Let’s talk about the personal statement (PS)
Writing the PS might seem like one of the most daunting tasks for the ERAS application, & believe me it is. But here are a few tips & thoughts to facilitate the process
Thread No.2/
#Match2021 #AskAnIMG #MyERAS #NRMP
Writing the PS might seem like one of the most daunting tasks for the ERAS application, & believe me it is. But here are a few tips & thoughts to facilitate the process
Thread No.2/
#Match2021 #AskAnIMG #MyERAS #NRMP
Side note: If you've missed Thread. No 1, feel free to check it out here
1/n. The earlier you start writing the better. Why? bcz the phases of writing a PS are the following: reflection, writing, rewriting, sending it for review, rewriting from scratch, re-sending for review, re-wri.. well you get the point. Bottom line, give your PS time to mature
2/n. Do tell your story, whatever that might be. You don’t have to get all creative & poetic, keep it simple & straight to the point. How did you get to where u r today? what lessons have you learned through ur experiences that might be relevant to you growing as a physician?
3/n. Convince the reader that you are a good fit. What does a good fit mean? good question, it depends on the specialty. But in general, it means that: you are a team player, good communicator, leader, energetic, curious, initiator.. #AskAnIMG #Match2021
4/n. A good PS includes examples: use your previous experiences to discuss how you developed the traits discussed above. For example, I used my volunteering years with the Red Cross to discuss how I learned about leadership & teamwork ... #AskAnIMG #Match2021
5/n. Do exhibit your passion for the specialty you’re applying to. What was your “aha” moment? doesn’t have to be literally a “moment” but do reflect on why you want to go into the chosen specialty & exhibit that in your PS. #AskAnIMG
6/n. Avoid clichés, avoid controversial topics, avoid telling stories that do not serve the purpose of your PS. #AskAnIMG #Match2021
7/n. Do identify people who are willing to review your PS, this is a crucial point especially for IMGs, most of us have never written a PS in our lives. These reviewers should preferably be mentors & seniors who are ... #AskAnIMG
8/n ... 1: familiar with the #ERAS application process & know what a PS should & should not include. 2: Are willing to give HONEST feedback w/o worrying about hurting your feelings (I cannot stress this enough).
9/n. Prepare yourself to write your PS several times, and yes, from scratch. I re-wrote my PS twice, why? bcz I had two amazing seniors who were honest enough to tell me that my first 2 PSs were 💩... #Match2021
10/n ... Yes, it was brutal & yes I was crushed but they are the reason my PS ended up becoming the best version of itself (one of these seniors is on Twitter, thanks man! you know who you are).
11/n. Do send your final draft to an English language specialist for review. Optimizing your PS by sending it for a proofread will ensure the best presentation possible.
12/n. To find reviewers, check out @Fiverr, an affordable, convenient platform to work with freelancers who can help you out bit.ly/37iyPc3. A decent review can cost as little as $20. #ERAS #Match2021
13/n. Do your best to have your PS fit in 1 page. A few additional lines on the 2nd page are not a big deal as long as your PS is interesting enough to make the reader turn to the second page. 1.5 pages might be too much though.
14/n. That being said, keep in mind that a good PS will rarely get you an interview by itself but a bad one can easily cost you one. A bad PS with typos sends a message that you’re not meticulous enough & you’re not willing to put an effort where needed.
15/n. ERAS has issues when pasting the PS into the designated box on the website, it messes up the format and it doesn’t always match the number of pages shown on MS word, so always make sure to print your PS after saving it on myERAS to ensure everything looks as intended.
16/n Last piece of advice: don’t ask your seniors for their PS, it’s called personal for a reason. If they do offer to share, that’s great, you’re in luck, if they don’t, don’t hold it against them.
17/n. Bottom line is, PDs have 100s if not 1000s of applications to go through, ur PS is not the only one they’re reading so try to make their job an easy one by making urs brief, concise, memorable & easy.
Good luck to all, and again, you got this. #AskAnIMG #Match2021
Good luck to all, and again, you got this. #AskAnIMG #Match2021
