urban communities like my own. Looking forward, my vision encompasses practicing as a primary care physician in an urban academic center, where I can not only provide compassionate patient care but also mentor and inspire medical students and residents. Furthermore, I aspire to conduct research that addresses social determinants of health, striving to make tangible improvements in my community.

Reflecting on my journey, I realize that my mother’s quote encapsulates the essence of my pursuit. With each step I’ve taken, from the dinner table conversations with my mother to my experiences in medical school, I have seen firsthand that dreams can indeed be transformed into reality. By embracing the challenges, dedicating myself to lifelong learning, and advocating for equitable healthcare, I am ready to embark on a fulfilling career in internal medicine—a path that resonates with my values, aspirations, and the indomitable spirit instilled in me by my remarkable mother. “If you can dream it, you can achieve it.” These words, once whispered to me at the beginning of my journey, now reverberate with even greater significance as I stand at the threshold of a future where I can make a lasting difference in the lives of others.

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Internal Medicine Personal Statement Example #7:

“Not too much parmigiano, angioletta,” Nonna would call from the head of the table as I layered cutlets, marinara, and cheese. At ten, I became her hands in the kitchen, after diabetic peripheral neuropathy had stolen the fine motor strength and sensation needed to construct a perfect chicken parmesan. In Nonna’s kitchen, somewhere between deglazing the pan and helping prepare her insulin injections, I discovered a passion even more fervent than my love of home-cooked Italian food. The transformative power of medicine captivated me, and I became dedicated to pursuing a career that could allow me to help other patients with lifelong diseases like diabetes.

Throughout my clinical education, all my patient encounters reinforced the impact of compassionate, comprehensive healthcare. On my internal medicine rotation, I fell in love with the diagnostic aspect of the field, as well. For example, I had a 34-year-old patient with a seemingly unprovoked pulmonary embolism and incidental hydronephrosis on CT. After digging a little bit, I found out he had a history of cryptorchidism with unilateral orchiectomy, and I wasn’t convinced he was clotting without provocation. Testicular ultrasound showed a mass that had entirely replaced the normal testicular tissue, and CT of the abdomen and pelvis showed a lymph node compressing the ureter. I realized that this was how I wanted to spend the rest of my career—proposing a unifying diagnosis through careful interpretation of data to find patient-centered interventions.

Even the more routine aspects of medicine were exciting to me. I woke up before my alarm each morning, excited to interpret new lab data from the night before and preround on my patients to see if they were improving or needed further care. I was especially excited to participate in patient education. I spent two hours counseling one of my patients with diabetes and a new insulin requirement on the logistics and barriers of self-injection. While she was admitted with incredible resistance to the idea of insulin injections, I spent each day of admission trying to understand and resolve her fears. By discharge, she was able to self-administer basal and bolus. I have witnessed firsthand the importance of empathy in establishing trust and fostering meaningful patient-provider relationships, qualities I strive to embody in my practice.

As a South Philadelphia native, I see the social determinants of health at work in my backyard every day. I am passionate about addressing how these factors impact the delivery of care. I am deeply committed to advocating for health equity and addressing the social determinants of health that disproportionately affect marginalized communities. Specifically, I spent all four years of medical school volunteering at a student-run clinic, providing free medical care to unhoused people in Philadelphia. At this clinic, I developed an education program on commonly seen conditions which is now held annually for the residents of the shelter. In clinical practice and beyond, I am dedicated to improving health literacy and access to care for all my patients.

My academic pursuits have complemented these experiences, providing me with a solid foundation in evidence-based medicine and critical thinking. For example, I have completed a research project on the barriers to insulin distribution and injection, and the potential role of social media as an educational intervention for younger adults who are newly diagnosed. I am invested in advancing the field of internal medicine through clinical research and hope to spend my residency and career continuing to contribute to the field.

In a residency program, I am seeking to join a team with the same values I learned from Nonna almost fifteen years ago: community, supportive learning, and awe of the work we do. I hope to match at an institution that will prioritize fostering an awareness of social determinants of health and emphasize patient-centered care above all else. I am eager to continue my professional growth under the guidance of experienced clinicians and educators who share my empathy-forward approach and commitment to advancing the field for the benefit of our patients.

Hopefully, these samples will help you draft an excellent personal statement to tell the great story of your medical journey!

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Good luck with your application and always remember, The Match Guy is here for you!

To your Match, The Match Guy

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Sample Personal Statement: Internal Medicine

Throughout medical school I have committed myself to finding the one specialty that aligns perfectly with my personality and future goals. While this task seemed straightforward and uncomplicated, I soon realized during my third-year clerkships that every area of medicine offered aspects I enjoyed. After exploring other specialties, I reflected on the qualities that I wished to possess as a physician. I envisioned myself as compassionate, respected, and knowledgeable, traits which I realized embodied the field of internal medicine. My intense self-reflection, combined with my medical school experiences, solidified my decision to pursue a residency in internal medicine.

The first patient I admitted while on my third-year internal medicine clerkship was an African American lady who was diagnosed with sarcoidosis. After I completed my history and physical, I realized the questions I had asked relied upon my ability to combine my knowledge of pathophysiology along with the clinical presentation of a disease process. At last I comprehended the importance of the basic science years as it related to patient care. I continued to follow this patient every day, and the responsibility of caring for someone's health had both a significant and fulfilling impact on me. I gained immense satisfaction from treating the whole person: her emotional needs as well as her medical needs. After completing my twelve weeks on internal medicine, I discovered that four months later this patient was re-admitted for a pulmonary embolus, which combined with her diminished lung function, ultimately resulted in her passing away. Although I was only a small part of this woman's care, I still felt connected to her. While her death saddened me, it also made me conscious of the potential rewards, such as lasting patient-doctor relationships, which could only come out of providing a lifetime of care to each of my patients.

Upon the completion of my third-year rotations, I felt that the role of the internist most closely matched my interests and abilities. The variety and complexity of the problems I encountered offered the intellectual stimulation that I desired in a medical field. I admired my attendings' breadth of knowledge across various medical disciplines, and I took pleasure in collaborating with physicians of all specialties, especially when the diagnosis proved to be difficult. The opportunity for close patient contact was also an appealing aspect. With fewer responsibilities than an intern, I found that as a third-year medical student I was able to spend more time with my patients, explaining how a diagnosis is made and what treatments might be required. Encouraged by these experiences with my patients, I was inspired to learn more about their conditions, not only for my own personal knowledge but also for their education as well.

I have many attributes to contribute to internal medicine. My experiences as a secondary education school teacher, Special Olympics swim coach, and elected class officer attest to my ability to lead and educate others. I am also analytical and detail-oriented, characteristics which originally led me to complete an undergraduate degree in economics. After my first year of medical school, I was awarded a scholarship to conduct research in the field of trauma surgery, an experience which enhanced my problem solving skills. In addition, my years as a varsity swimmer at Duke University have endowed me with certain traits that will not only make me a successful internist but also a well-balanced physician. These qualities include a never-ending quest for personal improvement, pride in my work or training, and the ability to focus on several tasks while balancing personal and professional obligations.

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A Personal Statement Checklist

Hi everyone,

With fellowship application season approaching, many of you are starting to write personal statements. Even if you plan to apply next year, or the year after that, or even if fellowship’s not for you, you’re still going to write a personal statement someday, so read on.

Before you begin, check out my PD Note on Personal statement “Do’s and Don’ts . The talent pool is deep and you want to rise to the top. A powerful essay will boost you.

Each year, I review more than 30 personal statements and without fail, common errors emerge. You don’t want to spend hours drafting an essay just to be told it needs an overhaul, so hopefully this checklist will help:

• Check your spelling: Make it perfect. Run a spell check.
• Check your grammar: Make this perfect too. Nix the bad syntax, misplaced commas, and run-on sentences. Read your essay out loud and hear how it sounds.
• Be compelling: Make it enticing. If you were a fellowship director, would you choose you?
• One page max: You may think your tome is riveting, but think again. Fellowship directors read hundreds of essays and you don’t want to make them yawn. Take pity. Be brief.
• Explain why you chose your field: Cut the hyperbole and be specific. Fellowship directors can see through dubious odes to their specialty, like how you swoon over pee or dream about diarrhea. You can’t out-love the competition’s affection for hormones or sputum. Instead, explain how a field aligns with your interests and skills. And don’t trash other specialties. Cardiology isn’t the only field that deals with life and death, and oncology isn’t the only specialty with novel treatments. Finally, don’t waste space on this topic: you’re obviously interested, because you’re applying. Move on.
• Show how you will contribute: Fellowship directors don’t really care about your happiness and fulfillment, at least when it comes to choosing fellows, but they’re laser focused on your academic potential. Tell them how you will advance the field.
• Show your sophistication: Demonstrate that you know where the field is going. For example, describe the significance of your research or consider how the specialty is likely to change during your career.
• Describe the skills you seek: These can include procedural, research, and teaching skills, like advanced endoscopy, trial design, and medical education training.
• Outline what you’re looking for in a fellowship: Examples could include basic science opportunities, exposure to specific patient populations, or access to graduate degrees. Make sure the fellowship’s mission aligns with your career plans.
• Map your trajectory: Academic fellowship directors aim to train funded investigators, master educators, and cutting-edge clinicians. They love to brag about their alumni. As much as you can, without being overly specific, look into your future. Be true to yourself- don’t pursue a research-intensive fellowship if you plan to become a master clinician. You’re looking for a match.
• Strive for coherence: Your narrative should make sense. It’s easier to convey an interest in investigation when you have extensive research experience, or an interest in teaching when you’re pursuing a Clinician Education Distinction. You’re permitted to change paths- for example, many MD PhDs become clinician educators, but explain the transition.
• Highlight your accomplishments: What makes you proud? Don’t rehash your CV. Provide context and color, and show your growth.
• If necessary, address questions and concerns: If you failed a test, took an extended leave, or got derailed temporarily, seize the narrative and address the issues here. If you get stuck, talk to a trusted advisor.
• Seek input: It’s easy to lose perspective, particularly after hours of writing and editing. When your eyes start glazing over, ask for help.

In the end, your personal statement should highlight your potential. Use the checklist. Make yourself shine.

Enjoy your Sunday, everyone, and when your drafts are ready, send them to me for review.

Featured in this article

• Mark David Siegel, MD Professor of Medicine (Pulmonary); Program Director, Internal Medicine Traditional Residency Program

• Prepare for Residency

Writing a Winning Personal Statement

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• v.14(2); 2022 Apr

Making the Personal Statement “Truly Personal”: Recommendations From a Qualitative Case Study of Internal Medicine Program and Associate Program Directors

Marie moulton.

All authors are with the University of Utah School of Medicine

Marie Moulton, MD, is Internal Medicine Chief Medical Resident, Department of Internal Medicine

Katie Lappé

Katie Lappé, MD, is Associate Professor, Department of Internal Medicine

Sonja E Raaum

Sonja E. Raaum, MD, is Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine

Caroline K. Milne

Caroline K. Milne, MD, is Professor, Department of Internal Medicine

Candace J. Chow

Candace J. Chow, PhD, MA, is Assistant Professor, Internal Medicine, and Director of Education Research

Associated Data

The personal statement is an integral part of a residency application but little guidance exists for medical students about what content to include.

We use the framework of isomorphism, the process by which institutions model themselves after one another, to understand what internal medicine program directors (PDs) and associate program directors (APDs) recommend be included in the personal statement and how programs use personal statements in their selection of applicants to interview and rank.

Semi-structured phone interviews were conducted between August and October 2020 with 13 academic PDs and APDs, who were selected for participation based on program size and geographic location. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and coded using content analysis.

Effective personal statements should be well-written, present unique information, and demonstrate fit with a residency program. PDs and APDs recommended against expressing lack of interest in a program or highlighting negative personal characteristics. PDs and APDs used personal statements to distinguish between applicants and noted that personal statements help programs form an impression of the applicant. Consensus among PDs and APDs about what personal statements should include and how they are used indicates that isomorphism influences the match process.

Conclusions

Our study found that the personal statement is a valued part of the residency application when it includes unique attributes and reveals personal values that align with that of the program. Additionally, PDs and APDs noted that when applicants highlight their unique characteristics, it can help distinguish themselves from others.

Introduction

The personal statement is an integral component of a residency application and acts as a narrative that highlights the distinctiveness and character of an applicant. The intention of the narrative is to reveal the professional identity and humanity of an applicant, and can be the most unique element of the residency application. 1 , 2 Given the paucity of guidance on what to include in the personal statement, it is not surprising that the majority of medical students report anxiety surrounding crafting a personal statement. 3

The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) provides general guidance regarding the content of the personal statement, including that it should communicate fervor for the medical specialty, address setbacks in training, and serve as a basis for interview questions. 4 A study of pulmonary and critical care fellowship applications suggested that valuable components for the personal statement are career goals, information not found elsewhere in the application, and inspirational experiences. 5 Additionally, a review article noted that personal statements should include unique characteristics, information regarding future career and program choice as well as an explanation of any gaps or negative events. 6 Finally, a study of personal statements in anesthesiology residency applications identified that personal statements should include the proper use of English, while other factors, including career goals, originality, and decision for pursuing anesthesiology, are less important. 5 , 7 Together, this literature provides some guidance for applicants, but is less than ideal in providing prescriptive goals, particularly as they relate to how statements should be tailored based on one's specialty.

Residency programs are increasingly aiming to perform a holistic review of applicants during the selection process. 8 - 10 The AAMC defines holistic review as “mission-aligned admissions or selection processes that take into consideration applicants' experiences, attributes, and academic metrics as well as the value an applicant would contribute to learning, practice, and teaching.” 8 Since the personal statement is a component of the residency application that can be truly individual, and also the only part of the application that communicates to the program director (PD) directly, it seems it could be an integral part of holistic review. 11 , 12 Despite this, the 2021 National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) PD survey shows that internal medicine, as well as other large specialties such as general surgery, anesthesiology, and emergency medicine, rely heavily on United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 and Step 2 scores as well as the Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE) when selecting applicants to interview and rank. 13 As USMLE Step 1 moves to pass/fail and several academic institutions transition to a pass/fail grading system, residency programs will need to rely more on other components of the application, including the personal statement.

Conceptual Framework

Isomorphism refers to the process by which organizations, such as residency programs, model themselves after one another. 14 It's a useful framework for understanding how residency programs, which outwardly aim to distinguish themselves from peer institutions, are quite like each other in their aims and selection processes. As DiMaggio and Powell explain, isomorphism occurs through 3 mechanisms: coercive, mimetic, and normative. 14 Coercive isomorphism occurs when external pressures and “cultural expectations” are exerted on organizations to be a certain way or to engage in or adopt certain values. 14 When ambiguity and uncertainty arise, organizations engage in mimetic isomorphism and look to other organizations for direction on how to behave to legitimize their own processes. Finally, normative isomorphism “stem[s] from the conformity resulting from professionalization.” 15 Lipson, 15 Warikoo, 16 and Price-Johnson 17 use isomorphism to explain why universities, particularly elite ones, have converging policies around admissions as it relates to diversity. Isomorphism illuminates why residency PDs have been keen to incorporate holistic review and personal statements into their admissions process: there are external pressures to build racially diverse classes (coercive isomorphism), the ambiguity around how to consider diversity has spurred programs to imitate their peers (mimetic isomorphism), and the field of medicine is highly concerned with training physicians who adhere to certain standards of professionalism (normative isomorphism). Thus, isomorphism helps us understand why personal statements remain an important part of the application process. Isomorphism may also shed light on how statements are used.

This exploratory study aims to clarify the weight that PDs and associate program directors (APDs) give to personal statements when selecting applicants to interview and rank as well as establish the components that PDs and APDs are looking for when reviewing this part of the application. Gaining a better understanding of how internal medicine PDs and APDs use personal statements, and how this is affected by isomorphism, may provide insightful guidance for residency applicants writing personal statements.

Recruitment and Sampling

We conducted a qualitative case study utilizing semi-structured phone interviews with PDs and APDs from across the United States. Our PD, who works with PDs and APDs across the nation through the Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine network, identified individuals to interview based on their program's location and characteristics. We purposively sampled institutions to include academic residency programs with diverse geographic locations and sizes. An invitation to participate was sent to PDs and APDs in August 2020. Interviews were conducted between August and October 2020 with PDs and APDs from residency programs representing all 4 AAMC regions: Western (n=3), Central (n=2), Northeast (n=3), and Southern (n=5). Participation was voluntary and informed consent was obtained. Participants did not receive any compensation.

Phone Interview Format and Questions

All semi-structured phone interviews were conducted by an internal medicine resident investigator (M.M.). Phone interview questions were developed by expert opinion of the PD, 2 APDs, and an education PhD with expertise in qualitative design. Questions focused on what content should be included in a personal statement and how PDs and APDs use personal statements in their selection of applicants to interview and rank. In addition to seeing what PDs and APDs said, we were interested in the extent to which their answers converged, because convergence would indicate isomorphism at work. The complete protocol is available as online supplementary data. The investigator with an education PhD (C.J.C.) trained the resident investigator (M.M.) in how to conduct a semi-structured phone interview. 18

After the initial 4 interviews were completed, 3 authors (M.M., C.J.C., K.L.) met to review the interview questions and interview transcripts. It was noted at this time that the PDs and APDs who were initially interviewed made frequent comments about the “fit” of an applicant, however, did not specify what fit meant. Thinking this was an opportunity to further explore the role of isomorphism in the residency selection process, the resident investigator (M.M.) made a point to ask a more probing question regarding fit in the following 9 interviews if the PDs or APDs being interviewed used that term.

Data Collection and Analysis

We audio-recorded interview data using the Rev Call Recorder phone application (Rev.com Inc, San Francisco, CA), which was then transcribed by the same service. We used Dedoose Version 7.0.23 to engage in content analysis of the data. 19 , 20 Three authors (M.M., K.L., C.J.C.) independently and inductively coded 4 transcripts, compared results, and came to consensus on initial codes and categories in order to develop a codebook. Two authors (M.M., C.J.C.) then used the codebook to independently code all 13 transcripts so that each transcript was coded twice, with the understanding that new codes could be added to the codebook and that coding would take place until thematic saturation was achieved. 18 Following individual coding, they met to discuss any new codes that they had created, how to further refine codes and categories by collapsing and reorganizing codes, and to resolve any discrepancies in coding. After making additional revisions to the codebook based on these discussions, one author (C.J.C.) reviewed transcripts a final time to ensure that data were thoroughly described by the codes in the final codebook. 18

Reflexivity and Trustworthiness

Our researcher positionalities are relevant to the study because they influence the perspectives we bring to our work. Having multiple coders (M.M., an internal medicine resident, and C.J.C., an educational researcher), each of whom has a different relationship with the data and the internal medicine context and culture, was important in exploring multiple interpretations of the data. M.M. and C.J.C. also engaged in peer debriefing with K.L., an APD and clerkship director, to gain an additional perspective. Writing memos also helped us keep an audit trail of our codes and coding process. 21

The Institutional Review Board at the University of Utah School of Medicine deemed this study exempt.

Findings were organized into 4 broad themes: (1) how personal statements are used by PDs and APDs; (2) what personal statements should include; (3) what personal statements should not include; and (4) elements that PDs and APDs disagreed on. In the following paragraphs, we describe each theme and provide exemplary quotes. We use the term participants and PD/APD interchangeably.

How Personal Statements Are Used

Participants reported that personal statements were used during the pre-interview and post-interview processes and to form a gestalt impression of applicants, as shown in Box 1 . Participants identified using the personal statement most often in the pre-interview process to prepare for the interview day. In addition, many participants reported using the personal statement in some way to screen and select applicants for interviews. Following the interview, some participants identified using the statement in the ranking process to distinguish between 2 applicants or to move an applicant from one grouping on the rank list to another. Finally, participants identified using the personal statement to form an overall impression of applicants, as it is an opportunity to gather information not available in other areas of the application and to assess an applicant's fit for a program.

This exploratory study aims to clarify what internal medicine program directors (PDs) and associate program directors (APDs) recommend be included in a personal statement and how they use the personal statement in their decision to interview and rank residency applicants.

Internal medicine PDs and APDs recommend that personal statements be well-written, present unique information about the applicant, and demonstrate fit with a residency program.

Limitations

This study is a sampling of academic PDs and APDs from a single specialty, and while participants were queried about their use and recommendations for a personal statement, they may use personal statements in a way not represented by this data.

Bottom Line

PDs and APDs value personal statements that highlight unique characteristics, including personal attributes and demonstration of how their values align with that of the program, which allow applicants to distinguish themselves.

What Personal Statements Should Include

Participants reported that statements should be well-written, include information that makes an applicant stand out, and include data that shows how the applicant's interests match those of the program, as shown in Box 2 . They noted that statements should be easily readable and interesting. In addition, several participants stressed the importance of the personal statement in highlighting an applicant's unique characteristics and experiences. Finally, many participants commented that applicants should use the personal statement as an opportunity to convey their fit for a program.

Box 1 Representative Comments of How Personal Statements Are Used by Program Directors and Associate Program Directors in the Application Process

Pre-interview process.

Statements can:

• ▪ Help prepare for the interview day, “I do use it as help in terms of the questions that I want to ask during the interview.”
• ▪ Provide reasons to be invited for an interview, “Sometimes if they [applicants] are borderline…[and] I'm looking for reasons to invite them.”
• ▪ Screen out applicants with red flags, “in the first round…it can only hurt you…it's more of a ‘please do no harm to yourself area.'”

Post-Interview Process

• ▪ Be used in ranking applicants, “…the big middle chunk of our rank list, where it does matter more…sometimes we'll use the personal statement to decide whether they're in this cluster or this cluster kind of thing.”
• ▪ Distinguish between 2 applicants, “it's one of the components for which people can move up or down. If 2 applicants were completely equal…and one had a really great statement…then we would rank that person higher.”

To Form Gestalt Impressions

• ▪ Be used to gather information not available otherwise, “I want to know if there are any items that I couldn't discern from the rest of the ERAS application, such as disadvantaged background or a big life event that impacted them in a way.”
• ▪ Be used to assess “fit for the program,” “add to [their] holistic review of the individual.”

What Personal Statements Should Not Include

According to PDs and APDs, personal statements that are poorly written, indicate a lack of or superficial interest in the program, and demonstrate an applicant's poor character reflect negatively on the applicant, as shown in Box 3 . Participants reported many things about the statement that would make for a poor impression, including the length, poor grammar, generic format, and cliché analogies. In addition, participants noted that personal statements that fail to convey interest in the program, such as when statements convey interest in another specialty if an applicant is dual applying or mention a program's name as a way to “name drop,” are viewed poorly. Finally, participants reported that personal statements that revealed an applicant's character flaws gave them “pause in wanting to interview an applicant.” These include statements that demonstrate a lack of professionalism or include elitist statements or overconfidence in one's achievements.

Box 2 Representative Comments of Content to Include in the Personal Statement

Personal statements should:, be well-written.

• ▪ “Reasonably well-written.”
• ▪ “Should start out with some kind of hook…you want to grab the reader.”
• ▪ “Really captivating instead of this monologue.”

Help the Applicant Stand Out

• ▪ “Looking for authenticity.”
• ▪ Convey “true character” such that the program director “can't wait to meet them.”
• ▪ Provide “insight into [an] individual as a unique person” and “items that describe distance traveled…first person in their family to go to college…someone that worked a job throughout medical school…some that [meets] the underprivileged background as established by HRSA.”
• ▪ “If…there's something in an application that could sink an applicant…add a sentence or 2 in their statement, because it's their one chance to provide a narrative.”

Demonstrate Fit for the Program

• ▪ Explain “a clear elucidation of their goals…that fit with the vision of our…program.”
• ▪ “I'm looking for evidence that they have a commitment to primary care.”
• ▪ “For our research track, we look to see if they've identified specific areas…it helps us figure out whether or not we can offer those things to them.”
• ▪ Applicants should name “particular patient population that [they're] going to work with.”
• ▪ Should say if they “have a specific reason to come to either the program or to the geographic location” such as if an applicant's “significant other is on faculty at [nearby institution].”

Elements That PDs and APDs Disagreed On

There were 3 topics that participants did not agree on, including future plans, a patient story, and explanation of interest in internal medicine, as shown in Box 4 . Some PDs and APDs felt including information about future plans was important while others thought providing career goals was unnecessary. In addition, there were differing opinions about whether or not a patient story should be included, although most identified that if students were going to include a story, it should capture something personal about them (eg, how the interaction affected their decision to pursue internal medicine or made them feel differently about patients). Finally, while some participants wanted to hear about an applicant's interest in internal medicine, others found this to be less useful.

Box 3 Representative Comments of Content Not to Include in the Personal Statement

Personal statements should not:, be poorly written.

• ▪ Should “not exceed a page,” nor should they be “super short.”
• ▪ “Evidence of carelessness.”
• ▪ Make programs “wonder what else will be sloppy about [the applicant's] work.”
• ▪ “Content-wise worst, probably are the ones that don't give me a sense of who the person is, that almost feel as if they're a little too vanilla.”
• ▪ Avoid cliché analogies, “‘oh, it's like solving a puzzle,' just some lines that you…read over and over again.”

Indicate a Lack of Interest in a Program

• ▪ “I feel bad for these students but where they're clearly applying to more than one specialty, and they send us the wrong personal statement.”
• ▪ “Sometimes you can see this copy paste where they say, ‘and they want to go [here] because they love the [geography] and blah, blah, blah'…that feels disingenuous to me.”

Display Poor Characteristics

• ▪ “Remark[ed] on negative role modeling and how they don't want to be like this negative experience” or “talking badly about others.”
• ▪ “Sexist, or racist, or appear to have a bias.”
• ▪ “Self-aggrandizing” or convey “a sense of arrogance or overconfidence in one's achievements.”

Box 4 Representative Comments of Disagreed on Elements of the Personal Statement

Future plans.

• ▪ “I look…to see if people have at least at that point in their career, an idea about their career trajectory, any long-term career goals.”
• ▪ “I don't think that the personal statements have to say necessarily what someone's career trajectory is, many people don't know…unless they're looking to fast track, I don't think there's anything specific that has to be there.”

Patient Story

• ▪ “I always enjoy a patient story, just because they're going to be doing a medical career, so I want to make sure that they're connected to patients.”
• ▪ “I think overreliance on a patient story to tell a message that may not be very unique.”

Interest in Internal Medicine

• ▪ “Something that references why you're choosing this specialty” because “there's nowhere else, really, in the application… [that addresses this interest].”
• ▪ “I often just skip over those short paragraphs, or the short statements about why I'm interested in internal medicine, or how I fell in love with internal medicine. I find those less helpful, because you're applying to internal medicine, of course you want to do internal medicine.”

To our knowledge, this is the first study to explore academic internal medicine PDs and APDs recommendations for personal statement content. PDs and APDs used personal statements to distinguish between applicants with otherwise equivalent applications and help form an impression of the applicant. We identified 3 themes that participants thought were important for an effective personal statement—that it be well-written, include personal or unique information to make the applicant stand out, and demonstrate fit with a residency program. Participants also recommended avoiding poorly written or excessively long statements, inappropriately signaling interest in another program, or highlighting negative characteristics. Elements where there was a conflicting opinion—patient stories, future plans, and interest in internal medicine—hint at potential common pitfalls of the personal statement.

In our study, PDs and APDs identified that personal statements should highlight unique personal characteristics of the applicant. While applicants invest significant time and effort into personal statements, prior literature suggests personal statements often lack originality and uniqueness in favor of a more formulaic structure. 7 Perhaps a lack of originality stems from little guidance from residency programs to date stating what is important to include in the personal statement. It is also possible that applicants are unknowingly influenced by mimetic isomorphism. In wanting to write a statement that will be deemed acceptable, all applicants are using the only available guidelines, which means that statements end up being like each other. With an overall lack of specialty-specific guidance, applicants rely on general guidelines from the AAMC and expert opinion. 4 , 6 Future work should focus on creating specialty-specific guidelines for the content and structure of the personal statement to improve its utility in the residency application.

Several PDs and APDs reported using the personal statement to gauge applicants' fit for their residency program. We found that most commonly, participants referred to how an applicant's individual attributes, interests, and goals aligned with that of the residency program. This use suggests that the PD and APD definition of fit may be contributing to the holistic review of the applicant and supports the idea that isomorphism plays a role in residency application review. Holistic review relies on assessing an applicant's unique experiences with the intent to recruit a diverse group of residents (coercive isomorphism). For example, the implementation of holistic review in an emergency medicine screening application process, which placed more emphasis on applicants' attributes, resulted in increased recruitment of underrepresented in medicine applicants. 22 In contrast, fit often hinges on recruiting applicants who possess similar characteristics to the program (normative isomorphism). This practice may be helpful in some situations (eg, applicant demonstrates a personality that aligns with the institution's culture), but it also can promote unconscious bias and threaten diversity. 23

Humans all possess unconscious biases that may negatively influence our view of interviewees who are dissimilar to us. A gestalt impression may result in only selecting applicants for interviews or ranking who appear similar to the interviewer (eg, race, sexual orientation). Further, at a program level, evaluation of an applicant by gestalt impression with a focus on fit may promote “cultural homogeneity” 23 and normative isomorphism where the eventual matched residents reinforce areas that their institutions have historically valued. To address homogeneity and unconscious bias, residency programs could employ the principles of personnel psychology to align fit with a more holistic review of applicants. 24 Within personnel psychology, fit is expanded to include person-job fit (ie, knowledge, skills), person-workgroup fit (ie, interpersonal attributes, group performance), and person-organization fit (ie, values, goals). 25 Person-job fit may include an applicant's cognitive ability as measured by standardized examination and clinical performance. Person-workgroup fit may include tests of integrity (eg, personality assessments, situational judgement tests) during the interview process. Finally, person-organization fit may include assessing if a resident's values align with that of the institution. As hinted at by the participants in our study, personal statements may be an important element to assess person-organization fit addressing personal values and goals.

Residency programs may improve assessment of this domain by identifying their core values, placing them within an overall brand, and sharing transparently with applicants so they can be addressed by the applicant. The addition of the supplemental Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) application for internal medicine, general surgery, and dermatology could provide a structured way for applicants to reference signal programs that have similar values and to highlight their most meaningful past experiences that demonstrate their values. It is possible that as the supplemental ERAS application is more widely used across specialties, the guidance provided to applicants regarding content to include in the personal statement may evolve. Future work should focus on how residency programs may be able to utilize the personal statement and supplemental ERAS application to assess person-organization fit.

There were conflicting opinions about the inclusion of career goals, use of a patient story, and explanation of the decision to pursue internal medicine. Career goals and patient stories are common themes of internal medicine personal statements. 1 , 2 Interestingly, the conflict highlighted in our interviews hints at how to personalize content. PDs and APDs seemed to support the inclusion of these topics when they were used to emphasize a personal quality of the applicant (eg, use of a patient story to explain “how it made them think differently about patients, or feel, or learn something”). Comparably, pulmonary and critical care fellowship PDs found that quotes and stories without explanation of impact on the applicant were viewed negatively in review of applications. 5 While themes of the personal statement may vary, the overarching recommendation for the personal statement is that it is personal and, ideally, sparks the program's interest to meet and learn more about the applicant.

Finally, we found that internal medicine PDs and APDs most often use the personal statement in preparation for the interview, which is similar to findings from other specialties. 7 In addition, programs identified using the personal statement in the pre-interview and post-interview processes to either extend an interview invite or move an applicant up or down the rank list if the applicant was otherwise equivalent to another applicant on the list. In the 2021 NRMP PD survey, 73% of internal medicine PDs reported using the personal statement in selecting applicants to interview with a mean importance of 3.6, which is well below that of USMLE Step scores, MSPE, clerkship performance, and class ranking. 12 The survey results are similar for other large specialties including general surgery, anesthesiology, and emergency medicine. 13 This is likely due to the poor interrater reliability of personal statements, 26 which likely precludes their use in the decision to interview and rank applicants the majority of the time. 12 Yet, the PDs and APDs in our study converged on many criteria—how they used the personal statement to what they wanted to see to what they did not want to see in a personal statement—indicating that residency programs are more similar to each other than they think, which suggests that mimetic and normative isomorphism are at work. Additional research with PDs and APDs in other specialties about the use of personal statements could further shed light on the role of isomorphism in the residency review and selection process.

The main limitation of our exploratory study is the focus on sampling academic PDs and APDs in a single specialty. While participants were questioned about their use and recommendations for personal statements, some internal medicine programs may use personal statements in ways not represented by this data. Given the sample program characteristics, recommendations from this group may be less applicable to applicants applying to community-based programs, to smaller programs (<30 residents per year), and to other specialties. However, the sample covers all geographic regions as defined by the AAMC and represents residency programs with intern class sizes ranging from 33 to 64. Additionally, as with all qualitative work, our identities and experience influence our interpretations of the data. We have done our best to ensure trustworthiness by including multiple coders who bring differing perspectives to ensure multiple interpretations of the data, engagment in peer debriefing, and keeping a written audit trail.

Our study found that the personal statement can be a valuable part of the internal medicine residency application when it includes unique attributes, is well-written, and demonstrates a fit with program values. Additionally, PDs and APDs noted that when applicants highlight their unique characteristics, it can help distinguish themselves from otherwise equal applicants.

Supplementary Material

Funding: The authors report no external funding source for this study.

Conflict of interest: The authors declare they have no competing interests.

• Residency Application

Residency Personal Statement Examples from Matched Residents

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

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

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Article Contents 39 min read

Residency personal statement example #1: family medicine.

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

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

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

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

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

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

2. Intentions are clear

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

3. Personal connection is established

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

What to Include in Your Personal Statement

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

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

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

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

1. Introduction

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

2. Body (or middle)

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

3. Conclusion

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

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

Questions to Ask Yourself to Help You Brainstorm Ideas

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What Makes This Sample Effective?

1. the theme is personal and consistent.

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

2. The tone is positive throughout

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

3. Lessons learned apply to medicine

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

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

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

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

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

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

1. Atypical experiences are justified

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

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

2. Makes unique experiences an advantage

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

3. The writer’s voice and style are unique

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

Writing a residency personal statement? Here are the top books for residency applicants:

Residency Personal Statement Examples #4: Emergency Medicine

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

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

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

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

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

Read some more Emergency Medicine Personal Statement Examples !

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Want to see more Pediatrics Personal Statement Examples ?

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

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

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

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

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

Get inspired with these Cardiology Personal Statement Examples !

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

Residency Personal Statement Examples #7: Psychiatry

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

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

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

Check out these Psychiatry Personal Statement Examples !

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Residency Personal Statement Examples #8: Internal Medicine

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

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

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

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

Here are more Internal Medicine Personal Statement Examples !

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Check out even more Dermatology Personal Statement Examples !

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How To Address Areas of Concern

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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How to Make a Statement with Your ERAS Personal Statement

• June 29, 2023
• Reviewed by: Amy Rontal, MD

Dr. Leila Javidi, Taylor Purvis, and Dr. Brian Radvansky contributed to this article.

Starting your residency application can feel like an overwhelming task, especially when it comes to writing your ERAS personal statement. It’s not clear why essays of this nature are so intimidating—maybe it’s because not all medical students are well-versed in language arts, many of us dislike writing, or maybe just the thought of putting “who you are” onto paper brings to the surface some uncomfortable feelings of self-awareness (whoa—this just got intense!).

This is a joke or course, but to be honest, sometimes when we sit down to write our ERAS personal statement we immediately think things like, “I’m not that interesting,” or “I haven’t done anything cool in life, I’ve spent most of my time in school thus far.” And that is completely normal. The majority of us haven’t had those pivotal moments in life that shake the ground beneath us and form a new foundation for who we are, and that’s OK!

Your ERAS personal statement isn’t intended to be a best-selling memoir. It’s intended to add another dimension to the otherwise black-and-white application full of scores and grades. It is an opportunity to show program directors your personality, what motivates you, and what you’re looking for in a residency program.

While you’ve probably heard all of this before, we bet you have more specific questions about how to tackle the ERAS personal statement. All of us sure did! So, without further ado, h ere are answers to the 12 most important questions about medical residency personal statements.

12 Frequently-Asked Questions About the ERAS Personal Statement

1. How big of a deal is my ERAS personal statement to program directors?

According to the 2020 NRMP program director survey , 78% of program directors cite the ERAS personal statement as an important factor in deciding which candidates to interview,  making it the fourth-highest ranked factor behind USMLE Step 1, USMLE Step 2, and letters of recommendation. So, it’s pretty important in the grand scheme of your application!

Now, from experience in talking to different program directors and mentors, it’s clear that the most important thing is that your ERAS personal statement is well organized, well written, with proper grammar, no red flags, and that it’s only one page single-spaced. The standard ERAS personal statement length is typically 500-800 words (roughly four paragraphs).

A personal statement typically isn’t the “maker” of your residency application—however, it can be a deal “breaker” if it doesn’t have those attributes. That said, if you have a memorable, well-written personal statement, program directors will mention it, and it will make you stand out as an applicant. If they are on the fence about whether or not to interview you, a personal statement could potentially be the deciding factor. So, it’s pretty important!

2. What are things I should include in my ERAS personal statement?

A good ERAS personal statement should include the following: 

A catchy introduction to grab the reader

There are different ways to go about doing this, but if you’re stuck, an effective way to grab the reader’s attention is to open with a patient vignette. An interesting case is sure to pique the curiosity of your reader and keep them engaged as they read. Preventing boredom is something to strive for, as your application is one of perhaps hundreds that they are reading.

Ultimately, though, remember this is a personal statement. After you reveal the diagnosis or outcome of the patient vignette, you need to let the reader know what the case meant to you! The point of relating the vignette is to reveal something about yourself, not just present an interesting story about a patient. 

An overview of your desirable qualities

When letting the reader know what your positive qualities are, it’s important to remember a basic rule of good writing: SHOW, don’t tell. For example, instead of saying you are compassionate, describe a story from your life that demonstrates your compassion.

Highlights from your life experience 

This includes jobs, extracurricular activities, and hobbies that would help you to be an ideal candidate for whichever residency you are applying to. Pro tip: DON’T REGURGITATE YOUR CV. This is your opportunity to tell people things that aren’t on your CV. Do you play chess in the park every Saturday, or have you traveled to some amazing places? Tell us about it!

You shouldn’t rehash your CV in your personal statement, but it is a great place to elaborate on activities listed on your CV. It can be used to explain why those activities are so important to you, how they have helped you grow as a person, and other things that don’t often shine through on the CV itself.

Proof of why you should be accepted 

The most important part of your statement is providing proof of why you should be accepted. Describe your strengths, but do not talk about things too generally. You should be able to back up everything you say. Give details and examples. Which doctors have you shadowed? What kind of research have you been involved in, and where was it published? Don’t just mention that you have volunteered, say the names of places you were at and what you were doing.

Why you are interested in your specialty

This doesn’t have to be a profound story, but it should be the truth!

What you are looking for in a residency program

Is a strong procedural curriculum important to you? Is the culture of the program more important? Try to mention things you know your programs of choice embody.

Address any red flags on your application

Did you do poorly on Step 1? Did you take a leave of absence for a long time? Best to just come out and talk about it without being defensive. Show how you have grown from the experience, rather than apologizing for it!

A cohesive closing statement

Sometimes the first and the last sentence of the statement are the hardest to come up with, but it’s worth your time to make it tidy, even if it isn’t profound.

3. What are things I shouldn’t include in my ERAS personal statement?

Controversial topics.

Stay away from extreme religious or political statements. It doesn’t mean you can’t say you are an active member of church, but don’t use this as an opportunity to discuss whether or not you are pro-choice. You never know who is going to be reading this, and anything too polarizing can be off-putting for some readers. 

Feelings of bitterness or negativity

Leave out any traces of bitterness, defensiveness, or anger about anything that has happened in your life. Everything must have a positive spin.  

Too much self-praise or too much modesty

Avoid talking about yourself in a glorifying manner, but don’t go too far the other way and come off as too modest.

Too many qualifiers

You don’t want to go overboard with the qualifiers, which are words such as “really,” “quite,” “very,” etc. In fact, in many cases, it’s better not to use them at all. 

“Flowery” language you wouldn’t use in real life

It’s a personal statement, not a creative writing assignment. Keep the language in your statement simple. You’re not going to score any points by using unnecessarily fancy words. Your goal is clear communication.

Also, don’t try to sound like a doctor. This is just another way of trying to impress the reader. You want the reader to like you based on the way you write, not be turned off because you are trying to impress them.

“Try to avoid using a lot of jargon and abbreviations,” advises Mary Dundas, educator at Academized. 

Exaggerations

Avoid talking hyperbolically about how passionate you are. As noted earlier, it’s better to show than tell so give examples of things you have done. Above all, keep the writing in your statement professional.

If you avoid these common mistakes, you’ll be way ahead of most applicants! 

4. How can I make my ERAS personal statement unique?

As evidenced by The Voice and American Idol , it is everyone’s impulse to divulge their “sob story” to help them stand out and garner sympathy from the audience. While it’s important to include stories that helped shape you as a person, it is very transparent and cliché to talk about that person you know who was struck by a medical tragedy, and how ever since you vowed to “save people.”

The best way to make your statement unique is to allow your personality to shine through. Use your words, your humor, and your depth to tell your story. Find a way to show yourself to your reader, and if you do this, your essay will be unique!

5. Should I have more than one ERAS personal statement to upload?

In short, absolutely have multiple personal statements to upload. Especially if you are applying to more than one specialty, it’s essential that you have several versions of your personal statement.

That doesn’t mean you have to write a whole new one, you just have to tailor it to fit that specialty. If you’re applying for a preliminary year, tailor your personal statement to explain how important you feel a solid foundation in medicine is for dermatology (or whichever specialty you are applying to) and what you’re looking for in a preliminary year.

Furthermore, I found that for the programs I really wanted to interview with, I would upload a tailored personal statement for that program saying something like, “I am seeking a family medicine residency position with ABC University program because of their dedication to XYZ.” Simply name-dropping their institution and noting the strength of their program demonstrates your attention to detail and interest in their institution. Even if you are an amazing applicant, if a program doesn’t feel you are interested in their specific program, they won’t interview you. It’s best to make sure you give those out-of-state programs some extra attention so they know you are willing to relocate for them!

Lastly, you should know that you can upload as many versions of your personal statement as you like onto ERAS, but be especially careful when uploading and make sure you apply the correct personal statement to each program! Triple-check your work! Pro Tip: Use your file names to help you stay organized. Pick a format and stick with it, such as “PS-JohnsHopkins,” “USCF-PS,” etc.

6. When should I start writing my ERAS personal statement?

The sooner the better, people. Get cracking now! You can even begin to think of ideas during your third year as you develop your interests in specific specialties. As ideas come to you, jot them into your phone so you don’t forget!

One of the best ways to begin writing your personal statement is to go over some questions about yourself. Ask yourself, who are you and what drives you forward? Think about the kinds of things that interest you and why you developed those interests. Maybe consider some mistakes you have made, how you learned from them, and how they have changed you. Or ask yourself, how do your interests and personality contribute to the goals you have set? 

Think about those kinds of questions and write down the answers. Reflect on them, put them away, and come back to them. Then, use them to form an outline—this will help you figure out all your points and what you want to say before you start writing. 

If you still feel like you just don’t know how to get started, give the five-point essay format a shot and see if it works for you. In short, you begin with a paragraph that is about four or five sentences long. The goal of this first paragraph is to grab a reader’s attention. Use the next three or four body paragraphs to talk about yourself. Try and have one of them focus on your clinical understanding, while another talks about service. Then end with a solid conclusion paragraph that mirrors your introduction, summarizes who you are, and ends by looking toward the future. 

7. Should I ask for any help with my ERAS personal statement?

Yes. Yes. A thousand times, YES! Absolutely ask for feedback on your personal statement. After getting your draft finished, show it to whoever will look at it—however, please remember to take everyone’s advice with a grain of salt and to strongly consider the source. It is absolutely essential to have your personal statement reviewed by an objective third party to ensure that the message you are trying to communicate is loud and clear. This means that you shouldn’t give it to a friend or family member who is going to placate you with a useless, “Yeah, looks great!”

Find a mentor, advisor, chief resident or attending, someone who is accustomed to reading ERAS personal statements, and get feedback from them. You can be certain that going through this step will only make your personal statement better. If you take their advice and don’t like how things are panning out, you can always revert back to an older draft.

But in just about every case, another set of eyes to give you big-picture feedback on what you’ve written will improve your piece. Do this early in the process, when you have gotten a simple draft together, so that you don’t present someone with an idea that you are married to, only to find out that it doesn’t come through clearly.

Be sure to ask other people what they think of your draft, but be careful about asking other students for help. Sometimes they get weird, and try to give you advice about making your statement more like theirs because they want to feel justified in their own efforts.

Finally, it should be mentioned that there are services out there that will “write your personal statement” for you. Aside from the obvious reasons why not to do this, you have to be really careful. Those services don’t know you, don’t know your voice, and oftentimes have very generic ways of putting these statements together.  Using a service to help polish your statement, though, is A-OK. Some you may find useful in that regard are ViaWriting , Writing Populist , StateofWriting , and SimpleGrad .

Lastly, you may consider working with a residency counselor who can help set your application apart with insider advice and ensure you optimize all elements of the residency application process. Our residency consultants are residents and attendings who have successfully guided hundreds of students from residency applications through the Match!

Typical residency consulting work consists of:

Not sure if a residency consultant is the right fit for you? Take this quiz to see if you would benefit from some extra guidance during the residency application process!

8. Where can I find examples of ERAS personal statements to inspire me?

Every good writer learned how to write by reading the works of other people. This includes personal statements! Very often your career offices from your undergraduate studies will have examples of personal statements that can serve as inspiration for your own masterpiece. You can also ask older classmates and recent graduates if they would feel comfortable sharing their personal statements with you. 

Remember, too, that inspiration can come from nontraditional sources. Try reading poetry or a novel before sitting down to write your statement. You might be surprised by how it helps to get your creative juices flowing!

9. Is it better to cover all of my experiences, or focus on a few in particular?

It’s better to focus on several key experiences rather than provide a broad overview of your life up to the present time. Your resume will fill in any gaps for your reader. The point of the personal statement is to spend a few paragraphs reflecting on one or two themes that define who you are as a person. Stay focused, and go deep!

10. How much should I share about my career goals in my ERAS personal statement?

Remember, the majority of training programs you will be applying to are academic medical centers. For those programs in particular, make sure to emphasize why an academic environment is a good fit for you. This does not have to mean research! Perhaps you like the idea of becoming a clinician educator and want to be at XYZ program for the opportunity to teach medical students. 

Likewise, if you are applying to a program at a community hospital, make sure to reflect on how your career goals are suited for that environment. Maybe private practice is on your radar, or you want to practice in a hospital that is more close-knit than a large academic center.

Whatever the case, try to make your stated career goals align with the orientation of the program you’re applying to. In reality, you may have no idea what direction you want your career to go in. But for a personal statement, try to commit to one general theme if possible.

11. What about my personal statements for preliminary or transitional year programs?

For applicants who are also applying to preliminary or transitional year programs, it can seem daunting to tailor your personal statement to a position that isn’t part of your ultimate specialty. But don’t worry—preliminary and transitional year programs still want to know who you are as a person and why you’re interested in anesthesiology, dermatology, or whatever advanced specialty you’re aiming for. You don’t need to change your personal statement as much as you may think!

The goal of a personal statement for these one-year programs is not to convince the reader that you suddenly love internal medicine despite going into radiology. The reader knows this is a temporary stopping place for you. Instead, emphasize the traits that make you YOU and will enhance their hospital!

12. What if I’m interested in a non-traditional path after residency?

Some of you may be thinking of alternative career paths after residency such as consulting or pharmaceutical work. It’s probably best to leave those specific goals out of your ERAS personal statement and allow readers to assume that you want to continue in clinical medicine after graduating from residency. You might want to instead phrase it as something you want to be incorporated into your clinical career, but not something you would leave medicine for, even if that’s what you have in mind!

Remember, you are under no obligation to share your every thought and desire in a personal statement! These statements are being read by reviewers who dedicated their lives to education and clinical medicine, so keep that in mind.

Further Reading

Keep these tips in mind as you write your ERAS personal statement, and you’ll be way ahead of the other applicants. If you start to get stressed out, remember, you have an amazing story to tell, and we are here to help tease that story out from the confines of your brain! For more help, reach out to one of our residency advisors .

Looking for more help during the residency application process? We’ve got you covered with more (free!) content written by Blueprint tutors:

• How to Get Standout Letters of Recommendation for Your Residency Application
• How to Maximize Your Chances of Matching With Your Dream Residency
• What’s It Like Working With a Medical Residency Consultant?
• Residency Interview Tips & Tricks: The Ultimate Guide
• Dual Applying for Residency: Is It Right For Me?

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Example Personal Statement Residency (Internal Medicine)

by Talha Omer, M.Eng., Cornell Grad

In personal statement samples by field.

Here is an excellent example of a personal statement of a medical student who got accepted to seven top residency programs in internal medicine, including Columbia, Vanderbilt, and Arizona.

You will find that this personal statement includes all of the major ingredients of success that you can find here . 

Sample Personal Statement for Residency in Internal Medicine

Being the youngest of four sisters was a challenge, but it taught me the skills to be a problem solver at a very young age. What drew me to medicine was the desire to confront and solve the puzzle to restore a patient’s health.

I completed my medical education at XYZ Hospital under the supervision of competent professionals. Having been trained in a developing country, situations often arose when patients were treated with limited resources in harsh circumstances and taxing environments. My teachers became my inspiration, working beyond their capacity to meet the challenges of the demanding profession. That is the kind of doctor I desire to be, helping the sick and bringing comfort to them in every conceivable manner. During this time, I saw the range of diseases peculiar to our region but seldom confronted by the developed world, such as malaria, dengue, polio, and tuberculosis. In any medical ward, one would find more than fifty percent of patients with infectious hepatitis, owing mainly to the lack of awareness and access to clean supplies. This gave me ample opportunity to educate and treat patients effectively.

After getting married and relocating to the United States, I committed to acquiring the best graduate medical education. I have worked in an inpatient and outpatient US-based clinical setting, which has adequately acquainted me with the system. Additionally, being the spouse of a medical resident, I saw the transformation of new, amateur residents into successful, confident physicians over three years of vigorous training. This further prompted me to strive for my goal.

Internal medicine has always appealed to me for its diverse nature. During my clinical rotations, I had the opportunity to see various spectrums of diseases. Internal Medicine deals with ailments, from common flu to multiple sclerosis. This diversity of conditions and patient population, from young to elderly, make it a very fulfilling career choice for me during a rotation with house staff medicine. I particularly remember caring for an anxious young patient with Crohn’s disease. She refused treatment and was clinically depressed. We addressed all her concerns through effective counseling and pain relief and successfully treated her. Cases like these make internal medicine very stimulating since it deals with all the aspects of the patient’s health.

Belonging to a military background and having undergone training at an army hospital, I learned to adapt. Since childhood, my surroundings instilled in me the discipline I consider my forte. Every two to three years, we moved. With these moves came new schools, homes, and friends. To survive, I had to learn to acclimatize to new environments. As exciting as it may seem, adjusting to different surroundings was always challenging. I can proudly claim that I have succeeded at it. Since moving back to the United States, I have been a homemaker, mother to my child, and a struggling medical student. These experiences have taught me perseverance, consistency, compassion, and determination, which are essential for achieving my long-cherished goal.

The inevitable constraints have not deterred me. On the contrary, I am even more committed to working hard to further my objective. I aim to work in a friendly environment, actively participate in research and use every opportunity to grow as a physician. I will be honored to match and work in your program. I believe I will be a strong candidate for your residency program, bringing resourcefulness and diversity.

This residency essay doesn’t attempt to lure us with flashy stories or impress us with the “too good to be true” achievements. Instead, it chooses a simple storyline. The essay takes the reader into her childhood and portrays her upbringing in a military family where she was always on the move, adapting to a new environment.

The essay is holistic and completely captures all aspects of a residency’s statement. It has a definite beginning, middle, and end. It describes how she was overwhelmed by the plethora of patients in third-world countries suffering from diseases unimaginable in the west.

This projects her as an applicant who has a lot of exposure to working in a challenging environment where the number of patients per doctor is usually in the hundreds. Such a high number is usually not the case here in the US and hence tells the admissions board that she is highly apt at handling an immense workload in a milieu where resources are minimal.

Moreover, the essay also portrays her as someone with so much diversity. She has worked in both developed and underdeveloped countries, which means that she will bring a lot of uniqueness to the residency program. Residency programs value applicants with diversity in background, and she is one with tons of disparate experiences.

The personal statement also gives a sneak peek into her personality. She is caring and has a soft heart, critical ingredients for success in the medical field. Not only that, but she also listens to her patients attentively and goes the extra mile to ensure they live healthy lives.

She also indicates the relentless effort she has put into working as a homemaker and a medical professional. This sheds light on her ability to multitask.

Even though her residency essay depicts success, she doesn’t end it in triumph. This is important because if you always try to finish your essay successfully, even if there isn’t one, you will sound fake. But, on the other hand, you have the whole essay at your disposal to talk about your achievements.

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Sample Internal Medicine Residency Personal Statement

The Medfools IM Internal Medicine Sample Residency Personal Statement Library is now open!

These sample Internal Medicine residency personal statement examples for Internal Med are here for your viewing pleasure (fully anonymous). We’re hoping to add more in the future, including Pre-Med personal statements. If you’ve got one to add to the free library, don’t forget to  contribute yours .

I commenced medical school with the aim of becoming an internist. I was drawn to the vastness of the field, the diagnostic process, and the continual advancements in treatment that allows one to improve the lives of others. This decision was also shaped by many of my relatives who are internists, as I was able to witness firsthand the joys of their profession. The first two years of medical school fortified this desire, as I enjoyed learning about multiple disease processes. As I progressed through the third year, making the most of each observation and experience on the wards, I found myself enjoying each of my rotations, but particularly enjoyed taking care of patients’ core medical problems. Patient interaction, the art of diagnosis, and being able to witness improvement in patients’ conditions, all came together this year.

During my 4th year, my father unexpectedly had a coronary stent placed which put him in a very anxious and depressed state of mind. After careful deliberation with my father, I thought it would be best if I be close to him during this recovery time; however, there were no medicine positions available in the area. I have been helping my father cope with different issues, as he was quite taken aback by the procedure, given that he never had any symptoms

I have been volunteering with different internists and specialists this year, which has been quite beneficial in maintaining my clinical skills and staying apprised of the latest developments in the literature. My continued experiences with patients have reaffirmed the veracity of my original desire to pursue internal medicine. I am thus set on pursuing my goal of a career in internal medicine.  I understand it takes more than interest and inclination to be successful in medicine. My experiences during the third year of medical school confirmed my joy of working with people and shed new light on the values of hard work, efficiency, and punctuality. I also believe my close attention to detail is essential in maintaining a high level of patient care. I truly enjoy speaking with patients on a one-to-one basis about their problems, and found that this was valuable time spent not only on the humanistic level, but also in terms of arriving at the proper diagnosis more quickly. One of the great joys of my clinical years was being a part of a team of individuals with a common goal of helping fellow human beings. 

I hope to further this experience in the role of a resident. I have also always enjoyed teaching other students. As a fourth year student I tutored first and second year medical students in the basic sciences. Likewise, I found it a joy to teach the third year students on my team about various syndromes, which all had the added benefit of reinforcing this information in my mind. I believe my experience as a mentor to students will help me accept the physician’s role as a teacher to his patients , which will improve the quality of patient care I also have many interests outside of medicine, such as playing chess, long-distance running, basketball, and tennis. 

As a resident, my goal, simply stated, is to work hard each day to efficiently provide the best of care to my community. I hope to do this in an environment of guided independence that fosters continued intellectual development and stimulation, with diversity of pathology. I believe I have the necessary talents and interests to be a competent, productive resident. My consistent success through medical school demonstrates my self-motivation and drive. Lastly, one of the important tenets that my medical school experience reinforced was to have perspective, which helped me step back and reaffirm my dedication to medicine many times. I consider this an asset, and believe it will help me be a more productive resident. I believe my experiences have confirmed that internal medicine is the field of my choice.

Post Author: fool

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Advice on Personal Statement for Residency

I'm thinking of starting with my PS. Any tips on what to write, what to avoid.

I am an average writer. Was pretty average during medical school too. Not many achievements. What do I write about? If anyone could share their PS, that would be great. Applying to IM.

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