What are the basic elements of a personal statement?
The personal statement is a tool that will help employers better understand who you are as a person, a professional and a leader. It is important to think about what type of message or story you are telling before you write the personal statement so that everything that you write will lead the reader(s) to conclude that you are committed, passionate, well-versed, etc. without you having to write “I am a leader because…”. Health care leaders and fellowship selection committee members are looking for four things: commitment, leadership, experience and fit. While the list is short, it is challenging to convey these messages in a clear and concise manner, and to do so in less than one page. Below are critical questions to answer and recommendations for each of the different pieces of the personal statement.
