Persnal Statement Wrkshp: The D s and Dn ts A Guide t a Successful Persnal Statement
Yur statement is a vital tl 1. It prvides the Admissin Cmmittee a picture f yu It is a mirrr in which they shuld see the real yu 2. It demnstrates YOUR unique qualificatins fr and cmmitment t the prfessin 3. It is yur chance t sell yurself beynd the entrance exam & GPA numbers Deadline fr Review: March 1!
What shuld be in yur persnal statement? Yu want t shw (NOT just tell) the admissins cmmittee: yur character yur values yur cmmitment(s) yur industriusness yur unique accmplishments yur talents
Step 1: Planning! Make a plan t make yur stry flw The mre intuitive the prgressin f yur stry, the easier it is t read vital t a successful statement! Create an utline with the pints yu want t get acrss What makes yu different? What tells YOUR stry?
Brainstrm! SHOW evidence f qualities that wuld answer the fllwing questins fr the cmmittee: 1. D yu want t cme t ur Medical/Dental/Optmetry/ Pharmacy/PA schl? 2. If accepted, will yu cme AND wrk yur hardest t excel? 3. Hw will yu make us lk gd? Think abut yur: Mtivatins Family Backgrund Significant utstanding issues explain/clarify Extracurricular Activities and Wrk/Vlunteer Experience Future Plans (lng/shrt term)
The BIG Dn t DO NOT just list yur qualities, SHOW them! The natural reactin is t questin yur statement A list f yur qualities will sund prideful even if it is accurate Instead f a list, give an example: Give an anecdte f hw yu have shwed integrity r reslved a challenging prblem r situatin
This is NOT a resume! All central applicatins are extensive, yur readers already knw yur experiences! Yu may chse t expand n SIGNIFICANT experiences yu ve listed, but chse these wisely Yu want t avid sunding repetitive Remember t avid lists, tell the reader smething abut yu that includes that quality yu want t emphasize Make every character cunt!
Make this yur OWN Yu can read many persnal statements nline but nne will be abut YOU and YOUR stry Yur persnal statement isn t a recipe!! There isn t a template yu shuld see yurself as unique A recipe r template will limit yur creativity Remember: there are n set rules fr these essays
Remember, this is a PERSONAL statement! When written crrectly, persnal experiences can add uniqueness t yur statement withut making yu pitiable r a victim Caveats: Be ptimistic hw has adversity changed yu? Fcus n what yu learned r hw yu grew frm an experience This is all abut yu, s keep the fcus n YOU!
Full Circle An essay must have a slid start and this is ften a theme that runs thrughut the essay Usually the thematic tpic is revisited and emphasized in the cncluding paragraph t bring the essay full circle After yu have written a first draft yu may find it helpful t re-utline and re-rganize
Almst Dne! 1. Revise, revise, revise! Eliminate as many useless filler wrds as pssible t have space fr the imprtant wrds (e.g. very, hwever, clrful adjectives) 2. Carefully check spelling, punctuatin, grammar 3. Make an effrt t be interesting thrugh the gd use f language Avid use f flwery r ver-descriptive writing
Revising 1. Have yur friends read it, carefully and critically 2. Give it t the faculty members yu knw well 3. Visit the Writing Center fr cnstructive cmments 4. When yu believe it is Finished bring t the Office f Pre-health Prfessins Advising *D NOT bring smething with errrs in grammar, spelling r a preliminary draft!
Cmmn Weaknesses T many pints, may lack detail and specifics Listing f activities r qualities Criticism f thers, judgmental Cntrversial tpics, a persnal agenda Excessive vcabulary, verbse, cmplex wrds Generic statements and platitudes Rambling and excessive writing, ff-tpic descriptins
Dn t let it wait, we wn t have time t read it after March 1! Cntact us! Phne: 305-348-0515 Email: preprfc@fiu.edu Rm: DM 331A FIU Pre-Health Advising Grup Visit ur Website prehealthadvise.fiu.edu PreHealthFIU @PreHealthFIU