The personal statement section of the CASPA application is arguably the most challenging yet most powerful component. Initiating the personal statement can be daunting and for some presents as the biggest hurdle to overcome. This blog aims to dissect the personal statement into digestible sections and provide tips on crafting a well written narrative within the 5000 character constraint. In this blog we include tips on what should be highlighted and what to avoid to ensure you are portraying yourself in the most authentic and effective manner.
How to Get Started
As previously stated, starting the personal statement proves to be the most difficult hurdle as it provides the foundation and direction of where the essay will ultimately lead. Below are 5 tips that you can use to help get those creative juices flowing.
- Five items: Write down five words/elements that you want the reader to know about you once they’ve finished reading your statement.
- Remember your journey: the application process can be overwhelming and burnout can be lurking around the corner but reflect on the growth you’ve experienced and remember your why!
- Story: If you find your fingers hovering over the keyboard but the page remains blank, start by typing out your entire life in chronological order to help highlight pivotal moments on your journey to healthcare.
- Vulnerability: Don’t be scared to be vulnerable from the beginning; remember it’s your story and you are just simply showing a piece of who you are.
- Location: If you need inspiration, try finding a new location to get that creativity flowing like a coffee shop or library.
Hook
Once you have completed the brainstorming portion for your personal statement and have prepared yourself with the necessary tools to begin writing, it’s time to turn our attention to effectively presenting our points and content in a manner that captivates the reader immediately front the start - what we refer to as the “hook”. Below we offer a set of Do’s and Don’ts outlining what a strong hook encompasses and what to avoid, highlighting that first impressions are pivotal in this section. A few Do’s include providing vivid descriptions, offering an unanswered question, or having an anecdote. Now some Don’t we recommend avoiding include using a generic quote and starting off with a negative point. A method we suggest utilizing is to read your opening statement and consider whether as a reader you would be compelled to continue reading or not.
Do’s and Don'ts:
There’s not much of what applicants are limited to when writing the personal statement and as applicants we’re pretty much allowed creative freedom to best answer the question of why PA. With that being said however, there are general unwritten Do’s and Don’ts that applicants should attempt to abide by to ensure the content is portrayed in the most favorable manner possible. A few of the Do’s & Don’ts that we recommend include the following:
The Big Question: Why PA?
Although the personal statement will highlight your story and experiences, it is crucial to connect your points to how this has led you to the PA route. An unfortunate mistake that many applicants make is failure to explain what specifically about the PA profession apart from other healthcare professions resonates with them the most that plays a critical role in their desire to become a future PA. A few points we recommend focusing on to help ensure the reason is specific to the PA profession is to think of the following 3 experiences (1) first exposure to the PA profession (2) time while working or shadowing a PA and (3) unique aspects of the PA role that resonate with you. Apart from the direct statements of why PA, personal stories help build up to the reason for medicine. A few stories we recommend are illustrated below. Remember that your story makes you unique and even if you feel others may share similar backgrounds/experiences, the way in which you write it and the connections you make will be unique to you.
Conclusion
Last but not least, the conclusion. This section of the personal statement should serve as a wrap up for all the points you’ve discussed throughout the essay. A few points that should be worth mentioning however, include summarizing your passion for the PA profession, highlighting a few top strengths that you possess, and your confidence in your future success in PA school and a future healthcare provider. Although the conclusion should be brief, it can effectively emphasize your key theme(s). Overall, the personal statement can be a daunting and overwhelming task, but it’s a great tool to show PA schools who you are and why you deserve to be a future PA.
