Writing the Personal Writing the Personal Statement for ResidencyStatement for Residency

Writing Consult CenterWriting Consult Center

andand

Office of Student AffairsOffice of Student Affairs

Goals for the Personal Goals for the Personal Statement essay:Statement essay:

1.1. Get an interviewGet an interview

2.2. Guide the interviewerGuide the interviewer

How do they choose?How do they choose?

What are the program What are the program directors looking for?directors looking for?

What are the reviewers trying What are the reviewers trying to learn about you?to learn about you?

““Reading a personal statement is Reading a personal statement is like meeting someone…like meeting someone…

It’s like remembering a face– ‘Oh yes, IIt’s like remembering a face– ‘Oh yes, I

remember her.’ Some personality,remember her.’ Some personality,

some individuality should comesome individuality should come

through. I want to be able to say,through. I want to be able to say,

““That’s the person who….”That’s the person who….”

Personal life eventsPersonal life events

““Personal life events that had an impact onPersonal life events that had an impact on

you are important, positive or negative, butyou are important, positive or negative, but

don’t spend half the essay on them.”don’t spend half the essay on them.”

““Grab my attention.”Grab my attention.”

““I want to know who you are, why you are aI want to know who you are, why you are a

doctor and why you want to become andoctor and why you want to become an

anesthesiologist [or xxxx] and where you’reanesthesiologist [or xxxx] and where you’re

possibly going with this training in thepossibly going with this training in the

future.”future.”

““Somewhere in the essay, work in someSomewhere in the essay, work in somecomments about your strengths. Allcomments about your strengths. Allresidency directors know that not everyresidency directors know that not everystudent will be at the top of the class or have student will be at the top of the class or have every possible “stellar resident” attribute.every possible “stellar resident” attribute.However, some comments aboutHowever, some comments aboutdetermination, hard work, intellect, values,determination, hard work, intellect, values,and special skills will catch my attention.”and special skills will catch my attention.”

4 things reviewers want to 4 things reviewers want to learn about youlearn about you

1. Your personal story1. Your personal story

Personal storyPersonal story

““Just a bit if it is conventional, more if it Just a bit if it is conventional, more if it is unusual & relevant.”is unusual & relevant.”

But actually….But actually….

Personal storyPersonal story

Concrete, not abstract:Concrete, not abstract:

““I look for personal stories that really tell me I look for personal stories that really tell me something about the applicant. The ‘I love something about the applicant. The ‘I love kids’ doesn’t work as well as a patient kids’ doesn’t work as well as a patient encounter or any kind of story about how encounter or any kind of story about how things could have been done better. things could have been done better. Insight is always good.”Insight is always good.”

2. Significant academic 2. Significant academic difficultydifficulty

Address it.Address it.

““Not mentioning significant academicNot mentioning significant academic

difficulty doesn’t mean we won’t see it on thedifficulty doesn’t mean we won’t see it on the

transcript or read it in the Dean’s letter. Thistranscript or read it in the Dean’s letter. This

is a good opportunity to explain whatis a good opportunity to explain what

happened– and is particularly important ifhappened– and is particularly important if

the explanation suggests that the problem isthe explanation suggests that the problem is

not likely to recur.”not likely to recur.”

3. Special experiences that 3. Special experiences that guided you to select this guided you to select this

specialtyspecialty

Why you’re well-suited to this Why you’re well-suited to this fieldfield

Selecting the specialtySelecting the specialty

““Most of the reasons we’ve heardMost of the reasons we’ve heard

before. But an applicant’s own processbefore. But an applicant’s own process

of decision is individual and needs toof decision is individual and needs to

be heard in his or her own words.”be heard in his or her own words.”

Selecting the specialtySelecting the specialty

““I like the essays that tell about theI like the essays that tell about the

applicant’s past– if it was a struggle, orapplicant’s past– if it was a struggle, or

why in general he or she would make awhy in general he or she would make a

good [ pediatrician, anesthesiologist,good [ pediatrician, anesthesiologist,

surgeon,etc.]. Insight is always good.”surgeon,etc.]. Insight is always good.”

““Let me know what you are looking for in aLet me know what you are looking for in a

program. I’m going to invite people toprogram. I’m going to invite people to

interview who I believe are looking for theinterview who I believe are looking for the

things that we offer. Be honest about yourthings that we offer. Be honest about your

future goals. If you want to do clinical orfuture goals. If you want to do clinical or

basic science research, make sure you bringbasic science research, make sure you bring

it up.”it up.”

4. What the applicant 4. What the applicant chooses as avocationschooses as avocations

AvocationsAvocations

““This might not be appropriate in anThis might not be appropriate in an

essay that is, of necessity, very seriousessay that is, of necessity, very serious

or in which a good portion of effort isor in which a good portion of effort is

devoted to explaining academicdevoted to explaining academic

difficulty, for example.”difficulty, for example.”

““The personal statement should beThe personal statement should be

personal and real. I use it a lot topersonal and real. I use it a lot to

structure my interview.”structure my interview.”

““Above all, be honest. Above all, be honest.

Dishonesty will kill the application.”Dishonesty will kill the application.”

So, how to write the essay?So, how to write the essay?

3 areas of attention3 areas of attention

ContentContent

FormForm

MechanicsMechanics

ContentContent

Create a Create a coherentcoherent

life life storystory

coherentcoherent

1.1. Sticking together,Sticking together,2.2. Logically connected & Logically connected &

intelligibleintelligible

Coherent?Coherent?

It had been dry for a long time. No rain It had been dry for a long time. No rain had fallen for more than a month.had fallen for more than a month.

We had a beautiful home. We had a beautiful home.

Now I want to be a dermatologist.Now I want to be a dermatologist.

A coherent life storyA coherent life story

DirectionDirection

DedicationDedication

PurposePurpose

EnergyEnergy

A coherent life story?A coherent life story?

12 year old sister with leukemia died12 year old sister with leukemia died

Played basketball for K-StatePlayed basketball for K-State

Rafting instructor for 3 years after collegeRafting instructor for 3 years after college

Decided to go to medical schoolDecided to go to medical school

A coherent life story?A coherent life story?

12 year old sister with leukemia died.12 year old sister with leukemia died.

Volunteered at hospital 3 years in college.Volunteered at hospital 3 years in college.

Did research in oncology lab at KU for 2 Did research in oncology lab at KU for 2 summers. summers.

Decided to go to medical school. Hope to Decided to go to medical school. Hope to become a pediatric oncologist.become a pediatric oncologist.

Concrete, not abstractConcrete, not abstract

Form:Form:How to structure the essayHow to structure the essay

Hook your reader.Hook your reader.

Show logical flow.Show logical flow.

The formulaThe formula

Begin with a personal story,Begin with a personal story,Go to theory, or what the story Go to theory, or what the story

means.means.

Explore alternatives to the Explore alternatives to the formulaformula

Slight rearrangementsSlight rearrangements

A different openingA different opening

FormForm

No longer than one page.No longer than one page.

6 paragraphs maximum.6 paragraphs maximum.

““Leave some white space! One big Leave some white space! One big gray page turns me off.”gray page turns me off.”

Mechanics of good writingMechanics of good writing

““Make sure to check for errors– this is Make sure to check for errors– this is the biggest no- no to me. If you don’t the biggest no- no to me. If you don’t write well, it doesn’t bode well for write well, it doesn’t bode well for you.”you.”

MechanicsMechanics

Grammar, spelling, diction, Grammar, spelling, diction, syntax, punctuation, tone, and syntax, punctuation, tone, and

style.style.

Mechanics of good writingMechanics of good writing

Competently written in standard English.Competently written in standard English.

Workmanlike to Creative: the continuum.Workmanlike to Creative: the continuum.

Suggestions from reviewersSuggestions from reviewers

““Clarity is fundamental.”Clarity is fundamental.”

ClarityClarity

““If you don’t have confidence in yourself as aIf you don’t have confidence in yourself as a

writer, keep it simple. One idea perwriter, keep it simple. One idea per

sentence.”sentence.”

Tone and styleTone and style

Tone and styleTone and style

“ “ Don’t be dramatic or effusive.”Don’t be dramatic or effusive.”

“ “ Be careful in touting your Be careful in touting your accomplishments. Tone is important. accomplishments. Tone is important. Sounding egotistical or boastful Sounding egotistical or boastful makes a bad impression.”makes a bad impression.”

Proofreading & editingProofreading & editing

Proofreading and editingProofreading and editing

““Get input from others. Have at leastGet input from others. Have at leastone other person read the essay.”one other person read the essay.”

““Good writing is re-writing. Read andGood writing is re-writing. Read andedit it several times.”edit it several times.”

““Let it cool off before submitting it with theLet it cool off before submitting it with theapplication. If it sounds corny or trite to you orapplication. If it sounds corny or trite to you orperhaps even too strong, rewrite!”perhaps even too strong, rewrite!”

ClarityClarity

Eschew ObfuscationEschew Obfuscation

Writing clear proseWriting clear prose

It’s rainingIt’s raining

At the present time we are experiencing At the present time we are experiencing precipitation.precipitation.

Identify me as Ishmael. Identify me as Ishmael.

Several twelvemonths past– disregard the Several twelvemonths past– disregard the exact period– being somewhat exact period– being somewhat impoverished financially and possessing impoverished financially and possessing nothing remarkable to intrigue me on terra nothing remarkable to intrigue me on terra firma, I reflected I would navigate about firma, I reflected I would navigate about somewhat and observe the liquid, somewhat and observe the liquid, aqueous component of the globe.aqueous component of the globe.

Call me Ishmael.Call me Ishmael.

Some years ago– never mind how long Some years ago– never mind how long precisely– having little or no money in my precisely– having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest purse, and nothing particular to interest me on shore, I thought I would sail about a me on shore, I thought I would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world.little and see the watery part of the world.

Clarity counts.Clarity counts.

Make your reader work as little as possible.Make your reader work as little as possible.

Keep the degree of difficulty as low as Keep the degree of difficulty as low as possible.possible.

Robert Gunning’s Fog Index: Robert Gunning’s Fog Index:

measuring the degree of difficulty of measuring the degree of difficulty of writing based on the length of the words writing based on the length of the words we choose.we choose.

English:English:the world’s richest, most expressive language.the world’s richest, most expressive language.

Heteroglot: constant absorptionHeteroglot: constant absorptionAmerican Indian: chipmunk, mooseAmerican Indian: chipmunk, mooseItalian: balcony, umbrellaItalian: balcony, umbrellaPersian: shawl, paradise, sherbetPersian: shawl, paradise, sherbetGreek: acrobat, catastrophe, elasticGreek: acrobat, catastrophe, elasticSpanish: alligator, vanilla, hammockSpanish: alligator, vanilla, hammock

Anglo Saxon rootsAnglo Saxon roots

Words of usually no more than 4 lettersWords of usually no more than 4 letters

HomeHomeWifeWifeNightNightEatEatFarmFarmLoveLoveKnowKnowTellTell

Norman Invasion 1066Norman Invasion 1066

Language exploded– and separated into 2 Language exploded– and separated into 2 classes:classes:

Home / ResidenceHome / Residence

Eat / DineEat / Dine

Loving / AmorousLoving / Amorous

Anglo Saxon & Latinate wordsAnglo Saxon & Latinate words

Think (verb)Think (verb)cogitate, ruminate, reflect, meditate,cogitate, ruminate, reflect, meditate,conceive, contemplate….conceive, contemplate….

Need (noun)Need (noun)privation, destitution, indigence,privation, destitution, indigence,penury, pauperism….penury, pauperism….

Willing (adjective)Willing (adjective)amenable, compliant, submissive, amenable, compliant, submissive,

tractabletractable

Short, simple wordsShort, simple words

Not:Not: But:But:

ContemplateContemplate ThinkThinkEndeavorEndeavor TryTryEquitableEquitable Fair, EqualFair, EqualFacilitateFacilitate HelpHelpMagnitudeMagnitude SizeSizeRequireRequire NeedNeedTerminateTerminate EndEndUtilizeUtilize UseUse

Avoid Pompous DictionAvoid Pompous Diction

Endeavor – TryEndeavor – TryInitiate – BeginInitiate – BeginIs desirous of – WantsIs desirous of – WantsCognizant of – KnowsCognizant of – KnowsAscertain – Find outAscertain – Find outImplement – Start, create, carry out, beginImplement – Start, create, carry out, beginApprise– InformApprise– InformEventuate – HappenEventuate – HappenTranspire – HappenTranspire – HappenTransmit – Send Transmit – Send

Remove empty fillersRemove empty fillers

It would thus appear that….It would thus appear that….Apparently….Apparently….

It is considered that….It is considered that….We think….We think….

It is this that….It is this that….This….This….

It is possible that the cause is….It is possible that the cause is….The cause may be….The cause may be….

In light of the fact that….In light of the fact that….Because….Because….

It is often the case that….It is often the case that….Often….Often….

It is interesting to note that….It is interesting to note that….

OmitOmit

It is not impossible that….It is not impossible that….

OmitOmit

It seems that there can be little doubt that…It seems that there can be little doubt that…

OmitOmit

Economy and PrecisionEconomy and Precision

In the course ofIn the course of

While, duringWhile, during

In the event thatIn the event that

IfIf

In the majority of instancesIn the majority of instances

UsuallyUsually

In the near futureIn the near future

SoonSoon

In the nature of In the nature of

Like (similar to)Like (similar to)

In the neighborhood ofIn the neighborhood of

AboutAbout

In the not too distant futureIn the not too distant future

SoonSoon

In the vicinity of In the vicinity of

NearNear

In view of the fact thatIn view of the fact that

BecauseBecause

It is imperative thatIt is imperative that

Be sure thatBe sure that

It is interesting to note thatIt is interesting to note that

Note thatNote that

It would thus appear thatIt would thus appear that

ApparentlyApparently

Make decisions aboutMake decisions about

Decide onDecide on

Needless to sayNeedless to say

(Then why say it?)(Then why say it?)

On a few occasionsOn a few occasions

OccasionallyOccasionally

On the assumption thatOn the assumption that

Assuming thatAssuming that

Prior toPrior to

BeforeBefore

Subsequent toSubsequent to

After, FollowingAfter, Following

Take actionTake action

ActAct

Take into considerationTake into consideration

ConsiderConsider

With regard toWith regard to

RegardingRegarding

With the exception ofWith the exception of

ExceptExcept

Please find enclosed, herewith, my new Please find enclosed, herewith, my new paper, which was published in January of paper, which was published in January of this year.this year.

Here is my January 2003 paper.Here is my January 2003 paper.

Clarity = Economy + Precision

““Give us a coherent personal Give us a coherent personal story written in clear standard story written in clear standard

English.”English.”