design assistant personal statement

PA Personal Statement: The Definitive Guide

Including 8 pa school personal statement examples.

Your PA personal statement is one of the most important PA school requirements . Writing a stellar PA personal statement is difficult for many students, however, this statement is vital for distinguishing your application from all the others and getting into the best PA schools . A well-crafted, memorable statement is your golden ticket to a PA school interview, so in today's blog, you'll learn what to include in your PA personal statement, common mistakes to avoid and you'll even be able to review PA personal statement examples.

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Article Contents 28 min read

Pa personal statement example #1.

During my kindergarten graduation, I walked on stage and gave my exit speech: “When I grow up, I want to be a teacher because it’s easy.” Reflecting back, I see the comedy in my naivety as every profession has its own unique challenges. I had no intention to pursue medicine, as I often had a sense of jealousy towards the field. Growing up, my mother was also attending school, first undergraduate then medical school. Exposed to the rigor and competition of higher education, she felt the need to share the importance of dedicating my time to education. While my classmates had work-free weekends, I spent my time completing extra homework, assigned by my mother. Initially, I misinterpreted her teachings as favoritism for studies over spending our days indulging in games.

My passion to become a physician assistant took root the day my grandmother fell from the top of a ladder. My mother shouted for my help with two simple tasks: grab a blanket and call 911. Trapped by fear and hesitation, I was unable to react. This response may seem understandable; however, I was my harshest critic and felt shame from my inability to aid. Sitting in the hospital waiting room, I reflected on my actions and vowed to never again be a mere observer. With this experience, my outlook on the medical field began to change from that of jealousy to intrigue. I started to understand that my mother’s intentions were not to spend less time with me but rather she aspired to be in a position where she could offer herself to support others, an attribute I strive to emulate. My kindergarten dreams to teach were expanded to embody care and compassion, with goals to empower and provide protection to others feeling helpless.

Aware of my lack of knowledge pertaining to handling trauma, I enrolled in an emergency medical response course that equipped me with the skills to handle unforeseen situations, and the strength to grow from criticism. Others questioned my ability to complete this physically rigorous course, given that my stature is a mere four feet and nine inches. Using this criticism as motivation, I excelled in the course and partook in a twelve-hour responder shift. This exhilarating experience strengthened my ambition to study medicine, as my interests lie in the shortcomings of human-design.

• This statement utilizes strong transitional sentences to link paragraphs which creates an easy-to-read essay with excellent flow.
• At the end of each experience, this student does an excellent job of reflecting. They discuss what they learned, why it was significant, and how it will help them in a career in medicine.
• Instead of discussing a variety of different experiences, the student focussed on quality experiences over quantity. This allows each experience, whether the experience with their grandmother or the experience as an emergency medical responder to really develop throughout the essay, ultimately creating a unifying theme that ties together well in the conclusion.
• The essay really comes to life due to the inclusion of details that describe experiences and interactions that were significant to the student such as time spent with their grandmother and patient interactions during shadowing.

The PA school personal statement is one of the most important of the PA school requirements .

Before you begin writing your physician assistant personal statement, it's important to understand the purpose of the personal statement. Essentially, your personal statement will serve as your introduction to admissions committees. It's a way for you to demonstrate why you have chosen to pursue medicine, and why you want to become a PA specifically.

Admissions committees want to understand where your first interest in becoming a physician assistant began, what memorable experiences you've had since that moment, and what steps you've taken towards turning that initial interest into desire and passion for the profession. As with all types of personal statements, your personal statement must address the “why” behind the profession. In this case, why do you want to be a PA? Why did you choose PA school over a related discipline, such as medical school or nursing school? What about the PA profession appeals to you and what have you done to explore the field? What contribution can you make to the PA profession?

Your PA personal statement is the first introduction of who you are and serves as a first impression to the admissions committees. It’s also a way to clinch a PA school interview and move on to the final round of admissions evaluations.

Keep in mind that you'll also be expected to answer this question, and other common PA school interview questions during your interview, so be sure to reflect a bit on your answer and craft a strong response for both your personal statement and your interview answer. Similar questions to this can come up during your PA school interview essay or you can explore your “why” when you’re asked “tell me about yourself” during your interview.

In short, your personal statement is an important tool to getting through the initial rounds of PA school admissions, it provides background information on you to admissions committees and puts a face to your application.

Here's a summary of the requirements for PA school:

How to Write A Killer PA Personal Statement

#1 be honest..

No two personal statements should be alike, each person has had their own set of experiences that have led them to want to pursue this vocation. So don't try to fabricate your statement or exaggerate your experiences. Instead, be honest, tell the admissions committees about your exposure to medicine, what you've learned, how you've grown, what you have accomplished, why it was important and how all of these experiences led to you wanting to become a PA. Don’t try to butter up the admissions committee or make grand statements. Stick to the main reasons why you want to be a PA and why you want to pursue the profession specifically.

#2 Highlight your experiences and skills appropriately.

You want to highlight a few experiences that have helped you understand more about the life and work of a PA and ultimately helped solidify your decision to pursue this field. You can talk about your reasons for choosing PA vs MD if its relevant to your experience. Reflect on the instances that sparked your interest in the field or made you consider a career as a PA. Think about your volunteering, shadowing, and clinical experiences and reflect on any moments that have stood out for you or were significant in developing your interest in the profession. Remember to use details and specific examples to highlight the skills and lessons you earned from these experiences. Perhaps your participation in creating a treatment plan for a particular patient stood out for you or you witnessed an interaction between a physician assistant and a patient during your shadowing that gave you further insight into the profession. In short, you need to be able to answer why the PA is the best route for you, and what you’ve done to prepare yourself for this career.

Additionally, you can draw on related experiences and skills you’ve developed that will help you reach your goals as a future PA. For example, if you want to work specifically with underserved communities, and you’ve taken on volunteering opportunities that put you into contact with such communities, this is a great experience to include in both your personal statement or as some of the best extracurriculars for PA school . If you want to work among immigrant or refugee communities and took the time to learn a new language in order to better communicate with these individuals, that will not only show initiative, but also dedication to effectively communicating with patients you want to help serve in the future. Also think about which of the PA specialties you might want to work in and what experiences you have which can contribute to this specialty.

When it comes to sitting down and writing your PA personal statement, it's important to note that the most successful statements are those that tell a story. Not unlike a medical school personal statement , your PA personal statement is not a recitation of your CV. Listing accomplishments, awards, and your education will not interest the admissions committee. That information is already available in your medical school resume and elsewhere in your application; the personal statement is a piece of art, not a dry informational document. It should allow members of the admissions committee to gain insight into your personal story and take them on your journey to becoming a PA.

Stories are excellent for a few different reasons. First, stories are interesting. As humans, we tend to be drawn to stories, we love books, movies, articles - anything that allows us to be transported to another time, another place, another experience. If the story is well written, it moves us by eliciting an emotional response from us. Whether that is happiness, sadness, compassion, love, desire, or amusement, stories have the power to affect us and that's exactly what you want the admissions committees to experience: emotion. Emotional content is powerful content, and it leaves an impact. It's memorable, it stays with you, and it stands out.

In addition to being captivating, writing your personal statement in the form of a story is also beneficial because it helps tell your story in a chronological manner. The last thing you want, other than a boring personal statement, is one that doesn’t make sense and leaves admissions committee members confused. Jumping from one point in time to the next, from one experience to the next without order will only create a disjointed, unstructured essay. Instead, tell your story chronologically, beginning with an introduction to your interest or exposure to medicine, flowing into a few significant experiences throughout your life, and ending with a powerful conclusion that ties the entire essay together.

#4 Be Original.

You are not like anyone else; despite what you might think, you're an original personal with individual thoughts, experiences, and interests. Don't get sucked into using clichés, common quotes, and unoriginal statements. It's not about writing what you think the admissions committee wants to hear such as “I want to be a doctor because I want to help people” or “I've always dreamed of becoming a doctor”.

Let your personal statement highlight what makes you unique as an applicant, how your personal qualities complement the profession, and what skills and key competencies you can bring to the entering class. Overall, it's important to consider what experiences and skills distinguish you from other applicants. Admissions committees will be reviewing hundreds if not thousands of PA school personal statements; what is going to make your statement stand out? What do you have to offer? How can you contribute to the profession?

What makes a strong PA personal statement?

Let your personal statement highlight what makes you unique as an applicant! "}]">

Why show, don’t tell is the #1 rule to follow for personal statements:

Common PA Personal Statement Mistakes to Avoid

#1 reciting your cv..

Admissions committees already have this information so this isn't suitable for your personal statement. Focus on quality of experiences. When brainstorming, write down the most significant experiences, either professional or personal, which led to you pursuing a career as a PA.

#2 Casting yourself as the victim.

Many people have experienced difficult situations, such as emigrating from another country or suffering an injury. This can be powerful to discuss in your PA personal statement, but only if you can show resilience and ensure you're not playing the victim. As a general rule of thumb, be sure to only include an experience if you can discuss how it shapes you as a person, how it helped you grow, and will help you become a better future physician assistant.

#3 Telling instead of showing.

It's not enough to say statements such as “I am a good listener” or “My experience shadowing has made me compassionate”. You need to show, or demonstrate, how you are a good listener, and how shadowing has helped you become compassionate. Discuss how interacting with patients helped you develop compassion or how your listening skills helped a specific patient with their problem. Discuss real experiences that can support and provide evidence for any statements.

The opening sentence in your PA school personal statement is the hook for your entire essay. If it's not enticing, unique, and memorable, you risk your essay blending in with the thousands of other admissions essays and ending up at the bottom of the pile. Your opening sentence and paragraph need to be engaging, you want to create a sense of desire so that admission committee members won't want to put down your statement, they should want to continue reading to find out the rest of your story. Remember that admissions committees tend to read these essays quickly, so if you don’t grab their attention right away, your essay will be quickly forgotten. PA school personal statement editing can be a big help in rewriting or tweaking your essay so it is polished and engaging. It’s always a good idea to get another set of eyes on your essay, too, to make sure there are no mistakes or get objective feedback. For students who want professional feedback on their work, expert physician assistant application help can be a great resource to use.

Having trouble writing a good introduction? Check out our tips:

#5 Failing to have a strong conclusion.

Just like a strong introduction, a good conclusion bookends a strong PA personal statement. A strong concluding paragraph not only sums up the main points of your previous paragraphs, but it should end on an engaging note. You want to leave the admissions committee wanting to know more about you, as this makes them more likely to call you for an interview. Your conclusion should be more than just “this is why I’ll make a good PA”, or “and that is why the PA profession is for me.” Your conclusion should bring back your main points, but an excellent closing statement can call back to your engaging opening sentence while also inviting the reader to continue the conversation.

#6 Relying on clichés.

The purpose of your PA personal statement is to stand out, not blend in. So don't use clichés and popular quotes that are tired and dry. Be original and use your own thoughts instead of the thoughts of others. It can be easy to fall into the habit of using common phrases or cliched language, but revising your draft can help you pick these out and rewrite them.

#7 Failing to reflect.

Any experience you describe in your PA personal statement should be followed by thoughtful reflection. You can't simply state that you worked as a research assistant in a lab and contributed to a publication. Think about why you want to discuss an experience in the first place and always be answering, why was it significant? What did you learn from it? How will it help you in your career as a physician assistant? How did this experience encourage me to become a PA? Your personal statement should demonstrate a deeper understanding of yourself and your goals, so self-reflection and self-insight is key here. While you’re brainstorming ideas for your personal statement, take some time to ask yourself these questions.

#8 Grammatical errors and spelling mistakes.

Your PA personal statement should be free from all errors and mistakes. Keep in mind that your personal statement is a direct reflection of who you are as a person. Mistakes indicate that you rushed your statement, are not detail-oriented and that you're not really invested in your potential career. An excellent PA personal statement has been through many revisions and has had multiple reviewers. It's a good idea to seek professional help such as a medical school advisor not only to ensure your statement is free from errors but so that you can receive personalized feedback on your statement to ensure you are putting your best self forward.

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7 More PA Personal Statement Examples

Pa personal statement example #2, pa personal statement example #3.

I have one person to thank for inspiring me to become a physician assistant: my great-grandmother Lucia. She was the catalyst behind me entering health care, and she is also the reason I’ve decided to change my career and apply to PA school and start a new direction in my professional life. My great-grandmother was never the sort to be content with simply standing still or not taking chances, and from a young age she encouraged me to chase my passion and pursue work that fulfills me. Having reached a point in my professional life that I need to take a chance, I recalled my great-grandmother’s sage advice.

As a child, my family and I visited my great-grandmother at her nursing home whenever possible. Although the drive was long, it was worth it to spend a few hours in her company. She was a funny, bright and charming woman, and to a child, her stories of growing up on a homestead in the early 20 th century were fascinating and eye-opening. She never seemed to be afraid of anything, whether it be moving across the country, welcoming another child or standing up for herself. Spending time with my great-grandmother and her neighbors gave me an appreciation for seniors and the stories they could tell me. Now, I remember pieces of stories from people who came from all diverse backgrounds and circumstances: a retired police officer from St. Louis, a former nanny who spoke 4 languages, a classical musician who once played in Carnegie Hall. My experiences with my great-grandmother and her neighbors stayed with me as I grew up, and after graduating I decided to become a CNA. I worked in several nursing homes and eventually, I began working as a hospice care worker.

Working in hospice was a fulfilling experience for me because I was able to spend longer periods of time with patients and once again get to hear their stories and all about their lives. I met many incredible people, including a Vietnam war veteran, a former jazz singer, and a housewife who raised 8 children, had never learned to drive but tried skydiving for the first time when she was in her 60s. Hospice care allowed me to form stronger bonds of friendship with the seniors in my care, and it reignited the spark I’d felt when visiting my great-grandmother, who at that point had passed on. In my work I found the passion that Lucia told me to look for and also the fulfillment of knowing that I was providing meaningful physical, mental and emotional care to my patients.

As personally fulfilling as my position was, I knew that it would not be a position I could stay in forever. Hospice care is a professionally demanding job, and it can be emotionally and mentally challenging. When I reached a point of having itchy feet, as Lucia put it, I knew it was time to think about next steps. I briefly returned to working in a local hospital as a CNA and shadowed two nurses and a PA to get a better idea of the kind of work I could transition to. After examining my shadowing experiences, my work history, and listening to Lucia’s voice in the back of my head, I knew that applying to PA school was the next step. Being a PA would let me keep working closely with the patients I loved working with, but allow me flexibility and variety—a breath of fresh air and a welcome change.

I know my great-grandmother Lucia would approve of my choice of work and my care of others, and that she would smile at seeing me stop thinking and do something to change my life when I’m not satisfied. Most of all, I thank her for instilling in me a sense of care and helping me be attuned to myself, so I can confidently start this new path in my life. (656 words)

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PA Personal Statement Example #5

I started caring for my first patient when I was 8 years old. My younger sister, Amelia, was only 3, and because of her chronic health conditions, including asthma and various allergies, our mother frequently brought her into the health clinic for check-ups, blood draws and chest scans. Since I was too young to be left alone, I was part of the after-school doctor’s visit routine. My sister, who like many children dreaded the phlebotomist coming at her with a needle, hated these visits. To help her feel better and manage her fears, I took on the role of sisterly caregiver. I held her hand during every blood draw, talked her through every scan and did my best to distract her from anything new and scary. Seeing how my efforts calmed her and made the doctor’s visits less anxiety-inducing, I committed to being her “doctor-buddy” and going with her for any health-related appointments.

After dozens of appoints, both for my sister, myself and other siblings, I began to recognize our regular nurses and medical assistants by name. They were always kind to me and my siblings, offering comforting words and lollipops. I began to anticipate seeing the various nurses, phlebotomists and scribes, talking their ears off about school or soccer practice. The doctors we met rotated with every visit, and our time with them was always short, as they had many other patients to see at the busy clinic.

Thinking that being a nurse was more fulfilling than being a doctor, and having acted as my sister’s carer, I decided in high school that nursing school would be my goal. I worked hard at school, taking the necessary courses and taking a volunteer position with a mobile health clinic that served hard-to-reach areas in our community. All too soon, I found the work dissatisfying. Because we were a mobile clinic, we were always on the move to the next patient. I couldn’t take my time with each patient and form a bond, as I had with my sister and her nurses. I didn’t feel I was getting the experience or developing the level of patient care I aspired to. I switched to working in a nearby rural St. Joseph hospital as a medical assistant, and there I found the work experience I was craving. I enjoyed working with underserved patients in the rural areas, but I wanted to spend more time with patients instead of paperwork, and I liked having a home base to stay at.

It was here that I met Carmen, one of a handful of physician assistants in the area. She was a constant presence a St. Joseph’s, and since everyone knew everyone, everybody knew Carmen. She had a warm personality and a well-known sharp wit, so she was a great teammate to work with no matter your position in the hospital. When it came to patients, she knew everyone. When a long-term care patient had a birthday, Carmen was organizing the celebration with other residents. When a child came in for a check-up, Carmen was right there asking them about school and family. Carmen exemplified the kind of personalized patient care I aspired to and knew that patients like my sister and I appreciated so much.

Carmen became a mentor to me, and I asked her about her journey to becoming a PA. Since Carmen knew my plan was to become a nurse, she told me “we have many excellent nurses her, but we need more excellent PAs to fill the gaps between nurses and doctors—there are too many patients and too many health workers spread thin. PAs can be the bridge that our patients need.”

Carmen’s words stuck with me and realizing that she was right inspired me to reroute my intended path into healthcare. There is a need for diverse healthcare workers of every discipline, and PAs are underrepresented compared to nurses and doctors. As a PA, I know I have a better chance of increased patient interaction and entering the kind of workplace environment I enjoy. I believe as a PA I’ll be able to excel in work and bring my passion for patient-centred care to my job every day. (698 words)

Synergy has always been important to me. I’ve always liked balance and seeing projects through to completion. The sense of fulfillment of a job well done is a satisfying cap for any task. Teamwork and collaboration are important values for me in both personal and professional environments. These values were never more apparent to me than when I played college volleyball.

I’m a fairly independent person, but competing on my college’s volleyball team allowed me to appreciate the synergy of a team sport. As someone who abhorred the lack of synergy and teamwork in most academic group projects, competing with my teammates was a great balance between relying on my own independent skills and knowing I could count on the efforts and skills of other players. Alone, I knew I could score a point, but as team, we could win a tournament. In fact, our volleyball team won nationals two years in a row, and we completed the Wild Rose Collegiate Volleyball Tournament undefeated. I found that seeing my teammates work so hard made me strive to work just as hard. To push myself and become a better player so I could be a better teammate in turn.

Just as my volleyball team was able to work in sync to achieve our high-level goals, the medical team was a perfect example of teamwork and collaboration. They cared for the team’s players throughout our seasons, monitoring their health or jumping in to tend injuries or handle crises whenever needed. All parts of our team worked together to help each other excel, and the resulting synergy meant we could achieve remarkable things.

Since I excelled in school and was always drawn to the science of sports, I started exploring a career in sports health. I talked often to the volleyball medical team, curious about the ins and outs of a career in sports medicine and what the possibilities were. I also knew sports medicine would provide that special blend of teamwork and independent work, of science and health I was seeking.

Knowing of my interest in the field, my brother offered to introduce me to his college hockey team’s medical officer. A physician assistant by trade, Adam had been working with the team for several years, and like me, he shared an interest in sports and medicine. I asked to shadow Adam for a season, and he agreed. Whenever a player was injured, I assisted Adam in treating it. When Adam conducted regular check-ins, I served as his assistant, getting to know the players on the team and collaborating with Adam on treatment plans. Especially rewarding for me was creating a physiotherapy treatment plan with Adam for Blake, a player who tore his ACL. Where insurance fell short of covering his sessions with a licensed physiotherapist, Adam and I created a personalized plan for at-home treatment, and we followed up with Blake every week during practices to check on his progress. Seeing Blake through his recovery and back onto the ice was immensely satisfying, and the collaborative energy of Adam and I working together and problem-solving was an incredibly rewarding experience.

Adam was my guide to the PA profession, and offered me invaluable insights into what the work is like, especially getting into a niche specialty like sports medicine. He helped solidify my position to apply to your school, and he has graciously written me a recommendation letter for my application.

I have never been satisfied with one thing or the other, always looking for that perfect combination. That perfect niche. I think becoming a PA is the right foundation for my ultimate goal of specializing in sports medicine, and it will embody that synergy of multiple disciplines coming together to create something altogether better. (623 words)

PA Personal Statement Example #7

In 2009, I was one of the only women in the world to perform a triple twisting lay out on the floor exercise in gymnastics. The skill was rare because of the combination of proprioception and technique required. Even the most minute error could spell disaster, which is exactly what happened during a NCAA competition. I executed the skill at an extreme angle, rupturing my Achilles tendon as I launched into the air. Feeling lucky to have landed on my feet, I collapsed to the floor after a few clumsy steps. The athletic trainer immediately assessed my injury calmly and purposefully, which left a lasting impression. Not only did she take care of me in that moment, she continued to support me through my surgery, 8 months of physical therapy, and a successful comeback to the sport. As a college student, I was uncertain of my future career, but this moment inspired me to make it my mission to be equipped with the skills to be of use in a moment of need, and support others in recovery and success. However, it would take ten years, a teaching career, a job lay-off and an insightful conversation to find my way to physician assistant (PA) school.

Before embarking on my journey to become a PA, I earned my Bachelor’s degree in communications, and I went on to work in Madrid, Spain, where I taught English and learned Spanish for 3 years. I strived to tailor my instruction to the unique needs of each student; a skill that has prepared me to provide individualized care to meet patient’s needs. One of my students wanted to become more marketable to jobs. I curated lessons to build grammar and vocabulary while incorporating resources he was interested in such as sports podcasts. I helped him practice interviews and draft emails until he landed his dream job at a multinational company. This instilled my confidence in supporting the success of my students and it felt rewarding to pave a way for more opportunities in their lives.

My next opportunity would prove less rewarding but pivotal. When I returned to the United States, I landed a job at a marketing firm that would fold and lay off its entire staff two years later. This ultimately led to a conversation with my friend, a urologist, which opened my eyes to many unmet medical needs and the growing demand for PAs. I saw my use through the combination of my ability as a teacher to help others succeed and my experience recovering from my gymnastics injury to be an integral source of support and care. I felt the pieces of my mission fit together and embarked on my journey to become a PA.

I took action to get health care experience as a medical assistant (MA) and physical therapy (PT) aide. Working as a MA at memory care facilities, I have gained insight into patient interaction and built my compassion by spending time with each patient to explain procedures in a slow and concise manner to gain their trust. As a PT aide, I collaborate with the physical therapist but independently administer treatment to diverse patients with a patient-centered approach. On one occasion, I supported two patients recovering from a hip replacement. I intended to give them both the same exercises for treatment, but I learned that Patient A had neuropathy in his feet, making standing exercises unsuitable due to his inability to balance. I modified exercises to be done seated and provided balance support when necessary. Additionally, Patient B’s religious values precluded her from accepting therapy in the communal treatment area, so I set up a private space for her. Accommodating these specific medical needs and sociocultural values helped me understand the importance of providing individualized care that is attuned to patient’s unique circumstances. Though these roles have been formative, I feel a nagging sense of futility when patients come to me for additional medical treatment beyond my scope, which fuels my ambition toward becoming a PA. I aim to have the medical knowledge to comprehensively treat with a balance of autonomy and collaboration.

I observed this balance when shadowing Sallie C., an otolaryngology PA. She assessed a patient with a foreign body in his ear, planned a procedure for removal but proved to be unexpectedly complex. She collaborated with the physician and the case was resolved with surgery. Through this, I also saw how PAs fill gaps in the healthcare system by treating, diagnosing, and prescribing medication, thus increasing the number of patients that are treated every day with quality care.

I aspire to fill these gaps and provide quality care and support to patients in moments of need, much like my athletic trainer did for me. If compassion, collaboration, and versatility make a successful PA, then the combination of my experiences has uniquely prepared me to succeed.

At the core of my teaching and health care experiences is my desire to become a PA to grow my medical skills to serve diverse individuals and ensure their health needs are met over the next ten years and beyond.

When I was sixteen, I was diagnosed with a fibroadenoma in my left breast. Although the mass was benign, I was concerned about potential complications of breast cancer and made the decision to have it surgically removed. After I recovered from the anesthesia, my surgeon pulled up a chair beside me and gave me his undivided attention. He reassured me that the surgery was a success and that my recovery would be uneventful. His compassion and unwavering support during this difficult time inspired me to pursue a career in medicine. Today, I strive to become a physician assistant (PA) so I can embody the same level of empathy and care with my future patients. 

During my internal medicine rotation at Richmond Medical Center (RUMC) in 2010, I acquired the skills necessary to succeed in the medical field. There, I was responsible for taking histories, conducting physical exams, creating patient management plans, completing morbidity and mortality rounds, and attending lectures with the residents. During rounds, I introduced patients to the attending doctor and discussed plans of care. I also helped interns by following labs, imaging studies, and reporting any concerns or complaints. I learned good bedside manners and how to effectively communicate with patients and their families. Not only did I understand how to establish rapport with patients, but I also learned how to respond to criticism constructively and confirm suspected diagnoses. I also understood how to apply my medical knowledge to manage and treat conditions such as asthma, COPD, and urinary tract infections. As a PA, I will continuously build on my expertise to improve the care of my patients. 

A PA is more impactful than people realize. At RUMC, I was inspired by one PA in particular. Intrigued by her competency, I often inquired with her about the profession. Her continuous emphasis on the patient-centered approach is what initially drew me to the field. My interest in becoming a PA solidified when I was able to put this approach into practice. During one of my rotations, a 90-year-old Alzheimer’s patient was admitted to the unit with a urinary tract infection. Quickly, she became restless, irritable, and confused, and she tried to pull out the IV. Since the attending physician was unavailable, I proceeded to care for the patient. While holding her hand, I reassured her that we were there to help, and I explained that she needed the IV medication to get better. Soon after, she calmed down and we were able to continue the treatment. At that moment, I understood why I wanted to be a PA. From my personal experience I know very well that being sick can make one feel vulnerable and scared. I also know that having empathetic medical professionals can make a big difference in the patient experience and the outcome of care. I aspire to be a PA not only to be skillful and competent in my profession but also to be fully present for my patients and to extend a compassionate hand to them when they are at a low point in their lives. 

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, I have been volunteering in a free clinic where I extend empathy and care to the underserved community. Last year, I attended to a homeless patient named James. He complained that his eyes and skin were yellowing and that he was bruising easily. When I took James’s history, he disclosed that he had been diagnosed with alcohol use disorder and was unsuccessful in AA. Based on his history and physical exam, I suspected alcoholic liver disease, so I ordered various clinical tests to confirm the diagnosis. The next day before we could discuss his test results, I found him lying near the front door of the clinic, unconscious. I called 911 and performed CPR until he was taken to the hospital where he was treated for an upper GI bleed. Two months later, James passed away from severe recurrence. Through this experience, I recognized the importance of conducting thorough patient screenings and extensive clinical tests to facilitate a prompt diagnosis and an early treatment plan. While it was already too late to save James, as a PA I will ensure that patients in my care receive timely preventive care to reduce the risk of future health complications.

Throughout my life, I have learned that I am strong and competent enough to relate to other people’s suffering without falling apart, and that I have a good work ethic with the intrinsic motivation necessary to get the job done. When I get admitted to the Miami Dade College Physician Assistant Program, I will contribute my life experiences, my determination to overcome obstacles, my desire to work in teams, and my enthusiasm to learn. Five years from now, I see myself working as a competent physician assistant, providing healthcare services to medically underserved residents in urban and rural communities. This time, I will be the one who pulls up the chair and provides my patients with undivided attention. I will be their reliable source of compassion and support. 

Your personal statement will be structured as a short essay, with an introduction, body paragraphs and a conclusion. Your opening paragraph should serve as a short introduction of yourself and why you want to become a PA. The body paragraphs will outline specific examples or experiences you have which contributed to your journey to become a PA, and the conclusion will sum up your statement while inviting the reader to continue the conversation.

To write a good personal statement for PA school, you’ll need an intriguing and engaging introduction, 1-3 significant experiences or examples of how you are suited for the PA profession or why you want to become a PA, and a strong conclusion which invites admissions committees to learn more about you.

Your PA school personal statement should be between 500 and 750 words. The typical limit for personal statements if 5,000 characters, with spaces included.

PA school admissions committees are interested in your personal statement because they want to know more about your background, personal qualities and why you want to become a PA. It should include significant personal and professional experiences you have which led you to the profession and contributed to your desire to become a PA. Admissions committees expect to see some self-reflection and insight into your goals and motivations. They also want to see that you have the skills and qualities of a good physician assistant.

The best way to stand out in a PA personal statement is to have both strong writing and a strong story. Admission committees will read thousands of personal statements outlining many different stories, but you can stand out by providing interesting details and weaving an engaging story. The details of a personal story will be remembered more clearly by your reader than generic statements about your experience shadowing a PA, so remember to personalize your essay and make it unique!

In a PA statement, avoid reciting your resume or relying on cliches. It’s also important not to have any grammar or spelling mistakes. Most importantly, don’t talk about pursuing a career as a PA due to a failed medical school application or because you view it as a “back-up” option. You should have a strong reason for applying to PA school specifically, not because it is “easier” than medical school or related professions.

Yes. You should write out “physician assistant” in the first instance, but you can include the “PA” abbreviation in follow-up instances. 

Your opening statement needs to “hook” your reader or engage them right off the bat. A good way to start is with a personal story or statement that sums up the key theme of your essay. 

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Interior design personal statement example 2.

I have always had a great interest in interior designing. This is because I have a passion for interior designing which developed form a love of designing catalogues. My interest has grown through watching programmes related to designing homes. I understand that designing the interior is very important whether it’s a home, school, office or any other building as it makes a place look unique and fit for purpose.

I am applying for this course because I want to develop my knowledge of interior designing. In future I intend to help people with my creative ideas in decorating and designing to help them make their homes look attractive also give them what they are looking for. I eagerly want to learn how a space is planned and then presented.

I want to gain the knowledge of how to mix materials together to make a comfortable space. I would like to learn how to furnish space, and how texture, colour, lighting and other factors combine and interact to make a space eye-catching and pleasing. Looking at different homes and offices made me realise how designing the interior plays an important role in our lives to make our surroundings look beautiful.

Throughout my BTEC studies I have gained and developed many skills in different areas of art and design. I have obtained several skills which I can transfer into designing. I have learnt how to do screen printing onto paper using many different colours. Screen printing is a very unique technique which allows me to produce a picture which looks abstract because of the use of block colours. I realised how I could design an abstract image using the screen printing which would reflect my imagination.

I have also learned how to work with different materials in my 3D textiles recycling unit, where I learned how I was able to weave and combine different materials such as wool, plastic, tissue paper and fabric together onto cardboard. I realised how an old technique could look so great with using different colored materials and it also could be used in decorating a place where old and contemporary techniques could be combined. Another project that I really enjoyed during my BTEC course was fragmentation and distortion.

I enjoy this unit very much as I learn how to develop a film and how to produce prints using the darkroom. I have experimented with several darkroom techniques such as solarisation and homemade negatives. I learned how to make my own negative with sequin, glitter and net. With my homemade negative I produced some beautiful enlarged prints for which I had to use the enlarger in the darkroom.

Out of college I enjoy visiting art galleries such as the National Art Gallery London. One artist that had really inspired me during my printmaking work was Andy Warhol who changed the viewpoint of pop art and made people realize what it is. I also enjoy flicking through furniture catalogues where professionals have presented their furniture in a beautiful way in a room and have decorated it outstandingly.

I have an excellent attendance record and I am very punctual. I can work within a group effectively and can collaborate very well with others. I also have very good communication skills when working with others. I can work individually and can present my work very well to a group. I mange my time effectively and can meet deadlines when required.

In future, I would like to be an interior designer and I want to work on different projects which have different needs and design a place in a way that attracts people to my work and ideas. I want to satisfy the people I will work for in the future and make the most of my skills. I think that I am best suited for the Interior Designing course because I have an aspiration to study this course further in university and to become a successful interior designer.

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This personal statement was written by Hirasajid for application in 2012.

Hirasajid's Comments

Have a look at my personal statament for Ba (Hons)interior design . Feel free to comment on what you think is good or bad. Thanks :D

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The 4 Qualities Your Design Assistant Must Have

By Janet Mercel

When the topic of how to hire a design assistant comes up, you wouldn’t necessarily assume it’s an emotional discussion. But the more designers speak about the ineffable and intangible qualities required to support their work , the clearer it becomes that instinct is at the heart of the hire, rather than cold, hard skills. Designers agree that the person with whom they spend so much time— virtual or otherwise!—and place so much trust in has to have a level of personal investment—and these key qualities.

A Shared Vision

Of course, when your name is on the door, your motivation may be different than support staff, but the dedication to creating a creative safe space can be shared. Kesha Franklin , founder of New York’s Halden Interiors , sees her assistant and office manager of 10 years, Shaila Mentore, as her true North. “I’m emotional, more attached, and she’s calm, level-headed, pragmatic. She helps me disconnect to look at things in a different way. I was one of five designers who received the 2019 Star on the Rise award from the D&D at the Stars of Design Awards Dinner and it was her I talked about in my whole speech,” Franklin recalls, amused. “I barely mentioned my husband!”

When assistant Mentore had her twins, three years into the job, the work balance changed. “At the time, as an independent business owner, I couldn’t sustain her needs as a larger firm could,” Franklin says. “We parted ways for a year, and I was just a fish out of water. I had a big project and it didn’t flow. I went to her and said, ‘I need you on board. Let’s have a conversation on what will work.’” Six years later, they consult on every business decision, large and small.

A Similar Aesthetic

Raili Clasen feels similarly about the team at her eponymous Newport, California, firm, Raili Ca Design. “When I was naming the business, I used my name,” she says. “But if I had to do it again I’d call it something else! It’s not me, it’s us.” Clasen recognizes that speaking the same aesthetic language is most important: “The first thing I look at is their style. I see their work or mood; it’s a very quick yes or no. The worst thing is when someone makes it clear they just need a job, instead of saying, ‘I want to work for your firm, and here’s why.’”

That decisiveness is important, when, at the junior level, assistants are likely showing a portfolio that is largely attributable to their most recent firm. “I give a small, 15-minute test to take home, usually [it’s to] spec a kid’s room …. My team has a lot of autonomy and it helps if we share a vision to start.”

A Diversity of Skills

Principal of design studio 16 x 9 Henry Gao is an architect, draftsman, illustrator, and interiors photographer, and prefers the firm’s assistants to be similarly diverse in responsibility—and location. “It’s hard to find that one person, that exact thing I’m looking for. There are really talented people all over the world. I don’t want to be limited to my own city,” he explains. “I’m the overarching creative director to my outsourced team, but for that 10% of tasks that can’t be taught, I choose whomever is optimum for the project at hand. Plus,” he adds, “different time zones are great! It’s nice to wake up and the work is done.”

Balancing her own multidisciplinary skillset, Marissa Zajack , of Marissa Zajack Creative in Los Angeles, is drawn to a wide range of creative and logistical strengths. She, herself, shifted to interior, textile, and wallpaper design from a prior career in visual media. “Coming from the world of film, there’s a very high expectation of the ability and enthusiasm people bring to each project,” she says. “You move from show to show and bring 110% every time.” 

Technical Competence—and Creativity

“Someone who’s not afraid to pitch ideas, who gets inspired for each environment, from fashion, movies, anywhere. My full-time design assistant is my eyes and ears on the ground. Also,” Zajack points out, “the creative suite is very important to me because I don’t have a traditional design background…. I need someone to be part of the creative process. Plus,” she adds, “ extremely organized.”

Still, as Franklin echoes, “It’s not just about PowerPoint and CAD and Webware —those are things you can teach. I need someone invested in me and my business. For me, it’s a two-way street.”

By Jesse Dorris

By Alia Akkam

By Rachel Davies

By Dan Howarth

What Does a Design Assistant Do?

Find out what a Design Assistant does, how to get this job, salary information, and what it takes to succeed as a Design Assistant.

The Design Assistant role serves as a supportive link between creative vision and final product, ensuring smooth operational flow within design projects. This position involves collaborating closely with lead designers to conceptualize, plan, and execute designs across various mediums. By managing resources, preparing presentations, and assisting in the creative process, the Design Assistant helps maintain the integrity of design concepts while adhering to project timelines and specifications. Their contribution is essential in transforming initial ideas into tangible outcomes, making them an integral part of the design team. Through meticulous attention to detail and a keen eye for aesthetics, they play a significant role in bringing creative visions to life.

Design Assistant Job Duties

• Assist in the development and refinement of design concepts under the direction of a senior designer.
• Prepare and organize materials and presentations for client meetings, including mood boards, color schemes, and design mockups.
• Coordinate with vendors and suppliers to obtain samples, pricing, and product specifications.
• Utilize design software to create detailed drawings and renderings of design concepts.
• Manage the design library by updating resources, cataloging new materials, and ensuring easy access to design assets.
• Conduct site visits to measure spaces, review construction progress, and ensure design specifications are being followed.
• Assist in the selection and procurement of furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) for projects.
• Archive completed projects, including photographing final installations, for use in the firm’s portfolio and marketing materials.

Design Assistant Salary & Outlook

Design Assistant salaries vary based on experience, industry (e.g., fashion, graphic, interior design), company size, and specific skills like proficiency in design software (Adobe Creative Suite, AutoCAD). Specialization in high-demand design areas and a portfolio showcasing diverse, high-quality work also significantly impact earning potential.

• Median Annual Salary: $49,350 ($23.73/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $80,500 ($38.7/hour)

The employment of design assistants is expected to grow slower than average over the next decade.

This trend is largely due to advancements in design software and automation technologies, which allow senior designers to handle tasks more efficiently on their own. Additionally, the increasing freelance and remote work culture reduces the demand for in-house assistant positions.

Design Assistant Job Requirements

Education: A Design Assistant typically holds a Bachelor’s Degree in fields such as Graphic Design, Interior Design, Fashion Design, or a related area, depending on the industry. Coursework often includes classes in design principles, computer-aided design (CAD) software, color theory, typography, and portfolio development. These academic foundations are crucial for understanding design concepts, technical skills, and industry trends, preparing individuals for the creative and collaborative demands of the role.

Experience: Design Assistants typically come from a background rich in practical experience, often having spent time in roles that nurture creativity and technical skills. They are expected to have undergone on-the-job training or participated in relevant training programs that hone their abilities in design software, project management, and understanding of design principles. Experience in collaborating on projects, managing timelines, and contributing to creative processes is crucial. Their journey often includes a mix of direct design work and assisting roles, allowing them to develop a comprehensive skill set tailored to the design industry’s dynamic demands.

Certifications & Licenses: No specific certifications or licenses are typically required for the job of Design Assistant.

Design Assistant Skills

CAD Software: Proficiency in digital model manipulation and detailed design drafting enables Design Assistants to translate conceptual ideas into tangible plans effectively. They collaborate seamlessly with architects and engineers to ensure project specifications are accurately represented and can be easily modified to meet evolving requirements.

Color Theory: Applying principles of harmony, contrast, and balance, Design Assistants enhance the visual appeal and effectiveness of designs. Their adept use of color schemes communicates the intended mood, message, and response, making their contributions pivotal in creating compelling visual narratives.

Material Selection: Knowledge of material properties, costs, and environmental impact is crucial for choosing the right materials. Design Assistants balance aesthetics, functionality, and durability, considering material availability and project budget constraints to meet quality and sustainability standards.

Space Planning: Through meticulous analysis and area allocation within a project, Design Assistants optimize functionality and aesthetic appeal. They work closely with designers to create harmonious and efficient layouts that adhere to client specifications and regulatory requirements.

Sketching: Rapid translation of ideas into visual concepts allows Design Assistants to communicate design intentions effectively. This foundational tool is crucial for exploring and iterating design solutions before transitioning to digital platforms, ensuring a cohesive and creative workflow.

Client Presentation: Design Assistants convey design concepts and revisions to clients with clarity and confidence. Their ability to articulate ideas ensures that client feedback is incorporated accurately. This skill hinges on a deep understanding of visual and verbal communication techniques, enabling a seamless bridge between creative vision and client expectations.

Design Assistant Work Environment

A Design Assistant typically finds themselves in a dynamic workspace, often an open-plan studio or a dedicated design office, surrounded by the tools of their trade. This includes high-performance computers equipped with the latest design software, drawing tablets, and possibly VR equipment for immersive design experiences. The physical setting is designed to foster creativity, with inspiration boards, ample natural light, and ergonomic furniture.

Work hours might lean towards the traditional 9-to-5, but project deadlines can introduce flexibility, necessitating occasional evening or weekend work. The dress code tends to be casual, reflecting the creative nature of the role.

The environment is collaborative, with a high level of interaction among team members, clients, and other departments, necessitating good communication skills. Despite the collaborative atmosphere, the pace can be fast, balancing multiple projects simultaneously.

Health and safety considerations are paramount, especially when working long hours in front of screens, with regular breaks encouraged to prevent strain.

Professional development is supported, with opportunities to attend workshops, webinars, and conferences, ensuring skills remain up-to-date in this rapidly evolving field.

Advancement Prospects

A Design Assistant can progress to roles such as Senior Designer, Art Director, or Creative Director, focusing on gaining experience in various design projects to build a versatile portfolio. Specializing in areas like digital design, UX/UI, or branding can open specific career paths within agencies or in-house teams.

To advance, mastering software skills beyond the basics, such as Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, or Figma, is crucial. Demonstrating leadership in projects and an understanding of market trends will position a Design Assistant for promotions.

Engaging in high-profile projects or collaborations can also elevate one’s visibility and lead to more significant opportunities. Success in this trajectory relies on a blend of technical skill, creative vision, and project management capabilities.

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6 Personal Assistant CV Examples [+ Template]

Personal Assistants are the backbone of any successful executive, adept at juggling multiple tasks, managing schedules, and ensuring everything runs smoothly. Similarly, a well-structured CV should mirror these qualities, demonstrating your ability to multitask, organise, and maintain efficiency under pressure. In this guide, we'll delve into exceptional Personal Assistant CV examples that highlight your indispensable role in supporting and enhancing executive performance.

CV Examples

Cv guidance.

• Essential Sections

Optional Sections

• Getting the CV Structure Right
• Formatting Your CV
• Personal Statements for Personal Assistant
• CV Experience
• CV Skills & Proficiencies
• How to Tailor Your CV to a Job
• FAQs about CVs
• Related CVs

CV Writing for Personal Assistants

• Highlight Your Experience and Skills : Detail your experience in supporting executives, managing schedules, and handling administrative tasks. Mention any specific industries you've worked in, such as finance, law, or tech.
• Showcase Your Organizational Abilities : Use specific examples to demonstrate your ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities, such as coordinating travel arrangements, managing complex schedules, or planning events.
• Emphasize Your Communication Skills : Highlight your ability to communicate effectively with executives, staff, and clients. Mention any experience you have in drafting correspondence, preparing reports, or managing communication.
• Detail Your Technical Proficiency : List any software or tools you're proficient in, such as Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, or project management tools. Also, mention any experience you have with social media management or digital marketing.
• Include Any Relevant Certifications : If you have any certifications relevant to the role, such as Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) or Professional Administrative Certificate of Excellence (PACE), be sure to include them.

The Smarter, Faster Way to Write Your CV

Personal Assistant CV Example

• Managed and streamlined the executive's calendar, reducing scheduling conflicts by 30% and increasing productivity by optimizing time allocation.
• Implemented a new digital filing system, improving document retrieval time by 50% and enhancing the efficiency of administrative tasks.
• Coordinated and executed high-level corporate events, resulting in a 20% increase in stakeholder engagement and improved company reputation.
• Facilitated communication between the executive and internal departments, improving information flow and decision-making efficiency by 25%.
• Conducted comprehensive market research for business development initiatives, contributing to a 15% increase in new client acquisition.
• Managed travel arrangements and itineraries for the executive, saving an average of 10 hours per month in planning and coordination time.
• Provided exceptional administrative support to the executive, resulting in a 20% increase in the executive's availability for strategic tasks.
• Developed and maintained a customer relationship management system, improving client satisfaction rates by 30%.
• Handled sensitive and confidential information with discretion, ensuring company compliance and protecting against potential data breaches.
• Exceptional Calendar and Time Management
• Efficient Digital Filing and Document Management
• High-Level Corporate Event Coordination
• Effective Interdepartmental Communication
• Comprehensive Market Research
• Travel Arrangement and Itinerary Management
• Outstanding Administrative Support
• Customer Relationship Management
• Handling of Sensitive and Confidential Information
• Business Development Initiative Support

Executive Personal Assistant CV Example

• Streamlined executive's schedule and daily operations, resulting in a 30% increase in executive productivity and a 20% reduction in administrative costs.
• Implemented a new digital filing system, improving document retrieval times by 50% and enhancing overall office efficiency.
• Coordinated and executed high-level corporate events and meetings, leading to a 15% increase in stakeholder engagement and improved business relationships.
• Managed complex travel arrangements for executives, reducing travel-related issues by 40% and ensuring seamless business operations.
• Assisted in the preparation of key business presentations, contributing to a 20% increase in new business acquisition.
• Implemented a new expense tracking system, resulting in a 10% reduction in unnecessary expenditures and improved budget management.
• Provided comprehensive administrative support to the executive team, improving office workflow and increasing efficiency by 25%.
• Developed and maintained a confidential document management system, ensuring 100% compliance with regulatory requirements and company policies.
• Coordinated communication between the executive team and staff, improving transparency and boosting overall team morale.
• Exceptional organizational and scheduling abilities
• Proficiency in digital filing and document management
• Event planning and coordination
• Expertise in managing complex travel arrangements
• Ability to assist in the preparation of business presentations
• Experience in implementing and managing expense tracking systems
• Comprehensive administrative support skills
• Excellent communication and team coordination
• Knowledge of regulatory compliance in document management
• Ability to boost team morale and improve workflow efficiency

Household Personal Assistant CV Example

• Managed and coordinated a team of 5 household staff, resulting in a 30% improvement in efficiency and a significant increase in the overall satisfaction of the household.
• Implemented a new inventory management system for household supplies, reducing wastage by 20% and saving an average of $500 per month.
• Organized and executed high-profile events and parties at the residence, receiving commendations for exceptional attention to detail and seamless execution.
• Streamlined daily household operations, resulting in a 25% reduction in time spent on routine tasks and allowing more time for specialized requests.
• Coordinated extensive international travel arrangements, ensuring seamless experiences and handling any issues promptly and efficiently.
• Managed household budget and expenses, identifying cost-saving opportunities and reducing overall household expenditure by 15%.
• Provided comprehensive personal assistance to the family, including scheduling, travel planning, and coordination of daily activities, resulting in improved time management and satisfaction.
• Handled confidential matters with utmost discretion, earning trust and respect from the employer.
• Assisted in the recruitment and training of new household staff, improving team cohesion and overall service quality.
• Team Management and Coordination
• Inventory Management
• Event Planning and Execution
• Operational Efficiency
• International Travel Arrangements
• Budget Management and Cost Reduction
• Scheduling and Time Management
• Discretion and Confidentiality
• Staff Recruitment and Training
• High Level of Attention to Detail

Personal Assistant Intern CV Example

• Managed the executive's calendar, resulting in a 30% increase in efficiency by effectively scheduling meetings, travel, and events.
• Implemented a new filing system for the office, reducing document retrieval time by 40% and improving overall productivity.
• Assisted in the planning and execution of company-wide events, leading to a 20% increase in employee engagement and satisfaction.
• Coordinated travel arrangements for the executive team, saving the company 15% in travel expenses through meticulous planning and budget management.
• Streamlined communication between the executive team and staff, improving information flow and reducing misunderstandings by 25%.
• Assisted in the preparation of presentations and reports, contributing to a 10% increase in client satisfaction and retention.
• Provided administrative support to the executive team, improving office efficiency by 20% through effective task management.
• Managed client relationships, resulting in a 15% increase in client satisfaction through prompt and professional communication.
• Assisted in budget management, contributing to a 10% reduction in office expenses through careful tracking and reporting of expenditures.
• Calendar and Event Management
• Office Organization and Filing Systems
• Travel Arrangements and Budgeting
• Interdepartmental Communication
• Presentation and Report Preparation
• Administrative Support
• Client Relationship Management
• Budget Management and Expense Tracking
• Professional Communication

Personal Care Assistant CV Example

• Implemented a personalized care plan for a client with Alzheimer's, resulting in a 30% improvement in their cognitive function and overall quality of life.
• Coordinated with a team of healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive care, reducing hospital readmissions by 20% for the clients under my care.
• Introduced a new system for medication management, leading to a 100% adherence rate to medication schedules and a significant improvement in client health outcomes.
• Managed the personal hygiene and grooming of clients, improving their self-esteem and mental well-being, as evidenced by feedback from clients and their families.
• Facilitated physical therapy exercises for clients, leading to a 25% improvement in mobility and independence.
• Developed and implemented a nutritional plan tailored to each client's specific health needs, resulting in improved health markers such as blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
• Provided emotional support and companionship to clients, leading to a marked improvement in their mental health and overall well-being.
• Assisted clients with daily activities such as meal preparation and housekeeping, enhancing their living conditions and personal comfort.
• Conducted regular health assessments and reported any changes or concerns to healthcare professionals promptly, ensuring timely medical intervention when necessary.
• Personalized care planning
• Team coordination and collaboration
• Medication management
• Personal hygiene and grooming
• Physical therapy facilitation
• Nutritional planning
• Emotional support and companionship
• Assistance with daily activities
• Health assessment and reporting
• Improvement of client's mental and physical well-being

Senior Personal Assistant CV Example

• Streamlined executive's daily operations, resulting in a 30% increase in their productivity by managing schedules, coordinating meetings, and handling correspondence efficiently.
• Implemented a new document management system that improved the retrieval time of critical files by 50%, enhancing the decision-making process at the executive level.
• Coordinated and executed high-level corporate events, achieving a 20% cost reduction through meticulous planning and vendor negotiation.
• Managed travel arrangements for a team of 10 executives, reducing travel expenses by 15% through strategic planning and cost-effective booking strategies.
• Enhanced internal communication by developing a comprehensive meeting management system, reducing scheduling conflicts by 40% and improving team collaboration.
• Assisted in the preparation of quarterly reports and presentations, contributing to a 10% increase in stakeholder engagement and satisfaction.
• Provided high-level administrative support to the CEO, improving their time management by 25% through effective schedule coordination and priority management.
• Reduced office supply costs by 20% by implementing an inventory tracking system and negotiating with vendors for better pricing.
• Improved the efficiency of the onboarding process for new hires by 30% by developing a comprehensive orientation program and training materials.
• Exceptional Organizational Skills
• Efficient Schedule Management
• Document Management Expertise
• Travel Arrangements and Cost Reduction
• Internal Communication Enhancement
• Report and Presentation Preparation
• Inventory Management and Cost Reduction
• Onboarding Process Optimization
• Vendor Negotiation Skills

CV Structure & Format for Personal Assistants

Essential cv sections for personal assistants, getting your cv structure right.

• Logical Flow : Begin with a compelling personal statement, then proceed to your professional experience, ensuring a logical progression through the sections of your CV.
• Highlight Key Achievements Early : Make significant accomplishments stand out by placing them prominently within each section, especially in your career experience.
• Use Reverse Chronological Order : List your roles starting with the most recent to immediately show employers your current level of responsibility and expertise.
• Keep It Professional and Precise : Opt for a straightforward, professional layout and concise language that reflects the precision a Personal Assistant role demands.

Formatting Your Personal Assistant CV for Success

Formatting keys to success, clarity and conciseness, emphasis on interpersonal skills, optimal cv length, personal statements for personal assistants, personal assistant personal statement examples, how to write a statement that stands out, cv career history / work experience, personal assistant career experience examples, how to make your career experience stand out, cv skills & proficiencies for personal assistant cvs, cv skill examples for personal assistants.

Technical Expertise

• Task Management & Organization : Proficiency in managing and prioritizing tasks effectively, ensuring smooth operations and meeting deadlines.
• Calendar Management : Expertise in managing complex schedules, coordinating meetings, and ensuring timely reminders.
• Document Preparation & Management : Ability to prepare, manage, and archive important documents efficiently.
• Technology Proficiency : Skilled in using office software (e.g., MS Office, Google Suite), project management tools, and virtual communication platforms.

Interpersonal & Collaboration Skills

• Effective Communication : Ability to articulate ideas clearly and effectively, facilitating smooth communication between stakeholders.
• Relationship Building : Proficiency in building and maintaining professional relationships, fostering a positive work environment.
• Problem-Solving : Aptitude for identifying issues and implementing effective solutions in a timely manner.
• Discretion & Confidentiality : Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive information with utmost confidentiality and discretion.

Creating a Compelling Skills Section on Your CV

How to tailor your personal assistant cv to a specific job.

Tailoring your CV to the target job opportunity should be your single most important focus when creating a CV.

Tailor Your CV to a Job Description

Emphasize Your Relevant Experiences

Use industry-specific language, customize your personal statement, highlight relevant skills and certifications, cv faqs for personal assistants, how long should personal assistants make a cv, what's the best format for an personal assistant cv, how does a personal assistant cv differ from a resume, related cvs for personal assistants.

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Write The Perfect PA School Personal Statement [With Examples]

Filling out your PA school application is exciting and overwhelming. You’re beginning the first steps to your career goal, but it includes so much!

You’ll need to complete your application through the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants ( CASPA application). The application includes letters of recommendation, service hours, and a personal statement.

Your personal statement is one of the most important pieces inside the CASPA application. A PA personal statement is really a personal essay that offers you a time to shine.

The goal is to pique the admissions committee’s interest in you, in hopes they will contact you for a school interview.

Your PA school wants to learn more about you and your past experiences. If you’ve kept a journal of your healthcare experiences, it will make the process a little easier. If not, take a week to think through your past medical experiences, patient interactions, and shadowing experiences.

Your goal is to be accepted into a PA Program, become a PA student, and join the PA profession . To get there, you have to complete your application essay. So, let’s get started!

What Is the Purpose of a Physician Assistant Personal Statement?

Your PA personal statement might be the toughest part of the application process. Ultimately, your application essay is a sales piece about you, and that can be difficult to write. Inside the application, your PA school sees an academic background that talks about what kind of student you are.

Your work history tells them about what you’ve done professionally. Your letters from your PA evaluators show what others have to say about you. This is the only time in your PA school application that you hold the pen.

The American Academy of PAs recommends you pay attention to a few dos and don’ts as you consider what to put in your personal statement. Remember there is a 5,000 character limit. This means you have 5,000 characters, not words, in which to complete your essay. Often, this will come out to be about 800 words.

In your essay, clearly state why you’re pursuing the PA profession while demonstrating your knowledge of it. Communication skills are a necessity in the PA profession, and this is a chance for your communication skills to shine. Use your personal essay to communicate why you’re up to the challenge.

Don’t be vague, don’t use abbreviations, and don’t use informal language like contractions. Instead, write formally and identify the theme that brings the whole essay together.

Be sure to make every word count. Most importantly, do not make your personal statement a reiteration of your application. The admissions committee has already read your application. This is time to make yourself unforgettable.

As you are brainstorming, outlining, and writing your application essay, keep your audience in mind. Admission committee members are physician assistants, and they’re looking for good future PAs.

They’re interested in your desire to be part of a growing profession and your passion for patient care. Communicate this through your application essay.

Your PA School Wants To See You Shine in Your Personal Statement

Your personal statement is your unique story of why you want to become a physician assistant. To tell your story well, it’s important to do your homework on your audience. Start by investigating the physician assistant school and take note of their mission, ideas, and values. You can find most of this information on their website.

Look for the emphasis the school places on primary care or specialties. Do they encourage out-of-state applicants? What’s their vision for the future of education? As you find these answers of the PA program you hope to attend, ask yourself—How am I a match? Answers to these questions will help you as you write your personal statement.

Each week, skim through the articles that pop up in your news feed to get to know your intended school. The key word here is “skim;” it’s not necessary to read each word. You only need to read enough to find information to include that will help set yourself apart from other candidates.

Unless you’re perfect, you likely have had to overcome some challenges in your education or your personal life. Recount these challenges in your application essay and identify how you’ve overcome them. Above all, be human in your essay so the admissions committee connects with you and is excited about meeting you.

Prepare, Then Write Your PA Personal Statement

Let’s begin at the beginning. Don’t procrastinate! Some prospective PA students put off writing until they feel inspired or they feel the deadline is disturbingly close.

Sadly, this only feeds the anxiety that often accompanies writing a physician assistant personal statement. If you avoid procrastinating and instead use the process below, it becomes easier. The process includes brainstorming, outlining, and finally writing. But first, let’s start with the structure of the personal statement.

Anatomy of a Physician Assistant Personal Statement

The first thing you need to understand is the structure of the document. Once you know that, it’s easier to brainstorm the type of information you’ll need to write it. A PA personal statement includes an opening statement, a body, and a strong conclusion.

Opening Statement

Your opening statement sets the tone for the rest of your essay. It must grab your reader’s attention and make them want to stay along for the ride. This is where your research into the school comes in handy. Some schools prefer a straightforward statement while others are looking for a compelling story that sets the stage for your desire to become a PA student.

Opening statement stories can recount:

• When you were cared for by a physician assistant.
• What you learned from your personal medical experiences.
• What you discovered from a friend or family member in the healthcare field that touched you.
• Your volunteer experiences.
• What it was like to live in a medically underserved area.

Providing a personal experience helps the admissions committee decide if they want to invite you to a school interview. Be sure to brainstorm multiple personal experiences to use in your opening statement. That way, as you move forward and start writing your first draft, you can change the opening statement to fit the flow of the rest of the essay.

Body of the Essay

This part of your essay tells the admissions committee why you decided to apply to their physician assistant school. Include in the body of your essay how you built an understanding of medicine and what drove you to want to become a physician assistant.

For instance, shadowing other healthcare professionals, reading, healthcare experience, and personal experience are ways of showing your knowledge and passion for the medical field.

It may also help to touch on why you chose to be a physician assistant and not a nurse practitioner or an MD . Remember, you’re speaking to PAs who already know what a PA does . Instead, address what it is about being a physician assistant that speaks to you personally.

Mention specific skills that make you a great PA, such as teamwork, communication, compassion, and your desire to work as a healthcare provider.

If you were faced with challenges and obstacles during your high school or college career, address them and discuss how you’ve grown from the experience. Don’t make excuses; just take ownership of the situation and address it honestly.

Strong Conclusion

You’ve finally finished the body of your PA school essay. This last paragraph of your personal statement should reemphasize your desire to attend physician assistant school, and, specifically, that school’s PA program. In your last paragraph, let your empathy, passion, skills, and dedication shine through.

Make a Personal Statement List, Then Check It Twice

If the process makes you feel overwhelmed, be assured you’re not the only one. However, taking these next two steps can make writing the essay much easier and less intimidating. Let’s start with a personal statement list from which you will later write an outline.

Schedule a date for when you’ll start writing your first draft. Mark this date in your calendar so you won’t forget or procrastinate. Then, on your calendar, mark one week before your “start writing” date. This is your brainstorming date.

On your brainstorming date, make a list of points you want to cover in your application essay. Because this is a brainstorming session, you don’t consider the character limit, it does not need to be in logical order, nor does it all have to follow the same theme.

Your list should include from 3 to 5 experiences that demonstrate the path you’ve taken to become a physician assistant. Patient interaction, academic experience, shadowing, clinical experience, and volunteering all fit the bill. If you have a particular story that you would like to weave throughout the essay, then include that on the list as well.

If you’re considering beginning your application essay, with a story, it’s helpful to brainstorm multiple ideas. A good opening story will build the structure of the document, so add all potential ideas to the list. Again, this is brainstorming, so there’s no need to nail down your opening story right now.

Now, put the list off to the side for at least 4 days. This will give you a chance to mull over your ideas without pressure, so when the time comes, the essay flows naturally.

Create an Outline of Personal Experiences

After 4 days, pull out the list of your personal experiences and begin to structure your essay in the form of an outline. An outline can help you organize your thoughts, so your content flows together.

Remember, there is a 5,000 character limit, so the outline will help you stay on track as you write on the proverbial paper (because you’re writing it on the computer, right?). .

Most pre-PA students write their essays in chronological order. And, truth be told, this is also the best way for the admissions committee to absorb the information. If you do choose to flashback, make it clear so your reader isn’t confused.

Do not try to be perfect—neither in your writing style nor in how you portray yourself.

Your ability to be vulnerable about your challenges makes you more of a real, relatable person. Set aside 2 or 3 days to nail down the outline for your personal statement. Not 2 or 3 full days, but 2 or 3 days to write, mull, and contemplate over the structure, stories, and theme you’ll use.

Start Writing Your Personal Statement: It’s Time to Put Pen to Paper

It’s time to start writing. Set aside quiet time when you won’t be interrupted, and find a space where you can relax. Turn off your phone notifications and shut the door. Take time during the process to do what helps you to calm the butterflies. Simple exercises, music, prayer, and meditation are all popular methods of quieting your mind.

Then start writing using the outline. As you write, remember this is a first draft; you’ll spend time editing, rearranging, and proofing later. Writing your first draft might be one of the fastest steps in writing your personal essay. This is because you’ve already put in the time and effort to develop the ideas. Now is the time to depend on them.

If you feel stuck, many writers find freewriting loosens the creative juices and helps the words flow.

Freewriting is the practice of continuously writing the thoughts that come to you. It was discovered by Peter Elbow in 1973, and it’s been found to help “un-stick” content development. Plus, since you’re using a keyboard, this technique is much easier for you than it was for Mr. Elbow using pen and paper.

After you write your first draft, you’ll need to edit it. One editing technique is to speak your essay out loud as if you were telling it to someone. Use a recorder so you can playback your thoughts—especially those well-worded statements you can’t seem to recreate later.

Seek a Personal Statement Review

Once you’ve polished your personal statement to the best of your ability, it’s time to seek a personal statement review. This is a review process undertaken by an expert, licensed PA who can help improve the flow of your essay and guide you to produce your best possible personal statement for PA school.

Your PA school essay should not be the area of the application process that limits your acceptance.

Potential PA students do well to have a personal statement review, so they don’t get lost in a sea of applicants. The admissions committee is not looking for a cookie-cutter essay, but rather your strongest response to their prompt.

Some PAs that do personal statement reviews also offer services to review CASPA applications. Consider this when choosing a PA to perform your personal statement review. As you weigh your options, costs, and timing, remember the importance of the personal statement to your PA school application and ultimately getting a school interview.

Examples of a PA School Essay

It’s always easier to understand how to write your essay after you’ve read several examples. The PA Life published and analyzed 31 examples for you to read through. At the end of each of these real-world examples are brief comments to help guide the writer to produce a better essay.

The first time you read through a personal essay example, you may miss some points, so be sure to read through examples multiple times.

Here are two short examples using different perspectives to help you determine what the best option is for your personal statement. Neither of these meets the 5,000 character limit since the objective is to offer you different options in the way they could be written and not to develop a full physician assistant program essay.

Personal Statement: Example One

I was seven and my mother was once again giving me cough syrup. I took it standing over the toilet because the cherry flavor made me nauseous, and I was sure I would throw up. This went on for years.

Years of springtime coughing and cherry cough syrup. Years of coughing all night and well into the day. Years and years—until as an adult, I realized I had allergies. In those years, I was cared for by my family physician who was gentle, caring, and took the time to talk with me and my parents.

Over the years I have been treated by nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and physicians. Thankfully my lungs have healed well, and I use my inhaler once every two to three years.

But in those years, I grew to have an understanding of the different roles of mid-level providers and physicians. And, from that understanding, I grew to appreciate the flexibility, professionalism, skills, and abilities that a physician assistant brings to their practice each day.

During my hours of healthcare experience as an EMT, I have also had the privilege of working alongside physician assistants who have demonstrated the unique combination of communication skills, teamwork, and compassion that I believe I also hold.

My desire to practice as a physician assistant is driven by my own healthcare experiences as well as those I have witnessed at work.

Over the past five years, I have volunteered at homeless shelters and nursing homes, while working as an EMT. In that time I have come to realize I am driven to help others, and being a physician assistant is the best way for me to fulfill that life mission. [Character count: 1588, Word count: 281]

Personal Statement: Example Two

In the past three years, I have held the hands of children as they died, comforted their parents, and watched their siblings mourn. For three years I have watched the doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants in our hospital work to save lives, and I have seen the difference they make.

As a nurse, I had always assumed I would go on to become a nurse practitioner, so I could see my own patients. But, in the past three years, I have had the chance to see these professions in action, and I have come to realize my goal is to become a physician assistant.

Growing up I lived in a medically underserved area of our large metropolitan city. I saw first-hand the injustices that led to the loss of life or permanent disability. Today I am a nurse in a large city hospital serving those same people, the people from my neighborhood.

In these years I have developed strong communication skills that have served me well as I teach my patients how to care for themselves at home. My experience has been that positive patient outcomes rely on patient understanding and a belief in their necessary care.

My patients and colleagues have taught me the meaning of teamwork, compassion, and understanding of cultural differences. In watching the practice of different medical professionals, it has become obvious that physician assistants are the embodiment of the kind of care I want to offer my patients.

Each medical professional comes from different backgrounds, with different perspectives. I know that my perspective has been impacted by the neighborhood and community of my childhood.

I believe this impact has been a positive one, as it has driven home the need for people who are sensitive to cultural differences, have the time and desire to work with patients, and who have the skills and knowledge to care for them. These characteristics describe me, and I believe they are a deep and integral part of the physician assistant’s practice.

During my freshman year of undergraduate school, my grades faltered as I was learning how to live away from home and control my own schedule. By my sophomore year, I understood what was needed to get the grades I desired, and I achieved high marks through the rest of my education.

To achieve my goal requires my diligence, focus, and ability to absorb and utilize knowledge. I believe I have demonstrated these characters in my undergraduate degree and during my work experience. I am confident in my ability to successfully complete my education and close the gap in healthcare as a primary care provider. [Character count: 2,562 Word count: 444]

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You have a bright future ahead of you in academia and you’ve already found the program of your dreams.

The only problem? 

You have to write an impressive academic personal statement that sets you apart from a sea of applicants.

We know that writing about yourself might not come naturally. And when the academic program you have your sights set on is on the line, it doesn’t make it any easier.

But there’s no need to worry!

We’ve prepared this guide to help you write your academic personal statement and secure your spot in your program of choice.

In this article, we’re going to cover:

• What Is An Academic Personal Statement?
• 7 Steps to Writing the Best Academic Personal Statement
• An Example of a Stellar Academic Personal Statement

Let’s dive in.

You’ll need an academic CV alongside your personal statement. Create one with ease with Novorésumé !

What Is an Academic Personal Statement?

A personal statement is an essential part of the academic application process.

Much like a motivation letter , your academic personal statement serves to demonstrate why you’re the right candidate for the course and sell yourself as a capable student.

Your goal is to show the admissions committee that they’ll benefit from having you in their university as much as you’ll benefit from joining the program.

Academic Vs CV Personal Statement

The term ‘personal statement’ can mean different things depending on your field.

In the world of job hunting, a personal statement usually refers to a few sentences that go at the top of your CV . This paragraph is meant to convey your top skills, relevant experiences, and professional goals to a hiring manager from the get-go and increase your chances of getting an interview.

However, in the world of academia, a personal statement refers to a more in-depth description of you as a candidate. 

In a nutshell, an academic personal statement shows the admissions committee your academic achievements so far, as well as what motivated you to apply and pursue this position.

Personal statements are also often required when applying for certain jobs, much like writing a cover letter . If you’re looking at a position as a faculty member in a university or other academic institution, for example, you might be asked to provide an academic personal statement.

7 Steps to Write an Academic Personal Statement

Preparation is the key to success and this is exactly where our guide comes in handy.

So just follow these steps and you’re sure to secure your spot:

#1. Read the Brief (Carefully!)

Academic personal statements aren’t necessarily a one-size-fits-all piece of writing. 

Typically, every institution has its specific requirements on what candidates should include in their academic personal statement.

To make sure you’re on the right track with your academic personal statement, read the brief carefully. Consider taking notes and highlighting important points from your program’s brief as you go through it.

Pay attention to any specific question the university wants you to answer. If you don’t address everything the admissions board expects, your personal statement will look sloppy and you’ll be considered an inattentive candidate.

Be sure to re-read the brief after you’ve finished writing your academic personal statement, too. This way you can make sure you’ve answered everything adequately and you’ll have the opportunity to correct any slips.

#2. Research the Program

Make sure you do your homework on the academic program you’re applying to.

You can’t write a good academic personal statement without research, let alone a great one. Much like researching your employer , taking the time to learn more about your desired school and personalizing your application can make a huge difference.

For example, you can dive into how your values align with that of the school you’re applying to, and how your experience and interests relate to specific things about the program. The more you focus on how you’re the right fit for this specific position, in this specific program – the better.

Carefully read through the school and program’s official pages since everything you would need to know is probably on the school’s official website. You can also ask current and former students for help but remember that whatever they say should never replace official information when crafting your academic personal statement.

#3. Plan Your Statement

An academic personal statement is meant to explain your academic interests and shouldn’t contain irrelevant details about your personal life.

Focus on why you want to study the course you’ve chosen and provide any information about your achievements so far.

Ask yourself the following questions to get the ball rolling on what to write:

• Why do you want to study (or work) in this program? How will it benefit you?
• How do your skills match the position?
• What makes you stand out from other applicants?
• What are your exact career aspirations?
• How can you and your work benefit the institution you’re applying to?
• If you changed fields, how did you decide to apply in this direction?
• What insight can you bring thanks to your different experiences?
• How will this change of field help your future career?

Write down your answer to these questions in the first draft of your academic personal statement.

#4. Look at Example Statements

Don’t hesitate to read other people’s academic personal statements online. They’re a great source of inspiration and can help get rid of any remaining writer’s block.

If you’re struggling to understand how to meet the language and formatting requirements for your academic personal statement, seeing actual examples is the best way to learn.

But be careful – don’t copy any lines you read, no matter how impressive you think they are. 

Most universities run every academic personal statement through intensive plagiarism checking, and even a paraphrased sentence could lead to your application being rejected for plagiarism.

So pay more attention to the overall structure of the academic personal statements you read, rather than copying the exact wording.

#5. Structure the Contents

There should be a cohesive argument that your entire essay follows. Each sentence and paragraph should complement and build on the one that comes before it.

The structure of your personal statement should include:

An intriguing introduction to you as a candidate

The introductory paragraph should grab the admission committee’s attention and keep them engaged.

Here you should be sure to avoid cliches like saying how you’ve “always dreamt” of graduating from this university or of studying this exact program. Instead, give an example of what really influenced you to pursue this dream.

Here’s an example:

• I’ve always loved reading and since I was a child, it’s been my dream to graduate from Oxford University and contribute to the world of literary analysis. That’s why I spent the past year volunteering at my local writers’ society and giving constructive feedback during workshops and book discussions.
• It wasn’t until I failed my first essay assignment in secondary school that I realized the depth that lies beneath each sentence in a given text. I began to delve into the rich layers of literary texts and the intricacies of literary analysis became my passion. Although initially challenging, the depth of understanding that this field offers about human emotions, cultural contexts, and narrative structures enthralled me. I found myself questioning the narrative structures and character motivations that I had previously taken for granted, and I was eager to understand how the subtle and often overlooked elements within a text could have a profound impact on its overall interpretation. This need to fundamentally understand a given author’s work has stayed with me since and led me to pursue literary analysis as a postgraduate student.

An engaging body

The main part of your academic personal statement should detail your interests, experience, and knowledge, and how they make you suitable for the position.

This is where you should expand on your motivation and use the following tips:

• Why this university? Provide strong reasons for your choice, related to your future career or the institution’s reputation.
• Mention your relevant studies and experience. This includes projects, dissertations, essays, or work experience.
• Give evidence of key skills you have, such as research, critical thinking, communication, and time management, and explain how you can contribute to the department with them.
• Say what makes you unique as a candidate and provide an example.
• Explain who have been the main influences who put you on this path and why they’ve influenced you.
• Mention other relevant experiences, such as memberships in clubs related to the subject, awards you might have won, or impressive papers you’ve written.
• Talk about your career aspirations and how the program ties into your goal of achieving them.

Depending on the guidelines of the specific university, you could also divide your academic personal statement’s body with subheadings, such as:

• Academic background
• Research interests
• Methodological approaches
• Research experience
• Personal experience
• Extracurricular activities 
• Relevant skills
• Career aspirations

A logical conclusion

Your academic personal statement needs a conclusion that ends on an enthusiastic note.

Make sure the conclusion reiterates the main points from the body of your text.

Your relevant accomplishments and desire to attend this specific program should be clear to any reader.

#6. Pay Attention to the Language

When writing the first draft of your academic personal statement, pay attention to the language and tone you’re using.

An academic personal statement is also a formal text, so your writing should reflect that. Colloquialisms aren’t appropriate, as they would take away from the well-mannered impression you want to give the admissions committee.

However, you also want your personal statement to be straightforward and avoid any complex jargon from your field of study.

For example, your opening sentence shouldn’t be overly complicated. You should communicate everything as clearly as possible, and be inclusive to those outside of your field of study since they might be on the admissions board that’s reading your academic personal statement.

Make sure that the tone throughout your text is positive and conveys your enthusiasm for the program. Your academic personal statement should show the admissions committee that you really want to be there, and why that’s beneficial to everyone involved.

#7. Proofread Your Statement

This step probably isn’t surprising to you but it’s worth paying attention to.

Your academic personal statement is a very formal document and it should be spotless. 

So, make sure it adheres to academic writing conventions . For example, contractions like “I’m” instead of “I am” are informal, and should be avoided.

Mistakes like these are very common when writing about yourself, particularly when you’re used to describing yourself in informal environments.

Carefully proofread your academic personal statement, then run it through a grammar checker like Grammarly or Quillbot, then proofread it again.

The tiniest grammar mistake or typo could make the admissions board reject your application.

Academic Personal Statement Example

Ever since my first encounter with the enchanting worlds spun by Flaubert, Balzac, and Proust, my intellectual pursuits have gravitated toward French literature. With an undergraduate degree focused on French Language and Literature, I have been fortunate to explore my passions both theoretically and empirically, embedding them within broader themes of cultural theory and comparative literature. It is with great excitement that I apply for the postgraduate research position in the French Literature program at Kent University, with the aim of contributing novel scholarly perspectives to this captivating field.

Academic Background and Research Interests

During my undergraduate studies, I delved deeply into the realms of 19th-century Realism and Naturalism. My senior thesis, which examined the dialectics of morality and social structures in Balzac's "La Comédie Humaine," was not merely an academic exercise; it served as a crucible where my theoretical understandings were rigorously tested. This research experience intensified my interest in the complex interplay between literature and societal norms, a theme I am eager to further explore in my postgraduate work.

Methodological Approaches

My academic approach is fundamentally interdisciplinary. I strongly believe that literature should not be studied in a vacuum; rather, it should be contextualized within historical, sociological, and psychological paradigms. During a semester abroad in Paris, I took courses in cultural anthropology and French history, an enriching experience that complemented my literature-focused studies. This holistic approach will enable me to contribute a multifaceted perspective to the research endeavors at Kent University.

Previous Research and Scholarly Engagements

My scholarly activities have also extended beyond the classroom. Last summer, I participated in an international conference on French Literature and Post-Colonial Theory, presenting a paper on the depictions of colonial landscapes in Dumas' adventure novels. The opportunity to engage with academics from various disciplines provided me with fresh insights and underscored the importance of collaborative research. Further, I've had the honor of having a review article published in the Sheffield Journal of Contemporary Literary Explorations, where I critiqued a groundbreaking new translation of Verne's works.

Extracurricular Contributions and Skills

In addition to my academic achievements, I have sought to enrich my department’s intellectual community. I served as the editor of our departmental journal and organized a series of seminars featuring guest speakers from the worlds of academia and publishing. My strong organizational skills, combined with proficiency in both written and spoken French and English, make me a versatile candidate capable of adding value to the French Literature program’s broader objectives.

To summarize, my deep-rooted passion for French literature, fortified by rigorous academic training and interdisciplinary methodologies, makes me an ideal candidate for the postgraduate research position in your esteemed program. The prospect of contributing to academic discourse at Kent University is an opportunity I find deeply compelling. I am especially excited about the potential for collaborative research and interdisciplinary inquiries, which aligns perfectly with my academic philosophy. I am fully committed to leveraging my skills, experiences, and enthusiasm to make a substantive scholarly contribution to the study of French Literature. Thank you for considering my application; I am keenly looking forward to the possibility of furthering my academic journey in this vibrant intellectual community.

FAQs on Academic Personal Statements

If you’re wondering anything else about academic personal statements, check out the answers to the most frequently asked questions related to them here:

#1. How do you start a personal statement for an academic job?

Applying for an academic job is different from applying for a position as a student. First, you need to establish your qualifications and enthusiasm for the role immediately.

Start by explaining your current status, for example, as a postdoctoral researcher or an experienced member of the faculty, and specify the position you are applying for. Then follow up with your research interests or personal philosophy towards teaching.

You can add a personal anecdote or compelling fact that summarizes your academic journey so far, or your passion for the field. After that, your academic personal statement can go deeper into the qualifications from your academic CV and how you’re a great fit for the position.

#2. How do I introduce myself in an academic personal statement?

The introduction of your academic personal statement is the key to grabbing the attention of the admissions committee.

Start by stating the field or subject that interests you, and why. You can share a specific personal anecdote or observation that led you to this academic pursuit and set the stage for the detailed explanation in your main body.

The goal of your introduction is to give the reader a sense of who you are, what drives you, and why you would be a valuable addition to their department.

#3. Is an academic personal statement like an essay?

Yes, an academic personal statement can be considered a type of essay.

Both essays and academic personal statements are structured forms of writing that are meant to deliver a coherent argument and are divided into an introduction, body, and conclusion. They provide supporting evidence to prove the point and maintain a logical flow to guide the reader to the final conclusion.

However, essays tend to be objective and explore a specific topic or question in depth. Academic personal statements use similar techniques but they present the candidate’s qualifications, experiences, and aspirations in a way that’s meant to persuade the admissions committee.

#4. How long is an academic personal statement?

Typically, an academic personal statement is between 500 and 1000 words long.

The exact length of the text varies depending on the university and program you’re applying to. You should always check the specific requirements for your desired program, and stick to the guidelines you find.

However, if the university you’re applying to doesn’t specify a word count, you should aim for one to two pages.

#5. What do I avoid in an academic personal statement?

Since your personal statement is a crucial part of your academic application, it’s important to avoid any common mistakes.

Make sure the content of your academic personal statement isn’t too generic. Its goal is to give insight into you as an individual, beyond what can be read in your CV . 

You should also avoid cramming too many points in your text. Your academic personal statement should follow a logical flow, and focus on the relevance of what you’re sharing about yourself and how it relates to the academic program you’re pursuing.

Key Takeaways

And that concludes our guide to writing an academic personal statement!

We hope you feel more confident when crafting your application for that academic program or faculty position you have your sights set on.

Now let’s recap what we talked about so far:

• Academic personal statements are very different from CV personal statements. While CV personal statements are brief paragraphs at the top of the page, an academic personal statement is an in-depth text that details why you’re interested in a given position, and what makes you a good candidate.
• The guidelines on academic personal statements vary according to the institution you’re applying to. Read the brief very carefully, and pay attention to what it says about word count and questions your personal statement should answer. Any mistakes here could result in rejection.
• There are differences between applying for a postgraduate program and applying for a faculty position. But in both cases, you should research the exact place you want to apply to and adjust your application accordingly to match the institution’s values.
• Always proofread your academic personal statement before sending it, even if you’re sure there are no errors.

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Teaching personal statement examples

Giving you the chance to show why you'd be a great teacher, your personal statement is an important part of your application and worth taking the time over

What is a teaching personal statement?

Your personal statement is used to explain why you want to become a teacher and your suitability for the role. While your application form briefly outlines your qualifications, skills and work experience, your teaching personal statement is where your personality shines through.

Take your time with it. Many candidates often spend a few weeks on this part of the application as you don't have to write it all at once. You should get someone to read over it and be prepared to receive constructive feedback and write a few drafts before you send it off.

It's important to:

• use examples based on your recent teaching experience
• tailor your personal statement according to the school/age group
• use good, clear, written English, using first person terms such as 'my' and 'I'
• be original and honest
• avoid clichés and general statements, such as 'I've always wanted to teach'
• demonstrate a passion for teaching.

While it's crucial to get it right, your teaching personal statement is only a small part of the application process. Find out how else you'll need to prepare to  get a teaching job .

How to write a personal statement for teaching

Your personal statement should be between 500 and 1,000 words. It's crucial that you  don't copy  and that the statement you provide is  your own work .

This is your opportunity to:

• write about any relevant skills and experience you have
• explain your understanding of why teaching is important
• detail why you want to become a teacher
• list any extra skills or experience you have, such as volunteering or first aid.

See  personal statements for postgraduate applications  for more guidance.

The nature of your personal statement will vary, depending on the type of teaching you'd like to pursue. Take a look at some of our example personal statements to get an idea of how they differ.

Personal statement for PGCE primary

As well as focusing on roles in which you've gained experience with primary-age children, a PGCE primary personal statement should demonstrate your well-rounded personality and any skills that could be useful for the range of extra-curricular activities primary schools provide (such as the ability to read music for recorder lessons, or drama experience to help with school plays).

Personal statement for PGCE secondary

Many good PGCE secondary personal statements acknowledge the challenges involved in teaching older pupils and provide examples of where the candidate has worked to overcome these problems. As secondary teaching roles are geared towards teaching a specific subject, training providers are looking for more evidence of your subject and degree knowledge.

Personal statement for School Direct

If you're applying for the salaried School Direct route, you should discuss the experience you've gained in the classroom prior to your application. One of your references will need to be from an employer, or someone who can comment on your work ethic and suitability for teaching. Don't worry if your degree is unrelated to the subject you'd like to teach - you may still be able to apply by completing a subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) course .

Find out more

• Discover how to structure a teaching CV .
• Find out what it's really like to be a primary or secondary school teacher .
• Search postgraduate courses in teaching .

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Miss Teen USA Resigns, Saying Her Values ‘No Longer Fully Align’ With the Organization 

M iss Teen USA, UmaSofia Srivastava, 17, announced that she would be stepping down from her role, saying that her personal values “no longer fully align with the direction of the organization.”

“After months of grappling with this decision, I have made the choice to resign from the title of Miss Teen USA 2023,” she said in a statement posted to Instagram on Wednesday afternoon. “I will always look back on my time as Miss NJ Teen USA fondly, and the experience of representing my state as a first generation, Mexican-Indian American at the national level was fulfilling in itself.” 

In a statement posted to Instagram, Miss Teen USA said they “respect and support” Srivastava’s decision, and will look to transfer her responsibilities to a successor. “The well-being of our titleholders is a top priority,” the statement read. Miss USA Organization, the parent organization of Miss Teen USA and Miss USA, did not reply to TIME’s request for comment ahead of publication. 

The news comes just days after Miss USA, Noelia Voigt, 24, announced her resignation from the title to focus on her mental health. Her statement, which she released on Instagram on Monday, May 6, drew speculation online after many noticed that the first letters of the first 11 sentences in her statement spelled: “I am silenced” (The first letters of the final three sentences spelled “hip.”)

In the days prior, Miss USA's social media director, Claudia Michelle, announced that she would resign from the brand due to "workplace toxicity and bullying," and added that titleholders "should be heard and not silenced". (Miss USA told USA Today that Michelle's statement contained "false accusations", and said the organization was "committed to fostering a safe, inclusive and supportive environment,” and “take these allegations seriously.”)

Miss USA Organization has come under fire in recent years after contestants alleged in 2022 that the competition was rigged and that organizers gave preferential treatment to that year’s winner, ​​R’Bonney Gabriel. (Gabriel soon resigned the Miss USA title to Miss North Carolina, Morgan Romano.) Miss USA released a statement in December 2023 saying that an investigation had found the rigging claims to be false, according to the Washington Post .

Srivastava says she will continue to focus on her personal projects, including her work with educational advocacy non-profits, as well as finishing high school. She has written and illustrated a multilingual children’s book, The White Jaguar, and says she also plans to begin a new writing project. “I look forward to the rest of the year as I finish 11th grade as part of the National Honor Society and start the college application process, knowing that my academic career has been defined by my hard work, and my hard work alone,” she said. “Most importantly, thank you to those who support me for who I am and have always been, not for who I’ve momentarily become.”

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Writing an Administrative Assistant’s Personal Statement

Table of Contents

Administrative assistants play an important role in any organization. They are responsible for scheduling appointments, answering phones, managing emails, and providing administrative support.

The job of an administrative assistant requires good organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to multitask. Asides from your resume, a personal statement is a vital document employers typically require to determine your suitability for a job role. The  administrative assistant personal statement examples  in this guide will help you get started on the right note.

A personal statement is your chance to sell yourself to the employer and demonstrate your abilities, qualifications, and skill set. You’ll surely leave a lasting impression on the recruiting manager with a solid personal statement that details what you can offer to the company.

This article will take you through writing the perfect administrative assistant personal statement . 

What Is A Personal Statement?

A personal statement is a document you submit as part of your job application. It is a summary of your skills, qualifications, and capabilities . It details what you can offer an employer regarding your applying job. 

A good personal statement must convince the hiring manager that you’re a perfect fit for the role at hand. You may include your interests, life, and career goals. The personal statement is also a great way to demonstrate your written communication skills. This is because administrative assistants often interact with customers and other stakeholders via email. 

What to Include in an Administrative Assistant Personal Statement

For your statement to stand out, you must include some essential information. Here are some key details to include in an administrative assistant’s statement:

1. Relevant work experience

List any previous work experience relevant to the administrative assistant position you are applying for. This could include experience working in a similar role, handling office tasks, or using appropriate software or technologies.

2. Skills and Abilities

Highlight any skills and abilities that make you a strong candidate for the role. These could be proficiency in computer programs such as Microsoft Office, excellent communication skills, and the ability to multitask and prioritize tasks effectively.

3. Education and Relevant training

Include any relevant education or training you have received, such as a degree in business administration or a certificate in office management.

4. Personal qualities

In your statement, highlight any qualities that make you well-suited for the role of an administrative assistant. These could include strong attention to detail, a positive attitude, and working well in a team.

5. Career goals

Finally, include a brief statement about your career goals and how the role of an administrative assistant fits into your long-term plans.

How to Write an Administrative Assistant Personal Statement

Your statement should be written in a clear structure, with each section building on the point you made in the previous one. 

The following steps will guide your writing:

1. Begin with a Hook

Begin your statement with a brief statement that captures the reader’s attention. You may start by explaining why you are interested in the administrative assistant position and what makes you a strong candidate.

2. Highlight your relevant work experience

When listing your relevant work experience, include the names of the companies or organizations you worked. Also include your previous job titles, and a brief description of your responsibilities.

3. Mention your most unique skills and abilities

You might have several skills and abilities, but only mention those relevant to the administrative assistant position. Also include any skills that give you an edge over other job applicants, one that portrays your uniqueness. 

4. Highlight your personal qualities that make you stand out

This is where you sell yourself to the employer. Detail any unique qualities that will make you excel on the job. These may include strong attention to detail, a positive attitude, and working well in a team.

5.  Conclude

Bring your statement to a close by convincing the employer that you’re indeed the perfect fit for the job role. 

Administrative Assistant Personal Statement Examples

I am an experienced and organized administrative assistant passionate about using my unique skill set to provide exceptional service.

My career has been built on the commitment to providing excellent support services, which I have perfected through initiative and dedication. 

As a professional, I take pride in learning complex tasks while working efficiently under tight deadlines. I often display impressive problem-solving abilities by resolving issues related to day-to-day operations in a timely fashion. Additionally, I always strive to increase my productivity by exploring creative methods of executing my duties. 

My strong interpersonal skills allow me to interact easily with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and build meaningful relationships. Furthermore, I always ensure effective communication between all stakeholders, helping create a peaceful work environment. On top of that, I am skilled at negotiating favorable terms and achieving organizational objectives. 

Overall, my experiences and expertise make me an ideal candidate for any organization looking for competent and reliable administrative assistance.

I am an experienced and enthusiastic administrative assistant, passionate about utilizing my diverse skills to help organizations achieve their objectives. With my extensive knowledge, I juggle many tasks while working efficiently and effectively under pressure. I focus on delivering results on time with accuracy and attention to detail that is second to none. 

My technical proficiency includes computer use, data entry, record keeping, scheduling, filing, and other clerical duties. With these abilities and my commitment to learning new software applications, I offer a unique blend of energy and experience to any organization. 

Additionally, I strive to build strong relationships through my active communication skills and problem-solving abilities. I also have excellent interpersonal and organizational abilities.

I hope to be considered for this opportunity to serve as an administrative assistant in your organization.

I am an experienced and enthusiastic administrative assistant, eager to bring my organized and dedicated work ethic to any workplace. 

With a proven track record of handling clerical duties efficiently and accurately, I am confident I will become an essential part of your team. My drive is fueled by my creative problem-solving skills and willingness to take on complex tasks easily. 

Furthermore, I have excellent interpersonal relationship skills to collaborate effectively with colleagues while maintaining professionalism. I strive to improve processes within any organization and possess the organizational skills necessary for achieving streamlined operations. 

Additionally, I can easily prioritize tasks, reduce risks, and keep communication lines open between departments while maintaining confidentiality and topmost discretion. My dedication to superior customer service will be invaluable when interacting with clients or customers. 

Overall, I offer a unique combination of experience, energy, skill, and reliability that would make me an ideal addition to your office.

Administrative assistants are the backbone of every organization, as many things won’t function without them. When seeking the role of an administrative assistant, you must display your uniqueness. And capture the employer’s attention in a way no other person does.

A strong personal statement will set you apart from the competition. So it’s worth investing your time and effort to create a striking statement.

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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• International

Stormy Daniels wraps up testimony in Trump hush money trial

By CNN's Kara Scannell, Lauren Del Valle and Jeremy Herb in the courthouse

Here are some key takeaways from the 14th day of Trump's criminal hush money trial

From CNN's Jeremy Herb, Lauren del Valle and Kara Scannell

Former President  Donald Trump ’s lawyers continued their attack on the credibility of Stormy Daniels for several hours Thursday, with defense attorney Susan Necheles accusing the adult film star of making up the story of having sex with Trump.

Today also saw testimony from a woman who was once among the closest people working with Trump in the White House, and failed efforts by the defense to get a mistrial and an exception to the defendant's gag order.

Here are some key takeaways from Day 14 of the Trump   hush money trial:

Contentious testimony: Daniels combatively and defiantly responded to questions from Necheles, insisting her story of a sexual encounter with Trump was true. Trump has denied the affair.

Trump’s attorney asked about minor inconsistencies in interviews Daniels has given about her interactions with Trump. Necheles also picked apart how Daniels has previously described the encounter .

Necheles also insinuated Daniels had employed her skills as a porn writer in making up the story. “You have a lot of experience of making phony stories about sex appear to be real,” the Trump attorney asked.

"Wow," Daniels said,   with a pause. “That’s not how I would put it. The sex in the films is very much real, just like what happened to me in that room.”

Lawyers spar over Daniels' financial situation: Beyond the details of the alleged encounter itself, Trump’s attorneys and prosecutors had Daniels tell conflicting accounts of her financial situation.

Necheles continued to suggest that Daniels was making money off of saying she had sex with Trump, pointing to a tweet where she said she’d earned $1 million and others   where she directed her supporters to her online store after Trump was indicted.

Prosecutors, meanwhile, had Daniels recount how telling her story has also cost her, from having to move her daughter and hire security to the lawyers’ fees she was ordered to pay after she sued Trump and lost.

Former aide takes us inside the Trump White House: Former White House aide Madeleine Westerhout described the inner workings of Trump’s West Wing, where she worked for more than two years sitting just outside the Oval Office.

Westerhout described Trump's work habits, from his affinity for sharpies and hard copies of documents, to his close control over his social media posts and his preference to talk to people in person or on the phone — not by email.

While she did not testify to direct knowledge of the checks Trump signed to his former fixer Michael Cohen, which are cited in the charges against Trump, her story added to the prosecution's narrative about his involvement with the checks in 2017.

Two failed efforts by Trump's team: Judge Juan Merchan denied the request from Trump's lawyers to make an exception to the gag order allowing him to speak publicly about Daniels, saying he must protect the integrity of the proceedings, and he doesn’t trust Trump not to violate an order if he were to modify it.

The judge also denied Trump’s renewed motion for a mistrial over the salacious testimony Daniels gave, which his attorneys say unfairly prejudices the jury against Trump. Merchan said the specificity is important to helping the jury make a determination.

Read a full recap of today's proceedings here.

Here are the witnesses who have testified so far in the Trump hush money trial

From CNN staff

Donald Trump's longtime assistant, the former banker of Trump's attorney Michael Cohen and adult film actress Stormy Daniels are among witnesses who have taken the stand so far in the hush money trial.

As of Thursday, here's everybody we've heard from so far:

• David Pecker — the former CEO of American Media Inc., the National Enquirer's parent company — was the first witness called to testify. After more than 10 hours of testimony across four days, he offered illuminating details into how the infamous tabloid operated and conducted so-called “catch and kill” operations.
• Rhona Graff , Trump's longtime assistant at the Trump Organization, was called to testify briefly on April 26.
• Gary Farro , the former banker of Cohen, walked the jury through Cohen’s bank activity around the payment to Daniels.

• Keith Davidson , the former lawyer for model and actress Karen McDougal as well as for Daniels, was on the stand for nearly 6 hours   over two days.
• Douglas Daus works for the Manhattan District Attorney's High Technology Analysis Unit, and was assigned to analyze two iPhones that  belonged to Cohen  in the investigation related to Trump. They were obtained via a search warrant. Daus testified about the  "unusual" amount of contacts  and other things he found on Cohen's phone.
• Hope Hicks , Trump's longtime former aide, testified for a little less than three hours about her role as Trump’s 2016 campaign press secretary, the aftermath of  the “Access Hollywood” tape release  and Cohen's payment to Daniels.

• Jeffrey McConney , a former Trump Organization controller, testified about  how Cohen's payments were listed  in Trump's financial documents.
• Deborah Tarasoff, the accounts payable supervisor in the accounting department at the Trump Organization, explained how checks were cut to Cohen  in 2017 and she testified that  invoices over $10,000  had to be approved by Trump or one of his sons.
• Sally Franklin , the senior vice president and executive managing editor for Penguin Random House publishing group, testified for  46 minutes . Prosecutors used her testimony to enter  excerpts from Trump’s books  into evidence. 
• Stormy Daniels, who's at the center of the hush money case, was on the stand for 6 hours and 10 minutes over two days of testimony. Daniels walked the jury through details about her alleged sexual encounter with Trump in 2006 and the $130,000 hush money payment from Trump's ex-attorney Michael Cohen shortly  before the 2016 election . Trump attorney Susan Necheles hammered down on Daniels in cross-examination to establish some of the ways she gained publicity and money from her story going public.
• Rebecca Manochio , a junior bookkeeper at the Trump Organization, testified for about 35 minutes. The prosecution used Manochio to submit invoices , documents and emails as evidence.

• Tracey Menzies , the senior vice president of production and creative operations at Harper Collins, spoke about one of the books Donald Trump co-authored, “Think Big: Make It Happen in Business and Life,” by Trump and Bill Zanker and read excerpts from the book.
• Madeleine Westerhout , a former personal assistant to Trump at the White House, detailed how the president preferred to work, his attention to detail and the reaction to the "Access Hollywood" tape.

Stormy Daniels finished her testimony in Trump’s hush money trial. Here’s what to know

From CNN's Elise Hammond

Donald Trump’s lawyers finished their cross-examination of Stormy Daniels on Thursday and spent most of the time trying to undermine her credibility by pointing out inconsistencies in her story.

In her more than 6 hours of testimony over two days, Daniels described her  first meeting with Trump , the details  of their alleged sexual encounter in 2006 and how the hush money payment unfolded years later. The defense tried to establish some of the ways the porn star gained publicity and money from her story going public.

The other witnesses on Thursday were a junior bookkeeper at the Trump Organization, an employee of Harper Collins and Trump’s former personal assistant at the White House. 

Here’s what happened in court on Thursday:

Stormy Daniels on cross-examination:  

• Trump lawyer Susan Necheles pointed out that in a January 2018 statement , Daniels denied a sexual encounter with Trump. Later that same month, Daniels put out a second statement denying the relationship. She said she was pushed to sign the statement by Michael Cohen via attorney Keith Davidson. 
• Necheles asked Daniels if she eventually wanted to publicly announce she had sex with Trump. "No. Nobody would ever want to publicly say that. I wanted to publicly defend myself ," Daniels testified. 
• Necheles sought to establish examples of how Daniels benefitted from the story . A "60 Minutes" interview and appearances on CNN and "The View" brought Daniels publicity, Necheles said. Daniels argued her then-lawyer Michael Avenatti arranged her appearances. 
• Necheles challenged Daniels on her story, saying it "has changed a lot over the years," citing Daniels’ description of the floors in Trump’s hotel room. The Trump attorney also asked if Daniels fabricated the story about the encounter with Trump, which Daniels denied.

On redirect:  

• Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger went through Daniels' motivation for entering the non-disclosure agreement, including her fear for safety . While Daniels has made money with the Trump story, it has also cost her , Hoffinger said. Daniels said now she's had to hire security and move her daughter to a safe place to live, in addition to the money she owes Trump in attorney's fees. 
• Hoffinger asked, " Have you been telling lies about Mr. Trump or the truth about Mr. Trump?" Daniels responded, “The truth.” 

Rebecca Manochio:  

• Manochio, who still works at the Trump Organization as a junior bookkeeper, said when Trump was in the White House, she would FedEx checks once a week, often 10 to 20 at a time. The checks were mailed back to the Trump Organization, signed by Trump , usually within a few days.
• When she received the checks back from Washington, she would give them to Deb Tarasoff, who works in the accounting department and testified earlier in the trial. 
• Prosecutors used Manochio to submit documents into evidence that showed Trump's personal checks were facilitated in Washington, DC, by Trump Organization bodyguard Keith Schiller and then by Trump personal aid John McEntee once Schiller left. This is important because the  crux of this case  comes down to how the former president's team handled a hush money payment to Daniels. 
• On cross-examination, Manochio said she didn’t interact directly with Trump and she only sent him personal checks for his signature. She also testified that she also sent personal checks to Ivanka Trump . 

Tracey Menzies  

• Menzies is the senior vice president of production and creative operations at Harper Collins . Testifying as a custodian of records for the publishing company, Menzies said. 
• Prosecutors read excerpts from the book "Think Big: Make it Happen in Business and Life" for the jury. Several of them were about Trump’s value of loyalty in his business. Other excerpts were about revenge . 

Madeleine Westerhout  

• As the former director of Oval Office Operations, Westerhout was one of the chief gatekeepers to the president as his personal assistant.
• When the 2016 “Access Hollywood” tape came out, Westerhout said she remembered it “rattling RNC leadership.” She testified that she recalled conversations about how to replace Trump on the presidential ticket, “if it came to that.” Later, she told the defense on cross-examination that Trump was not as concerned about the tape as those around him. 
• From Westerhout’s experience working with Trump, she said the former president was “ attentive to things that were brought to his attention." She also testified about Trump’s preferences — including that he did not use a computer or have an email address and preferred hard copies of documents. 
• She said she recalls that Trump was “very upset” by the Stormy Daniels story potentially coming out. Westerhout testified that Trump spoke to Cohen around that time. 

Judge makes other rulings: Judge Juan Merchan denied the defense's motion for a mistrial. He said he disagrees with the Trump team's assertion that Daniels gave a new account in her testimony this week. He also denied a motion to modify the gag order to allow Trump to talk about Daniels.

Trump attacks judge in hush money trial after leaving court

Former President Donald Trump attacked the judge presiding over his hush money trial in New York after court adjourned on Thursday.

In the hallway, he called Judge Juan Merchan “totally corrupt” and “conflicted.”

“Take a look at his conflict, it’s a disgrace to the city of New York, to the state of New York and to the country,” Trump said.

It comes after Stormy Daniels finished her testimony. She was on the stand for more than 6 hours over two days, describing her first meeting with Trump and their sexual encounter in 2006.

Remember: The former president is not allowed to talk about Daniels because of a gag order that has been imposed. However, it does not prevent Trump from attacking Merchan or Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. 

Court is adjourned

After issuing his ruling, Judge Juan Merchan dismissed the court until tomorrow morning.

"I’ll see you tomorrow at 9:30," he said.

Judge Merchan denies defense motion for a mistrial

Judge Juan Merchan has denied the defense's motion for a mistrial.

Merchan says he disagrees with the Trump team's assertion that Stormy Daniels gave a new account in her testimony this week.

Before the ruling, Mechan says the jurors have to decide who they believe in the case of the encounter between Donald Trump and Daniels.

He notes that the people do not have to prove the encounter happened but because the defense has called her credibility into question, prosecutors have to make an effort to show her story is credible to prove their case.

"The more specificity Ms. Daniels can provide about the encounter, the more the jury can weigh whether the encounter did occur and if so whether they choose to credit Ms. Daniels’ story," Merchan says.

There were "many times Ms. Necheles could have objected but didn't," the judge says.

"For some unexplained reason that I still don't understand" there was no objection to certain testimony cited in the motion for a mistrial and again today, Merchan says.

"Why on earth she wouldn't object to the mention of a condom, I don’t understand," Merchan says of Trump attorney Susan Necheles.

Trump leans back in his chair as judge knocks his legal team

Trump is leaning back and stretching as the judge knocks the defense for not objecting to more of Stormy Daniels' testimony.

Merchan has mentioned several portions of the proceedings he thinks Trump's lawyers could have objected to as he explains his ruling.

Prosecutor says "very salacious details" were omitted that he's willing to file under seal if necessary

Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass says there were "very salacious details" that were purposely omitted from Stormy Daniels' account, saying he's willing to make a sealed filing with those details if necessary.

Steinglass says the prosecution specifically chose not to ask questions in a way that would elicit some of those details, so as not to embarrass Trump.

For example, Steinglass notes that the judge sustained an objection to a question to Daniels about whether she "felt anything different" at the time of the alleged sexual encounter with Trump.

The prosecutor says Daniels would have testified that she felt the skin of a 60-year-old man, and that that was different for her as a 27-year-old woman at the time. Steinglass says that would've been corroborative of her allegations.

"We feel that we have very faithfully adhered to your honor's ruling," the prosecutor says, in summary.

Steinglass says the prosecution was never intending to call Karen McDougal as a witness

Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass confirms Karen McDougal — the model and actress who has said she was also paid to keep quiet about an affair with Trump — will not be called to take the stand.

"She was on our witness list, but we have never indicated an actual intention to call her," he says.

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