The personal statement allows you to demonstrate the thinking, strengths and values that are the foundation of your choice of a medical career and make you a strong candidate. When someone finishes reading your statement, that person should sense that you have the potential to be a great clinician and want to talk to you more about your experiences and career plans.
AMCAS limits the statement to 5,300 characters, including spaces.
Graduate & Professional School Advising at Career Services offers Personal Statement presentations in the spring to help you get started and go over the basics.
Before drafting your essay, review:
- AAMC’s Advisor Corner: Crafting Your Personal Statement
- 6 Tips for Writing Your AMCAS Personal Comments Essay
- Tough Love for Your Personal Statement: Advice from a Medical School Dean
- Advice on Writing an Effective Personal Statement for Medical/Dental School
- Overcoming Common Pre-Health Personal Statement Obstacles with Journaling