Crafting the personal statement
So, you’re applying to PA school, and you know your personal statement is one of the most important pieces of your application. But where do you start? Let’s break down how to write a personal statement that will truly make an impact and help get you accepted into your dream program.
When To Start Writing Your Personal Statement
The best piece of advice we can give about crafting the perfect personal statement is simple—start early! Writing takes time, and if you wait until the last minute it will show in the quality of the final product. Give yourself enough time to brainstorm ideas, research relevant topics, write drafts, edit them multiple times (with help from others!), and have plenty of time left over for any unexpected changes or delays in submitting applications.
Character Counts
The first thing to remember when writing your personal statement is that length matters! Most programs limit the number of characters or words for each essay, so it’s important to stay within that range. That means making sure every sentence counts so that you can showcase who you are in the best way possible.
Exemplify Who You Are
Your personal statement should reflect who you are as an applicant and what makes you stand out from other applicants. Highlighting specific accomplishments or experiences can go a long way in helping admissions committees understand why they should accept you into their program. Listing out characteristics such as being organized, detail-oriented, or adept at problem solving are great ways to exemplify who you are without taking up too much space on the page.
Grammar Matters
It goes without saying—grammar mistakes can break your chances of receiving an interview acceptance! Make sure every sentence is grammatically correct before submitting your application and consider having someone else read through it for any errors. If English isn't your native language, having someone with a strong grasp of grammar look at your essay is especially important in making sure all your sentences sound natural and flow well.
A great personal statement can make all the difference when applying to PA school so it's worth taking some extra time to make sure yours stands out from the crowd! Remember: character counts, exemplify who you are by listing out characteristics instead of giving long explanations, grammar mistakes can break your chances of acceptance so double-check everything before submitting, and start early - give yourself enough time to write multiple drafts and edit them thoroughly with help from others! With these tips in mind, crafting an amazing personal statement should be easy with the help of PA Chronicles Consulting! Head on over to the mentorship page to see how you can book a one-one-one session with me! I offer the CASPA and personal statement revision package through the varsity program and through various monthly mentorship programs! This is an investment, you just won’t want to miss!
