How to Write a Personal Statement

This is definitely the hardest part of your application, and almost as stressful as Step 1 (ok, fine, not NEARLY as stressful as Step 1). But it doesn’t really have to be.
At the risk of sounding really (really) cheesy: EVERYONE IS SPECIAL. Seriously though. Like, one of my co-residents grew up in like 8 different countries, and I bit my tongue off in 1st grade (true story).
Before you sit in front of that blank page and flashing cursor, think about the things that make you different (No, not that you can thread a spaghetti strand through your nose and have it come out of your mouth. It’s cool—I’ll be the first to admit—but it’s also kinda gross).
After you do some serious brainstorming on your raison d’etre, check out these extra tips:
Tell a Story
Let’s face it, a resume is NOT a page-turner (unless you’re Monica Lewinski). Don’t just reiterate the facts, think of your personal statement in the terms of writing a story. Trying to write like James Joycian or e.e. cummings is a silly idea (you big silly, you!). Just write like a human. And make it cool to read.
Find an Angle
You a way to make it interesting becomes the big challenge. Finding an angle is vital. Brainstorm for ideas that emphasize your exceptional qualities, goals, past performances.
Concentrate on Your Opening Paragraph
Get ‘em with the lead! Here, you either GRAB the readers attention or lose it. Use the first paragraph to introduce the elements most relevant to that story—and the ones that will hold greatest interest for the reader. Here’s how mine went:
‘My grandfather bought me a bike for my sixth birthday. It was my first bike without training wheels, so I was a little unsteady. The handlebars wobbled under my grip as I navigated the circle in front of my house. I stuck my tongue out of the side of my mouth, as if to aid in the balancing act. But my front wheel spun. And I tumbled—chin first—onto the pavement. My tongue was relegated to a meager vascular pedicle. But at the time I would have simply bragged that it was “hanging on by a thread.”’
I told you it was a true story.
Who Are You?
What makes you tick? How you are different from other applicants (see spaghetti comment, above).
Have Someone Else Read It
Note the singular nature of “someONE.” Things get dicey when you have too many chiefs and not enough broth or Indians or something. Find a person who you can trust but who will be honest with you. My mommy always lies to make me feel good, so I OBVIOUSLY didn’t show it to her (until I matched. Then she told me how wonderful I was at writing and said that I would be the best doctor EVER). You get the point.

In summary, understand yourself, explain yourself, and set yourself apart. Bada-bing, bada-boom.