Ivy League medical schools are known to produce some of the biggest, most influential, and most important names in the field of medicine. Because of this, Ivy League schools are expected to keep up with their reputation by accepting only the most dedicated and promising applicants. In order to do this, the schools’ admissions panel goes through hundreds, if not thousands, of personal statements, each one unique in its own right. However, some personal statements reveal themselves to be more impressive than others. It is for this reason that writing your personal statement for an Ivy League medical school is of utmost importance. By reading the following guidelines below, you can be assured that writing your personal statement for an Ivy League school will come more easily than you expected.
What Ivy League schools look for in essays
When you write your personal statement for medical school, it is expected that you have already taken all of the required courses, as well as completed your volunteer work in the field, and have taken the MCAT. Because Ivy League schools expect only the best of the best, it is simply not enough to explain your desire to be accepted by writing something like, “I want to help people.” To be more precise, Ivy League schools want to hear why you would make an excellent doctor, as well as why your career will reflect well on their reputation. In other words, humanitarianism is not enough.
You need to state why you are a driven person, why you will study hard, why you have always wanted to be a part of their school and why you will make the school proud. What Ivy League schools look for in essays is a unique and very confident voice, one that will not only endure but actually enjoy the number of hours and life choices that will be given up to pursue this career to the fullest. A voice that shows any signs of uncertainty or disbelief in oneself will surely be ignored or rejected.
Writing techniques to employ
As surprising as it sounds in the field of medicine, creativity is the key to writing an excellent personal statement. With creativity, you can explain your goals, dreams, purposes, and direction in ways that will be solely unique to you. A good way to do this is by searching through your past and asking yourself what events or circumstances led to your desire to become an Ivy League medical graduate. Bear in mind that your readers already know your qualifications. They are already aware of your numbered list of experiences.
What you need to explain now are things that have happened to you (and only you), which now make yourself the best candidate. More precisely, try considering your conditions at home, as well as in your social circle. Have there been any events that struck you so deeply that you’ve decided to work as hard as possible to become the best doctor? Remember that interweaving the reasons for your desire and passion with the reasons for your unique individuality are the keys to explaining most clearly why you deserve to study in an Ivy League medical school.
