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• Best Radiology Fellowships
• How to Write a Personal Statement

How to Write a Radiology Fellowship Personal Statement

Radiology fellowships offer radiology students the chance to gain the experience and expertise they need to be good in their niche but applying for such a neuroradiology fellowship program or musculoskeletal radiology fellowship is not that easy. A good academic background is just one of the requirements to be considered for the fellowship so is your radiology fellowship personal statement or your  radiation oncology personal statement .

Check out useful professional expert advice about writing quality medical fellowship personal statements here.

Radiology personal statements, as well as, musculoskeletal radiology fellowship are valuable in a fellowship application because this will set you apart from other applicants. Unfortunately, only a handful knows how to draft an impressive radiology residency personal statement but this can be remedied by getting tips on how to write a good personal statement.

Tips in Writing a Radiology Fellowship Personal Statement

• Write why you wish to pursue the program – A good personal statement, doesn’t matter it’s a diagnostic radiography personal statement or any other one, it should reflect why you wish to apply for a fellowship. This may be in the form of an event in your life that made an impact to you which made you pursue this course. Keep in mind that when writing this part of your personal statement you should be brief and straight to the point.
• Describe your goal – This should be tailored based on the institution that is offering the radiology fellowship. You can write in general here if you wish. For example, you can write about how you want to do research or teaching as well as develop a clinical career or both. You should choose a goal that best suits you and the radiology program that you are applying for.
• Share your interests – Your radiology personal statement isn’t just about your reasons or your goals but it is also about who you are as an individual. Write about your interests because these will set you apart from other applicants. If you have interests that are related to radiology feel free to add them in your personal statement. However, you need to keep this part of your radiology personal statement  shorter compared to the other sections.
• Formatting and length – When writing your personal statement for radiology you need to consider its format and how long it should be. There are some institutions that provide the amount of words to be used but for others they let the applicant decide. As much as you would like to write several pages worth to explain yourself in detail, limit your statement into two pages at least. Keep in mind that the admissions panel will be reviewing several papers in one day so you need to keep your statement brief but meaningful.
• Be unique – Personal statement radiology should be professionally written but there is no harm in injecting a bit of wit to your paper. You need to make your personal statement stand out and although sticking with the tried and tested formula of being straight to the point using less flowery words in your paper, adding a bit of eye catching phrases or sentences will certainly help you be remembered.

These are just a few things you should keep in mind when writing a radiology fellowship personal statement. Remembering these tips as you write your personal statement for radiology can help you build a unique statement that will not only reflect who you are as an individual but also as an aspiring applicant who is the perfect candidate for the best fellowship program .

Radiology Fellowship Personal Statement Sample

Technology has greatly facilitated the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. In many cases, it has also saved lives and prevented misdiagnosis. As a young boy I was often sick, and was fascinated by the images that the doctors took of me. I knew that I wanted to learn about how to interpret these diagrams and use that knowledge to ensure that the correct information about physiology was being conveyed. The field of radiology particularly interested me, and I it was the reason I went to medical school to train myself as a clinician. I strongly believe that a fellowship in radiology will enable me to focus on my medical studies to learn more about the fundamentals of radiology. The importance of medical diagrams in a hospital setting was truly remarkable to me as a hospital intern. During my internship at a local emergency ward, I have seen different diagnoses drawn from the same medical diagram. The importance of gathering multiple opinions on a diagram sometimes stems from the lack of understanding of how many imaging systems work. From that experience, I learned that it is crucial to fully consider all possibilities before drawing conclusions from an image. From my fellowship in radiology, I hope to learn not only how to draw accurate conclusions, but also what additional tests are needed to validate a diagnosis. As a person who interprets patient data, a radiologist has a great responsibility to both doctors and patients. Hasty and incorrect diagnoses could result in both patient and doctor harm. With such a great responsibility, I feel it is my duty to prepare myself as fully as possible through obtaining a world-class education. This fellowship in radiology will provide me the hands-on experience that will allow me to better understand the field as well as better serve my patients. Be ready to write an amasing neuroradiology fellowship program with us professional help.

Start writing your radiology fellowship personal statement with our helpful tips and tricks today!

• All You Should Know About Writing a Winning Diagnostic Radiography Personal Statement
• Secrets of Writing a Body Imaging Fellowship Personal Statement
• How to Draft a Nuclear Radiology Fellowship Personal Statement
• How to Write a Virtual Radiology Fellowship Personal Statement
• Writing an Emergency Radiology Fellowship in 5 Simple Steps

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5 Radiology Residency Personal Statement Examples

Reviewing radiology residency personal statement examples can help you write a better statement for your residency application. While radiology is not one of  the most competitive residencies , it is an increasingly popular one, and there are still a limited number of spots available. If you want to get one of those coveted spots, you need to  prepare for residency applications  well in advance to ensure that you are submitting a compelling application. The  residency personal statement  is one of the application components that give you a chance to speak directly to the admissions committee and residency director, so you should take advantage of that. You should use this essay to show the residency directors why you have chosen radiology and why you would be a good fit for their program. 

In this blog, we will share five radiology residency personal statements that do just that so that you can get some inspiration. We will also be sharing some extra tips to help you write the most compelling essay possible. So whether you are still trying to  ace the hardest rotation in medical school , just started preparing your residency application, or trying to figure out how to  improve your residency application after going unmatched , you should keep reading as this blog will have some valuable information for you. 

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Article Contents 15 min read

Radiology residency personal statement example #1.

When I was in high school, I told my high school counselor that I was either going to become a radiologist, a photographer, or both. I have taken several photography lessons, and I still take pictures in my spare time, but I am yet to become a radiologist, even though it is the field that has been winning me over a little bit more every day. 

I remember the look of confusion that my high school counselor had when I told her about my plans. She wasn't the only one who was surprised. Those around me didn't always understand my passion for these two very different fields. At the time, I knew very little about the work of a radiographer, but what little I did know, I loved. I'd found that photography and diagnostic medical imaging are both about paying attention to the details and learning to understand the nuances of images and light. This appealed to me immensely.

I worked as an office assistant at a wellness clinic for most of my high school years, and I was always fascinated by the scans and X-rays that the chiropractors and podiatrists would take. They would look at it and see any number of things that looked like nothing to me at the time. I marveled at the fact that we would be looking at the same image, but the chiropractor's trained eye could see and understand so much more than I could. Much like photographers who always see pictures and lighting in a way that untrained eyes can't. 

I worked at that clinic for a few years, and I would always make it a point to ask about the films that I would come across, and the doctors were kind enough to explain and teach me how to read the X-rays. By the time I had to leave my hometown to go to college, I had learned many of the basic concepts of reading medical images, and I could not wait to learn more. 

It was in college and later in medical school that I started to understand how complex and important the work that radiologists do is. During my clerkship, I was lucky enough to work with a pediatric radiologist who impressed me with his ability to glance at a radiographic image and almost instantly provide an accurate interpretation. His interpretations, diagnostic reasoning, and input were crucial to decisions made about patient care, even though he did not always interact with the patients face to face. I saw the doctor that I wanted to be in him, and so after my rotations, I inquired about learning from him in my spare time by shadowing him. 

Today, this dr. is one of my mentors, and one of the many things that I have learned from him is that good radiologists need to have a detailed understanding of pathology and anatomy because you deal with all of the human body. I find this particularly appealing because it means that as a radiologist, I would get to use imaging to diagnose a wide variety of illnesses and diseases. It also means that in order to be a good radiologist, I will need to spend my career learning so that I can keep up with the new technologies and methods that can help us make the diagnosis that will help patients. 

In an effort to begin this lifelong learning journey, I am subscribed to the American journal of radiology, the medical technology online magazine, and I am a founding member of the medical doctors association [name of city] chapter. I believe that it is important to not only stay up to date with medical advancements but also to learn from each other as doctors so that we can provide the best possible care for our patients. 

I am passionate about radiology and have been since high school because it is the only medical specialty that allows me to help people by using my knowledge of the human body and my love for technology and many aspects of photography. I also know that my attention to detail, passion for the field, and desire to learn will make me a great radiology resident. And eventually, with the right training, I can become a great radiologist. 

The World Health Organization says that cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide and that it accounts for nearly one in six deaths. I want to help! I have always wanted to help, but I didn't know in which capacity. 

When I was in high school, I didn't know the statistics about cancer, but I had been personally affected by it, having lost my oldest brother to this unforgiving disease. The years that followed his death were very difficult for my family, but one of the things that made me feel slightly better was the fact that he lived twelve years longer than had been initially predicted. When he first got his diagnosis, he underwent several surgeries and lived through different therapies. While in the end, they did not save him, they gave us twelve additional years with him. I knew that I wanted to follow in the footsteps of the people who made this possible for my family and me: his doctors. 

After high school, I decided to take a gap year and get some practical work experience. I worked at the XYZ cancer support service, where I watched so many patients and their families go through the many trials and tribulations that my family had to go through. I believe that this experience instilled many good principles in me. I learned about the power of empathy, I developed a strong sense of compassion, and my desire to help people only grew. I knew from this experience a career in healthcare was one that suited me well. 

It was during my time at the center that my interest in radiology was first piqued. One of the key members of the Oncology team was the radiation therapist, and I just remember being fascinated by the level of skill and precision that they exercised. Their use of technology and the level of attention to detail that they paid were equally impressive to me. Furthermore, even though they did not interact with the patients as much as most of the other doctors, they had a clear and direct impact on that patient's care. 

I shadowed the radiation therapist, Dr. June, for a few months, and my love for radiology only grew. I spent time researching the field and the different career options that a specialization in radiology offers. One of the things that particularly appealed to me is that medical imaging is constantly growing and changing as technology continues to evolve. It appeals to me because it means that a career as a radiologist would involve constant learning and offer several research opportunities. 

I am grateful for the research projects that I have been able to participate in so far, in areas such as social engineering and Information Technology. My intention is to use my eye for detail and knowledge to help cancer patients daily and eventually join the efforts of other radiologists who are still researching the different ways that radiology can be used to kill or shrink tumors. 

During my last year of medical school, with the help of one of my professors, I started working on a research project that aims to determine if the introduction of proton therapy to the National Health Coverage would actually be worth the cost. The few months that I have spent working on this project have given me insight into our country's healthcare system, the needs of cancer patients have, and the exciting world of particle acceleration, which is one of the bases of the physics of radiotherapy. 

I hope to pursue this research and hopefully present findings that will have an impact. I know that my love for medical technology, sense of compassion, and desire to help others will make me a great radiology resident. In addition to being a very technical field, radiation therapy also requires someone with a strong mindset and a lot of compassion. I believe that my experiences have prepared me for this career path, and I am eager to learn so that I can help others the way that Dr. June and other radiologists have been able to help families like mine and patients like my brother. 

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After college, I pursued a career in marketing and information technology that resulted in a position as Strategic Marketing Director for a Fortune 500 company. I had finally reached the level of success that I had spent almost a decade working towards, but I was not satisfied with the direction in which my life was headed. My work was not intellectually challenging or emotionally fulfilling, and it felt like all I was working for was stock options and bonuses. I am not claiming that monetary compensation is unimportant, but it is not everything. I wanted a profession that would allow me to apply my full abilities to solve complex problems with meaningful outcomes. With this in mind, I chose to return to school and pursue my first dream of becoming a medical doctor.  

I had always been intrigued by the human body, and for a long time in high school, I wanted to become a doctor. So, it felt like the natural choice for me, but I wanted to make sure that I understood what I was signing up for and was prepared for it. So before enrolling in medical school, I spent a year shadowing physicians at a local hospital as part of a premed learning program. It was during this time that I first got interested in radiology. 

After watching the radiologists in the hospital and doing my own research, I concluded that radiology is the perfect fit for me for many reasons. Firstly, because it is intellectually challenging. A radiologist's work integrates clinical knowledge across organ systems and specialties with patient history and findings to transform pictures into diagnoses. It also revolves around teamwork and the ability to communicate since radiologists work with surgeons, internists, and specialists to diagnose and treat patients.

Furthermore, technology is constantly evolving and giving physicians an unparalleled power to image the human body. Still, the implementation and interpretation of these images have become increasingly complex, and even the most experienced practicing clinicians have to depend on radiologists to provide helpful information from what is otherwise just an enigmatic collection of pictures. 

My decision to pursue a career in radiology was solidified during my clinical rotations in medical school. I was monitoring the post-op progress of a patient who was scheduled to receive some radiation therapy in the following weeks. During one of my many interactions with her, she expressed her concern about the radiation therapy and started asking questions about it. I explained to her that the radiation therapy would be performed by a trusted radiologist who is trained to localize specific areas and safely use radiation. 

As I was not trained to answer any specific questions about the radiation therapy, I advised her that I would ask that trained radiologist to come to speak with her and answer her questions. That conversation reminded me how much patients and other physicians need to be able to trust radiologists. After all, they have to use controlled and safe levels of lethal radiation to diagnose patients and increasingly to treat them.  

I believe that I have the skills and qualities necessary to be an excellent radiology intern and future radiologist. My experiences in the advertising industry have helped me develop the ability to think visually, pay close attention to detail, and, most importantly, decipher relevant facts out of mountains of information and communicate them effectively. I pride myself on having developed a reputation for reliability, hard work, and dedication that not only resulted in numerous promotions but also earned me the confidence and friendship of my staff and peers. 

During medical school, these same qualities helped me earn the trust of my peers, who appointed me a member of the Honor Society. It is a student-run organization designed to foster the development of integrity and ethics amongst medical students. I learned even more about working with a team from this role, and I am confident that I can apply these same skills to Radiology.

While my journey to radiology has been somewhat unconventional, I believe that the detours I took along the way have prepared me for a career in radiology in a what that a traditional route wouldn't have. 

I am ready to take the next step in my journey and continue my training so that I can provide exceptional patient care, become an honest and trustworthy team member, and contribute to the advancement of the field.

My mother taught me how to play chess when I was nine years old. I competed in tournaments throughout primary school, middle school, and high school. I still enjoy playing to this day, and it is one of the main reasons I want to become a radiologist. Throughout my years in medical school, I noticed a few interesting parallels between my childhood passion and the practice of medicine. Chess is both remarkably precise in its strategic demands and beautifully artistic — a balance that is also found in medicine, and especially the field of radiology.  

To craft an intricate game plan for a chess match or tournament, you need to approach it the same way you would a radiographic study: with systematic precision and a keen sense of curiosity. The actual practice of each may be different, but these similarities have contributed to my desire to pursue a career in radiology. 

I particularly enjoy the fact that while technical, radiology is also one of the most abstract fields in medicine. I've always enjoyed activities that combine inventive thinking with careful execution. For instance, as a chemistry tutor, It is my responsibility to create a lesson plan that is not only engaging, but that also conveys my main teaching points effectively. Often, I have to come up with creative ways to relay information depending on the student I am working with. 

I know that radiology would offer me the opportunity to do the same thing because although the tangible features of each study are directly visible, as a radiologist, you need to maintain an open mindset to glean the most information possible. In many ways, it is like being an imaginative interpreter, figuring out where to look and taking images to translate what patients cannot say in their own words and discern what they may not even know exists.

My interest in radiology was first piqued in my medical school classes, where I noticed the similarities between the field and chess, but it was only at the end of my second year that I actually knew that I wanted to pursue a career in radiology. In order to further my learning and get some practical experience, I had been volunteering at a local hospital. One evening, we had a patient who came in with a child complaining of abdominal pain. The resident examining the patient was having a hard time getting answers from the patient's parents, and the child seemed both reluctant to and unable to talk. 

The initial abdominal CT didn't reveal anything, but I was observing the child's reactions to the conversation that the doctors were having with his parents, and his reaction told me that he had definitely swallowed something but did not want to get in trouble for it. I asked a few more times, but he did not want to say anything. So, I explained my theory and suggested a contrast CT to the resident, and she agreed. It turns out that the child had swallowed two of his sister's doll heads. 

I remember loving the fact that the radiologist could use technology to examine the patient in a different manner and give us the information that we needed but were unable to get from the patient themselves. Without interacting with the patient directly for an extended period of time, they gave us all the information that we needed to help them. I knew right then and there that I wanted to do that. 

I believe that my attention to detail and experience with tasks that require precision and creative problem solving are part of what will make me a great radiology intern and eventually radiologist. I look forward to being a member of a field that continues to redefine how we not only diagnose but also treat a wide variety of diseases. 

Through a career in radiology, I intend to intertwine my love for technology, creative thinking, and careful execution with my desire to provide people with a medical service that they can depend on. I cannot imagine a more fulfilling career for myself. 

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"Looking in detail at human anatomy, I'm always left with two practically irreconcilable thoughts: our bodies are wonderful, intricate masterpieces, and then - they are cobbled-together, rag-bag, sometimes clunking machines." - Alice Roberts.

Although I can't deny that there are times when I have wondered why our bodies are thrown together the way they are, most of the time, I marvel at how amazing the human anatomy is. My mother was a general surgeon, and she was completing her residency when I was in primary school. So, we spent a lot of evenings seated in the dining room together, studying. She would read these thick textbooks and notebooks full of words that I could not pronounce while I did my mathematics homework and spelling assignments. When I finished my homework, I would often just stay there looking at the skeletons in her textbooks and asking her hundreds of questions about the different body parts. 

I have always been curious. That is why no one in my family was surprised when I took a gap year after high school to work for a clinical research facility. While I did not get to do actual research during my time there, I was an integral part of the coordination team. Contacting patients for follow-ups, organizing paperwork, and helping maintain records. During my time at the ZYX Research Center, I got to see how medical imaging was used to monitor patients' progress, and I remember being amazed at the way that radiation, which has the potential to be lethal, could be used for something so positive instead. 

I was so intrigued that I decided to pursue a degree in physics as a premedical student, and it is a decision that has served me well. Not only did I learn a great deal about radiation and the different ways in which it can be used, but I also got the opportunity to participate in a research project that examined the effectiveness of different forms of radiation therapy on cancer cells. 

In medical school, I continued to learn about radiology, and one of my favorite things about this highly specialized field is that it requires diligence, detailed knowledge of the human anatomy, and an understanding of many different areas of medicine. My research experience has allowed me to cultivate these crucial characteristics and my thirst for knowledge pushes me to keep learning about the different systems outside of the classroom. 

Last year, during the summer break, I was able to take a two-month-long course on cardiac imaging at the University of X, which greatly enhanced my ability to correlate cardiac medical conditions with radiological findings. As I write this statement, I intend to take another summer course that will be focused on neuroimaging. I do this because I enjoy learning, but also because the world of medical imaging is constantly evolving. I believe radiology will play an even more critical role in medicine tomorrow than it does today and I want to be a part of making that happen. 

My hope is that as I learn about medical imaging and radiology, I can also put my curious mind to use and join the efforts of those who are researching the ways in which radiation can be even more useful in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. 

I believe that my passion for medicine and the field of radiology, my fascination with human anatomy and radiation, combined with my desire to help people, will make me a great radiologist. I genuinely do believe that our bodies are wonderful, intricate masterpieces and that radiology not only allows us to see them in a completely different way but also to heal them in ways that nothing else can at the moment. 

I am eager to continue learning and build a career in a field that would allow me to contribute to the care of patients from all walks of life. From the little girl who breaks her arm falling from the jungle gym to the elderly woman whose life journey will succumb to cancer. I know that this is the right career path for me, and I am ready to take this next step. 

3 tips for writing a strong radiology residency personal statement

 Tip:   Residency match services  can help review your personal statement and help you improve on it, along with your other application components. So consider reaching out to one if you want to maximize your chances of landing that dream match.  ","label":"Start Writing early","title":"Start Writing early"}]" code="tab1" template="BlogArticle">

Radiology is a moderately competitive specialty, but you need to remember that all residency programs have a limited number of spots available and a high number of applicants. So, to match, your application needs to stand out from the crowd. 

You should spend at least six to eight weeks working on your personal statement.

Typically, a residency personal statement is between 650 and 850 words, but you should always verify the instructions while completing your  ERAS  or  CaRMS  application. 

You should keep the formatting of your resume simple and neat. Stick to classic font styles like Arial or Times New Roman and an 11 or 12 points font size.

Your personal statement is an essential component of your residency application. It gives the residency directors a chance to start getting to know the person behind all the grades and extracurriculars. It also allows them to assess your communication skills and get a feel for your commitment to the specialty. So do not underestimate the impact it can have on your residency application.

You should avoid rehashing your  residency CV  or talking about things that can be found in your other application components. You should also avoid implying that you picked radiology solely because of the "lifestyle" it offers. This plays into the common misconception that radiologists make easy money, and it may not be received well by the admission committee. 

ROAD stands for Radiology, Ophthalmology, Anesthesiology & Dermatology. These specialties are also sometimes referred to as "lifestyle specialties" because they typically offer more regular hours, a high income, and a chance for a better "work-life balance" than many of the other specialties like family medicine or surgery for example. 

Most students apply to 20+ programs, so doing this would be very time-consuming. Instead of writing a statement for each program, write a statement for each specialty you're applying for.

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Hi, I am planning to apply to Radiology residency this year. I have prepared a personal statement but I am not sure if it is appropriate or not. Do you offer Personal statement editing service? Thanks

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The Fellowship Personal Statement- What’s The Deal?

After the popularity of my initial article called How To Write A Killer Radiology Personal Statement , I’ve had multiple requests to write a post on How To Create A Fellowship Personal Statement. Now, I have to admit that there are lots of similarities between the two. And, many of the same writing techniques still hold. So, I would recommend that you click on the link above to remind you of some of the basics. However, you will find a few unique differences that I will share. Let’s have at it!

The Fellowship Personal Statement- Does It Matter?

So, what’s left? The application, recommendations, interviews, and then, finally, the personal statement. So, by the sheer decreased numbers of relevant items to peruse, you will notice that the personal statement must play a more substantial role in the decision for fellowship.

Finally, it’s not just my words. Instead, it comes directly from the mouth of several fellowship directors that I know. Most do not put too much stake in the personal statement. (Similar to residency directors!)

OK. How Should The Fellowship Personal Statement Differ From Residency?

Now that we got that brief introduction out of the way, here is the million-dollar answer to the question. And, it is rather simplistic. In addition to all the general recommendations for a residency personal statement, you need to add why you are specifically interested in this particular fellowship. And, you should also incorporate the reasons and motivations for you to select a fellowship in this area.

Where Does This Information Belong?

If you click on the following template link ( Fellowship Personal Statement Template ), notice that in the first section, you have the “hook” to reel that program director into your application. (That still counts!) Well, you need to apply the reasons you are interested in radiology to this first paragraph. Makes sense, right? Get to the point!

The Fellowship Personal Statement- Not So Hard Right?

About Barry Julius

You also might be interested in, a student/resident guide to research, creating great radiology teaching conferences: think like a soloist in a jazz ensemble, what clinicians don’t want from a radiologist- the 8 deadly sins, kindle version, paperback version.

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The Residency Personal Statement (2024/2025): The Insider’s Guide (with Examples)

A physician and  former residency program director  explains how to write your residency personal statement to match in to your top-choice residency program in 2025.

Read example residency personal statements and suggested outlines., introduction.

We have been working with residency applicants who successfully match into the programs and specialities of choice for more than 15 years and a key part of that success, is writing a compelling residency personal statement.

Having worked with so many applicants, we know you will get differing advice depending on who you ask. The key to our applicants’ success is that we understand how to write a residency personal statement that has broad appeal and will impress all types of readers.

The residency personal statement allows residency program directors and associate directors the chance to get a sense of who you are and your commitment to your chosen specialty. 

As a former program director who understands how residency personal statements are reviewed, what “stands out,” and, most importantly, what will earn you interview invitations, the information below will help you write a residency personal statement to match!

It is imperative to make sure you get the most accurate guidance possible with regards to your residency personal statement content and optimal residency personal statement length (up to one page).

Want more personalized suggestions?  Sign up for a FREE residency personal statement consultation .

Table of Contents

Goals for Writing Your 2025 Residency Personal Statement

Above all else, your residency personal statement offers the opportunity to show your interest in your  chosen specialty  when applying to  residency  to illustrate you are a good fit.

The more details you offer about why you are interested in the specialty and how your med school rotations,  accomplishments  and experiences have reinforced this interest, the stronger your personal statement will be, the more it will appeal to selection committees and the better you will do in the match process.

I encourage applicants to offer as much “evidence” as possible to “show” rather than “tell” what  qualities, characteristics and interests  they have. “Telling” a reader, for example, that you are compassionate and hard working means nothing. Instead, you must “show” that you embody these qualities based on your experiences in health care and the patients for whom you have cared.

The residency personal statement also offers the opportunity to write about who you are as a person to convey some details about your background, influences, and interests outside of your given specialty.

The Importance of a Balanced Residency Personal Statement

The key when writing your residency personal statement is to ensure that it is well-balanced so it appeals to a large group of people who might read your ERAS residency application.

However, it is important to understand that every program director and  faculty member  has his or her own idea of what he would like to read in a personal statement. As an applicant, you must go into this process understanding that you cannot please everyone, or a specific program, and your personal statement should therefore have the broadest appeal possible.

For example, some  program directors  would rather hear about your personal interests and curiosities and get to know who you are rather than have you focus on the specialty in which you are interested.

At MedEdits, we suggest taking a “middle of the road” approach; include some details about who you are but also focus on the specialty itself. In this way, you will make more traditional reviewers who want to hear about your interest in the specialty happy while also satisfying those who would rather learn about you as a person.

Above all, be authentic and true to yourself when writing your statement. This always leads to the best results! Read on to learn more about how to write a winning personal statement.

About MedEdits

Getting into a residency has never been more competitive. Founded by a former associate program director, the experts at MedEdits will make your residency personal statement shine. We’ve worked with more than 5,000 students and 94% have been matched to one of their top-choice programs.

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Residency Personal Statement Outline & Structure

Residency applicants often do well when given outlines or templates to follow, so, we will offer that, but, it is important to realize that many applicants deviate from these rigid rules. One very typical outline that serves applicants quite well in the  residency admissions process  is:

• Compose a catchy introduction. Your intro can be related to your  interest in the specialty  to which you are applying, about a hobby or personal experience, or about your background. Regardless of the topic you choose, you want to tell a story and start with something that will interest your reader and engage him.
• The next two to four paragraphs comprise the body of your personal statement. We encourage applicants to write about any significant experiences they have had related to their desired specialty and/or future goals. This would include information about rotations, electives, and sub internships related to the specialty, volunteer and research experiences and even significant outside interests.
• Finally, you want to conclude your essay. In your conclusion, write about what you seek in a residency program, what you will bring to a residency program, and, if you have any idea of your future career goals, write about those as well. Your conclusion is also where you can tailor a personal statement to a specific geographic area of interest or type of program (rural, urban, community).

Residency Personal Statement Length & Residency Personal Statement Word Limit

The allowed ERAS residency personal statement length is 28,000 characters which equates to about five pages!

We have been hearing from more and more applicants that the personal statement should not exceed  one page  when typed in to the  ERAS application . Because of this overwhelming trend, we are supporting this guidance unless you have  extenuating circumstances  that require your personal statement be longer.

Our recommendation is that your residency  personal statement be a maximum of 5300 characters with spaces.

ERAS Residency Personal Statement Checklist

• Ensure your personal statement flows well

The best personal statements are easy to read, don’t make the reader think too much, and make your path and interests seem logical. Rarely does a personal statement have a theme. Also try to have each paragraph transition to the next seamlessly.

2. Your personal statement should be about you!

Your personal statement should be about you and no one else. Focus on your interests, your accomplishments and your path. This is your opportunity to be forthcoming about your  achievements  – by writing in detail about what you have done.

3. Be sure your personal statement clearly outlines your interest in the specialty.

Since the reader wants to be convinced of your understanding of, experience in, and curiosity about the specialty to which you are applying, be sure you highlight what you have done to explore your interest as well as your insights and observations about the specialty to show your understanding of it.

4. Make it human.

Again, your personal statement should be about you! The reader wants to know who you are, where you are from, what your interests are and who you are outside of medicine. Therefore, try to include those details about your background that are intriguing or important to you.

5. Express your interest in the specialty.

The reader fundamentally wants to know why you are pursuing the specialty. The more details you offer the more convincing you are about your commitment and your understanding of the specialty. Be sure to include details that might seem obvious. For example, in  emergency medicine  you must like acute care, but try to include more nuanced details about your interest, too. What aspects of the diagnoses and pathologies involved do you enjoy? What do you value about the actual work you will do? How do you feel about the patients for whom you will care?

6. The start and evolution of your interest.

Readers want to know how and when you became interested in your specialty. Was this before medical school? During medical school? What have you done to pursue and nurture your interest in the specialty?

7. What you have done to learn more about the specialty.

You should explain what you have done to pursue your interest. What rotations have you done or have planned? What research, scholarly work or community service activities have you pursued to further your interest?

8. Where you see yourself in the future – if you know!

Without going into too much detail, write about the type of setting in which you see yourself in the future. Do you hope to also participate in research, teaching, public health work or community outreach as a part of your career? What are your future goals? Since many programs typically train a certain type of physician, it is important that your goals are aligned with the programs to which you are applying.

9. What do you bring to the specialty?

You should try to identify what you can bring to the program and the specialty to which you are applying as a whole. For example, are you applying to family medicine and have a distinct interest in public health? Are you applying for  internal medicine  and do you have demonstrated expertise in information technology and hope to improve electronic medical records? Do you have extensive research or teaching experience, and do you hope to continue to pursue these interests in the future? Have you developed a commitment to global health, and do you hope to continue making contributions abroad? Programs have a societal obligation to select residents who will make valuable contributions in the future, so the more ambitions you have the more desirable a candidate you will be.

10. What type of program you hope to join?

Do you hope to be part of a community or university-based program? What are you seeking in a residency program? Programs are looking for residents who will be the right “fit” so offering an idea of what you are seeking in a program will help them determine if your values and goals mesh with those of the program.

11. Who you are outside of the hospital?

Try to bring in some personal elements about who you are. You can do this in a few ways. If you have any outside interests or accomplishments that complement your interest in your specialty, such as extracurricular work, global work, teaching or volunteer efforts, write about them in detail, and, in doing so, show the reader a different dimension of your personality. Or, consider opening your statement by writing about an experience related to your hobbies or outside interests. Write about this in the form of an introductory vignette. I suggest taking this nontraditional approach only if you are a talented writer and can somehow relate your outside interest to the specialty you are pursuing, however. An interest in the arts can lend itself to dermatology, plastic surgery or ophthalmology, for example. Or, an interest in technology could relate to  radiology .

12. Any personal challenges?

Also explain any obstacles you have overcome: Were you the first in your family to graduate from college? Were you an immigrant? Did you have limited financial resources and work through college? Many applicants tend to shy away from the very things that make them impressive because they are afraid of appearing to be looking for sympathy. As long as you explain how you have overcome adversity in a positive or creative way, your experience will be viewed as the tremendous accomplishment that it is. The personal statement should explain any unusual or distinctive aspects of your background.

Common ERAS Residency Personal Statement Mistakes

Do not tell your entire life story or write a statement focused on your childhood or undergraduate career. 

Do not write about why you wanted to be a doctor. This is old news. From the reviewers perspective, you already are a doctor!

Do not write a personal statement focused on one hobby or begin with your birth. Some background information might be useful if it offers context to your choices and path, but your residency personal statement should be focused on the present and what you have done to pursue your interest in the specialty to which you are applying.

Do not preach. The reader understands what it means to practice his specialty and does not need you to tell him. Don’t write, for example: Internal medicine requires that a physician be knowledgeable, kind and compassionate. The reader wants to know about you!

Do not put down other specialties. You don’t need to convince anyone of your interest by writing something negative about other specialties. Doing so just makes you look bad. If you switched residencies or interests, you can explain what else you were seeking and what you found in the specialty of your choice that interests you.

Do not embellish. Program directors are pretty good at sniffing out inconsistencies and dishonesty. Always tell the truth and be honest and authentic. 

Do not plagiarize. While this seems obvious to most people, every year people copy personal statements they find online or hire companies that use stock phrases and statement to compose statements for applicants. Don’t do it!

Do not write about sensitive topics. Even if you were in a relationship that ended and resulted in a  poor USMLE score , this is not a topic for a personal statement. In general, it is best to avoid discussing relationships, politics, ethical issues and religion.

Do not boast. Any hint of arrogance or self-righteousness may result in getting rejected. There is a fine line between confidence and self promotion. Some people make the mistake of over-selling themselves or writing about all of their fantastic qualities and characteristics. Rarely do readers view such personal statements favorably.

Do not write an overly creative piece. A residency personal statement should be professional. This work is equivalent to a job application. Don’t get too creative; stay focused.

Writing ERAS Residency Personal Statements For Multiple Specialties

An increasing number of applicants are applying to more than one specialty in medicine especially if the first choice specialty is very competitive. If you are applying to more than one specialty, even if there is disciplinary overlap between the two (for example family medicine and pediatrics), we advise you write a distinct specialty for each. Remember that a physician who practices the specialty you hope to join will most likely be reviewing your statement. He or she will definitely be able to determine if the personal statement illustrates a true understanding of the specialty. If you try to recycle an entire personal statement or parts of a personal statement for two specialties, there is a high likelihood the personal statement will communicate that you aren’t sincerely interested in that specialty or that you don’t really understand what the specialty is about.

Writing About Red Flags in your ERAS Personal Statement

The personal statement is also the place to explain any red flags in your application, such as gaps in time or a leave of absence. When addressing any red flags, explain what happened succinctly. Be honest, don’t make excuses, and don’t dwell on the topic. Whenever possible, write about how you have matured or grown from the adversity or what you may have learned and how this benefits you.

If you have left a program or had a break in your medical education, you will also have the chance to explain this in your  ERAS application . You should also write about this topic in your personal statement only if you have more to explain, however. 

If you have failed a Step exam or one course in medical school, this likely isn’t something to address in the personal statement. However, you should be prepared to discuss any failure during an interview. By the same token, it is best not to address one low grade or poor attending evaluation in your statement. 

Have you taken a circuitous path to medicine? If so you might address why you made these choices and what you found so interesting about medicine that was lacking in your former career.

Residency Personal Statement Example

Below are two great examples of residency personal statements that earned the applicants who wrote them numerous interviews and first choice matches. As you will see, these two applicants took very different approaches when writing the personal statement yet wrote equally persuasive and “successful” personal statements.

Residency Personal Statement Example, Analysis, and Outline: The Traditional Approach

Suggested outline:.

• Introduction: Catchy Story
• Paragraph 2: Background Information and how Interest Started
• Paragraph 3: Write about what you did to explore your interest
• Paragraph 4: Second paragraph about your experiences related to your specialty
• Conclusion: Wrap it up. Write something about your future goals.

Below is an example of the traditional approach:

Why It’s Great

This is a great personal statement because it clearly conveys the applicant’s interest in, and understanding of, obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) and what the applicant has done to pursue that interest. Not only does this applicant have a long-standing interest in OB/GYN, but, she conveys that she has experienced the specialty in different settings and understands the diverse nature of the specialty. She also includes information about her hobbies and interests and writes about her exploration of OB/GYN outside of the clinical arena. An added bonus is that the applicant writes well and uses descriptive language making her statement interesting and fun to read.

Residency Personal Statement Example, Analysis, and Outline: The Outside Interests Approach

Many mentors advise applicants to tell the reader something about them that is unrelated to medicine or the specialty they are pursuing. This is a fine idea, but be sure your personal statement also includes some details about your interest in your specialty if you decide to move in this direction.

Suggested Outline:

• Introduction: Write a Catchy Introduction. Be creative! Think outside the box.
• Paragraph 2:Elaborate on your introduction offering more details
• Paragraph 3: Write about your specialty choice and what appeals to you.
• Paragraph 4: Write more about your explorations in medical school.
• Concluding paragraph(s): Write about your future goals, the type of program you hope to join and consider looping back to your introduction.

The landscape before me was lush and magical. We had been hiking for hours and had found a great spot to set up camp. As I was unloading my backpack and helping to pitch the tent, I saw a scene I knew I had to capture. I quickly grabbed my carefully packed Leica before the magnificent sunset disappeared. Trying to get the perfect exposure, I somehow managed to capture this image so accurately that it reflected the beauty of what was before us high in the mountains of Utah, so far away from the hustle and bustle of New York City where we attended medical school.

This is a really intriguing personal statement because the author writes about his outside interests in a compelling way that makes him instinctively likable. He then goes on to explain what he enjoys about surgery and what he has done to pursue that interest. As you can see, this applicant writes less about his specialty (surgery) than the applicant in statement #1 did, but, he still convinces the reader of his understanding of, and commitment to, surgery. In this statement, the reader gains a much broader understanding of who the applicant is as a person and what he likes to do in his free time.

Final Thoughts

Writing your residency personal statement should be about telling your story in your own voice and style. You want to highlight your interest in the specialty for which you are applying while also conveying some ideas about who you are as a person to keep your reader engaged in learning about you as a person.

Residency Personal Statement Consulting Services

MedEdits Medical Admissions offers comprehensive guidance and document review services for residency applicants to every specialty in medicine. With more than twenty years of experience in residency admissions and founded by a former residency admissions officer and physician, MedEdits understands what program directors want to read and can help you decide what aspects of your background to focus on in your residency personal statement to earn the most interviews possible.

Residency Related Articles and Guidance

• Residency Match Statistics
• Residency Personal Statement
• Residency Match: How It Works & How To Get Matched
• How to write a residency interview thank you letter.
• What Outfit To Wear To Your Residency Interview
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• Medical Residency Salary By Specialty
• How To Master MyERAS, The Medical Residency Interview, and Common Residency Interview Questions
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Residency Specialty Articles

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JESSICA FREEDMAN, M.D. , a former medical school and residency admissions officer at the  Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai , is the founder and chair of MedEdits Medical Admissions and author of three top-selling books about the medical admissions process that you can find on  Amazon .

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Writing Your Personal Statement for Residency

Tips to convey “ why you for residency specialty”, use your personal statement to introduce yourself to your interviewer..

• Include topics that help the interview go smoothly.
• Be sincere and help the interviewer know what’s important to you.
• Include only the information that you want to discuss.

Write a focused essay, four or five paragraphs in length, that covers the basics.

• The first paragrap h could introduce the reader to you and could focus on what led you to a career in medicine, more importantly your specialty. The tone of the first paragraph sets the tone for the rest of your personal statement.
• The second paragraph should let the reader know how you arrived at your choice of the specialty. (Personal experiences from rotations, leadership activities, work, volunteer, community service, studying abroad, background and/or life/ family experiences).
• The third/fourth paragraphs should confirm why you think this choice is right for you AND why you are right for the specialty. This is an opportunity further distinguish yourself.
• The  close/final paragraph could inform the reader what you see as your long-term goals and/or how you see yourself in this specialty. Also, avoid spending too much content on “ What I want/seek/am interested in from a residency program …” The focus should be more on why they should choose you over other candidates

Questions to ask when approaching your Personal Statement:

• What are the reasons for choosing the specialty?
• What are your key attributes?
• What contributions can I make to the specialty and the residency program?
• What are your career plans and how will your background/additional education contribute to the field?
• What makes me unique enough to stand out among other candidates?

Your goal should be to write a well-crafted statement that is both original in its presentation and grammatically correct. Articulate your personal drive in as eloquent language as you can provide. The writing should flow. No one expects you to be a novelist. The most important thing is to write a concise, clear statement about why you?

Don’t spend a lot of time providing information about you that programs will generally assume to be true for most competent medical students; “I want to help people”, “I love medicine”, “I want to match into a residency program where I can learn”

If you explain your reasons for entering the field of medicine, do so to inform the reader of points beyond the career choice. Avoid spending too much time on “Why I Wanted to Go into Medicine.” How did you arrive at your specialty choice and what experiences support how you arrived at the specialty choice?

Support your strengths and skillset with examples . Most medical student personal statement list similar strengths, “hard worker/will work hard”, “good communication skills”, “relate to/interact with patients” – so if you provide strengths that are common among medical students or even unique to you, it will be important to provide evidence to support your claims, directing programs to come to their own conclusion about your strength.

I f you repeat accomplishments already listed on your CV , they should be relevant to your personal/professional growth. You want the emphasis to encourage the reader to bring this up in the interview.

Use your own words rather than rely on quotes; your own thoughts are more powerful. If you can make it work, great, but don’t dwell on quotes. With only 800 words or less…it is favorable to make them all your own.

Do NOT plagiarize your personal statement.

Length ; Since one page in length in a Word Doc is not the same as what one page will equal one page in ERAS for personal statement formatting, the key is stick to 750-850 words for your ERAS/residency application personal statement. One page in ERAS equals nearly 1,200 words, however most programs preferences for a typical personal statements in terms of Word Count will be within range of 650-850 – this will be acceptable for most residency programs.

Need a review of your personal statement?

• Dr. Peter Mosley , TCOM Assistant Director-Career Development,  will provide thorough feedback through an evaluation form that breaks down your entire personal statement including: content, grammar, structure, flow and overall impact. You can email your personal statement to [email protected] to request a review.
• The Career Center can also review personal statements and Center for Academic Performance (CAP) office can provide feedback mostly on grammar and structure.

This page was last modified on September 5, 2024

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Questions regarding personal statement/LORs for ERAS

• Thread starter CavsFan2016
• Start date Sep 11, 2020

CavsFan2016

Full member.

• Sep 11, 2020
• Should I write a personal statement for TY/prelim programs or should I use the same one I'm using for my core residency programs (I'm going into diagnostic radiology so the personal statement is rads-focused)
• The length of my personal statement is 1.5 pages single-spaced in a word document and comes out to around ~850 words. I've heard different opinions about the length (some say keep it around ~500 words, some say one-paged single-spaced, some say it doesn't matter). I was wondering if anyone has any definitive answers regarding this.
• I was planning on customizing my personal statement to 3-5 programs that I have a particular interest/connection with. What is the best way to do this exactly? I plan on just adding a few sentences/small paragraph at the end of my personal statement but I was wondering if anyone had any other suggestions.

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Personal Statement

Personal statements may be used to customize the application to a specific program or to different specialties. 

In This Section:

Creating the personal statement, formatting the personal statement, previewing the personal statement, reviewing/editing the personal statement, assigning the personal statement.

You create your own personal statements in the MyERAS portal from the Personal Statements section listed under Documents. 

• Each personal statement must contain a Personal Statement Title and the Personal Statement Content. The title will be visible only to you to help you correctly assign it to programs, and the content will be visible to both you and the programs it is assigned to. 
• The personal statement is limited to 28,000 characters, which include letters, numbers, spaces, and punctuation marks. 
• There is not a limit to how many personal statements applicants can create. 
• Personal statements created outside the MyERAS application should be done in a plain text word processing application such as Notepad (for Windows users) or SimpleText (for Mac users). The statement should reflect your personal perspective and experiences accurately and must be your own work and not the work of another author. 
• The use of AI tools is acceptable for brainstorming, proofreading, or editing the personal statement, but the final submission should represent your own work. 
• Personal statements created in word processing applications not using plain text may contain hidden and invalid formatting. 

Note: A number of websites provide examples of personal statements. Do not copy any information from these sites and use it in your personal statements without giving credit to the author. This is considered plagiarism. 

• The ERAS program will investigate any suspected acts of plagiarism. 
• Any substantiated findings of plagiarism may result in the reporting of such findings to the programs to which you apply now and in subsequent ERAS seasons. 

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When creating a personal statement in the MyERAS application, the following formatting options will be available: 

• Bold. 
• Italic. 
• Underline. 
• Strikethrough. 
• Bullets. 
• Numbering. 
• Align left. 
• Center. 
• Align right. 
• Increase indent. 
• Decrease indent. 
• Insert hyperlink. 

Note: Personal statements created outside of the MyERAS system should be done in a plain text word processing application such as Notepad (for Windows users) or SimpleText (for Mac Users). Personal statements created in word processing applications not using plain text may contain hidden and potentially invalid formatting. 

After entering the personal statement title and content, you will have the opportunity to preview your personal statement before saving it. This preview allows you to view your personal statement just as the programs will view it, including the number of pages.  

You are responsible for reviewing your personal statements before assigning them to programs. 

The Preview/Print option under the Actions column will allow you to view and/or print your personal statement. 

Personal statements can be edited at any point during the application season — even when assigned to programs that have been applied to. 

Personal statements that have been edited will be reflected on the programs’ side by an updated status containing the date of the updated version, but programs are not guaranteed to view or review updated versions of personal statements. 

You may designate the assignment of one personal statement for each program. 

• Personal statements can be assigned to any saved or applied to programs from the Personal Statements page by selecting “Assign” under the Actions column of the intended personal statement. 
• When assigning by personal statement, programs listed with a disabled checkbox already have the selected personal statement currently assigned. 
• When assigning by personal statement, you should review any personal statements that are listed under the Assigned Personal Statement column before making selections or changes. 
• Personal statements can be assigned by program using the Assign option under the Actions column on both the Saved Programs and Programs Applied To pages. 
• Changes to personal statement assignments can be made throughout the application season, but programs are not guaranteed to view or review newly assigned personal statements. 
• A personal statement cannot be assigned to programs that are closed. 

Personal Statement Example

5 Things to Include in Your Radiography Personal Statement

A radiography personal statement offers residency applicants an opportunity to secure an interview slot into that institution of choice. But just writing a letter of intent, repeating your curriculum vitae, stating what’s contained in your academic credentials will only do injustice to your med school application process.

To make things worse, having so much to write but not been able to make an interesting selection could further mar your chances of securing an admission into a residency program interview stage. And if you are so bad with your literary skills, knowing these 5 things to include in your radiology essay can save you a seat with the interviewers.

Statistics about the Number of Applicants for Radiography Admission

Available figures into radiography programs in the UK shows a high percentage of student secure admission to study radiography. In 2009 at least 97% of applicants got placements in their specialty to study radiography with the least figure been in 2007 with 89% admission rate.

Questions Your Radiation Oncology Personal Statement Must Cover

There are a lot of questions writing radiation oncology personal statement must answer. And they are:

• What key experiences have helped to shape your decision for radiography?
• How passionate are you about becoming a radiographer?
• Can you state what value you being a radiographer hold for others?
• What key qualities do you have that can help you excel in radiography?
• How well can you channel your skills in the study of radiography?
• What are your personal and general philosophies to life?
• What has influenced your life’s decisions the most?

5 Must-Have in Your Radiology Residency Personal Statement

A killing introduction

When writing the radiology residency personal statement once you get the introduction wrong then every other thing no longer counts. The reason is that a boring or misplaced introduction only turns the director off especially since he has dozens of others to read. You can use an intriguing story or past experience that has helped shape your decision for radiography. The introduction should be sharp, straight to the point, punchy and also state why you chose radiography.

Skills, qualities, and experiences

The whole essence of the radiology personal statement is to help see you through to the interview stage and finally the residency program. Therefore, you need to select those skills, qualities and expand on experiences that help capture the minds of the directors and get them excited to want to hear from you personally.

An organized personal statement

No matter how good your credentials, skills, and experience are if you cannot present them in an appropriate manner it could end up in the trash can. Create central themes for everything you need to write. Build your clinical experiences, patient care and more other things that relate to radiography and present them using central themes in your personal statement. Use the introduction, body, and conclusion. Have four to five paragraphs covering all necessary themes and conclude with a bang making the committee needing more. But edit, proofread and format to instructions.

Strength and weaknesses

Play on your strength and describe how well you have used them plus how valuable they can be when pursuing radiography. Also, talk about your weaknesses and how much improvement you are achieving with overcoming them or how they could end up as a strength for radiography.

Show passion and career goal for the future

It must be evident you feel excited about radiography. Talk also about your goals for the future and how much good you think it would be for society when you study radiography at the institution. Then mention those features the institution has that relate to your study needs for radiography.

Common Mistakes People Make When Writing a Radiology Essay or Personal Statement

Writing a radiology essay has never been that easy hence a lot of persons make mistakes. Here are some of the mistakes to avoid:

• Avoid repetition of words at the beginning of each sentence or the repetition of the word ‘I’ too often. Substitute with other synonyms.
• Using the passive voice or tense makes your work appear you lack control and it becomes sloppy.
• Making the PS too short gives the impression you don’t have much to say but making it too long appears you lack restraint and organization.
• Writing to impress by using high-sounding words only shows the lack of depth.
• Not starting early, revising your work multiple times and getting a second eye to read through before submission.
• Having too many themes or ideas without creating a rallying point makes the work a bit complex.
• Using complex sentences that help mask the true meaning.
• Plagiarism or copying parts of other author’s personal statement is a recipe for failure.

Building a career in radiography can be an interesting one that the applicant has prepared for adequately. But being able to communicate that effectively using the  diagnostic radiography personal statement  takes practice and strict adherence to instruction.

Do not waste your time and start writing your radiography personal statement right away!

• ← Writing Answers to UMass Amherst Essay Prompts
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Radiography Personal Statement Examples

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Diagnostic radiography degree personal statement example (1a)

This is a real personal statement written by a student for their university application. It might help you decide what to include in your own. There are lots more examples in our .

The education, work experience and interests in my life to date have been quite varied. I have lived and worked in Germany, Spain and France as well as in the UK. Recently, I have thought extensively about changing my career and been drawn to radiography as it offers attractive opportunities to apply skills and personal qualities that I consider I possess, to provide an immediately tangible and satisfying contribution to people’s health.

I have considered how diagnostic radiography applies highly technical science using complex equipment to generate detailed images of inside the human body in order to check for absence of or discover anatomical problems. Working in diagnostic radiography appeals to me primarily because I consider it will enable me to carry out important tasks with skill and precision for a directly visible benefit to people. Secondly, I am an active and physically fit person, I can work well with technical equipment, I like variety of tasks and I have a calm and composed approach to problem solving, four things which I think are important attributes of a radiographer. Furthermore, in my employment experience, I have developed and demonstrated effective communication skills and worked well as an individual in collaboration with a team, two staff attributes that are essential for a radiography department to function properly. I consider that my personality, personal qualities, attributes and transferable skills match me very well to the requirements of working in radiography.

The variety of work in diagnostic radiography with its potential career opportunities to specialise, is another aspect of the profession that highly appeals to me.

Having spent three days in hospital imaging departments, two at ***** **** and one at ******** ** ******, I have talked to different grades of diagnostic radiographers and observed and gained a very positive impression of their profession in action. With radiography students and staff, I attended a study morning of case studies. In x-ray rooms, I observed different positioning techniques being used with varied patient types according to the body parts being x-rayed and saw varying doses of radiation used according to tissue density to generate high quality images of bones to check their condition. I witnessed a difficult case of an immobile patient having neck x-rays taken when the radiographer obtained the best possible images under the physical limitations. I also saw other equipment, including dental x-ray and radionuclide imaging in action. I saw how radiographers carry out instructions of doctors and liaise with them over the results. It is evident that diagnostic radiography provides a vital support role in its own department with general out-patients as well as in Accident & Emergency, the Operating Department and on wards. Therefore I am aware that the work is flexible and varied regarding techniques, location and working hours to meet hospital needs. I am convinced that I would thoroughly enjoy a career in diagnostic radiography, finding it personally stimulating and rewarding.

Being a practical hands-on person who loves to apply his learning, I am very keen on the fact that diagnostic radiography courses are very vocational, spending about 50% of course time in practical clinical training. I understand the importance and benefits of reflective practice in learning from experience and continued professional development, as ways of producing highly capable practitioners that maintain and improve performance standards as well as progress with innovations in this dynamic health profession.

In preparation for university, I intend taking some Access to Science course credits to revise my prior knowledge of Human Biology, Physics and Chemistry. I believe that I will easily be able to relate to and build upon this in my study of radiography. Furthermore, before university, I am hopeful of gaining work experience as a bank imaging department assistant.

-- Polyglot  13:44, 21 February 2009 (UTC)

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	RADIOLOGY RESIDENCY PERSONAL STATEMENT
The Medfools Personal Statement Library is now open! These sample personal statements are here for your viewing pleasure (fully anonymous). We're hoping to add more in the future, including Pre-Med personal statements. If you've got one to add to the free library, don't forget to .
RADIOLOGY RESIDENCY PERSONAL STATEMENT My road to becoming a physician took a detour: before beginning classes at Medical School, I pursued a career in marketing and information technology that culminated in a position as the Director of Strategic Marketing for a billion dollar firm. Despite my success, I was not satisfied with the direction in which my life had been headed. I had sought a profession that was both intellectually challenging and emotionally fulfilling, whose reward was different than stock options and bonuses; a profession requiring application of my full abilities to solve complex problems with truly meaningful outcomes. It was with this in mind that I chose to return to medical school. When the time came for me to choose a medical specialty, I chose Radiology because it embodies those qualities that inspired me to become a physician. First, Radiology is intellectually challenging. A radiologist must integrate a broad base of clinical knowledge across organ systems and specialties with patient history and findings to transform pictures into diagnoses. Second, I believe that the communication and teamwork that are part of the radiologist’s everyday life are uniquely demanding. The radiologist has become central to modern team-based medicine, working with surgeons, internists, and specialists to diagnose and treat patients. Third, Radiology is about trust. While new technologies have provided physicians with an unparalleled power to image the human body, their implementation and interpretation have become increasingly complex and remain a mystery to even the most experienced practicing clinicians. Physicians and patients depend on the radiologist to provide useful information from what is otherwise just an enigmatic collection of pictures. Radiologists are trusted to precisely localize areas of abnormality and anatomical anomaly, provide differential diagnoses, and safely use potentially lethal radiation. Finally, Radiology is where the frontiers of medicine are extended by the application of technology and physics, first in diagnostic modalities, and increasingly in therapeutic ones. It is truly inspiring to witness and be a part of this revolution in medicine. [Excellent paragraph that clearly details reasons for choosing radiology.] My interest in Radiology is deep-rooted and I possess the skills and qualities necessary to be an excellent intern and future radiologist. My work experiences have helped me refine and develop these qualities, and I have successfully applied them during medical school. My experiences in advertising have helped me develop the ability to think visually, pay strict attention to detail, and, perhaps most importantly, to decipher relevant facts out of mountaints of information and communicate them effectively both in writing and verbally. While working with technology, I have learned to analyze and interpret data, work efficiently, and apply tools and science to solve practical problems. Examples of this include re-engineering the Federal Communications Commission’s Intranet, and helping define the framework for a geographic information system to analyze the effect of environment on the incidence of breast cancer in NY. Finally, in leadership roles, I pride myself on having developed a reputation for reliability, dedication, and hard work that not only resulted in numerous promotions, but also helped me win the respect, confidence, and friendship of my staff and peers. Additionally, during medical school, I was appointed a member of the Honor Society, a student-run organization intended to foster the development of integrity and ethics amongst medical students. I am confident that I can apply these same skills to Radiology. Radiology to me is a perfect fit: it calls upon some of my most well developed skills, interests, and personal qualities. I seek a position in a residency program giving me the opportunity to apply and further develop these traits, explore my interest in neuro- and neurointerventional radiology, while providing exceptional patient care, being an honest and trustworthy team-member, and contributing to the advancement of the field.