This is a talk I gave to a group of biomedical science students on how to write a narrative statement for graduate professional programs. Go to https://painepodcast.com/2016/07/20/how-to-write-a-personal-statement/ to listen to the associated podcast.

1. The
Personal
Statement
Kristopher R. Maday, MS, PA-C, CNSC

4. 1% 4%
A w e s o m e n e s s
F
r
e
q
u
e
n
c
y
Hard to read or follow
Arrogant or self deprecating
Hints to future problems
Doesn’t follow directions
Automatic “NO”
Unique experience
Personal connection
Projects maturity
Want to ask questions
Gives me goosebumps
95%
B A S I C
Neither helps nor hurts
Nothing about it resonates
Reviewer never finishes
Forgettable
Adapted from @MJP_MD

11. “Either write something worth reading
or do something worth writing.”
Benjamin Franklin

12. Tell Them What
You Are Going
To Tell Them

13. Lopes JE. J Physician Assist Educ. 2016;27(2):51–55

15. Then
Tell
Them

22. Tell Them What
You Just Told
Them

23. Introduction
Body
Conclusion

28. https://www.uab.edu/writingcenter/
@UABWritingCntr

29. www.usmle-forums.com

31. w w w . p a i n e p o d c a s t . c o m
maday@uab.edu