Personal statement guidance articles – MD Guidance

personal statement | Part 3, new

MD Guidance — Mon, 31 Oct 2022 17:51:26 +0000

MD Guidance

personal statement | Part 3, new

Written By: Nour Dalloul, Reviewed By: Yousef Al-Saba’a, Edited by Majed Jaber

Personal statement | Part 3

After talking about what you should do before writing, the pattern and structure of the PS, next we are going to talk about critical points that can validate or invalidate your PS.
We are going to talk about formatting, rules, and do and don’t points!

PS formatting

should be no more than 5300 characters (including spaces).
and should speak to your motivations to pursue a career in your field (“Why do you want to be a…”).
The Work and Activities section gives details about your work, volunteering, research, etc., and the Most Meaningful Experiences section expands on some significant moments in your life, work, and education.
The personal statement should be a narrative engagement that highlights your key qualities and core competencies.
as they align with the requirements of your career and the mission of the university itself.

PS Guidelines

two double-spaced pages with an 11-point font or larger (but not much larger).Times New Roman font.
Don’t overuse “I,” as they may see you as selfish.
should be official, clear, and academic.

Don’ts

Re-list your entire CV or activity sketch.
Use your story to imply your excellence; don’t hit people over the head with it.
Criticize other applicants.
Ramble, this shows you submitted at the last minute.
Rely on clichés; this shows you don’t read widely. (Overused Expression)
Violate the character count.
Mention grades or results
Repeat information given elsewhere in the application. (Biographical data)
be too emotional.
Use contractions ( don’t, doesn’t
Be contradictory.
Don’t focus on the challenge itself, focus on your reaction.
Be the victor (play the victim).
Talk negatively about other people. (avoid blaming). Instead, focus on what you learned. Keep the focus on you and keep it positive.

In the end, remember that the personal statement is your chance to get the place you want at the university you want, so make sure you make it compelling and attractive.

Keep following our soft skills page:
https://mdguidance.com/soft-skills/

The post personal statement | Part 3, new first appeared on MD Guidance and is written by MD Guidance

personal statement | Part 2, new

MD Guidance — Wed, 12 Oct 2022 14:13:46 +0000

MD Guidance

personal statement | Part 2, new

Written By: Nour Dalloul, Reviewed By: Yousef Al-Saba’a, Edited by Majed Jaber

Personal statement | Part 2

While writing your PS, it’s more important than ever to understand the pattern of your PS based on the requirements— as well as understanding the structure of PS, the recommendations about each part, and the most commonly used sentences to avoid is critical in ranking your PS.

So, our article will tell you everything you need to know about the patterns of PS, in addition to the structure and its recommendation.

Patterns of Organization

Narrative (more common)
- It tells a story with a beginning, middle, and end.
- Important events over your whole life
- The points you want to emphasize
Associative
- More like a point-by-point essay
- It should address the questions they have about you, but you should make your own unique points.

Personal Statement Structure

Introduction
Body
Conclusion

Introduction functions

First, it must draw your reader in with an eye-catching first line and an engaging hook.
It should point toward the qualities that most effectively demonstrate your desire and suitability (you will discuss these qualities further in the body paragraphs).
Demonstrate that you have specific skills, experiences, and characteristics that have led you to thrive in your field of interest.
Your reader should know immediately about the topic from your intro.

Examples

When I was 13, my grandfather was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer, and I realized that sometimes cooking is not enough, as I quickly learned about the vital role physicians play in the lives of everyday people like my family and myself (this shows passion and emotional connection).

The most overused personal statement opening sentences (avoid them)

I am currently studying a BTEC National Diploma in…
From a young age I have always been interested in…
From an early age I have always been interested in…
Nursing is a very challenging and demanding career…
For as long as I can remember I have been fascinated with…
Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only…
Nursing is a profession I have always looked upon with…
For as long as I can remember I have been interested in…
I am an International Academy student and have been studying since…
Academically, I have always been a very determined…

Body

The essay’s body can include a discussion of any discrepancies or gaps in your education, i.e. it is very important to address these strategically. This is where you show him your passion for fighting, how you treat people under pressure.

Do not approach this section as a space to plead your case, i.e. offer a brief summary of the situation, and then emphasize what you learned from such hardships.

Focus on the positive: show how these challenges made you stronger, resilient, compassionate, and more connected to your experience, to the qualities desired by the main idea you are talking about.
- Show your personal experiences and provide examples where possible.
- If you lack experience, If you feel you lack experience and don’t have time before an application to gain more, don’t panic! You can always refer to the knowledge and skills developed.

Conclusion

It’s not a simple summary; it’s the value of your experience.
Re-emphasize the major ideas of your essay.
Try to link your opening idea to your last paragraph.
Make them want more (make your reader hungry). Leave them thinking I have got to meet this person.

Keep following our soft skills page:
https://mdguidance.com/soft-skills/

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personal statement | Part 1, New

MD Guidance — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 16:58:32 +0000

MD Guidance

personal statement | Part 1, New

Written By: Nour Dalloul, Reviewed By: Yousef Al-Saba’a

personal statement | Part 1

Upon applying to universities, you will probably need to write a personal statement to fulfill the requirements of the application.

But before diving into a sea of thousands of personal statement examples, we are here to give you a better understanding of what personal statements are, their structure, and what you need to include.

Personal statement (PS): a brief personal summary about your qualities, career, and personality and is required for applications to universities, colleges, and jobs.

Why do you need it?

It’s a marketing tool.
To obtain an interview, not a job.
Because it’s just a requirement for some scholarships.

What is the difference between your CV and PS?

CV shows the reader what has been done, but the PS explains why.

Before you begin writing, You need to:

Have a good understanding of the qualities of a strong essay.
Know your Theme.
Know your audience.
Brainstorming.

What does that mean? Below we give you a clear idea about it:

Rule1: Qualities of a Strong Essay

It’s a chance to show your personality, demonstrate your ability to write, and affirm your desire to attend that program of study.
Show your written communication skills by writing a concise and meaningful statement that illustrates your best attributes and highlights your accomplishments, passions, and aspirations.
Show your passion to pursue a career in your field.

Rule 2: Use a “Theme” to Organize Your Ideas

There is a unifying idea of your PS, such as motivation to study medicine, helping others, taking on great challenges, and so on.
It’s a mistake to simply list your skills or characteristics as a CV, they may not believe you.
Theme example: Overcoming obstacles
- Example: As the first person in my family to attend college, I had to convince my brothers and sisters that higher education was a worthwhile pursuit. Although my brothers made fun of me for attending community college, I never wavered in my dedication to succeed.

Rule 3: Know your Audience

Read the personal statement guidelines and focus on what they want to know about you. what personal qualities do they value? and what type of student are they looking for?

For example:

We expect volunteers to be strongly committed to the values and principles of volunteerism.
We expect volunteers to be able to work in a multicultural environment.
We expect volunteers to be able to adjust to difficult living conditions.
We expect volunteers to have strong interpersonal and organizational skills.

Rule 4: Brainstorming for Your Theme

Academic history.
Your major and career goals.
Are you prepared? What makes you so?
How will this university help you achieve your goals?
Cultural understanding.
Educational challenges and hardships.
Experiential learning.

Keep following our soft skills:
https://mdguidance.com/soft-skills/

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