stanford med school personal statement

2 Med School Essays That Admissions Officers Loved

Here are tips on writing a medical school personal statement and examples of essays that stood out.

2 Great Med School Personal Statements

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A compelling medical school admissions essay can address nearly any topic the applicant is interested in, as long as it conveys the applicant's personality.

A personal statement is often a pivotal factor in medical school admissions decisions.

"The essay really can cause me to look more deeply at the entire application," Dr. Stephen Nicholas, former senior associate dean of admissions with the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons , told U.S. News in 2017. "So I do think it's pretty important."

A compelling medical school admissions essay can address nearly any topic the applicant is interested in, as long as it conveys the applicant's personality, according to Dr. Barbara Kazmierczak, director of the M.D.-Ph.D. Program and a professor of medicine and microbial pathogenesis with the Yale School of Medicine.

“The passion that the writer is bringing to this topic tells us about the individual rather than the topic that they’re describing, and the essay is the place for us to learn about the applicant – who they are and what experiences have brought them to this point of applying to medical school,” she told U.S. News in 2017.

Rachel Rudeen, former admissions coordinator for the University of Minnesota Medical School , says personal statements help medical schools determine whether applicants have the character necessary to excel as a doctor. "Grit is something we really look for," she says.

Evidence of humility and empathy , Rudeen adds, are also pluses.

Why Medical Schools Care About Personal Statements

The purpose of a personal statement is to report the events that inspired and prepared a premed to apply to medical school, admissions experts say. This personal essay helps admissions officers figure out whether a premed is ready for med school, and it also clarifies whether a premed has a compelling rationale for attending med school, these experts explain.

When written well, a medical school personal statement conveys a student's commitment to medicine and injects humanity into an admissions process that might otherwise feel cold and impersonal, according to admissions experts.

Glen Fogerty, associate dean of admissions and recruitment with the medical school at the University of Arizona—Phoenix , put it this way in an email: "To me, the strongest personal statements are the ones that share a personal connection. One where a candidate shares a specific moment, the spark that ignited their passion to become a physician or reaffirmed why they chose medicine as a career."

Dr. Viveta Lobo, an emergency medicine physician with the Stanford University School of Medicine in California who often mentors premeds, says the key thing to know about a personal statement is that it must indeed be personal, so it needs to reveal something meaningful. The essay should not be a dry piece of writing; it should make the reader feel for the author, says Lobo, director of academic conferences and continuing medical education with the emergency medicine department at Stanford.

A great personal statement has an emotional impact and "will 'do' something, not just 'say' something," Lobo wrote in an email. Admissions officers "read hundreds of essays – so before you begin, think of how yours will stand out, be unique and different," Lobo suggests.

How to Write a Personal Statement for Medical School

Lobo notes that an outstanding personal statement typically includes all of the following ingredients:

• An intriguing introduction that gets admissions officers' attention.
• Anecdotes that illustrate what kind of person the applicant is.
• Reflections about the meaning and impact of various life experiences .
• A convincing narrative about why medical school is the logical next step.
• A satisfying and optimistic conclusion.

"You should sound excited, and that passion should come through in your writing," Lobo explains.

A personal statement should tie together an applicant's past, present and future by explaining how previous experiences have led to this point and outlining long-term plans to contribute to the medical profession, Lobo said during a phone interview. Medical school admissions officers want to understand not only where an applicant has been but also the direction he or she is going, Lobo added.

When premeds articulate a vision of how they might assist others and improve society through the practice of medicine, it suggests that they aren't self-serving or simply interested in the field because of its prestige, Lobo says. It's ideal when premeds can eloquently describe a noble mission, she explains.

Elisabeth Fassas, author of "Making Pre-Med Count: Everything I Wish I'd Known Before Applying (Successfully) to Medical School," says premeds should think about the doctors they admire and reflect on why they admire them. Fassas, a first-year medical student at the University of Maryland , suggests pondering the following questions:

• "Why can you really only see yourself being a physician?"
• "What is it about being a doctor that has turned you on to this field?"
• "What kind of doctor do you imagine yourself being?"
• "Who do you want to be for your patients?"
• "What are you going to do specifically for your patients that only you can do?"

Fassas notes that many of the possible essay topics a med school hopeful can choose are subjects that other premeds can also discuss, such as a love of science. However, aspiring doctors can make their personal statements unique by articulating the lessons they learned from their life experiences, she suggests.

Prospective medical students need to clarify why medicine is a more suitable calling for them than other caring professions, health care fields and science careers, Fassas notes. They should demonstrate awareness of the challenges inherent in medicine and explain why they want to become doctors despite those difficulties, she says.

Tips on Crafting an Excellent Medical School Personal Statement

The first step toward creating an outstanding personal statement, Fassas says, is to create a list of significant memories. Premeds should think about which moments in their lives mattered the most and then identify the two or three stories that are definitely worth sharing.

Dr. Demicha Rankin, associate dean for admissions at the Ohio State University College of Medicine , notes that a personal statement should offer a compelling portrait of a person and should not be "a regurgitation of their CV."

The most outstanding personal statements are the ones that present a multifaceted perspective of the applicant by presenting various aspects of his or her identity, says Rankin, an associate professor of anesthesiology.

For example, a premed who was a swimmer might explain how the discipline necessary for swimming is analogous to the work ethic required to become a physician, Rankin says. Likewise, a pianist or another type of musician applying to medical school could convey how the listening skills and instrument-tuning techniques cultivated in music could be applicable in medicine, she adds.

Rankin notes that it's apparent when a premed has taken a meticulous approach to his or her personal statement to ensure that it flows nicely, and she says a fine essay is akin to a "well-woven fabric." One sign that a personal statement has been polished is when a theme that was explored at the beginning of the essay is also mentioned at the end, Rankin says, explaining that symmetry between an essay's introduction and conclusion makes the essay seem complete.

Rankin notes that the author of an essay might not see flaws in his or her writing that are obvious to others, so it's important for premeds to show their personal statement to trusted advisers and get honest feedback. That's one reason it's important to begin the writing process early enough to give yourself sufficient time to organize your thoughts, Rankin says, adding that a minimum of four weeks is typically necessary.

Mistakes to Avoid in a Medical School Personal Statement

One thing premeds should never do in an admissions essay is beg, experts say. Rankin says requests of any type – including a plea for an admissions interview – do not belong in a personal statement. Another pitfall to avoid, Rankin says, is ranting about controversial political subjects such as the death penalty or abortion.

If premeds fail to closely proofread their personal statement, the essay could end up being submitted with careless errors such as misspellings and grammar mistakes that could easily have been fixed, according to experts. Crafting a compelling personal statement typically necessitates multiple revisions, so premeds who skimp on revising might wind up with sloppy essays, some experts say.

However, when fine-tuning their personal statements, premeds should not automatically change their essays based on what others say, Fogerty warns.

"A common mistake on personal statements is having too many people review your statement, they make recommendations, you accept all of the changes and then – in the end – the statement is no longer your voice," Fogerty wrote in an email. It's essential that a personal statement sound like the applicant and represent who he or she is as a person, Fogerty says.

Dr. Nicholas Jones, a Georgia-based plastic and reconstructive surgeon, says the worst error that someone can make in the personal statement is to be inauthentic or deceptive.

"Do not lie. Do not fabricate," he warns.

Jones adds that premeds should not include a story in their personal statement that they are not comfortable discussing in-depth during a med school admissions interview . "If it's something too personal or you're very emotional and you don't want to talk about that, then don't put it in a statement."

Medical School Personal Statement Examples

Here are two medical school admissions essays that made a strong, positive impression on admissions officers. The first is from Columbia and the second is from the University of Minnesota. These personal statements are annotated with comments from admissions officers explaining what made these essays stand out.

Searching for a medical school? Get our complete rankings of Best Medical Schools.

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Stanford University School of Medicine Secondary Application Essay Tips & Deadlines [2022 – 2023]

Ranked #8 for research by U.S. News , Stanford University SOM provides a strong foundation in the basic sciences and the opportunity to select a scholarly concentration—to pursue topics of individual interest. Students are provided with a mentor, coursework and research opportunities in the topic of their choice. This medical school strongly prefers an extensive background in research and leadership experience. 

Stanford University School of Medicine 2022-2023 secondary application essay questions

Stanford medical school essay #1: practice setting.

What do you see as the most likely practice scenario for your future medical career? Choose the single answer that best describes your career goals and clinical practice setting:

• Academic Medicine (Clinical)
• Academic Medicine (Physician Scientist)
• Non-Academic Clinical Practice
• Health Policy
• Health Administration
• Primary Care
• Public Health/Community Health
• Global Health

Why do you feel you are particularly suited for this practice scenario? What knowledge, skills and attitudes have you developed that have prepared you for this career path? (1000 characters)

In asking this question, the school wants to determine how extensive your clinical experience is and how knowledgeable you are about the different methods of medical care delivery. Be honest in selecting the area of your interest. By describing the experience you have in this area to explain why you prefer it over others, you will convince the adcom of your realistic understanding of the practice of medicine. Create a list of “knowledge, skills and attitudes” to explain as support for your interest in this field. Your conclusion could provide an explanation for how and why their program would be the best to support your pursuit of a career in this arena.

Stanford Medical School essay #2: Curricular Interests

How will you take advantage of the Stanford Medicine Discovery Curriculum and scholarly concentration requirement to achieve your personal career goals? (1000 characters)

Given the unique feature of their curriculum, the scholarly concentration , review the possibilities and select those that reflect your research background and interests. How extensive is your research experience in this area? Do you have training in special techniques or laboratory methods in this area? How will the mentorship, coursework and research experience available at Stanford University SOM assist you in meeting your academic and professional goals? If your prior research experience has allowed you to impact the delivery of medical care, how will further expertise and experience enhance your contribution to patient care?

Stanford Medical School essay #3: Background

Describe in a short paragraph your educational and family background. (E.g., I grew up in New York City, as the 3rd child of a supermarket cashier and a high school principal. I attended Mann High School where my major interests were boxing and drama.) (600 characters)

So often education and family go together. How does your family value education? Do you come from a family of doctors, or are you a first generation college graduate? A family is a legacy, in a way. So often how we were raised influences our path – sometimes congruently – “as my parents did, and as I will do too.” Sometimes an ambitious educational journey happens as a rebound – “my father worked two jobs with very little fulfillment, and I loved school, was good at it, and wanted to change our lives.” How did you come to value education, envision yourself as a doctor, in light of how you grew up? 

Stanford Medical School essay #4: Contribution to Learning Environment

The Committee on Admissions regards the diversity (broadly defined) of an entering class as an important factor in serving the educational mission of the school. You are strongly encouraged to share unique attributes of your personal identity, and/ or personally important or challenging factors in your background. Such discussions may include the quality of your early education, gender identity, sexual orientation, any physical challenges, or any other life or work experiences. (2000 characters)

Using the list provided above, “ unique attributes of your personal identity, and/ or personally important or challenging factors in your background. Such discussions may include the quality of your early education, gender identity, sexual orientation, any physical challenges, or any other life or work experiences,” free write a response to each item. To free write, simply give yourself five minutes or longer to jot down any experiences you have had that fit the description given. Try not to use examples that you have already used in your primary application essays or in other Stanford essays. Using those descriptions, select the most relevant for this response—those that may also fit the mission and goals of the school’s curriculum . Create an outline and use this to stay on topic. What transitions will you use to connect the experiences? What did you gain, from a bigger picture perspective, from those experiences and how will they benefit your classmates? This essay is pretty broad, but it’s also longer than the others, so you should strive in the final draft to be organized with what you present.

What is distinct about you that makes you stand out from a “traditional” applicant?

Stanford Medical School essay #5

Please describe how you have uniquely contributed to a community with which you identify. ( 1,000 characters )

Prompt #4 is about who you are, and prompt #5 is about action in relation to who you are. It is important to Stanford that you are a do-er. Are you active in community service at a mosque in your community? If you identify with the LGBTQ community, do you volunteer for a crisis hotline (considering the higher rates of self-harm and suicidality in this community)? Do you teach second language classes or participate in an after school program to help high school children in poor communities have a safe place to interact and get help with homework? Did you participate in a march for Black Lives Matter or the overturning of Roe vs. Wade? What is the significance of this contribution? How is this action a contribution to a community with which you identify? What is the purpose of this activity; to what ends does it support the community?

Stanford Medical School essay #6

Please describe an experience/situation when you advocated for someone else. (1000 characters)

We have the responsibility to speak up, support, intervene, or effect change, when we observe a situation that’s not right, observe discrimination, understand someone’s struggle that could be lessened or alleviated with assistance or solidarity. When did you help someone because it was the right thing to do? When did you help someone because they were disadvantaged and you had ability, in whatever capacity this is true. This prompt is asking you for an action, not just an observation, about social justice.

Stanford Medical School essay #7: Special Insights (Optional) 

Please describe any lessons, hardships, challenges or opportunities that resulted from the global COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, describe how these insights have informed your motivations and preparation for medical school in areas of academics, research, employment, volunteer service and/or clinical experiences. (1000 characters)

It’s likely this prompt is a place for Stanford to easily and uniformly locate information on how applicants were affected by COVID-19, across applications. That’s practical. So, stay clear and categorize your response in the manner they ask: academic, research, employment, volunteer service, and clinical experience. Be concise and direct. You don’t have a lot of room to respond, so stay factual.

Also, consider the “lesson” for this prompt. You have a brief opportunity to place in context the effect of a public health crisis that no one could foresee. How do you, a future doctor, foresee the direction of patient care in light of this pandemic? How did COVID give you an opportunity to ease the burden of the pandemic on others, especially the vulnerable? Did you take the initiative to help them? What did you do and learn? How did the pandemic motivate you in your pursuit of medicine?

Stanford Medical School essay #8 (Optional)

Please include anything else that will help us understand better how you may uniquely contribute to Stanford Medicine? (1000 characters)

This is an optional essay that gives you space to discuss anything else relevant to your application to Stanford. You should not repeat earlier material. This can include specific experiences that you would like to explain or a specific connection to Stanford on which you want to elaborate for the admissions committee.

While the prompt says the essay is optional, it is also an opportunity for any applicant to think about ways they will add to the class that they haven’t already covered. If there are additional ways that you can contribute, you definitely want to share them with Stanford’s admissions committee. This may be a moment to solidify your suitability for research and leadership since Stanford clearly seeks out applicants who have strong experience in either of these two areas, or both. What have you done, and what you will do – told with a point of view that does not replicate an activity description or MME.

Applying to Stanford University School of Medicine? Here are some stats:

Stanford SOM median MCAT score: 517

Stanford SOM median GPA: 3.89

Stanford SOM acceptance rate: 1.4%

U.S. News  ranks Stanford #8 for research and #30 for primary care.

Check out the Med School Selectivity Index for more stats.

You’ve worked so hard to get to where you are in life. Now that you’re ready for your next achievement, make sure you know how to present yourself to maximum advantage in your medical school applications. In a hotly competitive season, you’ll want a member of Team Accepted in your corner, guiding you with expertise tailored specifically for you. Check out our flexible consulting packages today!

Stanford University School of Medicine 2022-2023 application timeline

Source: Stanford University School of Medicine website

Related Resources:

• 5 Fatal Flaws to Avoid in Your Med School Essays , a free guide
• Secondary Strategy: Why Do You Want To Go Here?
• Applying to the Stanford Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program: Everything You Need to Know

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How to get into stanford medical school: a comprehensive guide.

Reviewed by:

Jonathan Preminger

Former Admissions Committee Member, Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine

Reviewed: 8/10/22

If you’re wondering how to get into the Stanford University School of Medicine, read on for admissions statistics, requirements, and more!

Every year, Stanford draws thousands of applicants looking to study medicine under the warm California sun. What could be better than doing your homework just a train ride away from the Golden Gate Bridge, the Redwood Forest, and the beach? 

Located between San Francisco and San Jose, Stanford is one of the country’s most prestigious medical schools. The school prides itself on its commitment to diversity leadership in medical research. If you’re ready to start your medical school journey, we’ll outline how to get into Stanford Medical School. 

Get The Ultimate Guide on Writing an Unforgettable Personal Statement

Stanford Medicine Programs

Students at Stanford can specialize in their degrees in various ways. Do you want to spend your career in medicine and public policy? Consider the joint MD/ MPP degree. Do you want to work in healthcare administration? Look towards the joint MD/MBA program. 

No matter your career objectives, Stanford's programs offer students opportunities to personalize their experiences. 

Stanford offers numerous dual degree programs, including: 

Source: MD/PhD , MD/MPH , MD/MS , MD/MBA , MD/JD , MD/MPP

Stanford also offers departmental dual degrees through the School of Education and the Program in Environment and Resources . If you want to be a doctor who also serves in local government, or a researcher who teaches community classes, Stanford can help prepare you for various career paths. 

Stanford Medical School Admissions Statistics & Process

Stanford emphasizes their holistic application process, meaning the admissions committee considers all elements before making a decision. They aim to consider each applicant’s circumstances and experiences through each review. This process recognizes that not all students have had the same work or educational opportunities.

Stanford Med Application Process

The first step of the application process is to complete the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) application. The AMCAS application opens in May.

‍ The second step is to submit the Stanford Supplemental Application, which consists of an application fee and personal essays. The AAMC offers a fee assistance program for those who cannot afford application fees. The third step is interviews, which occur on a rolling basis from September through March. 

Final decisions are released between January and March. Stanford allows students to defer enrollment for up to two years.

Stanford Medical School Acceptance Rate

As one of the top medical schools in the country, it’s no surprise that Stanford’s admission rate is low. In a recent admissions cycle, Stanford School of Medicine’s acceptance rate was 1.4%. 

While this number is low, don’t be discouraged. A stellar, well-edited application always boosts your chances of admission.

Stanford Med School Average MCAT Score

Stanford is relatively tight-lipped about its class profile data. Although there’s no information posted about the Stanford medical school average MCAT score, the median score is 519 . 

If your score is lower than this, don’t let it dissuade you. Stanford’s holistic admissions process means you can still show your strengths in other aspects of your application. However, achieving an MCAT score higher than 519 makes you a more competitive applicant. 

Stanford accepts multiple MCAT scores but doesn’t combine them to increase your cumulative score. 

Stanford Medical School Requirements

Before you apply, it’s crucial to meet all Stanford med school requirements. We use the word “requirements” here loosely; besides a valid MCAT score and a bachelor’s degree, there are no coursework or extracurricular prerequisites at Stanford medical school. 

However, following the school’s recommendations and pursuing varied extracurriculars to differentiate your profile is important. 

Recommended Coursework

There are no Stanford med school requirements for coursework; however, there are recommendations. To be a more competitive candidate, it’s worth following these course suggestions. Stanford recommends that students have a strong foundation in the following areas: 

Source: Stanford School of Medicine

Evaluate your academic record and ensure it demonstrates your mastery of these concepts. 

Extracurricular Activities 

Extracurriculars are a great way to display your qualities and add differentiation to your profile. No experience can be discounted, as it might reveal communication development, leadership, or a unique passion. Stanford seeks students “with demonstrated excellence and accomplishments in their chosen field of study.” 

As you consider your experience, consider how your activities emphasize your qualities and what you’ve done to prepare for medical school. 

Stanford is a world-class research institution and seeks students who can hold their own once on campus. They encourage independent research projects and look for students who show passion and curiosity. Students can participate in everything from COVID-19 research to clinical trials on various conditions. 

To prepare for Stanford’s research-intensive program, you can participate in summer research programs for undergraduates or connect with professors at your school and ask about opportunities. Many study abroad programs also offer research opportunities if you’re considering a gap year. 

The type of research that impresses the admissions board most is that which has been conducted out of sincere interest, not just an attempt to brighten up an application. Research that you’re passionate about and intend to continue in the future serves you better than experiences undertaken to look good on paper. 

Patient Exposure

Working well with patients isn’t a skill that can be taught in the classroom. The ability to connect with patients and provide knowledge, comfort, and sympathy are valuable in the medical field. Students at Stanford get early clinical experience, making it all the more vital that you’re prepared for patient interactions. 

There are many ways to gain patient exposure, such as medical shadowing, working as a scribe, and volunteering at a hospital. Patient-centered experiences demonstrate your understanding of the medical profession and that you know how to maintain a professional but trusting relationship with patients.

Leadership Experience

Stanford is looking for independent, creative students who think critically. They want to admit students who demonstrate potential and hope to produce graduates who will be leaders in the medical field. Leadership experience can take on many forms: maybe you were a part of the student government in undergrad or created a fundraiser.

Leadership experience shows you can take the initiative to make positive change, giving you a leg up in the selection process. 

Recommendation Letters

Stanford asks for a minimum of three and a maximum of six recommendation letters . These letters allow the admissions committee to view you from a credible, third-party perspective. 

When thinking about who should write your letters, think of medical professionals or professors you have worked with closely who can speak about your: 

• Medical knowledge
• Ability to learn
• Leadership skills
• Positive character traits
• Your strengths
• What you can add to the medical field 

A supervisor in the medical field, academic advisor, professor, or volunteer coordinator are great sources. Ensure you give your contact plenty of time to write a thoughtful letter. 

AMCAS requires a personal statement from all medical school applicants. The AAMC considers this essay “an opportunity to distinguish yourself from other applicants.” Your personal statement should detail your personal motivations and passion for medicine.

The supplemental section of the Stanford application includes secondary prompts. Stanford sends secondary applications to eligible students after they’ve submitted their primaries. These prompts are typically broad and delve deeper into: 

• Your career goals 
• Experiences 
• Why you want to go to a particular medical school

Medical schools seek intelligent and experienced candidates who are thoughtful and effective communicators. We’ll outline each Stanford secondary essay prompt from a recent admissions cycle: 

1) “What do you see as the most likely practice scenario for your future medical career? Choose the single answer that best describes your career goals and clinical practice setting:

• Academic Medicine (Clinical)
• Academic Medicine (Physician Scientist)
• Non-Academic Clinical Practice
• Health Policy
• Health Administration
• Primary Care
• Public Health/Community Health
• Global Health

Why do you feel you are particularly suited for this practice scenario? What knowledge, skills and attitudes have you developed that have prepared you for this career path?” (1,000 characters)

For this prompt, you must select one of these areas that closest matches your career goals. Second, you must back up your selection with how you’ve prepared for your future career. Ensure you show your passion for your selected field and reference how an education from Stanford will help you thrive. 

2) “How will you take advantage of the Stanford Medicine Discovery Curriculum and scholarly concentration requirement to achieve your personal career goals?” (1,000 characters including spaces)

Demonstrating why Stanford and the Discovery Curriculum are right for you is a good jumping-off point for your essay. How will you use the unique opportunity to personalize your academic experience? You can think of this essay as the classic “Why us?” prompt. 

Ensure you understand the Discovery Curriculum’s goals and outcomes before writing your essay. 

3) “Describe in a short paragraph your educational and family background.” (600 characters)

Your answer should be concise here; you only have 600 characters to describe your background, so avoid flowery language and wordy sentences. 

4) “Please describe how you have uniquely contributed to a community with which you identify.” (1,000 characters)

Consider this essay an extension of the above diversity prompt. However, its purpose is different: after you identify the community you belong to, this is your opportunity to show leadership capability, community spirit, and compassion. 

5) “Please describe an experience/ situation when you advocated for someone else.” (1000 characters)

Stanford Medicine wants to know that you’ll stand up for your beliefs and help others when it counts. You can choose to write about a medical or non-medical anecdote here, as long as you demonstrate your character. 

6) “Please describe any lessons, hardships, challenges, or opportunities that resulted from the global COVID-19 pandemic. Include any impact on your medical school application preparation in the areas of academics, research, employment, volunteer service, and/or clinical experiences.” (1,000 characters including spaces)

Everyone’s life has been impacted in some way by the COVID-19 pandemic. Your job here is not to linger on missed opportunities or blunders but to be factual about actual hardships you faced without falling into an emotional, negative tone. 

7) Optional: “Please include anything else that will help us understand better how you may uniquely contribute to Stanford Medicine?” (1,000 characters, including spaces)

If there’s anything else you want the admissions committee to know, this is the space to share it. If you think you’ve covered all your bases, feel free to skip this one. Writing no essay at all is always preferable to writing an optional essay that doesn’t add anything new to your application. 

The secondary prompt lengths are generally 1000-2000 characters, which doesn’t leave much room for embellishment. Ensure you write concisely and communicate points efficiently. Writing multiple essay drafts will help get them to optimal final forms. Plus, it’s a good idea to have an expert read over your essays before submitting them.

Stanford Medical School Interview

Given Stanford’s holistic admission process, they’re looking for students who can communicate well through writing and in person. The interview is an excellent opportunity to display your interpersonal skills. 

Stanford uses the MMI, or multiple mini-interview format, which breaks down a larger interview into a series of stations and questions with different interviewers. These questions come in the format of:

• Personal questions,
• Policy questions that you must discuss how you would respond
• Roleplay situations

Interview invitations start being sent out in August, and interviews occur on a rolling basis from September through March. 

About Stanford University School of Medicine

Stanford School of Medicine seeks students who will significantly contribute to the medical field through innovation and creativity. Dean Lloyd Minor said, “Stanford Medicine is dedicated to improving human health through discovery and care.”

To realize this mission, Stanford Medicine is committed to diversity and inclusion. “By creating a more inclusive Stanford Medicine community and working to eliminate health and educational inequalities everywhere, we act not only on the side of justice, we fulfill our vision of bringing hope and healing to all people around the world,” said Minor. 

Stanford might be the breath of fresh air you're looking for if you're not a fan of rigid curriculums. The school recently switched to an educational program called the Discovery Curriculum . This curriculum was created to allow flexibility and personalization. 

The school allows students to determine the pace at which they want to complete their education and joint degrees or specific concentrations. To support this curriculum, they use a flipped classroom model : students consume lectures outside the classroom. This leaves classroom time for discussion, problem-solving, and other interactive learning. 

A key feature of the curriculum is the required clinical clerkship, which can be completed in one year. Alternatively, you can mix classroom and hands-on experience to complete your clerkship in two years. There’s also a more competitive three-year option, which opens up more time for independent research or a dual degree. 

Stanford Medical School Tuition & Scholarships

Stanford’s MD tuition structure is broken into quarters. Assuming you enroll in three quarters per year, annual tuition (including the medical school research rate) is $76,200 . Stanford offers financial aid and scholarship programs. The school doesn’t offer merit-based scholarships but does offer aid based on financial need. 

Stanford also has a unique scholarship: the Knight Hennesy Scholars program . This program gives participants full funding to attend Stanford Medicine leadership classes and academic seminars. It’s open to students applying to any of Stanford’s graduate programs. Eligible students receive : 

• Stipends for travel to and from Stanford
• A stipend for living and academic expenses such as school books and lab equipment
• Possible additional funding for other academic experiences such as conferences

This is an excellent opportunity for enrichment and to lessen the burden of tuition.

Stanford School of Medicine FAQs

If you still have questions about getting into Stanford medical school, look no further than these FAQs! 

1. How Hard Is It to Get Into Stanford Medical School?

Stanford School of Medicine’s admissions statistics show an acceptance rate of just 1.4%. Based on that stat, getting into Stanford is challenging but certainly not impossible! 

2. Is Stanford Good for Medical School? 

Stanford Medicine is an excellent choice for many medical school hopefuls. Stanford is ranked as the #5 best school for research.

3. What GPA Do You Need to Get into Stanford Medical School?

While there is no Stanford School of Medicine GPA cutoff, the median GPA is 3.89. You should aim for a GPA of 3.9 or higher for your best chance of admission.

Securing a Spot at Stanford Med Is Easier With Inspira Education

Stanford seeks students who are creative, innovative, and passionate about improving the medical world. They value students who can place their individual experiences with patients and research in a larger world context. 

Stanford is a prestigious school, but you can put your best foot forward with a polished application. Putting time and effort into an authentic representation of your candidacy makes you a much more competitive applicant. 

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4 Medical School Personal Statement Examples

The personal statement can be one of the most challenging parts of your medical school application process. You want to show admissions committees the qualities that make you stand out while avoiding cliches. After all, a lot is riding on this essay. Don’t panic. We’ve done our homework, talked to insiders, and gathered firsthand personal statements to help you get started.

Getting Started

Before diving into the personal statement examples, here are some tips on framing your experiences to wow admissions officers.

1. Stick to your real-life experiences. While it’s great to express what you want to do in healthcare in the future, that doesn’t really set you apart. All premed students have goals for what they’ll do in the medical profession, but this often changes after time in medical school. Telling a personal story instead gives admission committee members a look at who you already are and if you have the qualities they deem desirable for med school .

Feel free to mention specialties you’re passionate about and touch on your clinical experience, but make sure the experiences you discuss are unique.

2. Build an in-depth narrative. Nobody wants to read a blanket summary of your research experience. This is your chance to get passionate and demonstrate some communication skills. Explain the driving force behind your desire to work in the medical field.

The old writing rule comes into play here: “show, don’t tell.” You will always capture your reader’s attention more by telling a story than by explaining a circumstance. Medical school admissions committees are no different. Showing them your strong work ethic — or dedication, or whatever personal quality you want — without just saying, “I have a strong work ethic” will have a greater impact.

3. Don’t include metrics. Admissions officers already have access to your GPA and MCAT scores. If they want to know how you did in biochemistry, they can find out. Don’t waste space here. If you’re concerned about those numbers, it’s much more important to nail the personal statement and secure a secondary application and eventual medical school interview.

4. Know the character limits — and try to meet them. Both AACOMAS and AMCAS applications have a character limit of 5,300. You do not necessarily need to use all 5,300 characters, but you also don’t want it to be under 3,000. You want to use as many as possible while staying on topic and being relevant. A too-short essay can look careless.

5. Get comfortable with revising . You’ll do it a lot. Expect your first draft to be just that – a first draft. This writing process will take several weeks, if not months. Once you’re confident in your essay, ask for feedback. Avoid asking family members (unless they’re experts in the field of medicine). Instead, have professors, mentors, and peers read it and offer notes.

|| Read more about capturing readers from the first paragraph with our Medical School Personal Statement Storytelling Guide . ||

6. Use coaching to craft the perfect essay. Personal statements like the ones below only come after countless hours of brainstorming and writing drafts. However, with MedSchoolCoach , you’ll work with professional writing advisors step-by-step to develop an impactful medical school personal statement.

|| Check out more Tips for Writing a Personal Statement ||

Personal Statement Example #1

Our second essay contest winner was a medical student who made their submission an AMCAS personal statement . It serves as a great and effective medical school personal statement example . We also thought it was a good read overall!

A four-letter word for “dignitary.” The combinations surge through my mind: emir? agha? tsar? or perhaps the lesser-used variant, czar? I know it’s also too early to rule out specific names – there were plenty of rulers named Omar – although the clue is suspiciously unspecific. Quickly my eyes jump two columns to the intersecting clue, 53-Across, completely ignoring the blur outside the window that indicates my train has left the Times Square station. “Nooks’ counterparts.” I am certain the answer is “crannies.” This means 49-Down must end in r, so I eliminate “agha” in my mind. Slowly, the pieces come together, the wordplay sending my brain into mental gymnastics. At the end of two hours, I find myself staring at a completed crossword puzzle, and as trivial as it is, it is one of the greatest feelings in the world.

As an avid cruciverbalist, I have a knack for problem-solving. I fell in love with another kind of puzzle in college: organic chemistry. While some of my peers struggled with its complexity, the notion of analyzing mass spectroscopy, IR spectrums, and H-NMR to identify a specific molecule invigorated me. The human body was a fantastic mystery to me in my biology classes. Intricacies such as hormonal up- and down-regulation pulled at the riddler in me; I was not satisfied until I understood the enigma of how the body worked. Graduate school at Columbia was an extension of this craving, and I chose a thesis topic to attempt to elucidate the sophisticated workings of neuro-hormonal balance peri-bariatric surgery.

In non-academic settings, I also pursued activities that would sharpen my intellect. The act of teaching is a form of problem-solving; a good teacher finds the most effective way to convey information to students. So I accepted the challenge and taught in both international and domestic settings. I assumed leadership positions in church because it forced me to think critically to resolve conflicts. In the lab, I volunteered to help write a review on the biological mechanisms of weight regain. It was precisely what I loved: isolating a specific human phenomenon and investigating how it worked.

I believe medicine and puzzles are in the same vein. After participating in health fairs, working at a clinic, and observing physicians, I understand that pinpointing a patient’s exact needs is difficult at times. In a way, disease itself can be a puzzle, and doctors sometimes detect it only one piece at a time – a cough here, lanugo there. Signs and symptoms act as clues that whittle down the possibilities until only a few remain. Then all that is left is to fill in the word and complete the puzzle. Voila!

Actually, it is more complicated than that, and inevitably the imperfect comparison falls through.

I distinctly remember a conversation I had with a psychiatric patient at Aftercare. He had just revealed his identity as Batman — but it turns out he was also Jesus. During downtime between tests, he decided to confide in me some of his dreams and aspirations. He swiftly pulled out a sketchpad and said confidently, “When I get better, I’m going back to art school.” Any doubts stemming from his earlier ramblings vanished at the sight of his charcoal-laden sheets filled with lifelike characters. “They’re… really good,” I stammered. I was looking for the right words to say, but there are times when emotions are so overwhelming that words fail. I nodded in approval and motioned that we should get back to testing.

Those next few hours of testing flew by as I ruminated on what I had experienced. After working 3 years at the clinic, I got so caught up in the routine of “figuring out” brain function that I missed the most important aspect of the job: the people. And so, just as the crossword puzzle is a 15×15 symbol of the cold New York streets, a person is the polar opposite. Our patients are breathing, fluid, and multi-dimensional. I’ve come to love both, but there is nothing I want more in the world than to see a broken person restored, a dream reignited, to see Mr. Batman regain sanity and take up art school again. The prospect of healing others brings me joy, surpassing even the most challenging crosswords in the Sunday paper.

This is why I feel called to a life in medicine. It is the one profession that allows me to restore others while thinking critically and appreciating human biology. I am passionate about people, and medicine allows me to participate in their lives in a tangible way, aligned with my interest in biology and problem-solving skill.

The New York Times prints a new puzzle daily, and so does the Washington Post, USA Today, and the list continues. The unlimited supply of puzzles mirrors the abundance of human disease and the physician’s ongoing duty to unravel the mystery, to resolve the pain. A great cruciverbalist begins with the basics of learning “crosswordese,” a nuanced language; I am prepared to do the same with health, starting with my education in medical school. Even so, I am always humbled by what little I know and am prepared to make mistakes and learn along the way. After all, I would never do a crossword puzzle in pen.

||Read Our First Essay Contest Winner: Considerations Before Applying to Medical School ||

||Read The Formula For A Good Personal Statement | |

Personal Statement Example #2

Student Accepted to Case Western SOM, Washington University SOM, University of Utah SOM, Northwestern University Feinberg SOM

With a flick and a flourish, the tongue depressor vanished, and a coin suddenly appeared behind my ear. Growing up, my pediatrician often performed magic tricks, making going to the doctor feel like literal magic. I believed all healthcare facilities were equally mystifying, especially after experiencing a different type of magic in the organized chaos of the Emergency Department. Although it was no place for a six-year-old, childcare was often a challenge, and while my dad worked extra shifts in nursing school to provide for our family, I would find myself awed by the diligence and warmth of the healthcare providers.

Though I associated the hospital with feelings of comfort and care, it sometimes became a place of fear and uncertainty. One night, my two-year-old brother, Sean, began vomiting and coughing non-stop. My dad was deployed overseas, so my mother and I had no choice but to spend the night at the hospital, watching my brother slowly recover with the help of the healthcare providers. Little did I know, it would not be long before I was in the same place. Months later, I became hospitalized with pneumonia with pleural effusions, and as I struggled to breathe, I was terrified of having fluid sucked out of my chest. But each day, physicians comforted me, asking how I was, reassuring me that I was being taken care of, and explaining any questions related to my illness and treatment. Soon, I became excited to speak with the infectious disease doctor and residents, absorbing as much as possible about different conditions.

I also came to view the magic of healing through other lenses. Growing up, Native American traditions were an important aspect of my life as my father was actively involved with native spirituality, connecting back to his Algonquin heritage. We often attended Wi-wanyang-wa-c’i-pi ceremonies or Sun Dances for healing through prayer and individuals making personal sacrifices for their community. Although I never sun danced, I spent hours in inipis chewing on osha root, finding my healing through songs.

In addition to my father’s heritage, healing came from the curanderismo traditions of Peru, my mother’s home. She came from a long line of healers using herbal remedies and ceremonies for healing the mind, body, energy, and soul. I can still see my mother preparing oils, herbs, and incense mixtures while performing healing rituals. Her compassion and care in healing paralleled the Emergency Department healthcare providers. 

Through the influence of these early life experiences, I decided to pursue a career in the health sciences. Shortly after starting college, I entered a difficult time in my life as I struggled with health and personal challenges. I suddenly felt weak and tired most days, with aches all over my body. Soon, depression set in. I eventually visited a doctor, and through a series of tests, we discovered I had hypothyroidism. During this time, I also began dealing with unprocessed childhood trauma. I decided to take time off school, and with thyroid replacement hormones and therapy, I slowly began to recover. But I still had ways to go, and due to financial challenges, I decided to continue delaying my education and found work managing a donut shop. Unbeknownst to me, this experience would lead to significant personal growth by working with people from all walks of life and allowing me time for self-reflection. I continuously reflected on the hospital experiences that defined my childhood and the unmatched admiration I had for healthcare workers. With my renewed interest in medicine, I enrolled in classes to get my AEMT license and gain more medical experience. 

As my health improved, I excelled in my classes, and after craving the connections of working with others, I became a medical assistant. In this position, I met “Marco,” a patient traveling from Mexico for treatment. Though I spoke Spanish while growing up, I had little experience as a medical interpreter. However, I took the opportunity to talk with him to learn his story. Afterward, he became more comfortable, and I walked him through the consultation process, interpreting the physician’s words and Marco’s questions. This moment showed me the power of connecting with others in their native language. As a result, I began volunteering at a homeless clinic to continue bridging the language barrier for patients and to help advocate for the Latinx community and those who struggle to find their voice. 

My journey to becoming a doctor has been less direct than planned; however, my personal trials and tribulations have allowed me to meet and work with incredible people who have been invaluable to my recovery and personal development. Most importantly, I have seen the value of compassionate and empathetic care. Though I have not recently witnessed any sleight of hand or vanishing acts, what healthcare providers do for patients can only be described as magic.

I look forward to bringing my diverse background as a physician and expanding my abilities to help patients in their path to healing.

||Read: But I Don’t Have 15 Activities ! | Apply to Med School After 3rd or 4th Year? ||

Personal Statement Example #3

Student accepted to Weill Cornell

My path to medicine was first influenced by early adolescent experiences trying to understand my place in society. Though I was not conscious of it then, I held a delicate balance between my identity as an Indian-American and an “American-American.” 

In a single day, I could be shooting hoops and eating hotdogs at school while spending the evening playing Carrom and enjoying tandoori chicken at a family get-together. When our family moved from New York to California, I had the opportunity to attend a middle school with greater diversity, so I learned Spanish to salve the loss of moving away and assimilate into my new surroundings.

As I partook in related events and cuisine, I built a mixed friend group and began understanding how culture influences our perception of those around us. While volunteering at senior centers in high school, I noticed a similar pattern to what I sometimes saw: seniors socializing in groups of shared ethnicity and culture. Moving from table to table and language to language, I also observed how each group shared different life experiences and perspectives on what constitutes health and wellness. Many seniors talked about barriers to receiving care or how their care differed from what they had envisioned. Listening to their stories on cultural experiences, healthcare disparities, and care expectations sparked my interest in becoming a physician and providing care for the whole community.

Intrigued by the science behind perception and health, I took electives during my undergraduate years to build a foundation in these domains. In particular, I was amazed by how computational approaches could help model the complexity of the human mind, so I pursued research at Cornell’s Laboratory of Rational Decision-Making. Our team used fMRI analysis to show how the framing of information affects cognitive processing and perception. Thinking back to my discussions with seniors, I often wondered if more personalized health-related messaging could positively influence their opinions. Through shadowing, I witnessed physicians engaging in honest and empathetic conversations to deliver medical information and manage patients’ expectations, but how did they navigate delicate conflicts where the patients’ perspectives diverged from their own?

My question was answered when I became a community representative for the Ethics Committee for On Lok PACE, an elderly care program. One memorable case was that of Mr. A.G, a blind 86-year-old man with radiation-induced frontal lobe injury who wanted to return home and cook despite his doctor’s expressed safety concerns. Estranged from his family, Mr. A.G. relied on cooking to find fulfillment. Recognizing the conflict between autonomy and beneficence, I joined the physicians in brainstorming and recommending ways he could cook while being supervised.

I realized that the role of a physician was to mediate between the medical care plan and the patient’s wishes to make a decision that preserves their dignity. As we considered possibilities, the physicians’ genuine concern for the patient’s emotional well-being exemplified the compassion I want to emulate as a future doctor. Our discussions emphasized the rigor of medicine — the challenge of ambiguity and the importance of working with the individual to serve their needs.

With COVID-19 ravaging our underserved communities, my desire to help others drove me towards community-based health as a contact tracer for my county’s Department of Public Health. My conversations uncovered dozens of heartbreaking stories that revealed how socioeconomic status and job security inequities left poorer families facing significantly harsher quarantines than their wealthier counterparts.

Moreover, many residents expressed fear or mistrust, such as a 7-person family who could not safely isolate in their one-bedroom and one-bath apartment. I offered to arrange free hotel accommodations but was met with a guarded response from the father: “We’ll be fine. We can maintain the 6 feet.” While initially surprised, I recognized how my government affiliation could lead to a power dynamic that made the family feel uneasy. Thinking about how to make myself more approachable, I employed motivational interviewing skills and small talk to build rapport. 

When we returned to discussing the hotel, he trusted my intentions and accepted the offer. Our bond of mutual trust grew over two weeks of follow-ups, leaving me humbled yet gratified to see his family transition to a safer living situation. As a future physician, I realize I may encounter many first-time or wary patients; and I feel prepared to create a responsive environment that helps them feel comfortable about integrating into our health system.

Through my clinical and non-clinical experiences, I have witnessed the far-reaching impact of physicians, from building lasting connections with patients to being a rock of support during uncertain times. I cannot imagine a career without these dynamics—of improving the health and wellness of patients, families, and society and reducing healthcare disparities. While I know the path ahead is challenging, I am confident I want to dedicate my life to this profession.

Personal Statement Example #4

Student Accepted to UCSF SOM, Harvard Medical School

Countless visits to specialists in hope of relief left me with a slew of inconclusive test results and uncertain diagnoses. “We cannot do anything else for you.” After twelve months of waging a war against my burning back, aching neck and tingling limbs, hearing these words at first felt like a death sentence, but I continued to advocate for myself with medical professionals. 

A year of combatting pain and dismissal led me to a group of compassionate and innovative physicians at the Stanford Pain Management Center (SPMC). Working alongside a diverse team including pain management specialists and my PCP, I began the long, non-linear process of uncovering the girl that had been buried in the devastating rubble of her body’s pain. 

From struggling with day-to-day activities like washing my hair and sitting in class to thriving as an avid weightlifter and zealous student over the span of a year, I realized I am passionate about preventing, managing and eliminating chronic illnesses through patient-centered incremental care and medical innovation.

A few days after my pain started, I was relieved to hear that I had most likely just strained some muscles, but after an empty bottle of muscle relaxers, the stings and aches had only intensified. I went on to see 15 specialists throughout California, including neurologists, physiatrists, and rheumatologists. Neurological exams. MRIs. Blood tests. All inconclusive.

Time and time again, specialists dismissed my experience due to ambiguous test results and limited time. I spent months trying to convince doctors that I was losing my body; they thought I was losing my mind. Despite these letdowns, I did not stop fighting to regain control of my life. Armed with my medical records and a detailed journal of my symptoms, I continued scheduling appointments with the intention of finding a doctor who would dig deeper in the face of the unknown.

Between visits, I researched my symptoms and searched for others with similar experiences. One story on Stanford Medicine’s blog, “Young Woman Overcomes Multiple Misdiagnoses and Gets Her Life Back”, particularly stood out to me and was the catalyst that led me to the SPMC. After bouncing from doctor to doctor, I had finally found a team of physicians who would take the profound toll of my pain on my physical and mental well-being seriously.

Throughout my year-long journey with my care team at the SPMC, I showed up for myself even when it felt like I would lose the war against my body. I confronted daily challenges with fortitude. When lifting my arms to tie my hair into a ponytail felt agonizing, YouTube tutorials trained me to become a braiding expert. Instead of lying in bed all day when my medication to relieve nerve pain left me struggling to stay awake, I explored innovative alternative therapies with my physicians; after I was fed up with the frustration of not knowing the source of my symptoms, I became a research subject in a clinical trial aimed at identifying and characterizing pain generators in patients suffering from “mysterious” chronic pain.

At times, it felt like my efforts were only resulting in lost time. However, seeing how patient my care team was with me, offering long-term coordinated support and continually steering me towards a pain-free future, motivated me to grow stronger with every step of the process. Success was not an immediate victory, but rather a long journey of incremental steps that produced steady, life-saving progress over time.

My journey brought me relief as well as clarity with regard to how I will care for my future patients. I will advocate for them even when complex conditions, inconclusive results and stereotypes discourage them from seeking continued care; work with them to continually adapt and improve an individualized plan tailored to their needs and goals, and engage in pioneering research and medical innovations that can directly benefit them.

Reflecting on the support system that enabled me to overcome the challenges of rehabilitation, I was inspired to help others navigate life with chronic pain in a more equitable and accessible way. Not everyone has the means to work indefinitely with a comprehensive care team, but most do have a smartphone. As a result, I partnered with a team of physicians and physical therapists at the University of California San Francisco to develop a free mobile application that guides individuals dealing with chronic pain through recovery. Based on my own journey, I was able to design the app with an understanding of the mental and physical toll that pain, fear, and loss of motivation take on patients struggling with chronic pain. Having features like an exercise bank with a real-time form checker and an AI-based chatbot to motivate users, address their concerns and connect them to specific health care resources, our application helped 65 of the 100 pilot users experience a significant reduction in pain and improvement in mental health in three months.

My journey has fostered my passion for patient-centered incremental medicine and medical innovation. From barely living to thriving, I have become a trailblazing warrior with the perseverance and resilience needed to pursue these passions and help both the patients I engage with and those around the world.

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Crafting a Compelling Medical School Personal Statement: Examples, Structure, Tips & More

February 22, 2024

Zach French

Over 60% of aspiring students don’t get admitted into medical school each year. And there is a great reason for this: regardless of their admissions profile and excellent grades, they don’t stand out in their application essay.

Your personal statement is your opportunity to share your motivations and aspirations in pursuing medicine. It allows the admissions committee to understand who you are beyond mere academic achievements.

In this guide, we will explain step-by-step how to write a compelling medical school personal statement. We'll cover:

• Why your personal statement matters
• How to get started with your med school personal statement
• How long should a personal statement be?
• How to structure your essay and what to include
• 5 Writing tips and best practices
• 2 Medical school personal statement examples [+ full explanation]
• 8 Common mistakes to avoid

Without further ado, let’s get started.

Why Your Personal Statement Matters

Medical schools receive thousands of applications every year, many from candidates with excellent academic records and impressive extracurricular achievements. What sets you apart? Your personal statement is your chance to tell your story in a way that goes beyond grades and test scores . It's an opportunity to showcase your unique personality, aspirations, and dedication to the field of medicine.

Use your experiences, whether through volunteering, research, or personal encounters, to illustrate why you’re a fit. It's not just about what you've done, but how these experiences have shaped your understanding and desire for a medical career.

‍ You need to present yourself as not just academically capable, but also personally suited to the demands and rewards of being a physician. Your personal statement is your voice in the application process—a chance to make a compelling case for why you belong in their next class of medical students.

How to Get Started

As you get ready to write, you might be worried about selecting the perfect topic, avoiding clichés, and wondering if it aligns with what admissions committees expect. Fortunately, the AMCAS personal statement prompt, which reads "Use the space provided to explain why you want to go to medical school," is deliberately broad. This open-ended prompt offers you the freedom to write about virtually anything that drives your ambition to pursue a medical career.

However, the very openness of this prompt can also be daunting. With the liberty to choose any topic, you might find yourself overwhelmed by the possibilities. To narrow down your choices, consider reflecting on the following questions:

• Why do you feel a strong inclination only towards being a physician?
• What aspects of being a doctor truly inspire you to pursue this field?
• Envision the type of doctor you aim to become - what does that look like?
• What role do you aspire to play in your patients' lives?

How Long Should a Personal Statement Be?

You have a limit of up to 5,300 characters, including spaces, for your essay. To give you an idea of the length, this character limit approximately translates to about 500 words or 1.5 pages when single-spaced.

Hence, it’s important to strategically pick experiences that highlight varied traits in you and are all linked to what’s expected of a physician. Thus, you can demonstrate your diverse skills while remaining concise.

What Experiences Should You Pick? What Qualities Are Sought?

If you're finding it challenging to determine what to include in your medical school personal statement, begin by identifying the qualities you wish to highlight to the admissions committee. From there, reverse-engineer your approach by selecting experiences from your life that best exemplify these qualities.

In general, admissions committees look for the following qualities:

• Analytical abilities
• Persistence
• Great listening skills
• Knowledge-seeking

Keep in mind that the experiences you select to showcase your chosen qualities don't necessarily have to stem from clinical settings or from research accomplishments. They can also be drawn from extracurricular activities that have influenced your journey toward medicine.

If you're struggling to identify your strong qualities (a common issue among many students), consider asking family members or close friends what they think your strengths are and why they appreciate you. While it might feel a bit uncomfortable, this exercise can be incredibly insightful.

Last but not least, bear in mind that the admissions committee is likely to ask you to expand on the experiences you've described. Therefore, include personal stories that you're eager to discuss further and feel confident speaking about.

How to Structure Your Essay 

A well-structured essay is fundamental for clarity, balance, and impact. It provides a clear and logical flow of ideas, making it easier for the reader to follow and understand your arguments or story. Each paragraph should seamlessly lead to the next, maintaining a consistent thread of thought. ‍

This cohesion and structure help in:

• Keeping the reader's interest and engagement from beginning to end
• Reflecting a well-rounded intellect and personality
• Showcasing your multifaceted profile effectively, as it ensures that you don't dwell too long on one point while neglecting others. 

Make an outline to help you structure your personal statement after reflecting on the experiences and traits you wish to include. We suggest you begin with a compelling introduction that captures your motivation for pursuing a career in medicine. This could be a brief anecdote, a pivotal moment in your life, or a unique perspective that led you to this path. Your goal is to engage the reader from the outset and set the tone for the rest of your statement. ‍

The body of your application essay is where you delve into your experiences, skills, and aspirations. We suggest you focus on three and use a paragraph to elaborate on each. Delve into how your personal experiences have not only nurtured this desire but also equipped you for the journey ahead in the medical field.

‍ Finally, conclude your personal statement by reinforcing your commitment to medicine. Elegantly loop back to this central theme or initial hook.  

summarize the key points made throughout your statement, and articulate your vision for the future as a medical professional. ‍

This technique will weave your personal statement into a cohesive and interconnected story, providing a sense of full circle from start to finish.

Best Practices: Writing Tips and Common Mistakes to Avoid 

Crafting a compelling personal statement for medical school requires more than just sharing your experiences; it's about how you present them. Here are some key writing tips and best practices to help you create a standout essay.

Read Real Medical School Personal Statement Examples

Before you start writing, take the time to read actual personal statements from successful medical school applicants.

We’ve taken a moment to make a full disclosure of our favorite personal statements of all time on our YouTube channel. 

Alternatively, you can take a look at some examples online from various universities, including institutions like the University of Pittsburgh . You can also ask someone who got into medical school to send you a copy of their personal statement.

Med school essay samples will give you an understanding of what works and the variety of ways you can express your own story. Pay attention to the structure, language, and the way they weave their experiences into a cohesive and compelling narrative. After all, stories are king. However, don't expect to find a perfect blueprint that you can copy. Personal statements are (and should be) unique to each writer.

Show, Don't Tell

Rather than listing your qualities, like compassion or drive, it's more effective to illustrate them through real-life examples. The admissions committee wants to see your story unfold through your actions and experiences. Narrate instances where you've actively displayed these traits. This method brings your personal statement to life, making it more engaging and authentic for the readers.

Make It Personal and Relatable

When presenting your experiences, aim for a balance between showcasing your achievements and reflecting on the challenges you've encountered along the way. Share the lessons these experiences taught you. This approach not only adds authenticity and depth to your narrative but also makes it more engaging for the reader.

Maintain a first-person perspective throughout your story. Describe the experience from your viewpoint, incorporating your thoughts, interactions, and reactions to the events. This personal touch allows the reader to see the world through your eyes, creating a more intimate and relatable connection.

Nevertheless, use “I” moderately in your writing. Using "I" too much can lead to focusing on achievements rather than storytelling.

Stay Away from Clichés

Given that many premed students share a common love for science and a desire to help people. Dig deeper into your experiences, we suggest you follow this five-step approach to do so:

• Explain your reasons for seeking out the experience.
• Share your emotions and feelings during the experience.
• Highlight your achievements and the lessons you learned.
• Consider the long-term effects of this experience on you and those around you
• Describe how this experience has influenced your decision to pursue a career in medicine.

Overall, it's not enough to love science; explain how your relationship with science is different from others or how specific life experiences have shaped your approach to medicine.

Review Your Essay

Once you have written your personal statement, the editing and refining process is critical to ensuring its effectiveness and polish.

We suggest that you:

• Seek feedback from trusted mentors or peers. They can offer valuable insights, point out areas that need clarification, suggest improvements, or even identify strengths that you can further emphasize. 
• Proofread to eliminate any grammatical errors or awkward syntax. These mistakes can distract from the content and may leave a negative impression on the admissions committee. It may be helpful to read your statement out loud or use digital tools for grammar checks (e.g. Grammarly or QuillBot)
• Ensure clarity and conciseness by avoiding unnecessary jargon, overly complex sentences, or vague statements. The goal is to convey your experiences and motivations in a straightforward and compelling manner. 

Common Mistakes to Avoid

According to the experts , you should be mindful of these common pitfalls when crafting your personal statement:

• Don’t make excuses, and avoid justifying poor grades or test scores. Instead, focus on positive aspects and growth.
• Be careful not to beg for an interview or acceptance into the program.
• Don't use overly complex words or phrases. Clarity and authenticity are more impactful than fancy language.
• Don’t focus on explaining the field of medicine in your essay to professionals who already understand it. 
• Don't fabricate or exaggerate your experiences. In your interview, you'll have to elaborate on these points, and your exaggeration will be evident.
• Don’t simply reiterate your CV or list your achievements. The personal statement is an opportunity to tell your story.
• Watch for spelling and grammar errors. These mistakes can detract from your statement's professionalism and readability.
• Avoid clichés and obvious statements like "I love science" or "I want to help people." These are overused and don’t add value to your personal story.

Secure Your Spot in Med School

Your personal statement is more than just a part of your application; it's a chance to leave a lasting impact on the admissions committee. Dedicate the necessary time and effort to ensure it's a true reflection of who you are and why you're destined for a career in medicine. However, crafting an assertive essay can be indeed overwhelming. Here’s where Premed Catalyst can help you out.

At Premed Catalyst, we specialize in guiding aspiring medical professionals like you. Our mission is to help you lay a solid foundation and craft a unique narrative for your medical school application, ensuring your essay stands out.

With our personalized mentorship and tailored advice, we focus on your individual journey. Getting started is easy – just fill out a brief form . Take this first step with us, and move closer to wearing the white coat!

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Writing Your Personal Statements

Your personal statement must demonstrate to the admissions committee that you have considered graduate school and their specific program seriously. It’s your opportunity to summarize your academic and research experiences. You must also communicate how your experiences are relevant to preparing you for the graduate degree that you will be pursuing and explain why a given program is the right one for you.

The personal statement is where you highlight your strengths. Make your strengths absolutely clear to the reviewers, because they will often be reading many other statements. Your self-assessments and honest conversations with peers and advisors should have also revealed your strengths. But you must also address (not blame others for) weaknesses or unusual aspects of your application or academic background.

Your personal statement should focus on two main aspects: your competence and commitment.

1. Identify your strengths in terms of competence that indicate that you will succeed in the grad program and provide examples to support your claims. Start your statement by describing your strengths immediately. Because faculty will be reading many statements, it’s important to start off with your strengths and not “bury your lede.” Consider traits of successful graduate students from your informational interviews, and identify which of these traits you have. These traits could involve research skills and experiences, expertise in working with techniques or instruments, familiarity with professional networks and resources in your field, etc.

• Check your responses from the exercises in the self-assessment section. You may wish to consult notes from your informational interviews and your Seven Stories . Write concise summaries and stories that demonstrate your strengths, e.g. how your strengths helped you to achieve certain goals or overcome obstacles.
• Summarize your research experience(s). What were the main project goals and the “big picture” questions? What was your role in this project? What did you accomplish? What did you learn, and how did you grow as a result of the experience(s)?

My research examines the interplay between U.S. domestic politics and foreign policy during the Cold War. As a native New Yorker, I saw firsthand how dramatically my city changed after 9/11, which prompted my early interest in U.S. policy at home and abroad. As an undergraduate at the City College of New York, I planned to study international relations with a focus on U.S. foreign affairs. I also quickly became involved in student activist groups that focused on raising awareness about a wide range of human rights issues, from the Syrian refugee crisis to asylum seekers from Central America.

The more I learned about the crises in the present, the more I realized that I needed a deeper understanding of the past to fully grasp them. I decided to pursue a PhD in history in order to gain a clearer understanding of human rights issues in the present and to empower young student-activists like myself.

— Vannessa Velez, PhD candidate in History

Addressing weaknesses or unusual aspects

• Identify weaknesses or unusual aspects in your application—e.g., a significant drop in your GPA during a term; weak GRE scores; changes in your academic trajectory, etc. Don’t ignore them, because ignoring them might be interpreted as blind spots for you. If you’re unsure if a particular issue is significant enough to address, seek advice from faculty mentors.
• Explain how you’ll improve and strengthen those areas or work around your weakness. Determine how you will address them in a positive light, e.g., by discussing how you overcame obstacles through persistence, what you learned from challenges, and how you grew from failures. Focusing on a growth mindset  or grit  and this blog on weaknesses might also help.
• Deal with any significant unusual aspects later in the statement to allow a positive impression to develop first.
• Explain, rather than provide excuses—i.e., address the issue directly and don’t blame others (even if you believe someone else is responsible). Draft it and get feedback from others to see if the explanation is working as you want it to.
• Provide supporting empirical evidence if possible. For example, “Adjusting to college was a major step for me, coming from a small high school and as a first-generation college student. My freshman GPA was not up to par with my typical achievements, as demonstrated by my improved  GPA of 3.8 during my second and third years in college."
• Be concise (don’t dwell on the issues), but also be complete (don’t lead to other potentially unanswered questions). For example, if a drop in grades during a term was due to a health issue, explain whether the health issue is recurring, managed now with medication, resolved, etc.

2. Explain your commitment to research and their graduate program, including your motivation for why you are applying to this graduate program at this university. Be as specific as possible. Identify several faculty members with whom you are interested in working, and explain why their research interests you.

• Descriptions of your commitment should explain why you’re passionate about this particular academic field and provide demonstrations of your commitment with stories (e.g., working long hours to solve a problem, overcoming challenges in research, resilience in pursuing problems). Don’t merely assert your commitment.
• Explain why you are applying to graduate school, as opposed to seeking a professional degree or a job. Discuss your interest and motivation for grad school, along with your future career aspirations.

I am definitely not your traditional graduate student. As a biracial (Native American and white), first-generation PhD student from a military family, I had very limited guidance on how best to pursue my education, especially when I decided that graduate school was a good idea. I ended up coming to this PhD in a very circuitous manner, stopping first to get a JD and, later, an MFA in Young Adult Literature. With each degree, I took time to work and apply what I’d learned, as a lawyer and as an educator. Each time, I realized that I was circling around questions that I couldn’t let go of—not just because I found them to be fascinating, but because I did (and still do!) feel that my research could help to bridge a gap that desperately needs bridging. Because my work is quite interdisciplinary, I strongly feel that I wouldn’t have been able to pursue this line of research without the degrees and life experience I gained before coming to this program.

— Jamie Fine, PhD candidate in Modern Thought and Literature

Statement of Purpose: subtle aspects

• Think in terms of engaging faculty in a conversation rather than pleading with them that you should be admitted. Ask reviewers to read drafts with this concern in mind.
• With later drafts, try developing an overall narrative theme. See if one emerges as you work.
• Write at least 10 drafts and expect your thinking and the essay to change quite a bit over time.
• Read drafts out loud to help you catch errors.
• Expect the "you' that emerges in your essay to be incomplete. . . that’s OK.
• You’re sharing a professional/scholarly slice of "you."
• Avoid humor (do you really know what senior academics find funny?) and flashy openings and closings. Think of pitching the essay to an educated person in the field, but not necessarily in your specialty. Avoid emotionally laden words (such as "love" or "passion"). Remember, your audience is a group of professors! Overly emotional appeals might make them uncomfortable. They are looking for scholarly colleagues.

© Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305

Writing the Perfect Medical School Personal Statement (With Examples!)

Admission to medical school is a complicated process, and there are multiple steps along the way that can make or break the process. The personal statement is one of these. This essay gives you a chance to shine as a candidate, showing the admissions team why they should take a chance on you as a candidate for their program. Since over half of all medical school hopefuls do not get accepted , you want to make sure this essay really stands out.

The personal statement essay is the primary factor that can help a pre-med student stand out from other applicants. When all other factors are equal, and sometimes even when they are not, a quality personal statement is the deciding factor. Here’s a closer look at how you can write a medical school personal statement that will grab attention and increase your likelihood of success.

What Topic Should a Compelling Med School Personal Statement Cover?

The topic of your personal statement is personal to you. This is where many students get hung up, as they focus more on the topic than the content. Here are some things that admissions teams are looking for:

• Explanation of an experience
• Personal qualities that translate well into medicine

As you consider your topic, consider focusing on an experience that highlights these qualities rather than getting stuck on any one topic.

How to Start Writing a Personal Statement for Medical School

Considering those topics above, you should realize that the statement is more about your character qualities than it is about the setting of your statement or the topic. So, to start writing, list the character qualities you have that translate well into your chosen career field. Here are some ideas:

• Being teachable
• Persistence
• Interpersonal skills
• Being a good listener

After you’ve made this list, hone in on a topic or experience that highlights them. While it might be helpful to tie your essay into a medical setting, you don’t have to. In fact, it may grab attention if you start with a different experience and then weave in your passion for medicine later.

Write a Story, Not an Essay

When you study effective medical school personal statement examples, you will see a trend. Rather than simply writing an essay about what makes them a good candidate, these applicants write a story. Using storytelling hooks the reader, makes them take a second look, and moves your essay from feeling dull and routine to being effective.

Here is an opening paragraph that could work quite well in a medical school personal statement:

• Dr. Jamison’s eyes looked heavy as he surveyed the chart. Behind the door was a patient with more red flags on her chart than I could count. I knew this would be a heavy visit and resolved myself to see the patient’s face fall at the bad news. But to my surprise, when we walked in, the doctor had a bright smile on his face and started asking questions about her family, showing genuine interest in how her kids were doing, what her son was studying at university, and how old her brand-new grandchild was. “My shadowing experience is going to be far different than I imagined,” I thought as I watched him.

In this opening paragraph, the writer sets the stage. They explain where they are and even give insight into their teachable nature and resilience. It hooks the reader, too, by showcasing that they’ll be telling a story, not just listing their accomplishments.

Start with a Surprising Hook

Don’t start your essay simply stating why you want to go to medical school. Remember, admissions teams read hundreds of essays each week, so you need to make them stop and take a closer look at yours. You need a hook. Be creative and expressive in the first statement so the reader knows they are reading an unexpected submission. Here are some examples:

• The sun beat down on us as we grabbed a hammer and set to work, and the heat was almost too much for someone raised in northern Wisconsin.
• I always pictured myself as a teacher, but that all changed when I got the phone call that my grandmother had fallen and broken her hip.
• It was just supposed to be a camping trip; I didn’t expect that weekend in Yellowstone to change the trajectory of the life I’d already perfectly planned out.

None of these actually says anything about medical school, but they all work and make the reader want to keep reading.

Now, when you sit down to write, don’t start with your hook. You can get hung up here, which can keep you from writing a compelling essay. Write the hook after the rest of the essay so you can hone it in and make it specific and effective.

Show, Don’t Tell

Your medical school personal statement should eventually move the reader from an engaging story to knowing why you want to pursue medicine, but don’t just tell them. Show them. Demonstrate your qualities in every part of your essay rather than simply stating them. Give examples that show the reader your compassion, grit, and resilience. Here is an example:

• As Dr. Jamison skillfully guided the conversation to the patient’s many health concerns, my eyes welled with tears. Seeing the strong emotion on the patient’s face, I knew it would have been so much worse had he started with the information about her health rather than some personal conversation. “It’s about more than just diagnosing her,” I realized with a start. As we continued throughout the day, my heartstrings were pulled again and again with compassion as I observed how Dr. Jamison clearly viewed his patients as people first and patients second.

Medical School Personal Statement Examples: 

Discover what makes a standout medical school application with the following real-life examples. These samples provide a window into the storytelling and personal reflection that can turn a good application into a great one.

• Real Essays From Stanford Medical Students
• Personal Statements From The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
• 10 Successful Medical School Essays From Harvard Medical School
• Sample Personal Statements From The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine 

Avoid Common Mistakes

Creating a personal essay with a good hook that shows your character qualities and ties them back to medicine is great, but it will fail if you make errors in the essay. Some common mistakes to avoid include:

• Asking to be interviewed
• Ranting about controversial or polarizing topics
• Submitting an essay with grammar and spelling errors
• Having too many people who aren’t trained to read and review your essay
• Lying or representing something you aren’t in your essay
• Being inauthentic

These mistakes will prevent your essay from standing out, even if all other aspects are excellent.

Get the Right Help

Writing a med school personal statement is not easy, especially if you’re trying to get into a top-tier school. Getting professional help on your medical school journey could be a game-changer. At ACT, our Pre-Med Student Advisors are dedicated to guiding you step-by-step through the application process, significantly boosting your chances of gaining admission. Receive tailored mentorship and advice from experienced Physician Advisors who can assist with your personal statement and other critical aspects of your application. 

Enhance your medical school application with our Pre-Med Certificates , designed to provide you with valuable clinical hours and open doors to entry-level healthcare positions. Explore the full range of online medical programs at Advanced eClinical Training today, or enroll now to embark on a fulfilling medical career.

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Going Deep in Your Med School Personal Statement

Let’s not kid ourselves: applying to medical school is stressful. There are all the hoops that you need to jump through before even starting an application. There’s also the interview process and the tailoring the application to show your commitment to medicine. And then there’s the med school personal statement.

What exactly is the personal statement? For medical schools, instead of requiring applicants to write the standard college admissions essays--you know, the ones that ask you what you are passionate about and what you learned from failure--applicants must answer an open-ended question: why do you want to pursue a career in medicine?

The question itself shouldn’t be difficult, especially if you’ve been aspiring to be a doctor ever since you were a kid, but the way that you answer the question can pose some challenges.

So what's the biggest challenge to writing a med school personal statement?

One of the common misconceptions about a personal statement of any kind is that you need to go for breadth and not depth. Students want to tell med schools that they’ve done it all and end up crafting personal statements that read like jumbled memories of hospital experiences, research papers, and patient interactions. Thankfully your resume or curriculum vitae can provide the overview of your medical background.

The personal statement, on the other hand, is a different animal. And there is a key word in the phrase itself: personal . In other words...

The strongest personal statements remove excessive resume information to make room for personality and feelings.

The best personal statements expand on ideas and provide a face to the application--just like essays for undergraduate admissions do.

There is no formula that you need to follow, but you should know that including as much honesty and openness into your words can go a long way--and will really set you apart from your competition.

What do actual people write about then?

A sample of personal statements from Stanford’s med school students shows that there are many overlaps in stories. A lot of people come to medicine after an accident that they or someone close to them suffered. Some people have known they want to be doctors since age five; others have taken a path less traveled from, say, professional ice skating to medicine.

You should not be worried about being so unique that you compromise being yourself. You should just explain where you have come from and where you hope to go.

What should you include?

2-3 experiences that serve a single theme and illustrate why you want to pursue a career in medicine.

These experiences should show the following:

moments that made a breakthrough in your understanding of medicine

what being a doctor means to you

how you still have room for growth.

Read an example from an actual person.

This is from one of the Stanford personal statements:

Volunteering in the palliative care unit of Northwestern Memorial Hospital, I have interacted with patients distressed by unexpected paralysis to patients suffering from terminal diseases like AIDS. One afternoon while I was volunteering, I was warned that room 21 would be very demanding. After responding to three calls in ten minutes, I asked if she would like some company. Her name was Ruth and she was paralyzed from the waist down from a fall. I held her hand and listened to her as she sobbingly told me her fears of losing independence and burdening her busy surgeon son. I reassured her that she could remain independent even if she couldn't walk and her son would not consider caring for her a burden. As I was preparing to leave the room so she could rest, she said "Thank you. You treated me like a person, not a patient." Although I had not cured her paralysis or lessened her pain, I did make Ruth feel loved and cared for that afternoon. The satisfaction I felt knowing I had made her difficult time a little better is something I will never tire of or take for granted.

There are a few things to note:

The applicant wrote about a hospital experience with a patient. Many people do this. Admissions staff expect it. The key is how you handle the standard “patient interaction” story.

The applicant goes into the details of the patient interaction. We readers not only understand the basics of the interaction--such as location (Northwestern Memorial Hospital) and the applicant’s role at the time (volunteering)-- but also get the specifics of the scene.

The applicant describes how they felt about the experience as it happened and what it meant to them.

The applicant shows that they handled a highly emotional situation with maturity and composure. They show initiative when asking the patient if she wants company after getting several calls from her. The applicant reads between the lines and reveals empathy and leadership. This is so important and cannot be conveyed without this experience being told like a story.

Now let’s imagine this paragraph as how you may want to write it:

Volunteering in the palliative care unit of Northwestern Memorial Hospital, I have interacted with patients distressed by unexpected paralysis to patients suffering from terminal diseases like AIDS. Although I have not cured the patients, I do make them feel loved and cared for every time I’m there. The satisfaction I feel knowing I have made their difficult times a little better is something I will never tire of or take for granted.

Both paragraphs are getting at the same idea...

the applicant has volunteered

there has been a wide variety of patient interactions

the applicant has been happy to make personal connections.

But that’s not the point.

This is what makes a med school personal statement stand out:

The personal statement is not about broad strokes of experiences--can you imagine several paragraphs like the second one in a personal statement? You basically are writing a generic readout of a med school applicant.

What makes the first paragraph so meaningful and emotionally resonant is that it goes deep--it takes the reader to a specific scene, a single night, one that made all the difference. We may even feel a little bit teary from reading that paragraph, because it contains the real concerns of the patient mixed with the actions of the applicant. The brilliant connection between patient and applicant is on full display: it isn’t implied; it isn’t shorthanded. It is illustrated with clear and concise imagery.

And it's wonderful.

[The University of Georgia has some other great pieces of advice on how to approach the med school personal statement.]

Med school admissions season has just started in Texas, and every day more and more students are submitting their applications. At B2A, we want to help you make the best med school personal statement possible, so we have trained professionals ready to help craft the best statement. While getting into med school definitely requires a full knowledge of science, you can’t get to healing the heart without the art. Check out our application essay services !

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Winning Stanford Grad School Statement of Purpose Examples

Featured Expert: Dr. Nyasha Gondora, PhD

Stanford University has close to 9,500 students admitted to any one of its seven different graduate schools, all of which require a Stanford graduate school statement of purpose as part of the admissions process. The school hosts over 100 programs, which have an interdisciplinary nature, as the school prides itself on how a majority of programs integrate interdisciplinary study into their curriculum. The school uses a centralized application system to accept and review graduate school applications, but submitting a statement of purpose is as essential as submitting a research resume or a graduate school cover letter. This article will present a statement of purpose drafted according to the various requirements or prompts from several of the university’s school, such as Stanford Law School , and the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free strategy call here . <<

Article Contents 12 min read

Stanford graduate school of business.

Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, the Stanford Graduate School of Business is one of the best MBA programs in the US and one of the best MBA programs in the world . After graduating from the two-year Stanford MBA (there is a one-year MSX, dual-degree program, along with a PhD also offered) 65% of graduates enter different careers, while also raising nearly $1 billion to finance their own start-ups.

The MBA requirements for the school include submitting a Stanford MBA personal statement , but the program also requires applicants respond to two prompts asking similar questions that graduate school statements of purpose usually ask, such as “ tell me about yourself ” and “why this school?”. The school requests these two Stanford supplemental essays , along with other important materials, such as a grad school letters of recommendation. Both essays should not exceed more than 1050 words, and the school recommends maximum 650 words for the first, and 200 words for the second.

Unsure whether grad school is for you? This is the video you need to watch:

Essay Prompt #1

What matters most to you, and why?

Stanford Graduate School Statement of Purpose Example #1

What matters most to me is the interplay between my family, my Korean heritage, and the concept of Han. When asked a direct question, it is always a good to open with a direct response like this one. In Korean culture, Han is a complex and multifaceted concept, encompassing deep-seated emotions such as sorrow, pain, and resilience. It represents the collective history of suffering and the perseverance of the Korean people. Always use the simplest, most direct terms to explain complicated subjects, but also keep it short.

My family's experience during the LA Uprising of 1992, when our business was destroyed, brought the concept of Han to the forefront of my life. Stanford recommends “writing from the heart” and here you see an inciting personal incident that will fuel the rest of the narrative. Witnessing the devastation and its impact on our community was a profound experience. It ignited a sense of determination within me to not only overcome adversity but also to contribute positively to society.

As Korean immigrants, my parents had poured their heart and soul into building a successful enterprise, only to see it destroyed in the chaos that unfolded. Again, Stanford asks a personal, non-technical answer, so you have leeway to mention troubling incidents, and negative emotions, but don’t focus on them too much. But amidst the rubble and despair, my father's resilience and business acumen shone through. He saw an opportunity to rebuild not just our own lives but also the community that had suffered alongside us. Mentioning negative things should always be countered with how they inspired or motivated you, which is good way to move the story along and talk about something positive or uplifting.

He began purchasing the destroyed properties at a time when others were fleeing. He rented out those spaces below market value, not seeking to make a profit, but to provide a platform for others to rebuild their dreams. Witnessing my father's dedication to the community had a profound impact on me. It made me realize that business is not just about individual success; it is about creating an environment where everyone can thrive.

The Stanford Graduate School of Education perhaps best exemplifies the school’s dedication to interdisciplinary study. The program offers doctoral programs in all major subject areas of elementary and high school education (English, history, social sciences, mathematics), while also offering cross-discipline studies in the areas of developmental psychology, learning sciences, and race and inequality in education. It also offers a Master of Teacher Education for students who want to teach at the elementary or high-school level. The School of Education offers various degrees ( Master’s or PhD ) and several programs have unique prompts and questions it asks applicants to address in the statement of purpose, which we will analyze and use here.

PhD in Developmental and Psychological Sciences

Describe experiences that illustrate why you are applying to the graduate program in DAPS. These experiences should include academic, research, or professional experiences, and they may also include personal experiences that further demonstrate your commitment to this course of study.

From witnessing my niece Andrea's journey with an unknown learning disability, I was awakened to the profound impact early childhood development can have on a child's life. The prompt mentions academic, professional and research experiences, but also personal ones, so it is allowable to talk about something personal, but, again, make sure to address the prompt’s other elements by moving to the other areas (academic, professional) in due course. Andrea faced challenges with speech, focus, and concentration, hindering her ability to learn and communicate effectively. Her parents sought answers from numerous experts in child development, early childhood education, and medical professionals, only to encounter frustrating dead ends. Inspired by Andrea's story I embarked on a path in early childhood education to delve into the complexities of childhood development.

As an early childhood educator, I have encountered children like Andrea, who exhibit unexplainable or undiagnosable disabilities, which are neither extreme or truly debilitating (Andrea is currently a vivacious, 14-year-old attending high school), but still put them at a disadvantage. A professional experience connected to your personal one . These children, often overlooked or misunderstood by traditional approaches, compelled me to explore the intersections of education, psychology, and neuroscience to uncover new insights and potential solutions. Using strong, “power” words (I.e., “compel”, “passion”, “determination”) help convey your enthusiasm for your subject and research.

My passion lies in pushing the boundaries of knowledge in early childhood development and expanding research efforts into understanding and addressing developmental disabilities. I believe that to truly make a difference, we must approach this issue from a multidisciplinary perspective. Therefore, I aim to combine disciplines such as environmental science, cognitive and brain science, and social factors to explore the complexities of developmental disabilities. One of the most important things to remember about writing a statement of purpose is to describe a purpose, which may seem like a given, but it demands emphasizing. Talk only about what you have done and what you want to do, not necessarily who you are, which is best left to personal statements or interviews, if your program holds interviews. The faculty reading your statement are interested in your preparation and familiarity with the subject, but they are more interested in how you plan to achieve your goals at their institution. 

Drawing from environmental science, I aim to investigate how various prenatal and postnatal factors, including exposure to toxins, nutrition, and the quality of early childhood environments, impact developmental outcomes. By understanding the potential influence of these environmental factors, we can identify preventive measures and interventions that promote healthy development from the earliest stages of life.

In parallel, cognitive and brain science offer a valuable lens to examine the intricacies of brain development and how it relates to learning and behavior. Through neuroimaging techniques and advanced research methodologies, we can gain insights into the neural underpinnings of developmental disabilities and identify effective strategies for intervention and support.

Additionally, I recognize the significant role that social factors, such as poverty and other disadvantages, play in shaping early childhood development. By incorporating a social justice lens into my research, I aim to address the disparities that exist and identify equitable solutions that ensure all children, regardless of their background, receive the support they need to thrive.

My aspirations align seamlessly with the Stanford Graduate School of Education's Grand Challenges initiative, which aims to address significant problems in education through interdisciplinary collaboration and research. Particularly, the focus areas of "Science of Learning," "Promise of Every Child," and "Identities and Participation Challenges" deeply resonate with my research and interests. Doctoral-level statements of purpose should always outline how your research interests coincide with current research being done at the school.  

My personal experiences with my niece and the children I have encountered as an early childhood educator have ignited my passion to understand and address developmental disabilities. By combining disciplines such as environmental science, cognitive and brain science, and social factors, I aspire to expand our knowledge, advocate for evidence-based interventions, and work towards a more inclusive and equitable early childhood education system. Stanford Graduate School of Education offers the ideal platform to realize these aspirations, and I am excited about the prospect of collaborating with faculty and fellow students who share my dedication to advancing our understanding of early childhood development.

Doctor of the Science of Law (JSD)

Stanford Law School (SLS) is one of the most sought-after law schools in the US and according to law school admission statistics it is not one of the easiest law schools to get into . Of the six advanced, graduate-level degree programs at SLS, the Doctor of the Science of Law degree (a PhD-equivalent) is the most advanced, and Stanford admits only a handful of applicants every year. The program’s mission, in keeping with the school’s interdisciplinary nature, is to give driven and ambitious law degree holders from outside the US the opportunity to learn more about other fields interconnected with the law, such as the humanities, economics, and international development.

Entry to the program has similar requirements as that of any PhD programs, as students must submit law school letters of recommendation , a law school resume , and a Stanford law school personal statement. However, the law school requirements ask for a research proposal, instead of a statement of purpose, which is not necessarily the same thing. But as all applicants must submit a law school personal statement , we will present one here rather than Stanford graduate school statement of purpose example, as it is still a graduate program at Stanford, and make the necessary adjustments to content and style required of a personal statement.

Stanford Law School Personal Statement Example

The path that led me to pursue the Doctor of the Science of Law program at Stanford Law School was not a conventional one. Unlike a statement of purpose, a personal statement can include details about your personal past, and whatever motivations you had to enter this particular field, but only if they are related to what you are doing academically or professionally. It began amidst the fervor of the anti-World Trade Organization (WTO) protests in Genoa. I was among those protesting. I went with peaceful intentions but the anger of the moment spilled over into violence, which I did not take part in. Many of my friends were either seriously injured or arrested, but rather than becoming radicalized, I had the opposite experience. This is a fictional sample. You should always use discretion when thinking about what to mention about your past, especially if it is something controversial. However, as with anything else you write about, if you are able to connect your involvement with your academic and professional pursuits, then you can mention it as something that changed, motivated or inspired you.

It was during this transformative moment that I realized my advocacy required more than just passion and fieriness—it necessitated a deeper understanding of the intricate intersection of law, economics, and global trade. This realization sparked my journey from a protester to a research fellow at the WTO, which is the only place where I felt my intellectual curiosity could be sated, and ultimately lead me to Stanford Law School.

But I started at the University of Bologna, where I completed my law degree and then made the decision to join the organization that I had once protested against. I did it with a clear mind and conscience. My only goal in working at WTO was to broaden my understanding of how to reimagine global trade frameworks that address not only economic growth but also the broader well-being of societies and the planet. Here and in the preceding paragraph is where you can turn the narrative back to your academic pursuits and future goals and ultimately talk more about how Stanford can help in this regard.

During my tenure as a research fellow at the WTO, I witnessed firsthand the limitations of the current system and its focus on efficiency and capital accumulation. This experience, combined with my MA in Economics from UCLA, propelled me towards seeking a new path—one that prioritizes sustainability, equity, environmental protection, and the empowerment of nations to safeguard their natural resources. It was after completing my fellowship when my grander ideas came into play.

My vision centers on creating a framework that places sustainability and environmental protection at the forefront of trade policies. By integrating legal mechanisms that encourage responsible business practices and accountability, we can foster economic growth while safeguarding our shared natural resources. Through in-depth research, collaboration with global stakeholders, and engagement with international organizations, I aim to contribute to the development of a just and sustainable international trade order.

A Stanford graduate school statement of purpose is a necessary document for how to get into grad school at Stanford. It should outline your research interests for the Master or doctoral program you are applying to. 

A Stanford graduate school statement of purpose is different from a personal statement because a personal statement asks for personal details related to your background, upbrining and general history. A statement of purpose demonstrates what you know about your subject, what you plan to research and how this research will contribute to the larger knowledge of your particular subject. 

A majority of programs do, yes. 

The difference between these two documents is that the statement of purpose deals with the near-future, meaning your time at graduate school. But the career goals statemetn is for after you leave academia to transition to industry.

There are no specific formatting rules for the Stanford graduate school statement of purpose, but they are usually between 500 to 750 words or more. 

You can ask for help from your thesis advisor or former faculty member. You can also try hiring PhD admissions consultant who may guide you on what to write by reading and revising the various drafts of your statement. 

Stanford, like all graduate schools, asks for a statement of purpose because it wants to determine whether the applicant’s academic record, research history and investigative threads have anything to do with the program’s offerings and research agenda, and whether the candidate will be a good fit for the program. 

Yes, writing and submitting a Stanford graduate school statement of purpose is part of applying to any graduate program at Stanford. 

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MSTP MD-PhD Program

Mstp internal admissions, mstp 2024 application information for current stanford students, deadline: tuesday, january 16, 2024 by 5 pm (pst). .

Current medical students are invited to submit applications for positions in the MSTP to begin Autumn Quarter 2024-2025. The MSTP provides infrastructure and funding (for US Citizens and Permanent Residents only) for combined MD-PhD training in any area of biomedical or social science for which graduate training is available at Stanford. There are approximately 100 students in the MSTP, of which ~20% have joined the program after their first, second, or third year of medical school. Applicants are evaluated on their potential for a career in biomedical or social science investigation, based primarily on current and proposed research at Stanford in the research group of a prospective thesis advisor.

General guidelines

The internal program is intended for medical students who have engaged in an early and extensive research experience (usually as part of a scholarly concentration), and who have now decided to pursue a PhD as an extension of that work.

MD students interested in obtaining a PhD degree at Stanford are eligible to apply for MSTP funding as early as Winter quarter of M2 (or M2B if splitting the pre-clerkship curriculum). Students may also apply to a Stanford PhD program separately.  

PhD students interested in obtaining an MD degree at Stanford are eligible to apply for MSTP funding.  PhD students must apply to Stanford medical school no later than October of their G2 year. Please contact MSTP Admissions at [email protected]  for more information.

Applicants are also strongly encouraged to meet regularly with one of the MSTP Directors during the planning stages of their research experience and in preparation for the application itself. Successful MSTP applicants will usually begin MSTP funding Autumn quarter following acceptance based on available funding.  Successful applicants must meet with Program Directors or MSTP Staff to determine official start date of funding.  MSTP funding is contingent on approval by a Stanford University PhD Program in which the thesis advisor is a member and may only be used if participating in research full time in the research group in which they are proposing to complete their PhD (i.e., not rotations in new labs, board study, or clinical rotations).

Eligibility

• Matriculated to Stanford MD no earlier than 2020.
• In good standing at the Stanford School of Medicine.
• Actively enrolled in courses at Stanford.
• Students who are not Stanford medical students or who have matriculated at another institution’s PhD program are not eligible for MSTP funding.

Although “internal” MSTP applications are commonly submitted during the M2 year (or M2B if splitting the pre-clerkship curriculum),  students later in their training (for example, during their gap year(s) or later) are also encouraged to apply, and should meet with MSTP Directors as early as possible to discuss their plans.

Previous application to the MSTP (either before or after matriculating at Stanford) does not influence eligibility or evaluation. Advanced medical students already enrolled in a graduate program who have completed or will complete their thesis in 2023 are not eligible. Please contact us if you have any questions about admissions or eligibility.

Application materials

Application timing and evaluation process.

Submit applications to Dennis Bua at [email protected] . Applications are due January 16, 2024 by 5 pm (PST).  Please provide items 1, 2, 5 and 7 as a single PDF document.  

Applicants will give an oral presentation to the Program Directors ( date is TBD ). The length of the presentation will be 10 minutes, with 10 minutes for questions from the panel following. The purpose is to explore in an informal and interactive setting the work described in your proposal.

Evaluation is based on the written application, letter of support, and the presentation, and is carried out independently of evaluation of traditional MSTP applicants. Decisions will be available before PhD admissions offers are made. A summary of MSTP recommendations will be provided to the PhD graduate Program and (if applicable) to the Knight-Hennessy Program. If offered MSTP admission, student funding is based upon the standard MSTP student support structure that is determined by the applicant’s year of entry into the MD program.

Andrea Garofalo (Internal Admit) discussed what inspired him to pursue a career in medicine. Click here for story.