dermatology residency personal statement example

Sample Personal Statement: Dermatology

I have been drawn to multiple facets of medicine since beginning medical school. I have been intrigued by the intricacies of disease and the ability of physicians to alter the course of the illness. Not surprisingly choosing one discipline was challenging until the last week of my internal medicine clerkship when I was given a "gem" in the form of Maria. She was, according to my resident, the "perfect medical student patient." Without her knowing it, Maria was also responsible for my decision to become a dermatologist.

"She has a rash" was the only briefing I had as I entered Maria's room to begin my H &P, unsure what I would find with this "perfect" patient. With my limited Spanish and her limited English, our conversation was minimal but Maria was clearly in pain. The tense bullae and open, oozing areas covering her lower body made it visibly uncomfortable for her to sit. Maria gingerly touched multiple affected areas as I fumbled through my exam in Spanish asking her where she had "dolor." Tests were done, treatment started empirically. My attending provided a book for me to review on cutaneous manifestations of systemic diseases, instructing me to present to our team the next morning on common skin symptoms indicating underlying disease. I spent the rest of the day reading, fascinated by the pathology that presents itself on our bodies' surfaces. Maria clearly had more than a rash, and as I attempted to put together the pieces of her illness, the pieces of my own career path seemed to align. And as Maria improved and her pain decreased I knew I had found a field that would be fulfilling on multiple levels.

Dermatology combines the fields of medicine that captivate me most- infectious disease, immunology, and oncology. The discipline both fascinated and intimidated me in my first encounters with dermatopathology in course work and in actual dermatological pathology with patients. Skin pathologies were commonplace on my first year elective in South Africa where the combination of immunosuppression, poverty, congested living conditions, and a damp, cold winter caused our clinics to overflow with patients needing to be seen for various fungal infections, nonhealing wounds, and the multitude of infectious diseases running rampant in the townships. With treatment options limited to basic dressings and antibiotics, we did not have the advanced tools of diagnosis available in a typical American hospital. As a result, our primary concern was limited to the treatment of ongoing or prevention of secondary infection. Through the clinical clerkships of my 3rd year, I was drawn to patients with skin pathologies, spending extra hours in the burn clinic with advanced skin cancer patients, diligently checking the feet of my patient just home from Iraq whose tinea pedis infection served as a portal for staph bacteremia, and intrigued by the lacy "slapped cheek" pattern on my pediatric patient with Parvovirus B19.

The American Medical Student Association has a slogan "It takes more than medical school to make a physician." I was inspired by these words early on in my medical school career and realized this was particularly true for me as I made every effort to be involved in multiple extra-curricular activities relating to my passions in medicine. Although the core education in basic and clinical sciences is essential, it is the other activities which distinguish future physicians as unique individuals and help maintain the humanistic dimension of medicine. I will bring the same energy and passion to residency and my career that I have throughout medical school, allowing me to develop my leadership and communication skills while succeeding academically.

With the increased need for skin care in our fragile environment and the abundance of opportunities for work both locally and internationally, I am excited about the possibilities offered by dermatology. I look forward to working with patients of all ages and to being challenged intellectually throughout my career. With a background in public health and clinical research, I plan to become an active investigator in the dermatology field and contribute to advances in patient care through design of and participation in clinical trials and work actively in the community to develop primary prevention programs to decrease preventable disease. Working as part of a health care team is a high priority for me as I staunchly believe the best patient care is accomplished when collaborating with colleagues throughout the health professions. In a residency program, I hope to find a program which reinforces these values and one which promotes collegial interactions between residents and faculty in an environment where there is potential to be exposed to a wide variety of dermatological conditions.

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My Personal Statement for Dermatology Residency Applications

Guys! Go easy on me… This was written a few years ago LOLOL. BUT I know there are limited resources out there for writing residency application personal statements, so without further ado…..

I noticed the little boy sitting in the corner immediately after walking into the brightly painted room. His skin was dark brown, with many scattered patches of milky white color. The boy was alone, while his peers all played a game outside in the sunshine.  Sensing that he was distraught, I approached him. He sat in my lap and told me his name. Benele. Through stifled sobs, Benele told me that the other kids were afraid to play with him because of his skin. This was my first day at New Beginningz, an orphanage for infants and children with HIV/AIDS in South Africa.        

Something had to change. Benele had already been plagued with so much hardship during his short lifetime; he didn’t need to be isolated by the other children for his appearance as well. That night, I researched everything that I could about vitiligo. It amazed me to learn that vitiligo is a cutaneous manifestation of an internal physiology.  Working to educate Benele’s peers over the next several weeks about his disease was life changing. Even though a language barrier existed with some of the children, it was inspiring to see how receptive they were. Benele’s true personality began to shine; instead of acting invisible, he became the center of attention.  My passion to help build self-confidence in others, like Benele, has continuously pointed me toward a career in dermatology.  

Sta rting in college, I began to shadow dermatologists in my free time and this allowed me to gain tremendous exposure to general dermatology. From the beginning, I was enthralled with each aspect of the field such as dermatopathology, dermatological surgery, general dermatology, and cosmetology. These experiences have continually strengthened my desire to pursue this specialty. Although I learned the physiology of medicine in my medical school classes, I learned the other, more personal side, from witnessing the impact these dermatologists had with each individual that they treated. The small things that a doctor does, like making a patient laugh or coming in on a day off, is what shapes the patient’s healthcare experience. Having numerous leadership positions throughout my undergraduate and medical school career has taught me valuable communication skills and how to work well with others. Physicians are part of a large team, all working towards one goal. Therefore, being able to communicate on a personal, yet professional level with patients and coworkers is key, not just in dermatology, but for all specialties. The commitment doctors have to their patients is remarkable and my dream of being able to form my own professional relationships has finally come true.  

During medical school, I always seemed to enjoy both medicine and surgery, and to me, dermatology is a perfect combination of the two. It will allow me to practice procedure based medicine in an outpatient setting, yet still be able to see challenging cases that require critical thinking. This is something I believe is not found with any other medical specialty. The continuity of care found in dermatology is extremely important to me. Being able to witness patients get better quickly is very rewarding.  During my third year, I was given the opportunity to rotate with a Moh’s surgeon. Although to many people skin cancer excisions are seemingly minor procedures, I see the opportunity to save someone’s life. I will never forget diagnosing my first case of melanoma on a middle-aged woman’s thigh. Although the patient had come into the office for a completely different skin concern, I spotted it almost instantly. I had felt no greater sense of accomplishment during my clerkships than I had at this moment. Being able to treat a skin cancer in an elderly patient one minute and help build self confidence in a teenager with acne the next, is what keeps me inspired and continually draws me to the field of dermatology. 

As is evident throughout my experiences, I am a well-rounded student who is capable of excelling in a dermatology residency. Being able to maintain a high level of involvement in extracurricular activities and exceed academically in medical school, while still having time to explore my wide array of interests and hobbies, proves that I am able to handle the high stress environment of a residency program. I am proud to call myself a D.O. and believe that attending an osteopathic medical school has given me the knowledge and confidence to succeed in any dermatology program. I am a goal-oriented person with great ambition and determination. I achieve anything that I set my mind to, and because my goal is to become an excellent dermatologist, I know that I will succeed. 

I hope this helps you get some information for your personal statement!

Further Reading...

Dermatology Fellowships

Tips for Dermatology Audition Rotations

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The Residency Personal Statement (2023/2024): The Insider’s Guide (with Examples)

A physician and former residency program director explains how to write your residency personal statement to match in to your top-choice residency program in 2024.

Read example residency personal statements and suggested outlines..

Introduction

The residency personal statement allows residency program directors and associate directors the chance to get a sense of who you are and your commitment to your chosen specialty. 

As a former program director who understands how residency personal statements are reviewed, what “stands out,” and, most importantly, what will earn you interview invitations, the information below will help you write a residency personal statement to match!

It is imperative to make sure you get the most accurate guidance possible with regards to your residency personal statement content and optimal residency personal statement length (up to 5300 characters with spaces).

Want more personalized suggestions? Sign up for a FREE residency personal statement consultation .

Table of Contents

Goals for Writing Your 2024 Residency Personal Statement

Above all else, your residency personal statement offers the opportunity to show your interest in your chosen specialty when applying to residency to illustrate you are a good fit.

The more details you offer about why you are interested in the specialty and how your med school rotations, accomplishments and experiences have reinforced this interest, the stronger your personal statement will be, the more it will appeal to selection committees and the better you will do in the match process .

I encourage applicants to offer as much “evidence” as possible to “show” rather than “tell” what qualities, characteristics and interests they have. “Telling” a reader, for example, that you are compassionate and hard working means nothing. Instead, you must “show” that you embody these qualities based on your experiences in health care and the patients for whom you have cared.

The residency personal statement also offers the opportunity to write about who you are as a person to convey some details about your background, influences, and interests outside of your given specialty.

The Importance of a Balanced Residency Personal Statement

The key when writing your residency personal statement is to ensure that it is well-balanced so it appeals to a large group of people who might read your ERAS residency application.

However, it is important to understand that every program director and faculty member has his or her own idea of what he would like to read in a personal statement. As an applicant, you must go into this process understanding that you cannot please everyone, or a specific program, and your personal statement should therefore have the broadest appeal possible.

For example, some program directors would rather hear about your personal interests and curiosities and get to know who you are rather than have you focus on the specialty in which you are interested.

At MedEdits, we suggest taking a “middle of the road” approach; include some details about who you are but also focus on the specialty itself. In this way, you will make more traditional reviewers who want to hear about your interest in the specialty happy while also satisfying those who would rather learn about you as a person.

Above all, be authentic and true to yourself when writing your statement. This always leads to the best results! Read on to learn more about how to write a winning personal statement.

About MedEdits

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Residency Personal Statement Outline & Structure

Residency applicants often do well when given outlines or templates to follow, so, we will offer that, but, it is important to realize that many applicants deviate from these rigid rules. One very typical outline that serves applicants quite well in the residency admissions process is:

• Compose a catchy introduction. Your intro can be related to your interest in the specialty to which you are applying, about a hobby or personal experience, or about your background. Regardless of the topic you choose, you want to tell a story and start with something that will interest your reader and engage him.
• The next two to four paragraphs comprise the body of your personal statement. We encourage applicants to write about any significant experiences they have had related to their desired specialty and/or future goals. This would include information about rotations, electives, and sub internships related to the specialty, volunteer and research experiences and even significant outside interests.
• Finally, you want to conclude your essay. In your conclusion, write about what you seek in a residency program, what you will bring to a residency program, and, if you have any idea of your future career goals, write about those as well. Your conclusion is also where you can tailor a personal statement to a specific geographic area of interest or type of program (rural, urban, community).

Residency Personal Statement Length & Residency Personal Statement Word Limit

Residency Personal Statement Length: Our recommendation is that your residency personal statement be between 4000 – 5300 characters with spaces or up to 900 words in length. 

The allowed ERAS residency personal statement length is 28,000 characters which equates to about five pages!

We have been hearing from more and more applicants that the personal statement should not exceed one page when typed in to the ERAS application . Because of this overwhelming trend, we are supporting this guidance unless you have extenuating circumstances that require your personal statement be longer.

Our recommendation is that your residency personal statement be a maximum of 5300 characters with spaces.

ERAS Residency Personal Statement Checklist

• Ensure your personal statement flows well

The best personal statements are easy to read, don’t make the reader think too much, and make your path and interests seem logical. Rarely does a personal statement have a theme. Also try to have each paragraph transition to the next seamlessly. 

2. Your personal statement should be about you!

Your personal statement should be about you and no one else. Focus on your interests, your accomplishments and your path. This is your opportunity to be forthcoming about your achievements – by writing in detail about what you have done.

3. Be sure your personal statement clearly outlines your interest in the specialty.

Since the reader wants to be convinced of your understanding of, experience in, and curiosity about the specialty to which you are applying, be sure you highlight what you have done to explore your interest as well as your insights and observations about the specialty to show your understanding of it.

4. Make it human.

Again, your personal statement should be about you! The reader wants to know who you are, where you are from, what your interests are and who you are outside of medicine. Therefore, try to include those details about your background that are intriguing or important to you.

5. Express your interest in the specialty.

The reader fundamentally wants to know why you are pursuing the specialty. The more details you offer the more convincing you are about your commitment and your understanding of the specialty. Be sure to include details that might seem obvious. For example, in emergency medicine you must like acute care, but try to include more nuanced details about your interest, too. What do you enjoy about the diagnoses and pathologies involved? What do you value about the actual work you will do? What do you enjoy about the patients for whom you will care? How about the setting in which you will practice?

6. The start and evolution of your interest.

Readers want to know how and when you became interested in your specialty. Was this before medical school? During medical school? What have you done to pursue and nurture your interest in the specialty?

7. What you have done to learn more about the specialty.

You should explain what you have done to pursue your interest. What rotations have you done or have planned? What research, scholarly work or community service activities have you pursued to further your interest?

8. Where you see yourself in the future – if you know!

Without going into too much detail, write about the type of setting in which you see yourself in the future. Do you hope to also participate in research, teaching, public health work or community outreach as a part of your career? What are your future goals? Since many programs typically train a certain type of physician, it is important that your goals are aligned with the programs to which you are applying.

9. What do you bring to the specialty?

You should try to identify what you can bring to the program and the specialty to which you are applying as a whole. For example, are you applying to family medicine and have a distinct interest in public health? Are you applying for internal medicine and do you have demonstrated expertise in information technology and hope to improve electronic medical records? Do you have extensive research or teaching experience, and do you hope to continue to pursue these interests in the future? Have you developed a commitment to global health, and do you hope to continue making contributions abroad? Programs have a societal obligation to select residents who will make valuable contributions in the future, so the more ambitions you have the more desirable a candidate you will be.

10. What type of program you hope to join?

Do you hope to be part of a community or university-based program? What are you seeking in a residency program? Programs are looking for residents who will be the right “fit” so offering an idea of what you are seeking in a program will help them determine if your values and goals mesh with those of the program.

11. Who you are outside of the hospital?

Try to bring in some personal elements about who you are. You can do this in a few ways. If you have any outside interests or accomplishments that complement your interest in your specialty, such as extracurricular work, global work, teaching or volunteer efforts, write about them in detail, and, in doing so, show the reader a different dimension of your personality. Or, consider opening your statement by writing about an experience related to your hobbies or outside interests. Write about this in the form of an introductory vignette. I suggest taking this nontraditional approach only if you are a talented writer and can somehow relate your outside interest to the specialty you are pursuing, however. An interest in the arts can lend itself to dermatology, plastic surgery or ophthalmology, for example. Or, an interest in technology could relate to radiology .

12. Any personal challenges?

Also explain any obstacles you have overcome: Were you the first in your family to graduate from college? Were you an immigrant? Did you have limited financial resources and work through college? Many applicants tend to shy away from the very things that make them impressive because they are afraid of appearing to be looking for sympathy. As long as you explain how you have overcome adversity in a positive or creative way, your experience will be viewed as the tremendous accomplishment that it is. The personal statement should explain any unusual or distinctive aspects of your background.

• Residency Match: How It Works & How To Get Matched

Common ERAS Residency Personal Statement Mistakes

Do not tell your entire life story or write a statement focused on your childhood or undergraduate career. 

Do not write about why you wanted to be a doctor. This is old news. From the reviewers perspective, you already are a doctor!

Do not write a personal statement focused on one hobby or begin with your birth. Some background information might be useful if it offers context to your choices and path, but your residency personal statement should be focused on the present and what you have done to pursue your interest in the specialty to which you are applying.

Do not preach. The reader understands what it means to practice his specialty and does not need you to tell him. Don’t write, for example: Internal medicine requires that a physician be knowledgeable, kind and compassionate. The reader wants to know about you!

Do not put down other specialties. You don’t need to convince anyone of your interest by writing something negative about other specialties. Doing so just makes you look bad. If you switched residencies or interests, you can explain what else you were seeking and what you found in the specialty of your choice that interests you.

Do not embellish. Program directors are pretty good at sniffing out inconsistencies and dishonesty. Always tell the truth and be honest and authentic. 

Do not plagiarize. While this seems obvious to most people, every year people copy personal statements they find online or hire companies that use stock phrases and statement to compose statements for applicants. Don’t do it!

Do not write about sensitive topics. Even if you were in a relationship that ended and resulted in a poor USMLE score , this is not a topic for a personal statement. In general, it is best to avoid discussing relationships, politics, ethical issues and religion.

Do not boast. Any hint of arrogance or self-righteousness may result in getting rejected. There is a fine line between confidence and self promotion. Some people make the mistake of over-selling themselves or writing about all of their fantastic qualities and characteristics. Rarely do readers view such personal statements favorably.

Do not write an overly creative piece. A residency personal statement should be professional. This work is equivalent to a job application. Don’t get too creative; stay focused.

Writing ERAS Residency Personal Statements For Multiple Specialties

An increasing number of applicants are applying to more than one specialty in medicine especially if the first choice specialty is very competitive. If you are applying to more than one specialty, even if there is disciplinary overlap between the two (for example family medicine and pediatrics ), we advise you write a distinct specialty for each. Remember that a physician who practices the specialty you hope to join will most likely be reviewing your statement. He or she will definitely be able to determine if the personal statement illustrates a true understanding of the specialty. If you try to recycle an entire personal statement or parts of a personal statement for two specialties, there is a high likelihood the personal statement will communicate that you aren’t sincerely interested in that specialty or that you don’t really understand what the specialty is about.

Writing About Red Flags in your ERAS Personal Statement

The personal statement is also the place to explain any red flags in your application, such as gaps in time or a leave of absence. When addressing any red flags, explain what happened succinctly. Be honest, don’t make excuses, and don’t dwell on the topic. Whenever possible, write about how you have matured or grown from the adversity or what you may have learned and how this benefits you.

If you have left a program or had a break in your medical education, you will also have the chance to explain this in your ERAS application . You should also write about this topic in your personal statement only if you have more to explain, however. 

If you have failed a Step exam or one course in medical school, this likely isn’t something to address in the personal statement. However, you should be prepared to discuss any failure during an interview. By the same token, it is best not to address one low grade or poor attending evaluation in your statement. 

Have you taken a circuitous path to medicine? If so you might address why you made these choices and what you found so interesting about medicine that was lacking in your former career.

Residency Personal Statement Example

Below are two great examples of residency personal statements that earned the applicants who wrote them numerous interviews and first choice matches. As you will see, these two applicants took very different approaches when writing the personal statement yet wrote equally persuasive and “successful” personal statements.

Residency Personal Statement Example, Analysis, and Outline: The Traditional Approach

The most common approach to the personal statement is what I will call the traditional approach, in which the applicant conveys her interest in the specialty, when that interest began and what she has done to pursue the particular specialty.

Suggested outline:

• Introduction: Catchy Story
• Paragraph 2: Background Information and how Interest Started
• Paragraph 3: Write about what you did to explore your interest
• Paragraph 4: Second paragraph about your experiences related to your specialty
• Conclusion: Wrap it up. Write something about your future goals.

Below is an example of the traditional approach:

I looked into her eyes and saw terror. She knew the life of her unborn baby was in jeopardy. As tears streamed down her face, she looked to the attending physician. In desperation, she pleaded, “Please save our baby.” She and her husband had been trying to conceive for more than two years, and they knew this could be their only chance to have a healthy child. She went into labor at home and because of a horrible snowstorm was not able to reach the hospital for several hours. When she arrived in labor and delivery, she was crowning. But, the baby was having late decelerations. Because of the sweat on my attending’s forehead I knew the situation was serious. Yet we all tried to remain calm and to keep the patient and her husband calm as well. 

I entered medical school with an open mind as everyone suggested. Even as a first year medical student, however, I was fascinated with embryology. I entered my third year still unsure of what I would pursue. I knew I wanted a career that would be challenging and interesting. Because of my background in drawing and painting, I always loved working with my hands. Yet I also enjoyed working with people. Thankfully, my obstetrics and gynecology (ob/gyn) rotation was the first of my third year and I was immediately hooked.

I quickly sought out opportunities for research and became involved in a clinical study investigating the impact of a vegan diet on birth outcomes. I have always had an interest in wellness and nutrition, and this seemed like a perfect fit for me. My research is still in process, but through this experience I have learned how to analyze data, stay objective and critically evaluate the literature. So far, our findings suggest better than normal outcomes for babies born to vegan mothers. This reinforces my goal to educate my patients about the important of diet and nutrition, which I hope to make a part of my future practice. 

Early in my fourth year, I completed an elective rotation at Inner City Medical Center. There I cared for a diverse group of patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings. I realized how much I enjoy labor and delivery, but I also value the operative aspects of ob/gyn. I appreciate the importance of understanding the female anatomy so I can operate with precision.  I also value the diversity of practice in ob/gyn. Whether caring for a woman about to give birth, helping a woman newly diagnosed with breast cancer navigate her treatment options, or caring for a perimenopausal woman who is coping with symptoms of hormone fluctuations, I enjoy caring for patients with knowledge and compassion. The outpatient aspect of ob/gyn brings satisfaction as well. I look forward to building relationships with my patients, helping them to lead the healthiest lives possible. I have also realized how much I want to care for those who lack access to care. The work I have done at Medical School Free Clinic has helped me realize the gaps that exist in access to care and education. As a future practicing ob/gyn, I hope to work in such a setting at least on a part time basis.

On that snowy night, when we realized the baby was having difficulty being born because of shoulder dystocia, a simple maneuver eased the situation. The baby’s first cry brought such joy and relief to everyone in the room and, at that moment, I knew I had to be part of this specialty. I hope to join a program where I will have the clinical exposure that will give me the skills and experience to care for a wide range of patients. I do not yet know if I will subspecialize, and I will seek out mentors and experiences as a resident to make an informed decision. I would be honored to interview at your program and thank you for your consideration.

Why It’s Great

This is a great personal statement because it clearly conveys the applicant’s interest in, and understanding of, obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) and what the applicant has done to pursue that interest. Not only does this applicant have a long-standing interest in OB/GYN, but, she conveys that she has experienced the specialty in different settings and understands the diverse nature of the specialty. She also includes information about her hobbies and interests and writes about her exploration of OB/GYN outside of the clinical arena. An added bonus is that the applicant writes well and uses descriptive language making her statement interesting and fun to read.

Residency Personal Statement Example, Analysis, and Outline: The Outside Interests Approach

Many mentors advise applicants to tell the reader something about them that is unrelated to medicine or the specialty they are pursuing. This is a fine idea, but be sure your personal statement also includes some details about your interest in your specialty if you decide to move in this direction.

Suggested Outline:

• Introduction: Write a Catchy Introduction. Be creative! Think outside the box.
• Paragraph 2:Elaborate on your introduction offering more details
• Paragraph 3: Write about your specialty choice and what appeals to you.
• Paragraph 4: Write more about your explorations in medical school.
• Concluding paragraph(s): Write about your future goals, the type of program you hope to join and consider looping back to your introduction.

Below is an example of the outside interests approach:

The landscape before me was lush and magical. We had been hiking for hours and had found a great spot to set up camp. As I was unloading my backpack and helping to pitch the tent, I saw a scene I knew I had to capture. I quickly grabbed my carefully packed Leica before the magnificent sunset disappeared. Trying to get the perfect exposure, I somehow managed to capture this image so accurately that it reflected the beauty of what was before us high in the mountains of Utah, so far away from the hustle and bustle of New York City where we attended medical school.

Throughout my life, I have pursued my interests and curiosities with focus and creativity. One of those interests is photography. Even as a small child, I wanted my own camera, and I started snapping interesting scenes and images at the age of 6. As I grew older, this hobby took on more significance. I took a college level course in photography as a high school student, worked as a photographer’s assistant and even considered a career in photography. Paralleling my interest, however, was a desire to travel and experience new places, foods, and cultures.

I have been fortunate to travel all over the world. Rather than stopping in a city or place for a couple of days and seeing the sights, I prefer to immerse myself in my surroundings, eating the food, meeting the people, and staying for as long as I can. My fluency in Spanish and Italian has made it easier to “fit in” naturally. My most recent trip to Costa Rica allowed me to visit sugar cane fields and rain forests. I also volunteered in a clinic that helps the most desperate citizens. Of course, because I never travel without my camera, I also captured the beauty of this country; those pictures can be found on my blog.

Surgery seemed like a natural choice for me. It is a very tactile and visual field that requires patience, attention to detail and creativity—just like photography. The operating room setting is invigorating. I love to be a member of a team, and in surgery team work is an essential part of practice. The ability to deal with anatomical variations also satisfies my creative side; I have always been fond of puzzles, and the field of surgery represents a real-world puzzle to me. I also appreciate the intensity of surgery and believe I have the personality and demeanor for the field. I have always enjoyed solving problems quickly, something the field of surgery requires. My rotations in surgery – in addition to my core surgery rotation I have done trauma and cardiothoracic surgery – have helped me to understand the tremendous opportunities and diversity of the field. I have heard some residents lament that the only reason they went into surgery is to operate. However, I really enjoy seeing patients postoperatively. It is only at that time that a surgeon can really appreciate the impact of his or her work.

Finally, my trip to Honduras with a surgical team from my hospital and medical school made me realize that I can make a great contribution globally in the field of surgery. There we saw patients who had no resources or access to care. The facilities in which we worked were bare-bones. Yet the impact we made was tremendous, given that this was a group of people who otherwise would have no surgical care. In this way, I hope to combine my interests in travel and surgery as a resident, if I have time, and certainly as a practicing physician. My ultimate goal is to use my training to help populations globally and domestically.

To gain the most clinical exposure possible, I hope to train in a busy urban hospital. I believe that such a setting will give me the operative experience I need to be able to navigate many situations in the future. Such a setting will also give me the outpatient experience to understand how to manage patients once the surgery is completed.

I look forward to the day when I can be snapping my camera intraoperatively, documenting what I am doing and seeking to help other surgeons. For some, such pictures may not represent the art of those pictures I take in the wilderness, but for me they reflect the beauty of surgery and the great opportunity to make a lasting impression on another human being’s life.

This is a really intriguing personal statement because the author writes about his outside interests in a compelling way that makes him instinctively likable. He then goes on to explain what he enjoys about surgery and what he has done to pursue that interest. As you can see, this applicant writes less about his specialty (surgery) than the applicant in statement #1 did, but, he still convinces the reader of his understanding of, and commitment to, surgery. In this statement, the reader gains a much broader understanding of who the applicant is as a person and what he likes to do in his free time.

Final Thoughts

Writing your residency personal statement should be about telling your story in your own voice and style. You want to highlight your interest in the specialty for which you are applying while also conveying some ideas about who you are as a person to keep your reader engaged in learning about you as a person.

Residency Personal Statement Consulting Services

MedEdits Medical Admissions offers comprehensive guidance and document review services for residency applicants to every specialty in medicine. With more than twenty years of experience in residency admissions and founded by a former residency admissions officer and physician, MedEdits understands what program directors want to read and can help you decide what aspects of your background to focus on in your residency personal statement to earn the most interviews possible.

Getting into a residency has never been more competitive. Let the experts at MedEdits help you with your ERAS personal statement. We’ve worked with more than 5,000 students and 94% have been matched to one of their top-choice programs.

Sample Residency Personal Statements

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Writing the Perfect Residency Personal Statement

If you’re in your third year of medical school, it’s time to sharpen your personal statement writing skills again for the ERAS application .

The good news is you already wrote a great one that got you accepted into medical school ! Now, you’ll need to dig deep and channel the same creative spirit that was there about 3 years ago. 

Many applicants are looking for a special formula for writing a personal statement . But here’s the truth: There’s no secret formula. A fantastic residency personal statement includes well-written storytelling detailing your experiences as a medical student and why you’re an excellent fit for the residencies you’re applying to.

In this article, we’ll talk about inspiration, length, structure, and dynamic writing. Let’s dive in.

What is the ERAS personal statement, and why do you need to write one?

Your residency personal statement is similar to your medical school personal statement in that it’s your chance to directly make a case for yourself . Residency program directors use these essays to get to know you beyond your CV. They can only learn so much about you from your medical education history.

Most of the information program directors use to determine if you’re a good fit is quantitative —  GPAs, USMLE scores, etc. Odds are, these numbers will be fairly similar across the board. 

What sets you apart from other applicants will be qualitative — your personal experiences and career goals, whether you’re hard-working or a team player.

What should you include in your residency personal statement ?

In your residency personal statement , include your experiences and interests that have driven your ambition to mature as a medical professional.

Take time to think about what qualities you’d expect in an exemplary physician. Then, create a list of topics reflecting these qualities from your background.  

Create a list of ideas of what to write from these prompts:

• Memorable or “a-ha” moments during medical school (including specific rotations ) that changed the way you think about medicine.
• Volunteering or non-profit work.
• Your greatest skills and qualities and how you use them when practicing medicine.
• Specific instances of when you used strong teamwork skills.
• A personal anecdote that isn’t included on a resume, like an elective that led to an unexpected encounter with a patient that you won’t forget.
• Professors, mentors , family, friends, or anyone else that has inspired your path.
• Your goals in your future career.
• Reasons you are drawn to your specialty.
• Meaningful experiences in medical school or extracurriculars .
• Your most commendable achievements.

Why did you choose your specialty?

When you explain why you chose a specialty, discuss the reasons why you enjoy that specialty and how your strengths will apply to your future career. 

Make your answer heartfelt and honest. If your only reasons are money and the lifestyle, your chances of an interview with the program directors will plummet.

Answer these questions while brainstorming :

• What appeals to you about this specialty?
• Did past experiences or clinicals influence your decision for this program?
• What do you believe are the most important qualities for a physician in this specialty? How have you begun to cultivate these qualities in yourself?
• Are there future goals you want to achieve in this specialty?
• Have you done any research related to this field or the advancement of this specialty?

How long should a personal statement be for residency?

The personal statement essay section on ERAS allows for 28,000 characters (about 5 pages). 

Our advice? Don’t max out your character count.

Program directors must read the demographics, transcripts, MSPE, experiences section, personal statement , and letters of recommendation before making a decision. That’s a lot of reading.

Your goal is to make your point concisely — writing about a page plus a paragraph is the sweet spot.

Personal Statement Structure

Many applicants don’t know where to start, so we suggest breaking the essay into bite-sized pieces. Use a standard 4-5 paragraph structure. This way, you’ve got small, manageable goals.

Write your residency personal statement using:

• An introduction paragraph.
• 2-3 paragraphs to expand on your theme.
• A conclusion paragraph to tie it all together.

Introduction

Draw the reader in with a story or anecdote, and introduce a theme. A narrative voice works well here to engage the reader and get them interested. 

Don’t tell an extensive story; provide just enough to provide context and introduce a theme.

Body Paragraphs (2-3)

Explore and expand on the central theme of your personal statement . You can talk about the traits or life experiences that will make you good at family medicine , dermatology , or whatever specialty you’re pursuing. 

Ensure you’re being specific to the specialty — you don’t need to prove you’ll be a good doctor so much as a good doctor in the field you’re applying to .

Wrap everything up and end with a “bang.” The conclusion should serve to bring all your points together in one place. When I say end with a “bang,” I mean to finish strong . 

Stating: “For the reasons above, I believe I will make an excellent internist, ” doesn’t leave the reader with much.

Try something a bit more passionate, idealistic, and enthusiastic. Here’s an example:

“ Internal medicine is centered around improving lives, orchestrating, and managing complex patient care . To me, the true challenge is in the art of internal medicine — to tailor to patients’ needs to maximize their health and improve their overall quality of life.”

With this approach to the structure of your personal statement , the essay becomes more manageable. You can set yourself mini-assignments by just developing one component at a time. Complete one portion each week, and you’ll be done by the end of the month!

Should a residency personal statement have a title? 

There is no hard and fast rule about whether a residency personal statement should have a title. Ultimately, the decision about whether or not to include a title in your personal statement is up to you.

Consider these factors when deciding whether or not to include a title:

• A good title can serve as a headline for the reader, making your essay stand out before they even start reading. 
• A good title can make your statement stand out and help it to be more memorable.
• On the other hand, a poorly chosen or overly generic title could actually detract from your personal statement.

Most residency programs do not require, or even want, a title for personal statements. Be sure to check the program’s guidelines before including one.

If you do choose to include a title, make sure it is relevant, concise, and impactful. Avoid overly generic or cliche titles, and focus on conveying the main message or theme of your personal statement. 

It is less common to have a title, so if you do it right, you may stand out from the crowd.

How To Make Your Personal Statement Stand Out

Take time to brush up on your writing skills to make your personal statement stand out . 

These skills may not have been your focus in the last few years, but concisely expressing your dedication to the specialty will retain a program director ’s attention. 

Oh, and always remember to proofread and check your grammar! If you specifically prompt ChatGPT to “review your personal statement for grammar and punctuation only,” it does a pretty good job. 

Just be sure not to have AI write your personal statement, as it doesn’t know your stories, and can’t convey your sentiment, tone, or emotion.

Language and Vocabulary

The simpler, the better. Hand your essay to a friend or family member to proofread. If they have to stop and look up any word, it’s probably the wrong word choice. Maybe it’s the perfect word for the sentence, but anything that distracts the reader from the content is a problem.

Avoid the following:

• Contractions. Contractions are informal language. They aren’t appropriate for applications or professional writing.
• “Really” as in “I really learned a lot.” Try the word “truly” instead. It sounds more sincere.
• “Really” or “very” as in “it was a really/very great experience.” Here, “really” is a qualifier that holds the place of a better word choice; e.g., Really great = fantastic, wonderful, exquisite; Very important = paramount, momentous, critical.

Simple sentence structure is usually the best. Follow these rules:

• Avoid quotations if you can. This is your essay, and it should focus on what you have to say, not someone else. There may be exceptions to this rule (like a statement a professor made that changed the course of your medical career), but these are rare.
• Punctuate correctly. Misplaced commas or a missing period can distract a reader from your content. If grammar isn’t your strong suit, have a friend (or a spellchecker like Grammarly) check your essay for errors.

Avoid Clichés

Saying you want to go into pediatrics because you love kids might be true, but it’s also a given. Everyone going into healthcare is interested in helping people. 

This is your opportunity to make it more personal. Talk about the life experiences that have uniquely informed your career path and what makes you different from every other med student trying to get a residency interview . 

Don’t Make It Too Complicated

Be simple, straight to the point, and authentic. 

Aim for clear wording that communicates your central theme. If you talk about your professional future and goals, they should be realistic and carefully considered. Your goal is to leave program directors with a strong impression of your character and maturity. 

Try Dynamic Writing

Dynamic writing is all about feel and rhythm. Even good content written poorly can come out flat. Here are some cues to evaluate and improve your writing:

• Read your writing out loud. Do you have to catch your breath in the middle of a sentence? If so, the sentence is too long and needs some additional punctuation, editing, or to be split up.
• Vary your sentence structure and/or the length of the sentences. When you’re reading, do you feel like there is a repetitive rhythm? This usually results from too many short sentences stacked on top of each other.

Be Prepared To Revise Your Statement

You’ve done this part before. Once the bulk of your statement is done, have someone else read it, then start revising. The great thing about the revision process is that you don’t have to write the first draft perfectly. 

If you can afford it, consider working with a professional team for help with the residency application process , including personal statement editing.

Our friends at MedSchoolCoach can help you with personal statement editing. 

Should you write multiple ERAS personal statements ?

Write a residency personal statement relevant to each specialty you apply to, each with a clearly stated goal.

While it’s a good idea to write a personal statement for every specialty you apply to, you don’t have to write one for each specific program . Maybe you have research experience in a few different specialties and aren’t sure where you’ll get residency training .

A blanket personal statement to cover all specialties is bland at best and, at worst, a red flag . Your interest in becoming an OB/GYN should be informed by different experiences than your interest in anesthesiology or plastic surgery .

Anyone who reads your personal statement should have all the relevant information for integrating you into their program. Don’t overshare experiences or learnings from irrelevant rotations , classes, or experiences.

Let’s say you send your personal statement to a program director for a radiology residency program . If he reads that you’re torn between radiology and emergency medicine , is he more likely to accept you, or an applicant who seems all-in for his program’s specialty?

Ready to write? Get your residency personal statement prepared!

It’s time to knock out that first paragraph ! We have given you the structure and tools to write a personal statement that reflects your strengths. Remember, there’s no formula for the perfect personal statement , but there are tried and true methods for strong writing.

Schedule a free consultation with MedSchoolCoach to see how we can help you increase your chances of matching into the residency of your choice. 

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Kachiu Lee, MD

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January 19th, 2023

Dermatology Residency Personal Statement – A Complete Guide with Examples 2023

Do you aspire to specialize in dermatology?

If so, a personal statement is needed for your application.

The term “personal statement” and what it entails may be confusing to you. It’s normal! And that is the reason we are here.

Together, we examine dermatology residency personal statements through this blog.

What is Dermatology? What Quality Do You Need to Become A Dermatologist?

Dermatology is the branch of medicine that specializes in the treatment of the skin, hair, and nails.

Dermatologists handle severe accidental problems including skin burning in addition to cosmetic problems of people.

Qualities needed for you as a dermatologist:

• Quick decision-making skills
• Communication skills
• Should be detail-oriented
• Excellent organizational abilities
• Ability to solve issues

What is Dermatology Personal Statement? Why Should You Have One?

The dermatology personal statement is a one-page essay that discusses your character, your enthusiasm for the field, and your experience.

Why do you need it?

• To portray your personality and qualities.
• Aids in grabbing the evaluator’s attention.
• Displaying your enthusiasm for the subject
• Increases the likelihood of admission
• To understand you better.

GET YOUR DERMATOLOGY PERSONAL STATEMENT CRAFTED BY EXPERTS NOW

How Long Should Your Dermatology Residency Personal Statement Be:

Word count –, character limit –, no.of pages –, margin –, font size –, font style –, things you must address.

Considering that your personal statement is a crucial component of your application, you might be confused by what should be included in it.

When writing, you should include;

• Your motivation for choosing the field
• Experiences you had in the field
• Qualities and skills
• Future plans

What Should Be The Tone

It’s important to find the right balance between outlining your experiences and history and explaining why dermatology appeals to you so much.  Combining a story-telling style with your own personal experiences is one of the finest ways to generate this balance.

Instead of concentrating on the story, you should emphasize your passion for it.

How to Compose your dermatology personal statement?

Writing a personal statement for dermatology cannot be completed overnight.

You should invest your time into it.

Let’s take a look at the six steps for writing a personal statement.

Step 1- Thinking

Identify what information needs to be added to your personal statement as a first step. Note it down after giving it some thinking.

Step 2 – Sort out

Your personal statement does not necessarily need to include all of the details about your studies, experiences, skills, etc. Sort the relevant and necessary information.

Step 3- Organize

Once you have your arguments, consider how you can structure or organize them in your personal statement. Finding a creative and innovative perspective can be helpful.

Step 4 – First Draft

Make a first draft of your personal statement for dermatology right now. By writing just one draft, one shouldn’t finalise it.

Step 5 – Edit

Once you’ve finished writing your personal statement, edit it to identify any grammar or syntactical mistakes.

Ask friends, co-workers, or experts for their comments and feedback on it.

Step 6- Rewrite & Finalise

You should write your next draft after receiving recommendations and criticism from friends.

In order to write a personal statement that is effective, write several drafts. Then, finalise it.

How to Structure Your Dermatology Residency Personal Statement

Before beginning to compose your personal statement, decide what you want the audience to understand about you.

Ask yourself.

You now understand what has to be written. Right?

At the next stage, you must organise it.

Divide your personal statement into:

Paragraph 1

The first paragraph is the most challenging to write.

This is the point at which you create and maintain the attention of your reader.

An engaging personal anecdote at the beginning will keep the reader engaged.

 It’d be good to mention here if your motives are influenced by your own skin condition or a close member’s experience.

Similarly, you can subtly include patient encounters in your introduction.

Paragraph 2

You should now describe your journey to become a dermatologist.

Explain to the reader how you came to specialise in this area and everything you’ve done to research it.

Your clinical and research experiences can also be added to it.

Paragraph 3

Take the opportunity to repeat the key ideas you need your reader to know.

You could try persuading the reader that your experiences have equipped you for a residency in dermatology.

Furthermore, explain your future plans.

With this, craft a compelling conclusion.

Example 1 – Dermatology Personal Statement

When the doctor requested that the patient return to the room, my clinical rotation was almost complete. A little mole, however, was visible on the back of the patient’s arm when he got up from the chair, as I later discovered. The patient’s mole was noticeable because of the light-coloured gown he was wearing. My focus was drawn to the irregular shape, discolouration, and fuzzy boundaries. I considered melanoma to be a possibility. When the dermatologist sent the sample and performed a biopsy, it was certain that the patient had low-stage melanoma. I pondered how far our healthcare has come since the patient was quickly diagnosed. In the contemporary environment, a dermatologist’s responsibility in ensuring excellent skin is inevitable. Additionally, my time spent on the clinical rotation made it clear to me why it’s important to be a dermatologist. I discovered how important it is to be aware of every aspect of a patient and to treat them gently. In order to develop both my experience and my talents to become a great dermatologist, I have chosen to specialise in dermatology residency. I intend to carry it out through the dermatology residency programme at your prestigious institution.

Skin and tissue-related medical disorders can have a significant impact on a person ‘s way of life. I encountered people who had a range of skin issues throughout my rotation at the medical school’s Dermatology department. These conditions ranged from melanoma to rosacea. Every person or patient who had such illnesses hoped for a recovery and a cure. To such circumstances, however, a quick response is impractical. Developing the proper diagnosis and treatment plan requires a methodical approach that takes time. I also learnt more about the biology that underlies these disorders and how to treat them more effectively with technology during the training. In dermatology, technology plays a significant role. To get the desired results, the proper equipment and treatment must be chosen. In his or her medical career, my doctor frequently advises physicians to be tech-savvy. Some answers to our issues rely only on it. Physicians can outperform one another if they comprehend and value it.

Successful career in dermatology requires more than just medical skills. I became aware of how crucial having good communication skills are to the process while seeing my superior Dr. Jane throughout the clinical rotations. To encourage patients to open up, a dermatologist should foster a comfortable and caring environment. I have observed that some patients spent more time discussing their problems when I was helping her during her sessions. Dr. Jane, however, waited calmly and cheerfully. Beyond just having medical knowledge, a dermatologist needs certain personality traits. I have since worked on improving my soft skills. I improved my communication abilities by spending my leisure time in the ward with patients. Participation in a free medical camp run by our college helped participants develop the capacity to function under pressure and the ability to make quick decisions. The time I invested in developing these abilities widened my horizons. I had the opportunity to view the world from a different angle. I attempted to comprehend the world from the sufferers’ perspective by putting myself in their shoes.

As a future dermatologist, I am aware that various skin disorders can have numerous, diverse origins. In order to work effectively, it is crucial to become acquainted with the profession and diseases. This residency programme will provide me with the training and opportunity I need to diagnose and treat skin problems in addition to the knowledge I have been seeking. I see this dermatology residency programme as providing a solid platform upon which to construct my future professional life. Only then can I start my own clinic for the residents of my community. I am looking forward to the prospects and challenges in the dermatology residency programme at your esteemed institution.

Example 2 – Dermatology Personal Statement

For me, dermatology was an unexpected career choice. I never learned about maintaining healthy skin in the society in which I was raised. Even when one’s face was covered in pimples, they never went to a dermatologist. However, the circumstances have changed now. People are aware of the value of having healthy skin in their lives. I wasn’t interested in dermatology until attending medical school. During one of my medical school rotations, I met a woman who was receiving treatment for skin cancer, which was the first time I had ever encountered a significant skin issue. She had two kids. She had epithelial cell cancer. However, she accepted it and acted towards it in a way that most surprised me. She constantly had a smile on her face and was certain the treatment will be effective.

Because of her dermatologist’s unwavering support, she was able to see things despite the misery. The aspects that impressed me the most about them were their relationship, the way she trusted her physician, as well as how joyful and optimistic she remained. Despite the fact that I had seen doctors’ care and compassion towards their patients, this specific scenario emerged as the one that I could quickly relate due to my involvement. Dermatology caught my attention, and I made the decision to keep it in mind as a possible future field of study.

Although all humans have the same facial features, there really are huge differences between the genders’ skin conditions. Due to hormone changes, I have had skin problems since I was a young girl. Many of my male classmates and friends in high school and college shared the same issues, but for some reason, the way their rash or pimples appeared on their skin were different. This idea gave me the inspiration to conduct research on the various skin disorders that affect both men and women and the various treatments available. Through my studies, I have learned that several situations, such as puberty, menopause, pregnancy, and others, can lead to women experiencing different skin disorders throughout their lives. The subject piqued my curiosity, and I intended to explore it further in the future.

As a first step, I volunteered to help spread awareness about children’s skin conditions. It took place in a nearby community school. I believed that knowing their bodies and their sexuality would allow them to understand their skin problems effectively. Why does this happen? So what can I do? Only a very thorough understanding of oneself can provide an answer to such concerns. My activities were made easier by my experience in research. We were able to understand their belief system through arranging an interaction session with them. Their brains have been greatly impacted by the ideas of fairness and light skin. I took the decision at that moment that I would make a difference in society after completing my education and obtaining a dermatology specialty. Though it takes time, I want the younger generation to realise that having healthy skin is more important than having fair skin.

Whenever I studied about a different skin problem, it transformed into a new adventure for me. I aspired to become like my mentors as they were proficient at assessing and resolving diseases from the tiniest details on their patients. They had a good sense of observation and sharpness. Later, I understood that such abilities wouldn’t appear overnight. It demands patience and knowledge. I therefore believe that your acclaimed dermatology course will allow me to obtain the diagnosis ability and competence of a dermatologist while also offering me enough space to concentrate on research. The shift in the community’s perception of beauty is one of my future goals as well as being a skilled dermatologist. I am hoping your university will enable me to grow both personally and professionally.

Common mistakes

Weak or clichéd language.

Do not use meaningless or clichéd language.

You need to deliver more than what the reviewers are anticipating.

Using such words could have the opposite effect.

Don’t get too intimate

Avoid employing language that lets you express your feelings in cathartic ways.

In your personal statement, it is not a good idea to discuss politics or the lack of education.

Copying personal statements

Although you can read other examples of dermatological personal statements, you must never copy their content completely.

Create a statement of your own.

Lack of editing

You should thoroughly edit your personal statement at least three times.

A crucial step in your process is editing and proofreading.

How Do Experts Write? Tips From Experts!

Knowing how to write a dermatology personal statement requires you to be aware that it is not an easy journey.

Therefore, here are some tips that will be useful for you from experts:

Show rather than tell

Instead of claiming to be an expert in dermatology, use instances to show the admissions committee that you actually are.

Strictly follow length guidelines

Keep in mind and make sure to pay attention to your program’s requirements.

Never exceed the word count.

Follow the format rules

Be sure to organize your statement according to the conventions of a formal essay.

Your statement will be easier for the reader to understand if it has a solid structure, style, and pace.

Do not repeat your resume

Instead of repeating what is in your CV, discuss the aspects of your profile that are not covered anywhere in your application.

Grammar and syntax mistakes in the personal statement can be lessened by proofreading. If you’re unsure, you can get help from a professional.

How to Apply for Dermatology Residency Programs

• For the dermatology residency programme, you must submit an application using the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS).
• The ERAS application requires several documents (mentioned below in the next section).
• Once you applied through ERAS with all the necessary documents, wait for the response.

To secure your ERAS token :

• US medical school grads should get in touch with the Dean’s Office or Student Affairs department.
• Graduates of foreign medical schools need to get in contact with the Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG).

Documents Need to Apply

• Personal statement
• Current curriculum vitae
• Transcript of the medical school record
• A letter from your medical school’s dean
• Three letters of recommendation
• USMLE Step 1 score

Best Universities for Dermatology Residency Programs

Stanford university.

You will have accessibility to everything you want for the best education due to a cutting-edge dermatological centre that has the biggest clinical practice in the world.

University of Pennsylvania

When it comes to dermatology research output, Penn’s dermatology programme is fourth in the US.

Northwestern University

They offer both inpatient and outpatient experience.

Yale University

A dermatology lab with all the necessary equipment is one of its many attractions.

John Hopkins University

They provide students with dermatological electives that combine fundamental and advanced clerkships.

Your application to the dermatology residency will be heavily influenced by your personal statement.

It ensures that you stand out from the other candidates.

We believe you now have a solid grasp on how to write a personal statement.

Did our advice assist you?

If so, feel free to comment with your thoughts.

Mrs Jizah M

Mrs Jizah M has always enjoyed writing down her thoughts since school days. What just started as a hobby slowly transformed into a passion. Her writing skills were first acknowledged by few of her professors when she wrote content for the college website; this was a turing. Slowly she started getting freelance works and later on, a series of events led her to specialize in academic and higher education related documentations. In additional to personal statements, she along with her team writes LORs, SOPs, college application essays, admission essays and all similar types of documents.

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Residency Personal Statement [Ultimate Guide]

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There’s no doubt that a strong application for a residency program will open new doors and bring in a lot of opportunities for you. Aside from your shiny USMLE or COMLEX scores and your GPA in medical school, residency program directors look for a specific reason to accept you – and a residency personal statement is what they need.

In this post, we’re going to shed some light on your residency personal statement – enabling you to learn how to write a phenomenal personal statement that will land you an interview so you can match into the specialty you desire!

Table Of Contents

What Is A Residency Personal Statement?

A residency personal statement is one of the requirements when applying to residency programs. This is a formal letter that you get to write and personalize yourself to further showcase your strengths as an individual and as a potential resident of the specialty you desire to match into.

It is a medium that enables you to improve your residency application by going beyond what’s written in your CV and letting the program directors see why you’re perfect for their residency.

How Important Is The Personal Statement For Residency?

The National Residency Matching Program’s (NRMP) Director Survey shows a chart on the percentage of programs citing each factor and mean importance rating for each factor in selecting applicants to interview.

Here are the top 10 cited factors that residency program directors consider when choosing which applicants will pass to the succeeding stages of the application process.

Figure 1. Top 10 Factors Residency Program Directors Consider When Selecting Qualified Applicants

As we can derive from the figure above, residency program directors prioritize USMLE Step 1 /COMLEX Level 1 scores, letters of recommendation , Medical Student Performance Evaluation, USMLE Step 2 CK /COMLEX Level 2 scores, and residency personal statements come in at fifth place with a 78% citing factor and an average rating of 3.7.

Residency program directors will always put those numbers in your residency application on top of their list of priorities. If there’s anything I learned about mathematics is that numbers are universal. Your scores are what it is and there’s no other way of trying to understand it.

No matter what kind of student you were in medical school, how you treat your colleagues, or your attitude towards work and rotations – the first thing people will ask you is how much you have scored on your Step 1.

However, residency program directors are not just interested in these numbers alone. Otherwise, letters of recommendation and residency personal statements wouldn’t even be in the top 5 factors in selecting applicants for residency programs.

See, chances are, the applicants you’ll be competing with would have the similar USMLE or COMLEX scores as you. Everyone is competent enough to be accepted – so how is this going to pan out?

The residency personal statement serves as the tiebreaker for such situations. Your scores as yours to keep but your residency personal statement sets you apart from the rest – helping them remember your residency application as something to consider.

This is the opportunity offered to you to voice out your goals and motivations why you’re diving into the specialty that you are applying for. Doing so will help the directors determine for themselves if you’re applying to become the future physician that they’re exactly looking for and not just because you need something to pay the bills for.

What Do You Write In A Residency Personal Statement?

Your residency personal statement should embody who you are as an individual and as an applicant.

While letters of recommendation provide qualitative information about an applicant from the eyes of the people around him, residency personal statements solely come from the words of the applicant.

Thus, it is a language understood only by the applicants and the program directors where they could know more about your personality and strengths and decide whether you would fit the environment and standards of their residency program.

Of course, for your residency personal statement to achieve its full capabilities – you must be able to write a coherent letter which includes some aspects that program directors expect to see.

You could ask for residents you know if you could have a glimpse of their residency personal statements for you to have an idea where you should start. There are also a ton of examples all over the Internet which I’ll be providing you later on.

Here are some of the common things to be written in a residency personal statement. Make sure that your residency personal statement answers the questions below. These are also a great place to start if you feel lost and have no idea what to write.

Motivations Behind Career and Specialty Choice

• What has drawn you to pursue this specialty among others?
• What are the instances in your life and in all your years of medical school that piqued your interest in this specialty?
• How and what led you to decide that medicine is what you want to pursue as a career?
• What medical cause do you feel should be addressed by you?

Qualities or Skills To Help You As A Resident

• What are your strengths that other applicants don’t have?
• How are your skills and qualities going to help you succeed as a medical practitioner?
• Could the residency directors expect more from you?
• Are you capable of learning and improving?
• How do you think these will enable you to excel in this specialty?

Plans For The Long Term

• What do you expect from this specialty in the long run?
• What do you hope to accomplish besides paying the bills and making the world a better place to live in for patients?
• Are you planning to become a partner or stay as employed?
• How do you see your career in this specialty progressing, 20 years in time?

Personal Attributes Relevant To Your Specialty

• If you’re applying for a pediatrics residency program, are you easily approachable by kids and their parents?
• Are you empathetic towards women and have respect for their decisions?
• Do you have the leadership skills that a surgeon needs?
• What are the instances wherein you have strongly demonstrated your personal attributes to a clinical setting?

Accomplishments You’re Proud Of

• Are there any extracurricular activities that are meaningful to you?
• What are the accomplishments you feel most proud of? If these are already mentioned in your CV but you feel like this one certain accomplishment is kind of ambiguous and worth expanding on, then go ahead.

How Long Should A Residency Personal Statement Be?

As tempting it may be to tell your whole story on how you have decided to become a physician, don’t be that kind of applicant. Keep your residency personal statement at about just 3500 characters or 500 words. Make sure that you don’t go over 1 page.

You just want to promote your strengths, qualities, and skills at a personal level since your USMLE or COMLEX scores don’t really provide an insight as to what kind of person you are and how you approach your work. That’s all there is to it.

What Makes A Great Residency Personal Statement?

A Unique Take Behind Your Medical Journey

Every aspiring medical practitioner has a story to tell. Think of a unique story coming from a very particular point in your life that had led you to realize that you want to pursue a career in the field of medicine.

The introduction should tell the story of the exact moment of your transition to be an aspiring physician . If you are one of the applicants who was dead set on a particular specialty before experiencing rotations and had a change of heart as you were going through with it – explain why and how you felt in this transition.

It’s important for you to write everything in detail . Writing the introduction with detail delivers the story vividly and clearly to the reader of your residency personal statement. Make them feel like they were with you on that day.

You want this story to be powerful but not too emotional, substantial but brief, specific but not too revealing, and something that only you can write . Make it memorable and something to remember. Give the program directors a chance to ask more about you on the day of the interview.

Personalizing Personal Statements

Everyone’s journey in the field of medicine is personal . A residency personal statement is not a place for enumerating every single achievement in your life and selling yourself like hot pancakes.

Your CV, USMLE or COMLEX scores, and letters of recommendation , are already enough quantitative and qualitative information to determine your competency.

A residency personal statement is one of the requirements for residency programs because they want to be able to connect with you on a personal level. They want to understand you as a person and as a potential resident.

Also, because they need something to talk about in your interview.

You must be able to describe how medicine is integral to you as an individual . How has it become something that can describe you as who you are, without wearing that white coat and a stethoscope wrapped around your neck?

Describe how your personality, interests, and the course of your life relate to the specialty you want to match into. Connect the dots from personal to professional.

An Unexpected Turn of Events

As a fan of movies, I fancy characters who display change and growth throughout the story. There’s nothing more boring than a one-trick pony kind of character. A movie with a character like that is not worth watching. Never watching it again for the rest of my life.

You could think of these residency program directors as an audience of the story of your medical journey. Provide them with a timeline that exemplary showcases why and how your points of view, opinions, and perspectives of yourself have changed throughout your journey before and during medical school.

Did you also have failures that had dramatically impacted the course of your life? Don’t be insecure about these failures and use them to your advantage. Sometimes your failures could even be seen as strengths.

Failures are a part of the things that make you who you are now. Program directors would most likely be interested in how you have overcome these failures and how you have used it as a pedestal to become wiser and stronger as a person and as a medical practitioner.

The Kind of Doctor You Want to Become

Do you picture yourself as a doctor who only cares about the politics inside the hospital? Do you see yourself as the kind of doctor who prioritizes the health and safety of your patients and staff above everything else? Are you going to be a doctor for yourself or the patients?

Promoting the current version of yourself in your residency personal statement gives the program directors an image of how you’re going to approach your work as a resident. However, you must also give them a visualization of the kind of doctor you want to be in the long run . This gives them something to look forward to.

What Should You Not Write In A Residency Personal Statement

Avoid Being Dramatic

You need to keep the tone of your statement to be as formal as possible even if you’re talking about yourself. You may be a bit carried away which could push you into writing a statement that’s kind of dramatic in a sense.

In other words – don’t make your residency personal statement a screenplay for a medical drama . You want to hook your reader by providing them interesting substances, not by adding too much flare. Keep your choice of words formal but personal, as well.

No Need For Rehashing

Don’t try to reiterate what’s already on your CV. Doing so is only a waste of paper, ink, and you’re only throwing this opportunity into the trash. You’re not helping anyone else . This is only acceptable if certain things seem ambiguous but deserves to be discussed more.

Don’t Be Too Declarative

Many applicants feel the need to advocate themselves in a sense that they deserve to be accepted to the residency program they are applying for. While I appreciate the confidence and credit the applicant gives himself – this is not unique. Anyone can write something like that.

Remember, your residency personal statement should be something that could only be written by you, no one else.

You Don’t Have To Promote The Specialty

What’s a promotion of the specialty doing in your personal statement? Program directors know what they’re doing and for what cause. Don’t waste your time and some paper on promoting the specialty you are applying for.

While I understand that applicants do this because they feel like they should come off as knowledgeable in the field, program directors are confident that you know plentiful enough about the specialty. Otherwise, why are you even writing that residency personal statement in the first place?

Don’t promote the specialty. Instead, promote yourself.

Residency Personal Statement Examples

Below are some exemplary samples of residency personal statements that bring out the personality, strengths, and qualities of the applicant that sufficiently and efficiently provides an image as to why he is a perfect fit for the program.

For An Anesthesiology Residency Program Applicant

“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 several 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 excited about my 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 me to reflect on my 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 allows 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.”

For A Dermatology Residency Program Applicant

“So many disconnected pieces, yet no clear starting point.” I think as I stare at the 1,000 puzzle pieces in front of me. I instantly rewire my brain to consider all of them but also how they fit in the big picture. Working for hours on puzzles with my terminally ill grandfather taught me there is something mesmerizing about simultaneously losing and centering yourself in a disarray of colors and shapes. Dermatology is a jigsaw puzzle in which the pieces sit in front of our eyes, waiting to be assembled into a diagnosis. Solving this intricate puzzle, which encompasses a wide variety of intriguing diseases, fascinated me early in my medical career.

During my first contact with patients as a research assistant at [name of center], I developed a genuine interest in this specialty. Witnessing the effects of severe and refractory dermatological diseases on their quality of life sparked my empathy and a desire to strengthen my knowledge in order to help them. This empathy grew over the course of my rotations, as I observed the distress brought on by a melanoma diagnosis, the debilitating pruritus associated with atopic dermatitis, and the emotional scars left by acne.

Driven by this experience, I founded the [name of race] with my devoted and inspiring team. Together, we raised close to $18,000, which was donated to the [name of society] for the advancement of malignant melanoma research and prevention strategies. This project allowed me to serve as a leader and a strong team player. I was also granted the hands-on opportunity to take concrete steps towards promoting prevention and advocating for patient health – competencies that will serve me as a devoted dermatologist.

As a result of my scientific rigors and dedication, I have had the opportunity to publish my work on inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and speak at international conferences. I recently submitted a case study to the [name of journal] and an abstract to next year’s [ name of conference]. I hope to further my contribution to the advancement of dermatology both scientifically and academically. Besides my interest in skin malignancy, I am also very passionate about immunodermatology, skin manifestations of IBD, and vascular anomalies, to name a few. Committed to a lifelong learning experience, I strive to expand my knowledge through academic research. My constant desire to improve, in addition to an insatiable curiosity, was valued during my rotations regardless of the specialty.

During my residency, I look forward to being challenged and surrounded by new ideas and perspectives. I wish to pursue my training in [name of city]’s multicultural epicenter, where I will be exposed to a wide range of unique cases. [Name of school]’s prestige for research and mentorship is second to none. During my elective at the [name of hospital], your commitment to patient care, your dedication to knowledge, and your pedagogical approach instilled a sense of belonging in me. It is with you that I hope to set the final puzzle pieces of my medical training into place.”

For A Family Medicine Residency Program Applicant

“My first exposure to Family Medicine occurred during my time as a Medical Officer working in a small clinic in Nigeria in fulfillment of the [name of service]. There, I recognized that a career in this specialty would offer me the opportunity to not only experience the aspects I cherished most about other specialties, but fulfill my personal interests in advancing community health.

My many encounters with patients during my days in the clinic reaffirmed my view of Primary care physicians as being on the frontline of diagnosis and preventive medicine. There was the middle-aged diabetic patient who had first presented to the emergency with diabetic ketoacidosis, the hypertensive man whose initial complaint of a persistent headache prompted the discovery of his soaring blood pressure, and the adolescent with a family history of allergies who was diagnosed with asthma. These encounters highlighted that as the first point of contact, the general practitioner is not only responsible for diagnosis, but often in ensuring patients are set on the path of healthy habits to prevent disease complications. This unique opportunity to significantly advance the well-being of a patient, and by extension, the community renewed my interest in the field.

An especially appealing feature of Family Medicine is that it provides an opportunity for patient care without limitations of age, sex, disease, or organ system. From treating colds and routine checkups to referral for suspected malignancy, I enjoyed that every day in the clinic was a learning experience and no day was routine. In addition, having a diverse population of patients and cases requires an abundance of clinical knowledge and I cherish the chance to learn and expand my skills every day.

I also value that an essential part of Primary care is in the enduring relationships the practitioners develop with patients. I recall several moments during my clinical experiences when I recognized that some of the bonds formed during ongoing patient interactions had evolved into lasting friendships. Being a practice of continual care, I appreciate that this specialty provides many opportunities to follow patients through different stages of their lives ensuring a deepening of relationship and compliance with care. I was inspired during my clinical rotation here in the United States when I saw how my preceptorís long-term relationships with patients enabled their compliance and often extended to different generations within one family.

Ultimately, I am confident that my experiences have prepared me for a career in this specialty. An agreeable, attentive, and compassionate nature has aided me in gaining trust as well as building meaningful interpersonal relationships which are crucial components of this field. Furthermore, my interaction with an extensive array of patients during my clinical and volunteer experiences has equipped me with the ability to communicate and relate to patients across different age groups and backgrounds. In addition, I enjoy working to coordinate patient care with colleagues and other specialties and value that the wellness of the patient is a result of hard work, dedication, and teamwork.

Thus, I hope to find a residency program dedicated to providing in-depth clinical training with a diverse patient population and an emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention through patient education and community service. Moreover, I look forward to being part of a program that will encourage my pursuit of intellectual development and advancement to enable my transition into a well-rounded, competent, and skilled physician committed to serving people with needs in all areas of medicine. With a career in this specialty, I know that every day will bring a new opportunity to influence health behaviors, and while there will be challenges, fulfilling them will always be satisfying.”

For A Surgery Residency Program Applicant

“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 for 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.”

_______________________________________________________

All residency personal statement examples shown in this article are provided by Bemo Academic Consulting. Check it out for more samples for different specialties.

We also give credit to Shemmassian Academic Consulting , Thalamus , and Peterson’s as they have served as sources in writing this article on residency personal statements.

P.S. Did you know that you can seek assistance from AI in crafting your personal statement? Check out this article: 5 Crazy Ways AI Can Improve Your Life As A Med Student

I hope this article has provided you useful insights on how to write your residency personal statement that would leave an impression on the residency program directors. Go ahead – jot down your thoughts, pour every ounce of your writing skills, and land that interview spot!

Whenever you’re ready, there are 4 ways I can help you:

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If you have enjoyed this post, check out some of our other blog posts!

• Medical School Personal Statement Examples And Tips
• Medical School Zanki: Should You Use It?
• 25 Questions For Medical School Interviewers You Should Ask
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• Best Pre-Med Majors For Med School [Full Guide]
• What Is A Transitional Year Residency?
• How To Prepare Yourself For Residency [Step-By-Step]
• How To Write A Thank You Note After A Residency Interview
• ERAS Photo Requirements And Tips

Until the next time, my friend…

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Crafting a Compelling Dermatology Personal Statement: Examples and Insights

Crafting a Compelling Dermatology Personal Statement: Examples and Insights – In the competitive field of dermatology, a well-crafted personal statement is a crucial element of your application.

Admissions committees seek candidates who not only possess academic qualifications but also demonstrate a genuine passion for dermatology.

In this article, we will explore the key components of a strong dermatology personal statement and provide illustrative examples to guide aspiring dermatologists in showcasing their unique qualities.

Table of Contents

Understanding the Purpose of a Dermatology Personal Statement

A dermatology personal statement serves as a platform for applicants to convey their motivations, experiences, and aspirations in the field.

It goes beyond listing academic achievements, offering a narrative that reflects the candidate’s personality, dedication, and suitability for a career in dermatology.

Structuring Your Dermatology Personal Statement

To create an impactful personal statement, it is essential to follow a well-defined structure. Consider the following format:

1. Introduction

Begin with a compelling opening that grabs the reader’s attention. Share a personal anecdote or an experience that sparked your interest in dermatology.

Example : “As a child, I struggled with chronic skin conditions that not only impacted my physical well-being but also fueled my fascination with dermatology. This personal journey has driven my commitment to pursuing a career where I can make a difference in the lives of individuals facing similar challenges.”

2. Educational Background and Relevant Experiences

Discuss your academic background, highlighting relevant coursework, research, and extracurricular activities.

Emphasize experiences that shaped your interest in dermatology.

Example : “My academic journey in biology has equipped me with a strong foundation in the sciences. During my undergraduate years, I actively participated in dermatology research projects, exploring the latest advancements in the field. Additionally, my internship at [Hospital/Research Institution] exposed me to the practical aspects of dermatological care.”

3. Motivation and Passion

Articulate your passion for dermatology and the specific aspects that excite you about the field.

Demonstrate a genuine commitment to making a positive impact.

Example : “The intricate connection between dermatology and patient well-being fuels my passion for this field. I am particularly drawn to the challenges of diagnosing and treating complex skin conditions, and I am motivated by the prospect of improving the quality of life for those facing dermatological issues.”

4. Unique Qualities and Skills

Highlight the qualities and skills that set you apart as a candidate.

Discuss how these attributes contribute to your suitability for a career in dermatology.

Example : “My strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and empathy enable me to approach dermatological cases with both precision and compassion. During my time as a volunteer at [Dermatology Clinic], I honed my ability to communicate complex medical information in an accessible manner, fostering a positive patient-doctor relationship.”

5. Future Goals

Outline your long-term career goals in dermatology.

Express how pursuing further education or training will contribute to your professional development.

Example : “Aspiring to become a dermatologist, I am committed to continuous learning and staying abreast of emerging trends in the field. I envision contributing to dermatological research, advancing treatment modalities, and ultimately, making a meaningful impact on patient care.”

Dermatology Personal Statement Examples

To provide concrete examples, let’s explore two hypothetical personal statements that embody the principles outlined above.

“As a biology major with a keen interest in human health, my academic journey has been a stepping stone toward a fulfilling career in dermatology. Inspired by my own experiences with skin conditions, I embarked on a research project during my junior year, investigating the genetic factors influencing dermatological disorders. This hands-on experience deepened my understanding of the intricate mechanisms underlying skin health and solidified my desire to contribute to the field.”

“During my internship at [Dermatology Clinic], I had the privilege of working alongside seasoned dermatologists, witnessing the diverse array of cases they handled. This exposure fueled my passion for diagnosing and treating skin conditions, motivating me to pursue advanced education in dermatology. My ability to communicate complex medical information became evident as I interacted with patients, fostering trust and collaboration in their care.”

“As I look to the future, I am eager to embark on a dermatology residency program to refine my clinical skills and engage in impactful research. My ultimate goal is to establish a dermatological practice that prioritizes patient education and holistic care. I am confident that my unique blend of academic excellence, research experience, and compassionate approach will contribute to the ever-evolving field of dermatology.”

“My journey into dermatology began with a personal struggle—battling severe acne throughout my teenage years. This experience not only shaped my understanding of the profound impact skin conditions can have on one’s life but also ignited a passion for dermatology. Armed with this drive, I pursued a degree in biology, delving into coursework that laid the groundwork for a future in dermatological care.”

“During my undergraduate years, I actively participated in a dermatology research group, where I collaborated on projects exploring innovative treatments for common skin disorders. This hands-on experience allowed me to witness the transformative power of dermatological interventions and solidified my commitment to contributing to the field. Additionally, volunteering at [Community Health Clinic] provided me with the opportunity to interact with a diverse patient population, enhancing my ability to tailor care to individual needs.”

“As I embark on the next phase of my academic journey, I am eager to enroll in a dermatology residency program that aligns with my commitment to patient-centered care and research. My long-term goal is to merge clinical practice with advocacy, working to increase dermatological awareness in underserved communities. I am confident that my academic achievements, research background, and unwavering passion position me as a dedicated candidate ready to make a meaningful impact in dermatology.”

Crafting an exemplary dermatology personal statement requires a combination of personal reflection, academic achievements, and a forward-looking perspective.

By following a structured approach and infusing your unique experiences and aspirations, you can create a compelling narrative that resonates with admissions committees.

Remember, your statement is an opportunity to showcase not just your qualifications but also your passion for dermatology and your potential to contribute to the field’s advancement.

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Personal Statement Guidelines

Guidelines for writing personal statements.

The Personal Statement should be personal and specific to you and your experience/s. The goal of the personal statement is so that reviewers can get to know you as unique applicant and what you will bring to the program and the field. Consider the following when putting together your personal statement.      

• Never use another person or program to write your personal statement.
• Never copy another individual’s personal statement. This is a violation of professional conduct and the Match.

Before you get started:

• Some specialties may require that you have a separate personal statement for each program.
• Some students will choose to make a common personal statement but modify a paragraph that is program or location specific.
• Be sure to check with specialty and program requirements when drafting your personal statement.

General Tips :

• Grammarly® is an example of a free online resource.
• Stick to 1 page
• Save these highlights for your interview or your noteworthy characteristics.
• We recommend that you create your personal statements in a text file.
• The way you create a text file is Click on 'Start' menu on the desktop, under 'All Programs' Click 'Accessories', Click 'Notepad'. Change the Font to Courier New 10 which is used by ERAS. Keep it to less than one-page single spaced with one-inch margins all around and spaces between paragraphs.
• Do not use any special characters such as Bold, Italics, Underlines, &, ñ, µ, @,#,% etc.
• You don’t want it to look too cluttered.

When you may need more than ONE personal statement :

• If you are dual applying, you likely will need separate personal statements
• For a preliminary program personal statement, you may consider a separate personal statement or modify the personal statement to include what you are looking for in a preliminary program.
• You may consider personalizing a personal statement due to location, family, other circumstances. We recommend that you do this either early or at the end of the personal statement.
• If you are deciding between two or more specialties, it is sometimes helpful to write a personal statement for each. If you cannot see the real differences among them, others who read your statements may be able to discover your true passion.
• Label your personal statement files well so that you know which personal statement is being used for which specialty or program

Before drafting your personal statement, please use the information below to help you organize your thoughts :  

• 2-3 paragraphs with a theme (see prompts below)
• Final thoughts/projections forward

Suggested prompts for your personal statement might be : 

• Why you chose this field? 
• Personality traits
• Experiences such as education, leadership, service, research, or volunteerism
• Related hobbies, etc. 
• A brief explanation of gap time particularly for research, dual-degree or certification and how you see this time as beneficial to your residency goals.
• Some things of that nature might be best explained in your MSPE, if you wish.  Discuss this with the OSA dean writing your MSPE. 
• Applicants can describe any challenges or hardships that influenced their journey to residency. This could include experiences related to family background, financial background, community setting, educational experiences, and/or general life experiences. This question is intended for applicants who have overcome major challenges or obstacles.
• Some projection into your future, of both a professional and personal nature, if you wish. You may not want to be too specific about sub-specialty aspirations, though. People like to see an open mind. 
• What you see as the next exciting things happening in your field of interest? How do you see yourself as part of them?

Common Pitfalls:

• Avoid being a just list of reasons that you like the specialty
• Balance being personal without overly revealing in these cases
• If you don’t want to talk about a situation in your interview, it shouldn’t be in your personal statement
• If you can’t talk about a situation without becoming overly emotional, you may want to brainstorm if that should be in your personal statement (remember this is a job interview)
• If the description of your story is 1/3 of your personal statement, you are missing an opportunity to talk more about yourself.
• AVOID: I disliked all other specialties till I rotated on XXX.
• AVOID: I noticed that I didn’t really like the way XXX interacted with patients
• AVOID: The patient was angry and non-compliant.
• Run the risk of losing the reader’s attention

Final Thoughts :

• Be specific in what you ask them to review (I.e. grammar, content, voice)
• Faculty members in the type of program to which you are applying.
• People who know you well, on whom you can count for honest feedback, and who can make any necessary corrections in syntax and grammar. 
• Read your personal statement out loud to yourself- this is the best way to hear/find things that do not make sense grammatically or in syntax.

Additional Resources:

• Personal Statement Worksheet
• Personal Growth Program

Winning & Personalized Dermatology Personal Statement on Offer

The sooner you submit your captivating residency text, the more of a head start you ensure! Outperform others with our brilliant experts and express delivery!

Taking no notice of quality will never lead to success but, conversely, to failure.

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Our Dermatology Personal Statement Experts Will Meet Your Demands

Dermatology is a subject that is expanding as skin problems and other associated diseases become increasingly prevalent. This implies that dermatologists are becoming increasingly important as the best-qualified doctors to treat and cure various dermatology illnesses and ailments. Nonetheless, most residency programs in the dermatology field are difficult from the start.

When a student applies for a dermatology program, they must prepare a dermatology personal statement. A personal statement in the dermatology area is required for all applications, and with over 500 hundred dermatology program candidates each year, a personal statement has become more of a need than a simple dermatology program requirement. Most dermatology programs may choose their students considering a dermatology focused personal statement, ensuring that they meet all personal statement standards and the dermatology committee’s expectations about a personal statement.

We Make a Dermatology Residency Personal Statement Convincing

A dermatology residency personal statement, like other personal statements, has three primary requirements that each dermatology candidate must meet: writing your personal statement honestly, discussing their ambitions and future dermatology career expectations, and making sure, in a personal statement, they describe their dermatology abilities and traits relevant to the dermatology program in an interesting manner.

The personal statement for your dermatology residency is more significant than your medical school GPA, USMLE scores, and even your CV. As a result, a dermatology personal statement is an essential component of every application for a dermatology program and a requirement for any applicant seeking admission to a dermatology school. However, writing your personal statement in the dermatology area is not as simple as it appears, so you have to know numerous factors of a personal statement for your dermatology program.

The process of writing your dermatology personal statement is difficult since, as a document, the personal statement does not truly boost a dermatology program applicant’s chances of admission. In fact, it is more likely to diminish the odds of dermatology program acceptance. As a result, a personal statement for your dermatology program must be flawless in every manner.

Impress the Committee With a Personal Statement Dermatology Document

Every dermatology program candidate wants to create a good first impression with a personal statement, and it all starts with crafting their personal statement dermatology residency document. The following personal statement stages will walk you through the process of writing your personal statement in the dermatology field.

Nothing is more effective for a personal statement than outlining what you will write for the dermatology program and discuss in your personal statement. This may be done months before writing your personal statement in the dermatology field, and doing it well will provide enormous benefits that will undoubtedly pay off in the shape of an outstanding dermatology personal statement document.

Begin writing your personal statement for your dermatology program. Once you’ve decided what you want to write about and what you want to express in your personal statement for your dermatology program, our residency personal statement dermatology expert can begin writing any personal statement.

The first rule of starting your personal statement for your dermatology program is to simply get started. Simply begin composing the personal statement for your dermatology program, and you will discover whether or not it appears suitable for your dermatology program and reads properly.

When working on a dermatology personal statement, we also stick to the following:

• Any personal statement has a fixed and logical structure and flow
• First personal statement component is used for the introduction and presentation
• Second personal statement section is about development and description
• Third personal statement part is an explanation, closing arguments, and conclusion

Engaging the personal statement reader is a must-do phase for making the personal statement in the dermatology area. Most dermatology program committees seek dermatology applicants who may be engaging since this shows that they are knowledgeable, smart, and enthusiastic about their dermatology program choice, and it all can be expressed in a personal statement for your dermatology program.

However, your dermatology personal statement must aim to be interesting from the first line so that the remainder of the personal statement is characterized by how you started it all, and the dermatology program committee will undoubtedly be drawn to keep reading your personal statement.

Be optimistic in your personal statement for the dermatology program. Every dermatology program committee looks for applicants who can, in a personal statement, describe their talents and experiences in a positive manner, indicating that they are innovative, engaged in dermatology, and emotionally well. In a dermatology personal statement, never bring up or debate topics such as religion or politics, and never speak critically about anything or anybody. Always keep a personal statement for your dermatology program cheerful.

Which Dermatology Personal Statements Guarantees We Provide to You

It is vital that your personal statement for a dermatology program appears fantastic:

• You must demonstrate your clinical training as well as any complex medical information
• Show the details you may have concerning the curriculum and job you choose to pursue
• If you follow instructions, you will have a personal statement to accompany your application
• Our personal statement specialists can adapt materials to several dermatological subspecialties

However, if you are having difficulty writing your dermatology personal statements on your own, whether because it does not meet your expectations or because you feel like you need more personal statement assistance, please let us know. Our personal statement dermatology experts would happily assist you. We create amazing personal statements for any dermatology residencies, but we also provide dermatology program documents on time and in direct connection with personal statement authors.

Contact us if you need assistance with your personal dermatology statements, and relax!

Writing a Personal Statement for Residency Application

Personal statements are an essential, required part of applying to residency. Residency programs screen thousands of applications every cycle and read many hundreds of these statements in the process. You should aim to write an interesting statement that showcases your personality as well as your achievements. Perhaps most importantly, you will need to skillfully articulate the reasons for your interest in family medicine and the particular program you're applying to.

How to Write a Great Personal Statement

A great personal statement sets itself apart from a good personal statement in several ways.

• First, it includes a level of specificity that shows your motivations and interests are authentic. For example, when conveying why you want to match into family medicine, show awareness of the exciting developments in the specialty, or describe your experience with or knowledge of topics like population health management, care coordination, and the social determinants of health.
• Feel free to highlight items in your CV if they help remind your reader of the experiences you’ve had that prepared you for the position. This is your opportunity to expand upon activities that are just listed in the CV but deserve to be described so your reader can appreciate the breadth and depth of your involvement in them. It should not be another comprehensive list of your activities, but rather should refer to activities that are listed in detail on the CV.
• The personal statement is also an appropriate place to address anything that may be ambiguous on your CV. In particular, you should address any nontraditional path you’ve taken through medical school, such as time off or an altered curricular journey. It is better to address these than to leave a program wondering. If you write about academic or personal challenges that you faced during medical school, make a positive impression by focusing on what you've learned from those experiences and how they brought you to where you are now. 

You may choose to relate significant personal experiences, but do so only if they are relevant to your candidacy for the position.

Sharpen Your Writing Skills 

The importance of good writing in a personal statement cannot be overemphasized. Unfortunately, not only are good writing skills allowed to deteriorate during medical school, but in some sense, they also are deliberately undermined in the interest of learning to write concise histories and physicals. For the moment, forget everything you know about writing histories and physicals. While preparing your personal statement:

• Avoid abbreviations.
• Avoid repetitive sentence structure.
• Avoid using jargon. If there is a shorter, simpler, less pretentious way of putting it, use it.
• Don't assume your reader knows the acronyms you use. As a courtesy, spell everything out.
• Use a dictionary and spell check. 
• Use a thesaurus. Variety in the written language can add interest, but don't get carried away.
• Write in complete sentences.

If you need a crash course in good writing, read  The Elements of Style ,  Fourth Edition  by Strunk and White. If you have friends or relatives with writing or editing skills, enlist their help. Student organizations at your school may host personal statement clinics, or your school may offer review services. Many student, medical, and specialty societies, local and national, may offer personal statement reviews or workshops.

Even if you're a great writer and feel confident about your application, you should ask trusted advisors, mentors, and friends to critique your personal statement (and your CV! ). They can help you make your statement as flawless as possible by giving you feedback about areas that might have been unclear or things that should be added.

Don't cross the line

Your personal statement should remain an original composition, even as you seek input and advice. Retain your voice as you refine your writing and don't ever plagiarize. Be aware of other ethical lines you shouldn't cross as well, for example, don't use vague references that would allow for the reader to misinterpret the nature of your experience, and don't take full credit for a project if others worked on it with you.

Copyright © 2024 American Academy of Family Physicians. All Rights Reserved.

Pathology Residency Personal Statement Examples

Reading over pathology personal statement examples can be of utmost help in composing your own personal statement. You cannot allow the blank page to conquer you, but when you find yourself unable to proceed, taking a look at what others have written will be your greatest boon.

How to prepare for residency applications will necessarily include writing the perfect personal statement to send out to programs. Even if you are in one of the medical schools with the best match rates , you will still benefit from standing out in every way, including your personal statement.

Even if you already know everything about writing style, tone, and structure, even if you have all of your past accomplishments on hand, it can still be a daunting task to write out a personal statement. It’s a great comfort reading example statements, which is why we present them here for your edification.

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Article Contents 10 min read

Pathology personal statement example #1.

I have to assume that most people don’t find their true calling while being covered in blood and surrounded by sundered body parts and organs. But there I was in the pathology lab, after a particularly grueling session, with a smile under my mask, and an understanding that this was where I wanted to be. 

Any lab was home to me, ever since I was little my parents gave me a “kid’s science kit”. They are both scientists themselves, and are the ones who spurred my natural curiosity about the world.

When I was a little boy I would ask questions about why moths are attracted to light or what makes a bat come out in darkness. They would rarely give the answer. They would start me on my journey of discovery, and I would move forward to learn. I learned how to set up very rudimentary experiments from them, and I did so often, learning about the natural world.

This paid off when I was enrolled in the gifted program. I was taking high school courses in junior high, and would continue to excel academically.

Unfortunately, I must stress that word, “academically”. I found that a lot of my friends didn’t really like me in the advanced program, and as much fun as I had there, I was – I admit – becoming insufferable. My friends let me know this, and we got into a lot of fights.

After a while, I started to flub my grades in an attempt to just “Be normal”.

My life didn’t get back on track until one evening when I heard that one of my friends – Dale – was in a car accident and was on life support. In his hospital room, I remember thinking how small he looked.

I felt guilty for not being a better friend to Dale, and so I started volunteering at the hospital, hoping to help him as best I could. I found I loved that, too, and had an aptitude for much of the work that was being offered me at the facility.

“Five letter word. Neckwear for a highlander.” Ascot. A Scot. That was the first cryptic crossword clue that I ever solved, and I was happier for that small victory than if I’d run a marathon.

I am a puzzle-solver. Crossword puzzles are my favorite ones to crank out, and I cannot consume enough of them. Much of my spare time is devoted to puzzle-solving, and when it came time to choose a path in life and a vocation, I wanted to solve puzzles. “Puzzle solver” isn’t on any of the forms, though, and so I was stumped as to this puzzle: what should I do with my life?

To make some money for university tuition I was a lifeguard. I remember being mostly bored, often doing a crossword puzzle nestled beside me in the lifeguard seat. Fourteen-down, seven letters… Then a splash moved my eyes from the page. It was a “wrong” splash. I can’t explain it, but it wasn’t like the others. Maybe it was the commotion around the splash, but I knew it was wrong.

If it sounded wrong, boy did it look wrong. Red was in the water, floating like crimson mist, and I dove into the pool. Forget the whistle, just dive. I lost track of time, I think, and remember only dragging the boy out of the pool, his head bleeding, his eyes closed, water seeping from his mouth, and my CPR and first aid training took over. I was counting and pumping and breathing, and finally – finally – after an agonizing time, I saw him cough and splutter and sit up. His mother had been shouting the whole time, but I hadn’t heard her; I was focused and in the zone.

I saw her bright embrace of the boy, and I knew I wanted to save lives.

Medical school came next, and there was always, lingering in the back of my mind, the sense that I had been beaten by that puzzle: how to be a puzzle-solver for a career. I was enjoying my classes, my labs, learning about aspects of medicine, shadowing physicians, but nothing was really solving that itch. I resigned myself to being a weekend puzzle-solver and a doctor by day.

Nine letter word; an aspect of medicine concerned with the study of tissues. PATHOLOGY.

I encountered a fellow puzzle-solver: a pathologist named Dr. Claire Barton, and she had me hooked from day one. I found a world I had never seen before in the study of pathology, and I started doing as much extra credit as I could.

Dr. Barton showed me how to use clues contained in tissues, how to investigate and discover, and how to handle the technical aspects of the ins and outs of her profession. I know this is what I want to do.

With my work and education under Dr. Barton, I shared my crosswords and Sudokus and murder mystery novels, and she and I found new insights in applying puzzle solving patterns to our lab work. Treating it almost like a game helped our minds relax and work faster.

Dr. Barton and I worked one case – in perinatal pathology – where we put in extra hours to find the root cause of a patient’s miscarriages. It turned out that she had a rare autoimmune condition which was affecting her pregnancies. Months later, Dr. Barton showed me a picture of a baby, and told me it was sent to us by our patient. I don’t think I’ve ever been happier in my life.

Someday, I hope to be a physician working to solve problems faster. I want to solve the problems of solving problems, and my ambition is to refine pathology methods into a superior state. My dream job would be to work in a laboratory and ferret out the best methods for identifying and disposing of illnesses. I would also like to write materials, text books, that combine my two loves to make pathology more accessible – teaching the discipline through a series of puzzles and games. That would be a tremendous project and undertaking.

The real goal, though, at the end of the day, is to always give out more of those bright-eyed hugs – the welcome-back embraces of that mother to her child. Puzzle solving is fun, but saving lives is the goal, and that’s what I want to do. Wherever I do it, however I do it, that’s the principle and purpose of my four-letter-word for existence.

They were panicking. They didn’t know where the campsite was and they had the compass calibrated all wrong. Even worse: they knew it wasn’t quite right, but nobody could remember how to fix it. I did, but I was waiting to see if they figured it out. It was funny because we weren’t really lost, had plenty of food, and I knew there was no real danger.

My first foray into guiding was as a boy scout, and I was in my teenage years leading some campers on their first-ever canoe trip.

Don’t worry, I only let them panic for about five minutes before giving them some pointers on how to calibrate their compass. That’s the thing, I don’t want people to just have answers handed to them. I had that happen to me; I had a grade school teacher who would just give us the answers, and that was never satisfying to me. I wanted to figure it out myself – just a few hints. So that’s how I taught: here’s how to calibrate the compass, hold the map like this, now figure it out. The best part? They did.

I had other teachers who challenged me the way I liked to challenge others. I think we learn best when we do that.

As much as I enjoy teaching students and guiding them, I never really wanted to purely be an educator. It’s a fine field, don’t get me wrong, but I felt like I wanted something different. Medicine seemed just right.

How did I arrive at medicine? Well, let me give you some pieces.

My mother was a nurse and used to complain about a lack of good doctors. She said they were few and far between.

I had gotten a few high grades, high enough that I started to think the sky was the limit when it came to educational opportunities.

I wanted a field where I could teach, guide, and help, but not where I would just be a teacher.

It’s obvious that I decided on medicine. What really clinched it for me, though – good as those reasons were – was when I went with my mother on career day into the hospital and watched her first-hand care for patients. I saw what she dealt with and the impact she made.

I’ve always been close to my mother, and she taught me well. She was the first to hint-teach, and maybe that’s why I prefer that method over all others.

She needed my help when she caught the coronavirus at work, too. She isolated, but I had to care for her and the household, and keep on top of my studies. I had already expressed an interest in pursuing medicine, and at the end of the fortnight of caring for her she asked, “So, you still want to be a doctor?”

Would you like to go over some medical school personal statement examples that got SIX acceptances? Check this video:

So I enrolled in medical college and started trying everything. Pediatrics wasn’t for me, although it was almost what I wanted. Pathology wasn’t even on my radar until I took a course and then as a research assistant for the instructor in the next semester. Teaching pathology students was special because a lot of them liked learning how I liked learning. A couple expressed an interest in piecing answers together rather than having them presented.

I had many excellent experiences working with pathologists, and I found I had an aptitude for it. I helped diagnose a bone condition in one patient, for instance, that let us solve a long problem he had. He had a history of fractures, and since the patient was in his 60s, his doctor had thought that this was just age. Still, he wanted samples tested in the pathology lab, and we discovered that the patient had a medical condition which affected his bones – outside of just age. That patient is now receiving treatment that will help combat his fractured condition.

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I loved working with that team so very much, and I knew this was the specialization for me. I want to work as a physician and a teacher, even if only a class or two at a local medical college or high school, but that is my main goal and what I hope to accomplish. Someday I would like to create educational programs that more closely operate within my ideal educational methods, but that’s the far future. The next step is to study further and find more students who love the question and the answer as much as I do.

Between 700 and 800 words, or about a page.

Not with a letter grade, no, but they will absolutely affect your chances of acceptance.

It’s the best way that the applications committee can get to know you. These statements move beyond residency CVs , MSPEs , transcripts, and USMLE and MCCQE , and let the committee know the kind of person you are, the values you have, and the growth you have experienced.

Yes, if you can show your growth and strength of character in overcoming obstacles and learning from past mistakes. You can’t just say that you’ve failed a class or have a problem with procrastination. Instead, you need to explain why failing a class once made you a stronger student and why you’ll never procrastinate again. Use specific examples.

It means that you can’t just list off your accomplishments or abilities, you have to make the reader understand them.

It’s the difference between saying, “I never give up and fight for the underdog,” and telling a story of how you championed a weaker person, faced adversity head-on, got “knocked down”, but never quit, and kept trying.

The story will communicate those qualities (perseverance and helping out people weaker than yourself) without ever needing to say them directly.

That’s how to show instead of tell.

Residency applications are looking for one page, keep it to one page.

Keep in mind that these readers are going through a stack of applications, so you don’t want to bog them down by being overly verbose. Better to say something quickly and effectively than simply with a lot of empty ink.

By the time you’ve hit residency application, odds are very good that you’ll have a stack of experiences as long as your leg – or longer. The trick can be figuring out which to use.

Pick your two or three best qualities and stories that illustrate those. You will also want to pick qualities and stories that highlight your appropriateness for the discipline to which you are applying. Specializing in pathology means you pick stories that highlight how good a pathologist you’ll be.

Never lie, never brag, and never be unprofessional – including putting anybody down.

Your statement should never have any poor spelling or grammar.

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Associations of Internal Medicine Residency Milestone Ratings and Certification Examination Scores With Patient Outcomes

• 1 Assessment and Research, American Board of Internal Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• 2 Division of Pulmonary, Sleep, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
• 3 Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
• 4 J. Edwin Wood Clinic of the Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia
• 5 Academic and Medical Affairs, American Board of Internal Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• 6 Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
• 7 Division of General Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts

Question   Internal medicine residents’ competency is evaluated with milestone ratings and the American Board of Internal Medicine’s certification examination. Is physicians’ performance on either of these measures related to their hospitalized patients’ outcomes?

Findings   We analyzed 6898 newly trained hospitalists treating Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries during 455 120 hospitalizations occurring in 2017 to 2019. We found no associations between overall milestone ratings or medical knowledge ratings and hospitalization outcomes, but certification examination score was associated with reduced 7-day mortality and readmissions.

Meaning   Among newly trained hospitalists, certification examination score, but not residency milestone ratings, was associated with improved outcomes among hospitalized Medicare beneficiaries.

Importance   Despite its importance to medical education and competency assessment for internal medicine trainees, evidence about the relationship between physicians’ milestone residency ratings or the American Board of Internal Medicine’s initial certification examination and their hospitalized patients’ outcomes is sparse.

Objective   To examine the association between physicians’ milestone ratings and certification examination scores and hospital outcomes for their patients.

Design, Setting, and Participants   Retrospective cohort analyses of 6898 hospitalists completing training in 2016 to 2018 and caring for Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries during hospitalizations in 2017 to 2019 at US hospitals.

Main Outcomes and Measures   Primary outcome measures included 7-day mortality and readmission rates. Thirty-day mortality and readmission rates, length of stay, and subspecialist consultation frequency were also assessed. Analyses accounted for hospital fixed effects and adjusted for patient characteristics, physician years of experience, and year.

Exposures   Certification examination score quartile and milestone ratings, including an overall core competency rating measure equaling the mean of the end of residency milestone subcompetency ratings categorized as low, medium, or high, and a knowledge core competency measure categorized similarly.

Results   Among 455 120 hospitalizations, median patient age was 79 years (IQR, 73-86 years), 56.5% of patients were female, 1.9% were Asian, 9.8% were Black, 4.6% were Hispanic, and 81.9% were White. The 7-day mortality and readmission rates were 3.5% (95% CI, 3.4%-3.6%) and 5.6% (95% CI, 5.5%-5.6%), respectively, and were 8.8% (95% CI, 8.7%-8.9%) and 16.6% (95% CI, 16.5%-16.7%) for mortality and readmission at 30 days. Mean length of stay and number of specialty consultations were 3.6 days (95% CI, 3.6-3.6 days) and 1.01 (95% CI, 1.00-1.03), respectively. A high vs low overall or knowledge milestone core competency rating was associated with none of the outcome measures assessed. For example, a high vs low overall core competency rating was associated with a nonsignificant 2.7% increase in 7-day mortality rates (95% CI, −5.2% to 10.6%; P  = .51). In contrast, top vs bottom examination score quartile was associated with a significant 8.0% reduction in 7-day mortality rates (95% CI, −13.0% to −3.1%; P  = .002) and a 9.3% reduction in 7-day readmission rates (95% CI, −13.0% to −5.7%; P  < .001). For 30-day mortality, this association was −3.5% (95% CI, −6.7% to −0.4%; P  = .03). Top vs bottom examination score quartile was associated with 2.4% more consultations (95% CI, 0.8%-3.9%; P  < .003) but was not associated with length of stay or 30-day readmission rates.

Conclusions and Relevance   Among newly trained hospitalists, certification examination score, but not residency milestone ratings, was associated with improved outcomes among hospitalized Medicare beneficiaries.

Read More About

Gray BM , Vandergrift JL , Stevens JP , Lipner RS , McDonald FS , Landon BE. Associations of Internal Medicine Residency Milestone Ratings and Certification Examination Scores With Patient Outcomes. JAMA. Published online May 06, 2024. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.5268

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