Personal Statement

Anesthesiology Personal Statement Example 1:

Growing up the first-born daughter of a hard-working Saskatchewan cattle farmer and hairdresser, medicine was never a consideration. In a small town, I could easily see how too much free time got many of my peers in trouble. From grade 8-12 I devoted myself to sports, playing high school, club and provincial beach volleyball, weeknights and weekends year round. Despite my small stature and lack of innate abilities, with determination and persistence, I overcame these obstacles. At the end of my grade 11 year, I received an athletic scholarship and chose to pursue business administration and athletics.

After the first six months, it became apparent that I was not going to attain my full potential in education at [university name}. Despite my parent’s reservations, I left and enrolled at a [university name] for the next semester. This university was much more challenging as I was now balancing my educational and financial responsibilities by working evenings and weekends managing a number of part-time jobs. With little direction as to what degree I wanted to pursue, I happened to enroll in anatomy and physiology. This was the first time I became really excited about my future prospects and began actively considering a career in medicine.

The first time I applied to medicine, I was rejected. Despite my initial devastation, in hindsight, it was a great opportunity for myself to reflect on my own motivations for medicine and work as a laboratory technician at a potash mine in my hometown. I gained additional life experience, spent time with my family and was able to help financially support my husband’s pursuit of education after he had so selflessly supported me for many years.

My first exposure to anesthesia was in my first year of medical school with [Dr. name here] as my mentor in clinical reasoning. I was again, intrigued by the anatomy and physiology with the interlacing of pharmacology. I remained open to all specialties, however, after summer early exposures, research, and clerkship it became clear to me that anesthesia is where I felt the most fulfilled and motivated.

In a way, anesthesia was reminiscent of the competitive volleyball I had played years prior. I was again a part of a team in the operating room with a common goal. Similarly, our countless years of education and practice had brought us together to achieve it. In volleyball, my role was the setter, which to many is considered a lackluster position as we rarely attack the ball and score points with power. However, as a setter, my role is to set the pace, strategize and dictate the game from my team’s perspective. There is a long sequence of crucial events before a “kill” in volleyball and I strategized my teammate's individual strengths in both offense and defense to win. Anesthesia gives me the same opportunities to strategize anesthetics, balance individual patient’s comorbidities and anatomy all while maintaining a calm demeanor and level head through unexpected circumstances. In volleyball, I never shied away from tense games or difficult situations, instead I trusted in my own abilities and training despite uncharted territory. Lastly, I didn't need to actually score the point in order to understand my role and contributions to my team.

As an athlete, I understand the importance of practice and repetition which allow us to fail, but most importantly, to learn. I believe that the curriculum at this program will provide me with a well-respected education, which strongly reflects my learning style. I also admire the mandatory communication block in the curriculum because I believe an emphasis on clear and concise communication, is essential as an anesthetist.

Throughout the course of the next 5-10 years, I anticipate that both my husband and I will complete the next chapter in our educational pursuits. We both agree that [program name here] has the potential to nurture the next chapter in both our private and professional lives if given the opportunity.

Dermatology Personal Statement Example 1:

Here I am, yet again. Last year, I also applied for a position as a dermatology resident. Though I was not selected, I return with the same diligence and perseverance, as well as additional skills and knowledge. My continued dedication to pursue a career in dermatology reminds me that no good thing comes easily and pushes me to stay motivated and work hard toward my goals. 

I am drawn to dermatology for a host of reasons, one of which is the opportunity to work with my hands. In my current residency program, I have had the opportunity to assist in various surgical procedures. I recall the subdued exhilaration I felt when removing my first lipoma and the satisfaction of observing the surgeon completed the procedure with precision and care. My excitement for surgery continued to be reinforced in the many subsequent procedures I assisted with and I look forward to honing my surgical skills further as I complete my training in dermatology. 

However, to me, “hands-on” is defined as more than just its literal meaning. The opportunity to build relationships with patients steers me more towards a career in outpatient medicine. During my dermatology outpatient rotation, I was involved in the care of a patient who presented initially complaining of a heliotrope rash and gottron’s papules. When she expressed a deep sense of shame about this rash, I became acutely aware of how patient’s external disease can influence their internal emotions. I thus responded empathetically, simultaneously validating her concerns and providing her with much-needed assurance. When she was later diagnosed with dermatomyositis secondary to underlying breast cancer, this patient requested to speak to me specifically, recalling the positive interaction we had shared before. Again, I was able to explain the diagnosis and treatment plan with patience and regard for her every concern. Developing a trusted physician-patient relationship is crucial in the field of dermatology because most patients exhibit strong internal emotions from their visually external disease. Also important is the ability to deliver difficult news and be considerate of patients’ feelings in these delicate moments. I plan to continue to use these skills during my career as a dermatologist.  

To me, dermatology is also a field that is thought-provoking and stimulating due to its constant evolution and advancements. Thus, during my internship, I committed to educating myself in the field of dermatology through multiple research projects. My research thus far has been focused on whether UV light lamps used in gel manicures increases the risk of skin cancers as well as the outcomes of using intralesional 5-fluorouracil for squamous cell carcinoma and keratoacanthomas. While my research was focused in the field of dermatology, I did not hesitate to take on additional projects, pursuing assignments in both breast cancer and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. I strongly believe the best doctors have a thorough understanding of the practice of medicine in totality as our ability to incorporate this knowledge in our diagnosis and treatment of our patients directly impacts their wellbeing. For these reasons, I strive to continually educate myself in not only dermatology, but other fields that might have implications on my practice. 

My ideal dermatology program would allow me to manage a variety of complex medical dermatological conditions and engage in research, both of which will continue to challenge me intellectually and push me to exercise creativity to develop innovative solutions to dermatological treatments. As someone who enjoys working with my hands and the instant gratification of the surgical approach as a treatment option, I would also value the opportunity to perform surgeries and improve my surgical skills. Furthermore, I have found that beyond medicine, the people in each program make or break an experience. Positive attitudes, expressed dedication, and mentorship are vital characteristics in any program of my interest.

I am confident my aspirations will be fulfilled in the field of dermatology, but more importantly, I know I will be a good contribution to this field and your program – my work ethic, motivation, and commitment unwavering. I am determined, impassioned, and excited to embark on this next phase of my journey. 

Emergency Medicine Personal Statement Example 1:

One of the most surprising things that I learned through my emergency medicine (EM) electives is that working in an emergency department is like leading a horse. I grew up on a farm in the [name of city], and working with animals was very much a part of my childhood. When walking a horse, one must be prepared for anything should the animal become spooked. It can startle at any moment and one must react quickly and calmly to redirect the thousand-pound creature. Similarly, in EM, one never knows when the department is going to become “spooked” by what comes through the door. EM is exciting, with a variety of patient presentations and medical procedures done on a daily basis. I enjoy dealing with the unexpected challenges that arise in caring for patients with backgrounds vastly different from my own. It would be a privilege to gain the skills as an emergency physician to provide acute life-saving care, to connect patients with resources and other healthcare professionals, and to provide comfort to patients and families in the settings of acute loss or difficult diagnoses. I feel that the [name of program] is the ideal path to reach that goal.

First, the [name of program] offers additional support and training to continue to perform research and other scholarly activities. Through my experience in quality improvement, I have learned of the value of research and how it can be applied to practical problems. For instance, while volunteering in a pool rehabilitation program for individuals with neurological disabilities, a patient who I had worked with for a year tragically suffered a fall and broke his hip leaving him significantly disabled. This led me to research inpatient falls during medical school and I initiated a quality improvement project and presented at several conferences, quality improvement rounds, and meetings with hospital stakeholders. After several years of work, I am very proud that this led to the implementation of a province-wide quality improvement initiative funded by [name of organization]. This initiative is physician-led and is aimed at reducing inpatient falls across [name of city]. This project demonstrated how rewarding research is when it can be translated into tangible initiatives and is why I am particularly interested in quality improvement research. I look forward to more dedicated time in the [name of program] to develop my research skills and to apply quality improvement to EM.

In addition to increased training in research, the [name of program] offers the opportunity to subspecialize within EM. While in medical school, I helped my single mother raise my much younger siblings and this has inspired my interest in pediatric EM. I maximized my studying through the effective use of weekly group study sessions and podcasts to allow for free weekends to return home to spend with my brother and sister. Through my experiences teaching and playing with my siblings, I have learned to deal with children in a calm and friendly manner. I used these skills to maintain positive therapeutic relationships with children during my pediatric EM rotation at [name of hospital]. For instance, I was able to cast the forearm of a frightened child by first demonstrating the procedure on her toy rabbit, and then calmly fitting a cast on her arm. I enjoy the emphasis on patient and family education as well as the focus on making the patient feel safe and cared for. I would love to explore this field further as my niche within the [name of program] in emergency medicine.

Alongside research and pediatric EM, I am also interested in teaching. Some of my fondest memories involve the evening teaching sessions during primary and secondary school spent with my grandpa, a retired teacher. My grandpa modeled effective teaching techniques, first assessing my knowledge and then expanding on it by asking questions and providing guidance when needed. Similarly, some of my best memories in medical school include the five-minute bedside teaching sessions after interesting cases that were taught in that way. Inspired by many residents and staff I have worked with, I look forward to expanding my teaching role in residency. Like my grandpa and my clinical mentors, I hope to help future students maximize their learning potential through the delivery of lectures and bedside teaching. Training within the [name of program] would allow additional time to develop the skills necessary for this, through increased exposure to mentorship, teaching role models, and opportunities to be involved in curricular development.

I would feel privileged to join the resident team in the [name of program]. I was fortunate that most of my core clerkship training including EM, as well as my fourth year EM elective, was at the [name of hospital]. What stands out the most to me most about working in the [name of hospital] is the tight-knit community feel in the setting of a high volume, high acuity ED. I value that the small program leads to a cohesive resident group and staff who are invested in their learners. Furthermore, from my rotations there, I know the ample procedural and hands-on exposure residents get from the beginning of their training. With my interest in pediatric EM, I value the longitudinal exposure to pediatrics at [name of program], with opportunities to do dedicated pediatric rotations both at [name of hospital], as well as [name of hospital]l. Finally, the [name of city] is my home; my family and friends are here, and I love the hiking, fishing, kayaking, and snowboarding that are all less than an hour away. I would be incredibly honored to have the privilege of pursuing EM in the [name of program], and look forward to serving my community.

Family Medicine Personal Statement Example 1:

During the pre-clerkship years of study in medical school, I enjoyed learning about the many specialties within medicine and actively considered pursuing several of them. I was drawn to the complex pharmacology of the drugs used by anesthesiologists, the acuity of care faced by emergency medicine physicians and the complicated medical issues of patients cared for by internal medicine specialists. I also found myself interested in psychiatrists’ thorough history-taking and the technical skills in performing procedures exhibited by surgeons. It started becoming clear to me that I was interested in many different areas of medicine. I began realizing that I wanted a career that combined the many things I enjoyed in different specialties. A family physician has the flexibility to practice all of these facets of medicine. As clerkship drew nearer, I knew I wanted to gain more clinical experience in family medicine to see if it would be a good fit for me.

My clinical experiences in family medicine were fantastic. I worked with family physicians and family medicine residents not only during my core family medicine rotation and family medicine electives, but also during my psychiatry, surgery, anesthesiology, and pediatrics rotations. These clinical experiences confirmed my belief that family medicine is a diverse and exciting specialty; family physicians, while maintaining a broad base of medical knowledge, can tailor their practices to the needs of their communities and to their own interests and areas of expertise. During my family medicine rotation and electives, I also found myself greatly enjoying my encounters with patients. I enjoy hearing patients’ stories and sorting through their many medical and psychosocial issues. I am also naturally a fastidious person. Being a thorough history-taker and a meticulous recorder of details helps me in formulating a complete story about a patient. My joy in interacting with patients and my attention to detail allow me to appreciate patients as people, not just as disorders or diseases. I am both interested in learning about and have a certain affinity for, family medicine clinical experiences; pursuing a career in this specialty is an obvious choice for me.

The versatility and diversity of family practice initially drew my interest but the wonderful encounters I had with family physicians solidified my desire to pursue a career in this specialty. These family physicians have not only been skilled and knowledgeable clinicians but also, variously, dedicated teachers, researchers, and administrators. They were committed to improving their clinical skills by attending continuing education lectures and courses. They practiced patient-centered care and were knowledgeable about community resources that may help their patients. They worked cooperatively with other health-care professionals to improve patient care. Importantly, these physicians have also been friendly and approachable towards both learners and patients. The family physicians I have worked with also strive toward a healthy work-life balance; all of them seemed to have many interests and hobbies outside of their professions. These clinicians demonstrated to me what being a family physician involves: practicing both the science and art of medicine, advocating for patients, guiding patients through the health-care system, being committed to improving clinical knowledge and, importantly, maintaining one’s own health and happiness.

Being sure of the specialty I want to pursue is the first step in my career. There are many learning opportunities ahead. [Name of the program]’s family medicine residency program is attractive in so many ways: the protected academic days, the opportunity to participate in research and, most importantly, the clinical curriculum, all appeal to me. I believe the solid foundation of family medicine experience, as well as the exposure to other specialties, alongside the opportunities to build the skills necessary for life-long learning through the academic experiences and research, make this an ideal program for me. On a personal note, I grew up in [hometown] and did my undergraduate studies at [name of university]; I would be thrilled to return to my hometown and a university already familiar to me. My career goals after finishing my residency include having a community-based, urban family practice and being actively involved in teaching residents and medical students. I am also open to being involved in research and administration. Career goals, however, may change as I progress through my training. I am excited to begin the next stage of medical training and begin my residency in family medicine!

Internal Medicine Personal Statement Example 1:

“People are drawn to medicine in one of two ways: the humanity or the science.” My mentor, [name of doctor], staff medical oncologist at the [name of hospital], once told me this. As a volunteer during my premedical studies, I assisted him with his impromptu lunchtime clinics while others were on break and was able to catch a glimpse of his patients’ unshakable trust in him. Those moments sparked my interest in Internal Medicine. Internists are entrusted with the most complex patients in any hospital. Therefore, Internists take on the responsibility of a patient’s trust in their lowest, most disoriented moments. Accordingly, when I finally started clinical rotations, I saw it as my responsibility to fully understand each patient’s motivations and fears to advocate for their goals. One patient I had gotten to know still stands out in my mind. She was 95, witty, and self-assured but was found to have bone metastasis causing excruciating pain during her hospital stay. She knew she did not want aggressive life-prolonging treatment and declined further workup, but how could we help her? I suggested palliative radiotherapy to my team because I remember her telling me “I had a good life. I am not scared of death, but if I have to be around for a while, can’t I be more comfortable?” Therefore, my team entrusted me to talk to her and her family about a referral to Radiation Oncology. She responded to me with “I don’t think there’s anyone who knows what I’d want better than you. You’ve listened to me so much. I trust you.” I spent the next half hour explaining the rationale behind the referral to both her and her family. She received urgent Radiotherapy two weeks later. Her narcotic requirement decreased by more than half. After that moment, I envisioned that one day, I could also look into the eyes of someone at their most vulnerable moment and give them confidence to trust me and my team with their care.

Although my interest in Internal Medicine is rooted in the human connection, my attention to detail, work ethic, and natural curiosity, also makes me especially well-suited for the challenges of Internal Medicine. Indeed, beyond the human connection, Internal Medicine’s challenges of complex problem solving, and large ever-growing breadth of knowledge is also what makes each day so satisfying. When I was on the Nephrology Consult service, I was following a patient with a kidney transplant who was admitted for Line Sepsis. I noticed a mild Non-Anion Gap Metabolic Acidosis and a persistent mild Hyperkalemia. I presented my findings to my staff as a possible Type 4 RTA. He complimented me on my attention to detail and warned that a Type 4 RTA in a kidney transplant patient could be a sign of rejection. We restarted his anti-rejection medication that had been held due to his infection, his electrolyte abnormalities corrected in less than two days. My attention to detail is a particular asset for Internal Medicine because more than any other specialty, the tiniest details like a mildly abnormal lab work, when pieced together in the correct way, could solve the most difficult clinical problem. That is also what makes problem-solving in Internal Medicine so satisfying. My mentors have always complimented me on my work ethic. However, I enjoy staying late for admissions and additional learning or reading hours around my patients at home because learning Internal Medicine is so interesting.

On the other hand, Internists are also tasked with the very large, working with multiple professionals and navigate system issues to keep patients healthy and out of hospital such as when [name of doctor] entrusted me with planning the discharge of a homeless patient during my Medicine CTU elective at [name of hospital]. The patient had Schizophrenia and Grave’s Disease and had been admitted to hospital multiple times that year with thyrotoxicosis due to medication non-adherence. During his admission, I had elicited the help of two homeless outreach coordinators to ensure proper follow-up. Therefore, by the time of discharge, he had a new family doctor, timely appointments with the family doctor and endocrinologist, maps with directions to each appointment, his prescription medications ready to go, as well as a new apartment application.

Ultimately, I am fortunate to be drawn to Internal Medicine for both its humanity and science. I believe that I have the qualities that will help me excel in its smallest details and its largest responsibilities. In residency, I aim to explore and learn as much Internal Medicine as possible before becoming an expert in one area so I can make an informed choice and be a well-rounded physician. Therefore, the fact that [name of city] has so many leading experts especially suits my learning goals. Indeed, during my electives in [name of city], I’ve already learned knowledge that I’ve not encountered elsewhere like the Bernese method of Buprenorphine induction. The availability of resources such as the DKA management simulation and the use of presentations of cutting-edge knowledge as part of evaluation also suits my self-directed learning style. Furthermore, my research has focused on the PMCC Gastro-Esophageal Cancer Database where we were able to discover various new details in the clinical behavior of Gastro-Esophageal cancer due to the large volume of patients are PMCC and its world-class expertise. This line of research would not work as well anywhere else in [name of country]. Indeed, our database is currently the second-largest in the world. Therefore, the second reason [name of city] is my ideal place for training is for its unique research opportunities, so I can continue to contribute to further medical knowledge. Lastly, [name of city] is the most diverse city in [name of country]. Growing up as an immigrant, I had experienced how cultural backgrounds can become a barrier to receiving good medical care. Therefore, the diverse patient population and strong allied health support in [name of city] could also allow me to hone the skills required to assist me in providing good quality care to all patients, regardless of background.

Neurology Personal Statement Example 1:

When I was younger, I wasn’t sure of what kind of person I wanted to be. Even when my 10th-grade class teacher asked about it, I was clueless. However, my fascination with biology led me to choose science as my major in higher secondary. I had an unexpected thought about my hazy future days as I was writing this, determined to become a neurologist. Every industrial and educational experience I have had has helped me to understand the importance of healing and helping others. Helping those who were suffering and providing them with comfort was something I really enjoyed doing. I was unsure about what specialty to choose when I first entered medicine. A brain tumour was discovered in my aunty, one of my close relatives, while I was in college. At the age of 45, it came on her without warning. She is more like a friend to me than a relative, next to my family. Without the excellent neurological experts at XYZ Hospital, she would not even be living and thriving now. For the previous three years, she had received great care, love, and encouragement from her neurologist. He treats every one of his patients in this way. And during the past three years, I have had the opportunity to attend a few of her sessions whenever I had the time. My interest in neurology had merely sparked, and it was encouraged to grow into a desire to understand more about it and hopefully become a specialist who can really help people like my aunt.

My understanding of how beautiful and incredible the human body is was influenced by the classes I attended in high school and college. While the human body is magnificent, I have also discovered about the possible pitfalls it could encounter and the ways in which these neurologists can help. Since my aunt’s brain tumour was discovered, I have dedicated my time to learning more about it. I realized that the human brain is an entire world. It contains its own power and mechanisms. I eventually became familiar with a number of neurological conditions and illnesses. With time, my interest in neurology grew more stronger. I then pursued neurosurgery and neurology-related courses in college as my interest in the field deepened. It once more piqued my interest and confirmed that I made the right decision.

My research on the effects of medications on the brain during my studies led me to the realization that a thorough grasp of this relationship can really aid in the development of effective treatment plans. Before suggesting any medicine, it is essential to get a clear idea over how our brains behave. In light of this, I became aware of how distinctive and fragile the brain is, while being a strong organ. Each patient’s brain reacts differently to drugs. In reality, some drugs wouldn’t work in one patient but succeed in the other. I realized that this was a crucial point to keep in mind and should be followed throughout my remaining medical school years. I was aware that only then would I be able to speak to each patient appropriately and avoid ever being accused of misinterpreting their adverse effects or symptoms and examine every alternative and potential risk before recommending a medication.

I have worked as a volunteer at a community hospital that offers free healthcare to everybody in our area while I have been in medical school. I gained a better understanding about the characteristics a physician has to have when working in these scenarios. I learned from my hospital mentors how important empathy and compassion are to our line of work. Additionally, it increased my focus on these traits as I became more aware of their significance in the care of patients with serious medical disorders. I have also been fortunate to have a number of opportunities throughout medical college to accomplish clerkship and optional components of my curriculum as well as clinical rotations in government health settings, work with quite lovely patients and families, and take an active role in fields such as cardiology, neurology, and dermatology.

No matter the patient’s age, I realised how crucial neurology is, as is a careful exploration of any innate or recently identified neurological diseases. I also noticed that even the relatively similar illness can appear completely differently in patients. Certain ailments are exceptionally difficult and confusing. My understanding of the intricacy of neurology and my enthusiasm for the field were considerably boosted by gaining knowledge about these diseases personally.

My goal in applying to your university’s neurology residency programme is to discover the experiences and opportunities necessary to further my knowledge of the specialty. After I graduate from this programme, I hope to become a kind and compassionate neurologist. I want to develop professionally and personally, with a strong desire to be of service to others.

Neurology Personal Statement Example 1:

Although she was unaware of it, my grandmother was the inspiration for my decision to pursue a career in neurology when she passed away while I was 17 years old. When I think of her, several images come to me. My grandma, who constantly makes people happy with her delicacies, is depicted in one image as having a strong and lovely face. Another one is a woman who is constantly lying in bed and has fragile, weak hands. She could never walk normally, and her hand would tremble constantly. She wasn’t the cheerful and lively person I recalled and admired as a child. She had Parkinson’s disease in an advanced stage. However, I was curious to learn more so I could support her. Prior to enrolling in medical school, I was unable to comprehend the definitions of medical jargon. My professor discussed a variety of ailments that might influence the neurological system as well as their symptoms during one of neuro elective classes. I made a connection between that and my grandmother’s illness and how she presented her symptoms at that point. I became curious about it and wanted to learn more.

During my studies, I became even more fascinated by the brain’s capacity to regulate every element of the human body. I discovered the ideal possibility for myself as I desired to explore. I was hired as a teaching assistant for one of the professors who ran elective courses on neurology. This drove me to learn about the structure of the central nervous system and how it affects movement coordination, among other things. My grandmother kept coming to mind as I learned more about neurology.

I was rewarded for my dedication to the field when I received the single A in my class for the elective in neurology. My decision to pursue neurology for my clinical rotations was driven by my curiosity and desire. Every single day of the rotations was enlightening for me. Before, I had only been exposed to and understood the conditions through books. I was overjoyed and absolutely cherished the experience. My rotational mentors were great teachers for me. Both having a loving heart and possessing intellectual and medical understanding are essential. To help patients return to normal life, neurologists must show them compassion, courage, and care. Neurologists may have a significant impact on how patients cope with their disease. In order to get better results, I therefore plan to improve on the doctor-patient relationship.

A neurology residency programme that can present me with academic and professional challenges is something I’m genuinely looking forward to. I picture myself studying at an institution having skilled professionals and lots of possibilities to get exposure to a variety of neurological diseases and engage with different groups of people. No other field has pushed me to improve as much as neurology has in terms of my diagnostic skills, interactions with patients, or medical knowledge. I will be able to develop my abilities on a personal and professional level due to your university’s resources and excellent faculty. In gratitude, I would like to work in my native country so that I can raise public awareness and offer everyone access to relatively affordable treatments.

OBGYN Personal Statement Example 1:

My first day on this planet was almost my last, as complications during my birth stacked up against both me and my mother, who had made the difficult decision to continue with my pregnancy, despite the risks she knew she was taking. She had to be extra careful during her pregnancy, and there were several moments during the course of my delivery when either she or I were nearly lost. I have heard the story several times, and the heroine of the story is always the “miracle-worker” ObGyn who respected my mother’s decisions throughout her pregnancy and who fought tooth and nail to see her patients through.

In short, my course was set almost as soon as I was born – perhaps even before – and I have long aspired to help with the birthing process. However, I did not always want to be a doctor. My first goal in life was to be a midwife, and in fact, I had completed the training and was interning with a local midwifery center when I decided to push myself further and go into medicine.

I believe that this background as a midwife-in-training gives me a strong foundation for a residency as an ObGyn. I am intimately familiar with the birthing process, and I have assisted in many births already; I continued to work with the midwives as a way of paying for medical school. Each birth is unique and special, a thing all its own, as distinctive as both the pregnancies that proceed them and the children that follow.

I appreciate all aspects of this process as well. Many people think primarily in terms of the birth, a few ultrasounds beforehand, and perhaps a prenatal class. But there is so much more to that process, including caring for patients and their health in a holistic way. Healthy women make healthy mothers, and babies are patients, too, as soon as they arrive. I feel privileged to have been a part of consultations, meetings, home visits, follow-ups, and all aspects of the midwife process. Because your program has a holistic approach to its teaching and health care, I believe that I will be a perfect fit, comfortable with your methods, and able to contribute in a meaningful way.

Of course, there is more to being an ObGyn than just concerning oneself with pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the early days of childcare. Female health is a full commitment for ObGyns and the whole health care team. At medical school, I connected with these aspects of health care on rotations with family medicine and internal medicine, as well as the occasional segue into emergency medicine.

One of my most harrowing experiences was while I was on rotation in an ER, and a young woman came in with extreme trauma. She suffered from multiple lacerations, bruises, and fractures. She was a victim of domestic abuse, and we had to spend hours just trying to stabilize her. I cried after my shift that night, not just because of the brutality of the woman’s injuries, but because the cause seemed so arbitrary and barbaric. What does this have to do with being an ObGyn? Well, this is an unfortunate, ugly side of women’s health issues, and I have firsthand knowledge now of the horrors that can complicate medicine for women.

On the happier side, I got to check in with that patient as she recovered; continuing my appreciation for holistic health, I both witnessed and contributed to her wellbeing by offering psychological and emotional support and encouraging her to take the steps necessary in her life to move forward and receive healing in mind, body, and spirit – if such a term applies here.

There is always that knife’s edge of tragedy which lurks in medicine, and I believe this is felt nowhere more keenly than in women’s health and medicine. As an ObGyn, I am prepared and eager to help my patients in all aspects of their lives, to be vigilant and supportive, and to be the kind of person who will be there for her patients in all ways and aspects of their health care. My mother’s model was her ObGyn but not just because of one day of touch-and-go with my mother and me. No, that doctor started out as a heroine because when she told my mother of the risks of continuing with my pregnancy, she always honored my mother’s decisions: “Here is the problem, and I will help in any way you want. What would you like to do?” Helping patients always starts with that mandate and impulse: what can we do for our patients?

Your program is also very patient-oriented, and I think it’s important to keep that focus. Research is great, but our primary goal is our patients – that is my primary goal as well. We are here for them. We heal them. My experiences in the ER, as a midwife, and throughout my personal life – from my birth until now – have been teaching and preparing me for this journey, a journey I started on the first day of the rest of my life.

OBGYN Personal Statement Example 2: 

When I was a teenager, I felt like I was fighting a war with my body. I think a lot of teenagers feel that way, but regardless of others, it was certainly how I felt. Changes came rapidly, and I understood very few of them at the time. My school was rather backward in many ways, so I received little help, support, or guidance. Eventually, at a visit with my family doctor, I found somebody supportive and who had full, complete, satisfying answers to my questions. This is partly the reason I pursued medicine.

Your residency program has a strong focus on youth work and outreach. Recognizing that your city has underprivileged populations who are in great need of health care, you seek to provide that. This is something that I respect and why I made the decision to apply for my residency as an ObGyn specifically with you. I believe that my experiences will help me relate to patients and deliver the best care possible.

My primary goal is to work as an ObGyn, but I would also love to work with youth to give them a better sense of who they are. I want to specifically assist with programs just like yours, and so this residency is exactly where I want to be in life. Ultimately, I would want to create more programs, expand them, and provide training for other physicians to better assist and serve communities.

To some extent, I believe all medicine is community medicine because we are all part of a community, and we all serve that community. I saw this on display most prominently in my clinical rotations for family medicine, which was when I got to see the very human, everyday aspects of the health care profession. During my rotations, I learned the value of taking time with patients, making sure that they were not just looked after physically but that they felt heard and seen. I saw my supervising physician, Dr. Patel, solicit extra information from his patients – critical information to their health – just because he created space and gave them the time to talk. He never appeared rushed, and when I asked him about it, Dr. Patel said that this was partly an attitude and partly time management. He showed me those time management skills as well, and I continue to employ his rubrics to create my own oases of time that allow me to get more done throughout the day.

Women’s health has always been very important to me, and I focused on this aspect of health care in my laboratory and research work at medical school. I wanted to know more about what was missing. There are great gaps in research and understanding for female health, neglected by years of disinterest from a primarily male medical establishment. During medical school, I was fortunate enough to be included in assisting with three studies on women’s health. The one in which I played the largest role looked at how myocardial infarctions manifest differently in males and females and sought to create more efficient ways of identifying female symptoms and early warning signs. We also went around to local high schools, educating students and faculty alike on our findings, to promote more community health care.

My dual beliefs in community health care and women’s health led me to select ObGyn as my specialty, and because of my background and experiences, I believe I am ideally suited to this program. Your particular program also emphasizes teaching and building future leaders, which I am keen to learn as well. I believe your emphasis on team building and working in groups will let me quickly learn how to work within a team as well as how to lead one. My own experience with teamwork stretches back to the last two years of my undergraduate, during which my psychology and social work program focused on small groups, in addition to taking on a teaching role for ourselves, each other, and incoming classes. I carried this knowledge and method of constantly learning and teaching – indeed, often interchanging them – into medical school. Throughout medical school, I encouraged my cohorts to help each other by sharing knowledge and insights. I organized a study group, focused on this team-teaching idea. It was a success, and we were some of the most efficient studiers I have ever encountered.

Between the teaching aspect and your community outreach focus, I believe this is an excellent learning environment for me and the perfect foundation on which to build my ideal career. My passion is for community-focused medicine and teaching, and I believe my best role will be as an ObGyn, assisting young women in the community with their health care and teaching them how to gain agency in the battle for their own bodies and health.

OBGYN FAQ's: 

1. HOW LONG DOES MY PERSONAL STATEMENT NEED TO BE?

This might change depending on the residency you are applying to. Be sure to check any rules specific to your program of choice. However, in the ERAS application, the space provided for your personal statement will allow you to write 750–900 words. 

2. HOW LONG SHOULD I SPEND WRITING MY STATEMENT?

We recommend you take your time with this, as you will need to write, re-write, edit, and proofread the document. You might also consider whether you need a residency application consultant to help you edit your personal statement. You can take anywhere from two to six weeks – with some time devoted to writing each day – to focus on creating your perfect statement.

3. WHAT WILL AN OBGYN RESIDENCY PROGRAM WANT TO HEAR ABOUT?

An ObGyn physician will need extensive knowledge of anatomy, gynecology, and obstetrics, for a start. Having experience in these areas is optimal. Working with families, children, and mothers is also ideal. An ObGyn will also need to be very professional – you will be dealing with very sensitive examinations and procedures – but also very understanding and empathetic.

4. WHAT GOES INTO A PERSONAL STATEMENT?

It’s imperative to keep in mind that your personal statement will be a declaration of why you – specifically you – are the optimal person for the residency – the specific residency – that you are applying to. With that in mind, explain how your experiences, knowledge base, and personal history make you the absolute best choice for the position.

5. WHAT NEVER GOES INTO A PERSONAL STATEMENT?

Generalization is your biggest enemy. What is it about the program you’re applying to that you love, that you are passionate about? What is it about you that makes you perfect? Be specific. Also be careful to avoid repeating information that can be found in other parts of your application. Avoid arrogance in your tone as well or focusing on the prestige of the school. On the other hand, red flags in your residency CV, like a low score for example, should be explained in your personal statement.

6. WHICH PROGRAM IS BEST FOR ME?

Ultimately, only you can answer that question. Avoid superficial considerations, like any “rating” from a website or periodical, and instead focus on the reasons you will thrive in the residency you are applying to. Maybe they do great lab work, and you want to help with research, for example.

7. WHAT DO I DO IF I DON’T MATCH?

The main thing to remember is that you can learn how to improve residency application after going unmatched. In other words: don’t give in to despair; just seek more experience, maybe take or retake some classes, and try again. It will also help to identify exactly why you didn’t match. Was it grades? Was it a lack of experience? Was another residency more suitable for your skillset? Figure out why you were rejected, and you’ll have a better chance of knowing what to work on while waiting to reapply.

8. DO A COUPLE OF SPELLING MISTAKES OR GRAMMATICAL ERRORS MATTER?

Yes, they do. You are applying to a residency, a crucial step on your way to fulfilling your dreams. Don’t risk throwing that away because you didn’t use a spell-checker. 

Ophthalmology Personal Statement Example 1:

It was during my senior secondary class, I felt a blurred vision to read the equations written in the black board of my classroom. Initially I felt it is normal, as the same has happened to even few of my classmates. Later when the condition became worst, and when I can’t read a single line in the class board without external help from my friends, I felt the need to explain it to my parents and hope they will find me some solution. So when my parents took me to an Ophthalmologist, I was diagnosed with Short Sightedness or Myopia in my eyes. It was then I started to realize about the different type of diseases that could affect the most important organ in our body; our eyes. As I was in my Senior Secondary class, I was able to grasp what is Myopia or Hypermetropia. On learning about the functionalities of our eyes and how each part of the eyes join together to produce a clear image, I was mesmerized and motivated to learn more on our eyes.

Giving wings to my childhood dream, I joined XYZ Medical School to study medicine. As I was adamant that I would take Ophthalmology for my higher studies, I with great enthusiasm and curiosity learnt every single lessons pertaining to Ophthalmology. On learning about different eye disorder like Cataract, Glaucoma, Retinopathy, Amblyopia etc. I was left in awe how to treat this tiny organ which is very vital for our existence. So during my medical studies, I enjoyed my ward sections in Ophthalmology department as it was like living my dream.

Once during one of my family function, I met one of my Uncle, who complained to me he has got some blurred vision and some irritation in eyes. When I examined his eyes, I felt the possibility of Cataract. So I told him to consult an Ophthalmologist for more precise conclusion. On further examination, I was correct; it was just the starting of Cataract. I am sure my deep interest for the subject and inquisitive behavior will help me to be a great Ophthalmologist in the future. With my empathetic behavior and positive approach I am sure I can treat my patients with great care and affection. I am very fascinated with this branch of Medical Science where there is a scope of innovation and use of technology. As a Medical discipline which has a great share of use of technology, I am happy that Ophthalmology with the help of newer technology helps to understand eye problems with more efficiency. I can greatly value the right combination of technology and innovation and medical sciences as it help each eye operation to be successful and precise.

As a best medical residency in the country for Ophthalmology, I believe that I am right in my decision to choose ABC Residency. With its great infrastructure and use of advanced technology, I am sure it will help the Residents to expose to the latest medical studies and technologies. With the great Professors like XXX, I am sure I can gain comprehensive knowledge on latest studies in Ophthalmology. With my passion for the subject and ability to connect with people of all age I am sure I can have a great future as an Ophthalmologist.

As a child, I have been greatly attached to my grandparents. So it was during my high school days my grandfather expressed that he has trouble in his vision. At first, though not taken seriously by anyone, later he was diagnosed with Cataract. Though he undergone surgery, he was not well enough to see the things as clear before. So at first when I came to know about his medical condition, I was shocked to hear about his diseases. As I was very much attached to him, I couldn’t tolerate his condition of being blind and after affects of the surgery he had undergone. So as a high school student, though at first I didn’t understood his medical condition, I later asked to me parents to know more about Cataract and its complications.

As a Biology enthusiast from my childhood, I always enjoyed studying my lessons in Biology. So from early days of my life, I had decided to be a Medical Doctor and treat the needy people. As Physics also equally interested me I was confused on which branch to pursue for my higher studies. I always loved to study about Optics and lenses and how different part of the eyes work together to produce a clear image for us. That is when my father knowing my interest advised me that I can in future become an Ophthalmologist so that I can satiate my thirst to know and study about both medicine and create a future in the study of eyes. Also I saw a possibility that taking the Ophthalmology branch of medical science as my specialization will enable me to treat several old age people and treat them with great care and affection like I used to treat my long lost grandparents. So this is how I decided to take Ophthalmology as my specialization in medical study.

During my medical study, I thoroughly enjoyed my lessons in eyes and other functionalities. As an important organ of human body, eyes play an important role in people’s lives. And any harm to the same would make our life horrible. So I decided to follow my passion and take Ophthalmology as my specialization as I can give people a second life by treating the lamp of their life. During my medical rounce sessions, I enjoyed my ward visits at the department of Ophthalmology, and I eagerly learnt about all the medical conditions. Even during my internship, I took effort to intern at XXX Eye Care Hospital under the guidance of Mr. Lal. Mr. Lal thought me both basic and advanced health care methodologies followed in the eye care and that experience exposed me to several new concepts in the eye care branch.

I choose ABC Residency due to its proclaimed status as a pioneer in eye care education. I am sure under the guidance of the efficient teachers of your Residency, I can well hone my skills and become a proficient Eye Care Professional. As a medical branch which is closely associated with elderly people I hope that with my passion for the subject and love for the elderly people will help me serve them better and provide great care to them. I am sure my internship experience will surely help me perform better in my Residency tenure.

Otolaryngology Personal Statement Example 1:

I may not have experienced as many life-changing events as other candidates. The most stressful job I have held was scout leader. However, that is indicative of both my background, interests, and temperament. I am a quiet person who is not afraid of challenging environments, with a knack for taking the drama out of most circumstances. As a non-binary youth leader surrounded mainly by boys – of all persuasions – I present as different, in terms of both physicality and mentality. However, in the mission to raise good men, my presence and personality have proved to be just the thing, somehow. I have a great affinity with young people presenting male or trans, even if I was born female.

The scouts grew up, and so did I, but our relationship continued. Even when I was in my first year of medical school, these young guys were dropping by the campus, trying to hang out at lunch. Sometimes, they brought a friend. They had a plethora of youthful ailments, and getting them into clinics for every flu, fever, and strep throat piqued my curiosity more and more. It’s all those nights sitting in waiting rooms, overhearing doctors, and listening to families set up all around me that inspired me to pursue what I eventually knew to be otolaryngology. I came into contact with numerous communities this way, as each individual in the waiting room served to illustrate a particular profile and I began to notice patterns. Many in that part of the city were HIV-positive, and seemingly minor infections could easily take a turn for the worse. Eventually, I got a job as an administrator in the day clinic, so it was not unusual to run across some of these patients again when they returned for follow-up appointments or brought in their sick family members.

I understood from this experience that medicine is a virtuous cycle. Even in the worst situations, the connection that one individual makes with a doctor is frequently shared with others. As I gained more exposure to aspects of hospital care, my interest in pathophysiological processes grew. The ability to link clinical observations and arrive at a precise differential diagnosis fascinated me. Still, my interests in medicine, much like in my personal life, remained predictable and limited. There is no other specialty that draws me in as much as otolaryngology. While I definitely enjoy treating people, I also relish quietly collecting and connecting data.    

Exposure to diverse individuals and cultural differences has given me the ability to communicate effectively with patients from different backgrounds and avoid causing offence. In my neighborhood, it’s important to know how to navigate patient expectations and limitations, as they have a major influence on their medical decisions. Some are stigmatized by a disease, and it is sometimes necessary to work with a whole family to establish an effective treatment program. Issues manifested in otolaryngology in this urban area are almost always connected with the environment or other external stressors that patients cannot control.

The passage of time has only confirmed my commitment to otolaryngology. Although the ED gives a physician the sense of being immediately helpful in a crisis, I came to appreciate the value of building strong physician–patient connections. I realized how wonderfully fulfilling it is to have such a significant impact on patients’ lives. I am certain my ability to effectively communicate with people from different cultural backgrounds is a strength that will help me be a capable and caring resident in otolaryngology.

Recently, I completed my fourth article, which has been accepted for publication. Please find attached a list of my research publications on innovative viral symbiosis in adolescent and young adult immunocompromised patients. I am currently a clinical observer in the laboratory service connected to my day clinic. This practical training has taught me so much about testing and treatment delivery methods. I’ve learned about patient management through case discussions, hospital rounds, and conferences. I would be excited to expand on my knowledge by joining the Emory Research Group in Otolaryngology (ERGO) and the Emory Innovation Group in Otolaryngology (EIGO).

I’ve also become familiar with the duties of an otolaryngologist and ENT surgeons. Given the courses I selected in medical school and hands-on experience with youth care near the campus, I see myself leaning toward infectious diseases as a specialty. This conviction was reinforced during the global health crisis when it became clear that we need more physicians with expertise and experience in this area. As an ENT resident, I will have the exceptional opportunity to provide my patients with comprehensive analysis, appropriate treatment, and advocacy.

In the future, I am not sure whether I will further refine my focus on otolaryngology or diversify. It is more likely to be the former, as I tend to concentrate in greater detail on fewer topics over time. I think there is value in taking on a resident who wants to know one area in great depth. My facility with the whole person and underserved populations means that I can help a broad range people in meaningful ways, even if I am not the fastest practitioner or the most assertive. I am convinced there is a place for someone like me, indeed, for people like us. Quietly, we will go about ensuring that vulnerable individuals have access to quality medical care and patient education.

A position in academic otolaryngology, teaching medical students and residents, is something else I’d want to explore. I’m looking for a residency program that is devoted to developing a culture of lifelong learning and committed to diversity. I think a residency at Emory will support me in building my professional network and continuing to develop innovative programs to improve patient care across demographics. Especially, it will enable numerous youth in my community to continue to meet with a trusted medical advisor and advocate.

Pathology Personal Statement Example 1:

As a high school student, I always loved studying my Biology lessons. I loved the concepts on cells, tissues etc. So following the path of my father I decided to be a Doctor in the future. Though I was not sure about the specialization, I was sure to become a Doctor like my father. I always loved the idea of serving people and diagnosing the diseases. On reaching my Senior Secondary classes, I always loved the idea of dissecting and other lab sections. When I viewed my blood cells and cheek cells under the microscope, I was left in awe and happy. I always loved the idea of viewing different microscopic structures. As a Higher Secondary School student, the concepts on Microbiology and Biotechnology interested me. So as medical school was my ultimate aim, I decided to choose Pathology as my specialization as I am sure this medical branch will satiate my thirst to know about different cellular and tissue condition.

With great hope and enthusiasm, I joined XYZ Medical School, where I got to know more about human body and its various functions. During my medical school, I thoroughly enjoyed my lessons in various diseases, Immunology, Pathology etc. Due to my keen interest, even my friends had commented that I have a great future in Pathology. As a medical branch, Pathology has the privilege to diagnose various diseases including Cancers and other tissue conditions. I am sure with my passion for the subject and inquisitive behavior; I would make an efficient Pathologist who can diagnose diseases accurately. As a medical branch which demands to possess knowledge about the organ systems, I am happy that I will be able to detect the roots of the diseases.

During the 2nd year of my medical school, when I was introduced to pathology, I was very curious to learn about different diseases. On clinical lab sessions, I learned about various diagnosing procedures. I also had a great experience in working in Cytopathology, Histopathology and Haematology labs. My sessions at Histopathology labs allowed me to master in frozen technique for taking tissue sections. I also learned to diagnose different Haematological disorders in the lab, like leukemia. And working in the Cytopathology lab, enabled me to gain comprehensive knowledge about FNAC techniques, and taught me different techniques on diagnosis of diseases and microscopic procedures. I am sure my medical experiences and industry exposure have provided me with the qualities necessary to succeed in the field of Pathology medicine. As a vibrant and enthusiastic individual, I am ready to make the next move and dive in the field of Pathology medicine.

As a best medical school, XXX Medical Residency has the history of producing graduates who have proved their talents in various medical branches. With its seasoned Professors and great infrastructure and lab facilities, I am sure I can learn pragmatic knowledge about my field of choice. In the coming years, I wish to be part of top Pathology medical care labs in my country and work towards easy diagnose of diseases.

Pediatrics Personal Statement Example 1:

The thought of caring for severely ill children seemed disheartening and overwhelming when I first began shadowing [name of doctor] at [name of hospital] five years ago. I was very nervous. While some of the cases were indeed difficult, my experience was starkly different. In one of our first cases, I quickly jumped in to comfort a scared child suffering from kidney disease. The mother of our patient confided in me about her son's struggles with bullying due to the disfiguring edema. I felt how much she appreciated being able to share her son’s challenges with me. Throughout my clinical experiences, I saw that caring for a pediatric patient often involves delicately navigating complex social situations and family dynamics. From that point on, I knew I had both the passion and compassion to succeed as a future pediatrician.

I am particularly keen to complete my residency at the [name of school], because I had such an immersive learning experience completing 5 years of research with [name of doctor] at [name of hospital] and at [name of hospital], not to mention [name of school]'s stellar international reputation. The incredibly high standard of excellence at [name of school], as well as [name of city] being my hometown, make the [name of school] my top choice to complete my residency. To further demonstrate the excellent education, I remember a time while shadowing at [name of hospital] in the genetics clinics where we discussed the pathophysiology of Bartter’s syndrome. The residents were having a hard time understanding this disease, but [name of doctor] explained the exact pathophysiology and downstream effects of it. The incredible intellect, mentorship and leadership [name of doctor] demonstrated has inspired me to pursue a nephrology fellowship upon completion of my residency.

During my elective rotations in [name of cities], I saw indigenous pediatric patients with a variety of ailments from hypoglycemia to cystic fibrosis. I spoke with them about the struggles of travelling long distances to obtain care. As an Inuit member of the [name of group], I have spent time reflecting on the medical needs of this much-overlooked population and hope to explore ways of reaching out to underserved populations in my future career.

I am prepared to be a leader and engaged learner in my residency program because of my participation in impactful leadership roles. I am currently the president of the [name of society], where one of my main duties is coordinating the [name of initiative], an initiative that teaches children about hospitals and healthy living. I was able to spend one-on-one time with disabled children teaching them about the heart through dance and instruments and activities to decrease fears associated with hospitals. This demonstrated the importance of promoting health care initiatives for kids and educate families and their children on how to be advocates of their own health.

As a competitive Irish dancer for sixteen years, I developed perseverance, determination, and time management that have been critical throughout my medical school training. Competing in front of judges and thousands of spectators all over the world, performing to my best ability under intense pressure was a necessity. I persevered with the challenge of competing at an international level and still maintained a very high level of academic performance while achieving my career high of second at the World Championships.

As an IMG applicant born and raised in [name of city] and educated in [name of country], I believe that my international education provides many advantages. I was exposed to diverse cultures and innovative ways of thinking from teachers from all over the globe at the [name of college] that I hope to bring back to Canada with me. Through the last 6 years, I have also had many research experiences and clinical electives in Canada that have given me insights into the intricacies of the Canadian Health Care system.

I am confident that pediatrics is the field I wish to pursue and I cannot wait to begin my residency so that I can start becoming an excellent clinician who advocates for children, as well as a scholar involved in research projects that will help advance the field. After successfully completing my pediatric residency program, I plan to pursue a pediatric fellowship. I am excited at the prospect of working and learning at the [name of school] while being an active and professional member of your residency program. I am also looking forward to developing my teaching skills and contributing to the community while also enjoying bike rides down the paths in the [name of path] and to be reunited with my [name of city] based family.

Psychiatry Personal Statement Example 1:

I grew up in a tight knit military family in a community struck with the stigma of mental illness. Throughout my childhood we lost friends to the complications of untreated mental illness including overdose and suicide. I knew at that point that I wanted to pursue mental illness and completed a psychology degree and then a nursing degree. In University, I volunteered in a distress service for 6 years, providing individual sessions to students on issues including suicidality, interpersonal violence and addiction. As a registered nurse, I honed my skills in mental status examinations and cared for their comorbid psychiatric illness with medical disease utilizing communication and building rapport. I saw the impact of life altering conditions and procedures on their mental health. As a medical student, I continued to explore psychiatry through City X summer studentship and appreciated the breadth of psychiatric practice. As a clerk, I completed a range of psychiatric electives, caring for patients in multiple care settings and across various socioeconomic and age ranges. I enrolled in the integrated community clerkship, in X town, a community 900 km North of X city. The socioeconomic disparities and lack of access to mental health services had a negative impact on community, with suicidality and addictions. I followed my patients across practice domains assessing their functioning, medication regimen and continued to build a collaborative relationship. This proved crucial to uncover their health status across domains and helped me identify areas to support their challenges. 

I value the ability to understand my patients from a biopsychosocial framework and addressing negative thought processes in support of their wellness. I view our duty in psychiatry is to support their strengths on a trajectory to wellness and provide guidance and resources utilizing pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies. Psychiatry is a newer field of medicine, allowing for ongoing innovations in treatment and practice. This is exciting to explore novel approaches to treatments as we continue to uncover the physiological, neurological and pharmacological dimensions of mental health. It is also important to recognize the challenges of psychiatry. The history of mental illness creates access to care barriers from both a structural viewpoint with longer wait times and on a personal level due to their concern about the social and occupational implications of stigma. As our population ages, this threatens to overwhelm the current psychiatric infrastructure and will require more complex approaches due to medical comorbidities and medication contraindications. We will require ongoing research focused on medical comorbidities of neuropsychiatric illness and treatment modalities to improve quality of care. 

I am drawn to the University of X psychiatry program due to its resident focused approach. I appreciate the ongoing mentorship and supervision and the preparatory endeavors including the mock examinations. From a clinical perspective, the program has a strong psychotherapy curriculum and offers unique elective opportunities including electroconvulsive therapy. The ability to continue serving rural communities solidifies my interests in this well-known program. 

Surgery Personal Statement Example 1:

I was six years old when my father read to me the first chapter of “How Things Work.” The first chapter covered doors and specifically, the mechanics in a doorknob. What lay hidden and confined in the door panel was this complex system that produced a simple action. I credit this experience as the onset of my scientific curiosity and eventually my passion for complex systems found in medicine. Intensivists vigilantly maintain homeostasis within the human body, a complex system in and of itself, a concept I recognize as personally fascinating and enticing. I find myself especially drawn to the field of critical care and intensive care medicine. My dreams to become an intensivist would be highly complimented by a residency in surgery.

In critical care, each patient in the ICU is usually in a general state of shock. From the initial state of shock, the patient can be further complicated with comorbidities and chronic diseases that may require further intensive medical intervention so that they may recover from a recent surgery or traumatic event. This dynamic nature of the ICU is not available in every unit of the hospital and the high level of acuity does not suit everyone. I, however, enjoy the high energy of the enthralling, engaging and exciting environment offered by the ICU. I am personally energized and awakened by managing patients with surgically-altered physiology coupled with comorbidities. There is an overwhelming satisfaction when a patient following a bilateral lung transplant gets up from his bed and walks through the unit after days of being bedridden, or the moment we can discontinue the lines we had the patient on and finally talk to them after two weeks of intubation and sedation. Being in the ICU also encompasses the emotional seesaw of going from a successful patient case to a room in which a family has just decided that comfort care is the best way to proceed, which gives me chills just to type and verbalize.

The work of an intensivist is not only limited to the patient, but also the emotional well-being of the patient’s family as well. My involvement in the ICU has taught me that sometimes it is necessary to talk to a patient’s family, to explain to them simply that the postoperative expectations that they had had, may not be met. Communication is key in this field, both with the patients and the physicians of the OR. Communication prevents perioperative complications, establishes a willingness to follow directions and relays professionalism. It is important for an intensivist to have an excellent understanding of surgical procedures, so that they may explain to the patient what to expect as well as ease the nerves of the patient preoperatively. A surgical residency would facilitate this understanding and undoubtedly prove to be useful in my future training.

Studying medicine in Europe has taught me volumes about myself, how driven, motivated and open-minded I can be. To move so far away from home and yet be so familiar with the language, I feel blessed to be able to say that I’ve had a high level of exposure to diversity in my life. The mentality in [insert country name here] is if you don’t see the doctor, you are not sick. This common thought has to lead to an outstanding environment to study medicine and to see end-stage, textbook presentations of various pathologies and their management. Studying medicine in two languages has in itself taught me that medicine is a language and that the way a patient presents, conveys themselves, and the findings of the physical examination, all represent the syntax of the diagnosis. This awareness has reminded me that patient care, relief of patient suffering and illness, transcends the grammatical rules of the patient’s native tongue. My clinical experience in [insert country here] will aid me in providing thoughtful care to my future patients.

All things considered, I am ready to leave my home of the last four years and come back to the United States, to enter the next stage of my life and career. I am ready to work harder than ever, to prove myself to my future residency program and most importantly, learn so that I may be a suitable candidate for a future fellowship program in critical care. My experiences abroad have constantly pushed me to new horizons and encouraged responsibilities that I don’t believe I would otherwise have. I’ve developed a new level of human connection through my work in the ICU, the OR and my travels throughout Europe. These experiences will aid me in working with a diverse patient population and a diverse team of physicians. I hope [the program name here] can give me the variety and the background in surgery that I will need to succeed.

Urology Personal Statement Example 1:

I have always loved studying biology. As a biology enthusiast, it was my childhood dream to be a Doctor in the future. Though I was not sure about the specialisation, I was adamant to build my career in the field of medicine. As a senior secondary student I was mesmerised after learning about various body parts and its functions. On learning about the genetic makeup of the human being, I was left wondering and thrilled about the complex structure of the human body. As a student who has had a profound interest in the field of medicine, I was sure that I will have a great career in the future.

It was during my medical study at XYZ Medical College that I developed a special interest in the field of Urology. At first I didn’t have a special liking for the field of Urology, but it was my clinical experience which attracted me to choose Urology medicine. Assisting various Urologists gave me a fair idea regarding the whole practical treatment followed in Urology. I still remember the young patient who was in his early teenage years, brought to the Urology department due to severe pain in back, lower abdomen and side. Though several medications were given to him, nothing had a positive effect on him, until an Ultrasound Scanning was prescribed to him. The scanning result shocked me as he was diagnosed with Renal Calculi or Nephrolithiasis. Though it was rare to find kidney stones in children, it was common as well. It was then my professor explained to me that there are many diseases that can affect the Kidney and reproductive organs, but due to negligence, it is diagnosed very late. So during my clerkship, I conducted several workshops and webinars to make people aware of different diseases coming under Urology medicine. It is a bitter fact that people try to be negligent when it comes to any diseases affecting their lower abdomen area, but I hope that I was able to contribute my little part to create awareness with my workshops and webinars.

I am impressed with the scope offered by Urology Medicine as it gives me the liberty to treat both male and female patients including children. As an important field of medicine, I am sure I can perform well with my duties and treat my patients with great care and passion. As a medical branch which offers the scope of surgery, I would like to solve my patients’ medical problems. As a field of medicine which is connected with bladder issues, urinary tract infections, or kidney problems, I am sure, with my passion and diligence, I would be able to track down issues and understand the origin of ailments. With my inquisitive behavior and diligent attitude, I am sure I can perform well in my professional responsibilities.

I choose this Medical Residency due to its proclaimed status as a pioneer in Urology Medicine. I am sure with the right guidance and teaching offered by the faculty of your Residency, I can hone my skills and develop great understanding of different facets of Urology which will help me to exercise my duties well in the future.

Urology Personal Statement Example 2:

Last year I lost my grandfather to prostate gland cancer. It was diagnosed late, and was diagnosed at the 4th stage. So he passed away within a few months of diagnosis. As I was greatly attached to my grandfather, this incident left a trauma in my mind. Being a medical student, I was not even able to diagnose his problems and this made me guilty of what had happened. As I had not planned my medical school specialization, this incident inspired me to choose Urology medicine as my specialization, as I believe this specialty matches with my interest and aspirations. With the knowledge gained, I wish to create awareness among the people about the diseases coming under Urology medicine, so that no one will be negligent about the changes happening in their body.

With the passion to join Urology medicine, I was very diligent and enthusiastic during my clerkship at the Urology department and the subsequent ward experiences. One day a lady was brought to the clinic who had discomfort, pain, tenderness, pressure in the bladder, parts of lower abdomen, and areas in the pelvic region. On evaluation, she was diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis, a painful bladder disease. She was in her nascent stage of disease, and though this medical condition is incurable, with our proper medication and treatment, she got a certain amount of relief from her ailments. With the care and comfort received from our side, she was very satisfied with our humanistic approach and treatment. She was particularly satisfied with my care and approach, and she gave me a special review about the same as well. This was a proud moment for me, as this is all one happens to receive in the busy schedule of one’s medical life.

To familiarize myself with the various tests involved in Urology medicine, I had spent a considerable amount of time in labs. I am sure this has increased my clinical understanding of the diseases and with the knowledge gained from various methodologies used in a lab, I believe that I have gained a considerable understanding of the same as well.

As a branch of medicine which covers all types of people including males, females, children etc. I know I must be patient, approachable, kind and friendly. To enhance my communication skills, I have even enrolled myself at various clubs and organizations to better hone my communication and interpersonal skills.

I choose this Medical Residency because I am satisfied with the opportunities offered here in Urology Medicine. With the right combination of both theoretical and practical training, I am sure I can better hone my skill set. I believe my passion for Urology Medicine will help me to connect with all of my patients well. As a person who is very professional in approach, I am sure I can undergo my training in a fruitful and effective manner. With my passion and diligence for the subject, I am sure I can be a great Urologist in the future.

Radiology Personal Statement Example 1:

I have a natural inclination towards medical field as both my parents were medical Doctors. I have grown up seeing their passion and professionalism for the medical field. As a child I had a bad stomach ache and I was taken to hospital. On examination by a Pediatrician, Doctor recommended a scanning of my stomach for which I was taken to a Radiologist. Till then I was unaware of such a medical field. On entering that scanning centre I was amazed to see huge machines and equipments which are used for scanning purposes. I got feared by seeing all theses machineries, though my parents tried to calm me, I was left nervous. But it was the soothing words that came from my Radiologist that made me relieved. That was an unforgettable experience in my life which made me think about the same even during my medical school tenure. On learning about Radiology, I was always reminded of my childhood incident and that drew me closer to this branch of medical science.

I always enjoyed the dichotomous nature of Radiology. Though it is very technical, I believe it is one of the most interesting fields in medical science. During my medical school, I always enjoyed the lessons in Radiology and how magnetic imaging could be used to evaluate soft tissues. I always loved the idea about studying internal organs and bones. And on learning about various medical conditions that require a screening I was left interested in the same. As a branch of medical science which is a right blend of medicine and technology, I am sure I will thoroughly enjoy this branch of medical science.

During my medical study, I thoroughly enjoyed the sessions in the Radiology department, where I have done the scanning of ladies who were pregnant. The pleasure to see a life before it come out and understanding its medical condition is a wonderful experience that will make any Radiologist happy. I have also assisted several Mammography, MRIs, CT scans where a Radiologist plays an important role in examining diseases and identifying the cause of their ailments. I have also interned under prominent Radiologist like XXX,XXY XXZ which has improved my theoretical and practical understanding.

I really look forward to be part of your Medical Residency where I will get a chance to hone my skills and abilities. With my inquisitive behavior, I am sure I can well diagnose several medical conditions. As Radiology is a highly specialized field, I am sure my diligence and desire to gain extreme knowledge will help me perform well with my duties. I am sure with my research experience I can better understand each medical conditions. Under your great faculties and state of the art facilities, I am sure I can better hone my skills and transform myself as a great Radiologist who can create good bond with people of any age. Through a career in Radiology, I desire to link my academic inquisitiveness with my passion to provide great medical services to the people who come to seek my services.

Radiology Personal Statement Example 2:

It was during my high school; I got a fracture in leg and was taken to hospital. When the Doctor prescribed me a scanning, I was taken to a Scanning centre where there is all modern scanning equipments in Radiology were used. At first I become little nervous seeing all the giant machines like MRI, but I was relieved it was not the one prescribed to me. So I was taken to where normal scanning machine was placed. There I got to interact with one of the Radiologist present there. It was the moment where I came to know there exist a medical specialty called Radiology in medical science. On knowing about the different imaging technology used to diagnose diseases, I got an interest in this branch of medicine. As Radiology use both technology and medical science, I got inspired to know more about Radiology.

I always loved studying Zoology. As my sister is a Radiologist, she from my teenage years has familiarized me with the different branches of Radiology. So even before me joining medical school, it was decided that I too will have a career in Radiology and will become a Radiologist like my sister. So during my medical study, I did all the possible to familiarize myself with the medical branch of Radiology. After my own research about the branch of Radiology and assisting the various Radiologists in my medical school, I came to a conclusion that radiology is the perfect choice for me. As an intellectually challenging medical field, I would love to be part of this medical branch where I can perform well with my diligence for the subject and passion for the career. As I believe that the world of medical imaging is getting evolved day by day, it is very much crucial and essential to familiarize oneself with the latest happenings in the branch of Radiology. So I took a two month duration course in Neuroimaging from the University of XYZ, to hone my skills and better equip myself for the upcoming Residency period. I also plan to do a course in Cardiac Imaging from the University of XXX, which I am sure will help me to correlate cardiac medical conditions with radiological findings.

I choose this medical Residency as I am excited to be part of the reputed program in Radiology offered here. As a medical branch which has an enormous scope in the future of medicine, I would like to be part of this branch of medical study. I believe that my passion for medicine and interest for the field of Radiology would make me a good Radiologist. I am sure my fascination with human anatomy will help me to better help my patients and understand their ailments.

I believe that I have enough skills and qualities to be an excellent Radiologist in the future. With my hard work and enthusiasm I hope I can well manage my professional responsibilities better and become a great Radiologist in the future.