There’s a lot of information available on how you should format and what you should write in your med school personal statement. But in focusing on what needs to be included in this essay, many students go overboard and end up making a few mistakes that could perhaps cost them the admission. While it is recommended that you make a strong statement that shows your commitment, launching into a 2-page detailed narrative would not gain you additional points. In fact such a lengthy explanation is more likely to get your application rejected. Another mistake many applicants make is overusing clichés and other popular one-liners. Interviewers have read it all over the years and seeing it written yet again does not say much about your originality. Additionally, because it is simply copied, it just won’t ring true.   

Don’t sabotage your otherwise well written personal essay by making a few mistakes. Knowing what to include and what to refrain from including is the key to creating a successful personal essay.

Here are 3 things to keep in mind when you write a personal statement for medical school.

Don’t Make Yourself Out To Be Something You’re Not

You may sound very noble when you talk about how you want to become a doctor and save children in Africa. But, when the reader goes through your essay and sees that all you’ve ever done is travel around the world after graduating from a posh private school, your statement will sound pretty unbelievable. These professionals know what to believe and what not to believe in a statement. Don’t make yourself out to be something you are not. If you want to show your dedication to saving the children of Africa, sign up as a volunteer with an organization that actually does work for the children of Africa or spend time at a medical placement in Africa and then talk about your experiences there. That will sound true  and will show that you are genuinely committed to medicine and helping people.

Don’t Ramble About Inconsequential Trivia

Far too many students use a few days’ hospital stay as the experience that triggered their passion for medicine or they just ramble on about how impressed they were with the efficiency of the doctors and nurses who attended to sick or injured patients in the emergency room. These scenarios have been used so often, they do not ring true anymore. What is important is to highlight what it was about these experiences that motivated you. The reader will be looking for something noteworthy but believable so don’t for a second think that rambling on about a minor hospital visit will make it sound impressive. It won’t. Talk about something concrete that touched you and changed you. 

Don’t Ruin The First Impression

Think of your personal statement as your first impression to a group of people. How would you want to come across? As a focused individual who is ready to make a long term commitment to medicine and put in a lot of hard work? Then structure your statement like that. Do not ramble on about things that are not connected to your future as a medical student. You have one shot to convince the authorities to accept you into a school so use it well.

Remember to keep your statement short. Do not go on for more than a page. Try to include all your achievements that are relevant to your future medical career but keep it short, focused and convincing.