How to write a personal statement

How to write a personal statement Share Share via TwitterShare via FacebookShare via Google PlusShare via LinkedInShare via E-mail Writing about yourself can be a challengeThe process might be easier if you start by structuring the personal statement as an argument paper. And what is your argument? That you should be accepted to a healthcare-related professional program. In your personal statement, you need to somehow communicate a solid understanding of the career in which you wish to enter and demonstrate that you are a highly motivated, well-qualified individual who will be a good fit for the profession. How can you do this? Think aboutIntroducing yourself to the admissions committee.Convey a sense of your personality. Identify the life experiences you have had that have led you to this career. What are some of the personal lessons you have learned from these experiences? How have those lessons helped you become a well-qualified candidate for the profession you seek to en ter?Explaining how you originally became interested in a career in healthcare and, maybe even more importantly, what you have done since then to confirm your interest in this particular career.What originally sparked your interest? How did you follow up on that interest to learn more about the profession? Here, it is a good idea to share at least one anecdote that demonstrates that you have learned what your intended career isreallylike and that you are thoughtful about the challenges of working with patients.Being interesting.Be empathetic toward your reader remember that they have to read thousands of these essays. One way to be interesting is to communicate your passion for a career in health care. What does this career offer that is such a good fit for you that you willing to sacrifice so much time and money to pursue it? Here again, you can address these issues through carefully chosen anecdotes.Explaining any less-than-ideal aspects of your application profile.This is your cha nce to explain what happened (using a factual tone, elend an apologetic or blaming tone) and to share what you have learned from those experiences.Identifying what you hope to contribute to the profession.What do you see yourself doing in ten years? By this, we dont mean that you necessarily need to identify a specialty that you want to go into, but that you should identify how you hope to serve the profession, as a whole. Here are some examplesBecoming a well-educated and compassionate caregiverDoing research that will advance the state of knowledge in your fieldBecoming an educator for a professional program in your fieldParticipating in local or global outreach efforts to care for people who would not otherwise have ready access to quality healthcareGenerally speaking, these goals should follow logically from the experiences you have engaged in up until now. For instance, it wouldnt make much sense for a person to say that he/she is absolutely committed to a career that would ble nd direct patient care with research if the person hasnt yet done any research.CategoriesHealth Professions