Personal Statement: Show. Don’t Tell.

Compare the following:

“I am a compassionate person with a lot of resolve who wants to help people through medicine.”

“My four years of clinical work in a low-income clinic, taking vital signs and translating for Spanish-speaking patients, has strengthen my resolve to become a physician.”

See the difference?

A quick reminder: In your personal statement it’s critical to demonstrate your points with examples, rather than just state your thoughts. Show. Don’t just tell because anyone can say s/he is good with patients, kind-hearted and hard-working. Only a few excellent candidates can prove that.

For help with your personal statement for medical school, residency, fellowship or post bacc programs contact me.

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About Dr. Michelle Finkel

Dr. Michelle Finkel

Dr. Finkel is a graduate of Stanford University and Harvard Medical School. On completing her residency at Harvard, she was asked to
stay on as faculty at Harvard Medical School and spent five years teaching at the world-renowned Massachusetts General Hospital.
She was appointed to the Assistant Residency Director position for the Harvard Affiliated
Emergency Medicine Residency where she reviewed countless applications, personal statements and resumes. Read more

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Listen to Dr. Finkel’s interview on the White Coat Investor podcast:

Listen to Dr. Finkel’s interview on the FeminEm podcast: