1/
Residency Interview, Circa 1995
Him: “You say here in your #PERSONALSTATEMENT ‘Research is the linchpin of a thriving academic medical center.’”
Me: *smug smile*
Him: “Tell me what you meant by that.”
Me: 😳
Rut roh.
Real talk? I just wanted to use the word “linchpin.”
Residency Interview, Circa 1995
Him: “You say here in your #PERSONALSTATEMENT ‘Research is the linchpin of a thriving academic medical center.’”
Me: *smug smile*
Him: “Tell me what you meant by that.”
Me: 😳
Rut roh.
Real talk? I just wanted to use the word “linchpin.”
2/
Also? I thought it would sound smart. (Spoiler alert: I didn't match there.)😂
Hand over heart—that EXACT sentence was in my PS for residency. That moment (which DID happen) was mortifying. But I LOVE that it did. Why? Because it serves as a #PSfail cautionary tale.
Mmm hmm
Also? I thought it would sound smart. (Spoiler alert: I didn't match there.)😂
Hand over heart—that EXACT sentence was in my PS for residency. That moment (which DID happen) was mortifying. But I LOVE that it did. Why? Because it serves as a #PSfail cautionary tale.
Mmm hmm
3/
I know a LOT of folks on #medtwitter are thinking about writing a #personalstatement right now. After the great #linchpin debacle of '95, I've learned to LOVE the PS process.
Yup.
So who's ready to cook up a yummy, winning P.S. with ingredients already found in your kitchen?
I know a LOT of folks on #medtwitter are thinking about writing a #personalstatement right now. After the great #linchpin debacle of '95, I've learned to LOVE the PS process.
Yup.
So who's ready to cook up a yummy, winning P.S. with ingredients already found in your kitchen?
4/
Like most good recipes, my PS recipe* comes from years of trial and error—and pro-tips from other cooks. ALSO (since I don't care for hard recipes) it’s EASY.
Yay.
*(This #tweetorial recipe is adapted from the PS bootcamp I give to our @EmoryMedicine students each year.)
Like most good recipes, my PS recipe* comes from years of trial and error—and pro-tips from other cooks. ALSO (since I don't care for hard recipes) it’s EASY.
Yay.
*(This #tweetorial recipe is adapted from the PS bootcamp I give to our @EmoryMedicine students each year.)
5/
First things first--I’ve shared this quote before but it bears retweeting:
“Becoming is better than being.” – Carol Dweck
This mantra ESPECIALLY applies to the PS. Why? The best stories are always stories of “becoming”—not stories of “being.”
Always.
First things first--I’ve shared this quote before but it bears retweeting:
“Becoming is better than being.” – Carol Dweck
This mantra ESPECIALLY applies to the PS. Why? The best stories are always stories of “becoming”—not stories of “being.”
Always.
6/
For example: A story of your experience standing on top of Mt. Everest will NEVER be as interesting as the story of the climb.
Nope.
Stories of becoming tell who you are.
Stories of being are called “your CV.”
We want the journey, man. Even if you didn't win.
Feel me?
For example: A story of your experience standing on top of Mt. Everest will NEVER be as interesting as the story of the climb.
Nope.
Stories of becoming tell who you are.
Stories of being are called “your CV.”
We want the journey, man. Even if you didn't win.
Feel me?
7/
Before we move on, let’s play a round of Family Feud!
Top 5 answers on the board, here’s your question:
“Name the top things program directors don’t like seeing in a PS.”
Note: It’s called a personal statement for a reason. It should be PERSONAL and make a STATEMENT.
Before we move on, let’s play a round of Family Feud!
Top 5 answers on the board, here’s your question:
“Name the top things program directors don’t like seeing in a PS.”
Note: It’s called a personal statement for a reason. It should be PERSONAL and make a STATEMENT.
8/
@FutureDocs has shared many brilliant things on the PS. You can check out one of them here:
medicalschoolhq.net/mshq-038-how-t…
One of my favorite @FutureDocs protips on the PS was this:
“Don’t write about what you don’t want to talk about.”
Woooo chile! Preach, Dr. Arora! 👋🏾
@FutureDocs has shared many brilliant things on the PS. You can check out one of them here:
medicalschoolhq.net/mshq-038-how-t…
One of my favorite @FutureDocs protips on the PS was this:
“Don’t write about what you don’t want to talk about.”
Woooo chile! Preach, Dr. Arora! 👋🏾
9/
Also, along with @FutureDocs pro tips, definitely preheat your PS oven by reading this awesome PS thread by @gbosslet.
DEFINITELY check it out. Dr. Bosslet is a PD, too--which means he looks at a WHOLE LOT of personal statements, man.
Mmmm hmmm.
Also, along with @FutureDocs pro tips, definitely preheat your PS oven by reading this awesome PS thread by @gbosslet.
DEFINITELY check it out. Dr. Bosslet is a PD, too--which means he looks at a WHOLE LOT of personal statements, man.
Mmmm hmmm.
10/
Let’s prep our ingredients, shall we?
The MAIN ingredient you need for this recipe is an inventory of your strengths and what's important to you. THAT starts with some soul searching and brainstorming.
Start with this.
*Remember--this ain't a time for humility, boo.
Let’s prep our ingredients, shall we?
The MAIN ingredient you need for this recipe is an inventory of your strengths and what's important to you. THAT starts with some soul searching and brainstorming.
Start with this.
*Remember--this ain't a time for humility, boo.
11/
Next:
Reach out to a trusted peer or colleague for some "why I'm awesome" collateral. Think of it as a part of your . . .360 Degree Strength Inventory. Yeah, that.
Ask them these questions. (And return the favor it they're applying, too!)
Still with me?
Cool.👊🏾
Next:
Reach out to a trusted peer or colleague for some "why I'm awesome" collateral. Think of it as a part of your . . .360 Degree Strength Inventory. Yeah, that.
Ask them these questions. (And return the favor it they're applying, too!)
Still with me?
Cool.👊🏾
12/
Now to reflect on THINGS YOU'VE DONE that you're proud of and wouldn't want a program to miss. (This is still a part of your Strength Inventory.)
Guess what?
Stuff that you feel PROUD about will help you SHINE on your interviews. For this exercise, go with your top picks.
Now to reflect on THINGS YOU'VE DONE that you're proud of and wouldn't want a program to miss. (This is still a part of your Strength Inventory.)
Guess what?
Stuff that you feel PROUD about will help you SHINE on your interviews. For this exercise, go with your top picks.
13/
But what about those things that you feel programs MUST know about you that don’t quite fit anywhere? They often tell an important aspect of who you are--so are often essential.
Hmmmm. But how?
Don’t you worry. I got you.
But what about those things that you feel programs MUST know about you that don’t quite fit anywhere? They often tell an important aspect of who you are--so are often essential.
Hmmmm. But how?
Don’t you worry. I got you.
14/
Introducing “the drop”
“The drop” is when you slide in a must know/oughta know fact about YOU into a story about something else.
Because sometimes there are things you want people to know about you to make sure it's the right fit for you.
@doczo1 faced this as an M4.
Introducing “the drop”
“The drop” is when you slide in a must know/oughta know fact about YOU into a story about something else.
Because sometimes there are things you want people to know about you to make sure it's the right fit for you.
@doczo1 faced this as an M4.
16/
@gbosslet teaches us that the BEST personal statements have a narrative thread with:
a beginning
a middle
and an end.
But how do you pick WHICH story to tell? And what about pivotal experiences? Remember: It HAS to come back to YOU.
Here’s a few things to think about.
@gbosslet teaches us that the BEST personal statements have a narrative thread with:
a beginning
a middle
and an end.
But how do you pick WHICH story to tell? And what about pivotal experiences? Remember: It HAS to come back to YOU.
Here’s a few things to think about.
17/
Of course, talking about a patient experience, family member, or personal hero is also tempting—and fine. . . but within reason.
AGAIN: YOU and YOUR BECOMING are the main attraction.
Remember Zöe's awesome example. Make sure the story underscores something about YOU.
Of course, talking about a patient experience, family member, or personal hero is also tempting—and fine. . . but within reason.
AGAIN: YOU and YOUR BECOMING are the main attraction.
Remember Zöe's awesome example. Make sure the story underscores something about YOU.
18/
Some pivotal things are sad. And that can be tricky.
Here’s my thoughts:
Be ready to talk about it if you write about it.
Then be ready to talk about it again.
Is it too important to exclude?
Is it too fresh/emotionally charged?
Will sharing this tell more of who you are?
Some pivotal things are sad. And that can be tricky.
Here’s my thoughts:
Be ready to talk about it if you write about it.
Then be ready to talk about it again.
Is it too important to exclude?
Is it too fresh/emotionally charged?
Will sharing this tell more of who you are?
19/
That reminds me:
Along with the epic "In Defense of the Personal Statement" by McNamee, another must read (which relates to the last tweet) is this this powerful 2007 narrative by Thalia Margalit (Krakower) and her experience sharing a personal tragedy in her PS.
So good.
That reminds me:
Along with the epic "In Defense of the Personal Statement" by McNamee, another must read (which relates to the last tweet) is this this powerful 2007 narrative by Thalia Margalit (Krakower) and her experience sharing a personal tragedy in her PS.
So good.
20/
The last step—which is as critical as baking powder but often forgotten—is BRINGING IT HOME in the last paragraph. This is where you:
👉🏾Tell what you are looking for in a program
👉🏾What a program can expect from you
👉🏾Provide closure to your opening
Here’s a great example.
The last step—which is as critical as baking powder but often forgotten—is BRINGING IT HOME in the last paragraph. This is where you:
👉🏾Tell what you are looking for in a program
👉🏾What a program can expect from you
👉🏾Provide closure to your opening
Here’s a great example.
21/
Okay, so after all of that, here’s how you stir it all up to bake an amazing P.S. with this 4 paragraph cooking instruction.
And since I love concrete, clear marching orders, here's my GENERAL approach to a one-page PS that isn't too short or too long to get you started.
Okay, so after all of that, here’s how you stir it all up to bake an amazing P.S. with this 4 paragraph cooking instruction.
And since I love concrete, clear marching orders, here's my GENERAL approach to a one-page PS that isn't too short or too long to get you started.
22/
Final random protips:
DO show a mentor your PS.
DO close the loop with gratitude and a final version.
DON'T use exclamation points.
OH and if a random person can put their name on your PS and still make it work? It's not personal enough.*
*(Try it, it works.)
Final random protips:
DO show a mentor your PS.
DO close the loop with gratitude and a final version.
DON'T use exclamation points.
OH and if a random person can put their name on your PS and still make it work? It's not personal enough.*
*(Try it, it works.)
23/
And if you forget ALL of this, here is the #LINCHPIN of this #tweetorial and your personal statement:
"Becoming is better than being." -Carol Dweck
(Which reminds me of another @FutureDocs protip--whenever possible, avoid opening a PS with a quote from someone else.😂)
And if you forget ALL of this, here is the #LINCHPIN of this #tweetorial and your personal statement:
"Becoming is better than being." -Carol Dweck
(Which reminds me of another @FutureDocs protip--whenever possible, avoid opening a PS with a quote from someone else.😂)
24/
Whew! I broke ALL of the #tweetorial length rules! But don't judge me-- this just wasn't a 12-or-less thread, man.
Oh wait. I always go >12.😬
Ha.
Here's the full PS Boot Camp, y'all:
med.emory.edu/education/_doc…
Good luck, #medtwitter! You GOT this.👊🏾
#thelinchpinisYOU
Whew! I broke ALL of the #tweetorial length rules! But don't judge me-- this just wasn't a 12-or-less thread, man.
Oh wait. I always go >12.😬
Ha.
Here's the full PS Boot Camp, y'all:
med.emory.edu/education/_doc…
Good luck, #medtwitter! You GOT this.👊🏾
#thelinchpinisYOU
