personal statement residency examples radiology

The Residency Personal Statement (2023/2024): 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 2024.

Read example residency personal statements and suggested outlines..

Introduction

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 5300 characters with spaces).

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

Table of Contents

Goals for Writing Your 2024 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.

Need Help With Your Residency Personal Statement?

Schedule a Free 15 Minute Consultation with a MedEdits expert.

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

Residency Personal Statement Length: Our recommendation is that your residency personal statement be between 4000 – 5300 characters with spaces or up to 900 words in length. 

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 do you enjoy about the diagnoses and pathologies involved? What do you value about the actual work you will do? What do you enjoy about the patients for whom you will care? How about the setting in which you will practice?

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.

• Residency Match: How It Works & How To Get Matched

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

The most common approach to the personal statement is what I will call the traditional approach, in which the applicant conveys her interest in the specialty, when that interest began and what she has done to pursue the particular specialty.

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:

I looked into her eyes and saw terror. She knew the life of her unborn baby was in jeopardy. As tears streamed down her face, she looked to the attending physician. In desperation, she pleaded, “Please save our baby.” She and her husband had been trying to conceive for more than two years, and they knew this could be their only chance to have a healthy child. She went into labor at home and because of a horrible snowstorm was not able to reach the hospital for several hours. When she arrived in labor and delivery, she was crowning. But, the baby was having late decelerations. Because of the sweat on my attending’s forehead I knew the situation was serious. Yet we all tried to remain calm and to keep the patient and her husband calm as well. 

I entered medical school with an open mind as everyone suggested. Even as a first year medical student, however, I was fascinated with embryology. I entered my third year still unsure of what I would pursue. I knew I wanted a career that would be challenging and interesting. Because of my background in drawing and painting, I always loved working with my hands. Yet I also enjoyed working with people. Thankfully, my obstetrics and gynecology (ob/gyn) rotation was the first of my third year and I was immediately hooked.

I quickly sought out opportunities for research and became involved in a clinical study investigating the impact of a vegan diet on birth outcomes. I have always had an interest in wellness and nutrition, and this seemed like a perfect fit for me. My research is still in process, but through this experience I have learned how to analyze data, stay objective and critically evaluate the literature. So far, our findings suggest better than normal outcomes for babies born to vegan mothers. This reinforces my goal to educate my patients about the important of diet and nutrition, which I hope to make a part of my future practice. 

Early in my fourth year, I completed an elective rotation at Inner City Medical Center. There I cared for a diverse group of patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings. I realized how much I enjoy labor and delivery, but I also value the operative aspects of ob/gyn. I appreciate the importance of understanding the female anatomy so I can operate with precision.  I also value the diversity of practice in ob/gyn. Whether caring for a woman about to give birth, helping a woman newly diagnosed with breast cancer navigate her treatment options, or caring for a perimenopausal woman who is coping with symptoms of hormone fluctuations, I enjoy caring for patients with knowledge and compassion. The outpatient aspect of ob/gyn brings satisfaction as well. I look forward to building relationships with my patients, helping them to lead the healthiest lives possible. I have also realized how much I want to care for those who lack access to care. The work I have done at Medical School Free Clinic has helped me realize the gaps that exist in access to care and education. As a future practicing ob/gyn, I hope to work in such a setting at least on a part time basis.

On that snowy night, when we realized the baby was having difficulty being born because of shoulder dystocia, a simple maneuver eased the situation. The baby’s first cry brought such joy and relief to everyone in the room and, at that moment, I knew I had to be part of this specialty. I hope to join a program where I will have the clinical exposure that will give me the skills and experience to care for a wide range of patients. I do not yet know if I will subspecialize, and I will seek out mentors and experiences as a resident to make an informed decision. I would be honored to interview at your program and thank you for your consideration.

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.

Below is an example of the outside interests approach:

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.

Throughout my life, I have pursued my interests and curiosities with focus and creativity. One of those interests is photography. Even as a small child, I wanted my own camera, and I started snapping interesting scenes and images at the age of 6. As I grew older, this hobby took on more significance. I took a college level course in photography as a high school student, worked as a photographer’s assistant and even considered a career in photography. Paralleling my interest, however, was a desire to travel and experience new places, foods, and cultures.

I have been fortunate to travel all over the world. Rather than stopping in a city or place for a couple of days and seeing the sights, I prefer to immerse myself in my surroundings, eating the food, meeting the people, and staying for as long as I can. My fluency in Spanish and Italian has made it easier to “fit in” naturally. My most recent trip to Costa Rica allowed me to visit sugar cane fields and rain forests. I also volunteered in a clinic that helps the most desperate citizens. Of course, because I never travel without my camera, I also captured the beauty of this country; those pictures can be found on my blog.

Surgery seemed like a natural choice for me. It is a very tactile and visual field that requires patience, attention to detail and creativity—just like photography. The operating room setting is invigorating. I love to be a member of a team, and in surgery team work is an essential part of practice. The ability to deal with anatomical variations also satisfies my creative side; I have always been fond of puzzles, and the field of surgery represents a real-world puzzle to me. I also appreciate the intensity of surgery and believe I have the personality and demeanor for the field. I have always enjoyed solving problems quickly, something the field of surgery requires. My rotations in surgery – in addition to my core surgery rotation I have done trauma and cardiothoracic surgery – have helped me to understand the tremendous opportunities and diversity of the field. I have heard some residents lament that the only reason they went into surgery is to operate. However, I really enjoy seeing patients postoperatively. It is only at that time that a surgeon can really appreciate the impact of his or her work.

Finally, my trip to Honduras with a surgical team from my hospital and medical school made me realize that I can make a great contribution globally in the field of surgery. There we saw patients who had no resources or access to care. The facilities in which we worked were bare-bones. Yet the impact we made was tremendous, given that this was a group of people who otherwise would have no surgical care. In this way, I hope to combine my interests in travel and surgery as a resident, if I have time, and certainly as a practicing physician. My ultimate goal is to use my training to help populations globally and domestically.

To gain the most clinical exposure possible, I hope to train in a busy urban hospital. I believe that such a setting will give me the operative experience I need to be able to navigate many situations in the future. Such a setting will also give me the outpatient experience to understand how to manage patients once the surgery is completed.

I look forward to the day when I can be snapping my camera intraoperatively, documenting what I am doing and seeking to help other surgeons. For some, such pictures may not represent the art of those pictures I take in the wilderness, but for me they reflect the beauty of surgery and the great opportunity to make a lasting impression on another human being’s life.

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.

Getting into a residency has never been more competitive. Let the experts at MedEdits help you with your ERAS personal statement. We’ve worked with more than 5,000 students and 94% have been matched to one of their top-choice programs.

Sample Residency Personal Statements

Residency Related Articles and Guidance

• Residency Match Statistics
• Residency Personal Statement
• How to write a residency interview thank you letter.
• What Outfit To Wear To Your Residency Interview
• Medical Residency Timeline & Length
• Medical Residency Salary By Specialty
• How To Master MyERAS, The Medical Residency Interview, and Common Residency Interview Questions
• Master the ERAS (Electronic Residency Application Service) & ERAS Timeline
• Residency Letters Of Recommendation (with ERAS Samples)
• Residency Letter of Intent
• How to Write a Residency Letter of Intent
• Residency Love Letters
• Residency Match Success: Lessons Learned

Residency Specialty Articles

• Family Medicine Residency Match: Beat more than 4400 Applications
• Pediatrics Residency Match: Beat more than 3000 Applicaitons
• Internal Medicine Residency Match: Beat more than 10,000 Applications
• General Surgery Residency Match: BEAT more than 1900 Applications
• Emergency Medicine Residency Match: BEAT more than 2600 Applications
• Anesthesiology Residency Match: BEAT more than 2,000 Applicants

• Website Disclaimer
• Terms and Conditions
• MedEdits Privacy Policy

Radiology Personal Statement Mythbusters- Five Common Misconceptions About Radiologists

Since I started work on my radiology program’s admissions committee in 2009, every year, I notice a significant disconnect between the medical student impression of what radiologists do and the actual day to day work of the radiologist. The radiology personal statement  is a shining example of this truth. In this post, I will debunk many of the myths espoused in the personal statement about what we do daily (Just like the real  Mythbusters – this is going to be fun!!!). Let us begin…

Where’s Waldo?

Out of the thousands of personal statements I have reviewed, many use the  Where’s Waldo  analogy in one form or another. If I see another personal essay with a resemblance to Where’s Waldo?, I will scream very loudly!!! All kidding aside (I’m not kidding!): The Where’s Waldo analogy is one part of the radiology job that is not understood by many applicants.

So, what is it that a radiologist does? First and foremost- we read films and lots of them. Film reading heavily leans upon pattern recognition. And that is what we do. We use search patterns and compare our visual databank to the thousands upon thousands of images, we have already seen.

How does that differ from Where’s Waldo? In Where’s Waldo, the scenes typically change on each page, and you are expecting to find the same Waldo character in a sea of miscellaneous extraneous information. For the radiologist, the scene is usually the same, whether it is a chest x-ray or a CT scan or even a Brain MRI. And, the findings can vary widely in any given film. You may find a pneumothorax or a herniated bowel loop or an infarct. However, you are not looking for one specific thing. You are looking for everything. This general search for everything is very different from finding one Waldo, who is always going to have the same appearance. The analogy does not hold very well!

The One Fascinating Case

A personal statement will often talk about one fascinating case and how that led the applicant to the decision of  choosing radiology as a career  (I am sick of this conclusion!). Why does this point demonstrate so little insight into the day to day practice of radiology? Sure, every once in a while, something is fascinating- perhaps it is a bezoar or a sporadic tumor. And, sure, it is excellent to perseverate on that case. But in reality, although exciting, these cases take up less than .01 percent of the radiologist’s work. You have to expect to pick up thousands of normals, normal variants, and common findings before picking up one of these rare zebras. When I hear that an applicant is choosing radiology for the one fascinating case, it does not show a good understanding of our day to day work!

The Family Member Saved By A Radiology Finding

Sure, every once in a while, the radiologist is the hero. We discover an occult aneurysm, unexpected appendicitis, or early breast cancer. Maybe the radiologist has picked something up in your relative to save the day and has been credited. But in reality, how often does that occur? Not that often! In reality, it is pretty darn unusual. If you want to save lives daily and get the credit, go into trauma surgery!!!

In general, radiologists have to be pretty humble because rarely are we showcased as an example of the medical profession for all to see. Usually, the doctors on display are the surgeons, internists, ob/gynecologists, or almost every other medical specialty. Don’t go into radiology to expect the glory of saving patients. We are usually behind the scenes!!!

The Diagnostic Dilemma

Many personal statements will describe when a radiologist went through a case and came up with an incredible on-target well thought out differential diagnosis. And, the applicant will point out that they want to go into radiology to make incredible interpretations. In reality, I also love a well thought out differential diagnosis in a compelling case. Unfortunately, most studies are not in the category of the intriguing differential diagnosis. Final interpretations are usually mundane and limited. Don’t expect to go into radiology to become the next House, MD, every hour of every day!

The Isolated Radiologist

What is the last thing that we want to hear as radiologists? That we spend an excessive amount of time in an isolated dark room, not speaking to others for hours. Yet, many personal statements assume that we rarely come in contact with others and only plug away at the films. Although there are probably a few radiologists out there like that, it is usually the opposite. I can’t tell you how many days, there is a constant bombardment with technologist questions, physician consults, nursing issues, and more. Please get your facts straight before putting it in writing a personal statement!!!

Busting Myths And The Final Truth About The Personal Statement

The good news: After all these false assumptions in many of these  personal statements  and the thousands of personal essays that have come across my desk, very rarely does one spur me to change a radiology residency applicant’s disposition on the final rank list. I usually give these personal statements a pass because I understand it isn’t easy to comprehend what a radiologist does without stepping in our shoes.

On the other hand, if I had to give you one piece of advice as one of the leading players in the application process at our institution, make sure you are not one of the chosen few who write a personal statement that influences our final decision. These are the personal statement s  with bizarre and sometimes scary thought processes and conclusions. The outcome of these weird personal statements is not usually positive! (meaning DO NOT RANK) So, stay away from the impulse to write something too unusual/different. We typically use the personal statement to weed out potentially psychotic behavior, not as a tool to make the final rank list.

So, as long as you don’t write something overly bizarre, I wouldn’t worry about this part of the application too much. Just make sure to avoid the basic grammatical and spelling errors. And, most importantly, don’t try to rock the boat!!!

About Barry Julius

My name is Barry Julius, MD and I am the founder and chief editor of the website. I have been practicing as the associate radiology residency director at Saint Barnabas Medical Center since 2009. Through many years of on-the-job training, I have gained significant insight regarding all things radiology resident related. Over this time, I have noticed a significant lack of organized online resources for many common radiology residency issues unrelated to the typical medical education and scientific side of radiology. Therefore, I have created a credible, reliable, and informative site that is dedicated to radiology residents, students, program directors, and physicians interested in other radiology residency topics. The emphasis is on day-to-day residency information that is not covered on most educational sites. Topics will include surviving a radiology residency, radiology residency learning materials/books, financial tips, jobs, among other subjects that residents and other visitors may be afraid to ask or unable to find out.

You also might be interested in

Research Fellow Advice For Applying To Radiology

Research Fellow Question: Dear Dr. Julius, I have recently discovered[...]

How Important Is My Radiology Interview Really?

Picture this: It’s more than halfway through radiology interview season. And you’ve already[...]

The Fellowship Personal Statement- What’s The Deal?

After the popularity of my initial article called How To[...]

Kindle Version

Paperback version.

Latest Posts

• Perception Of The General Public Of Radiologists Versus Reality
• What Character Traits Make A Great Lead Radiology Technologist?
• Good Radiologists Are Like Car Salespeople- Make Them An Offer They Can’t Refuse!
• How Much Detailed Description Belongs In Your Report As A Resident?
• What To Do With A Large Windfall During Residency

Subscribe To Our Newsletter And Get A Free Copy Of The New Attending Physician Guidebook!

Join our mailing list for free to receive weekly articles and advice on how to succeed in radiology residency, the best ways to apply, how to have a successful radiology career, and more. Also, get a copy of the free ebook Called The New Attending Physician Guidebook: How To Search For The Right Job And What To Do Once You Start. 

You have Successfully Subscribed!

• Applicant Advice
• Ask The Residency Director
• Foreign Resident Issues
• Medical School Issues
• Miscellaneous
• Resident Advice
• Resident Career
• Resident Exercise
• Resident financial
• Resident Surveys
• Resident Work Issues
• Sponsored Posts
• Uncategorized

© 2024 — radsresident.com. All rights reserved.

Blog Categories

Type and press Enter to search

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Join our mailing list for free to receive weekly articles and advice on how to succeed in radiology residency, the best ways to apply, how to have a successful radiology career, and more. Also, get a copy of the free ebook Called The New Attending Physician Guidebook: How To Search For The Right Job And What To Do Once You Start.

Pin It on Pinterest

Postgraduate Personal Statement Example: Radiology

Reading examples of personal statements can be valuable when applying to a university or to achieve a professional promotion.

This is because personal statement examples can teach you how to write and structure your application, and you can quickly learn how to write a personal statement by examining others.

But with so many university personal statement examples available, how do you know if you’re reading a good one?

Postgraduate personal statements should highlight relevant academic and practical experience, research skills and ambitions and their suitability for the course. This postgraduate personal statement example for Radiology clearly illustrates these three critical elements.

Studying master’s degree personal statement examples can be especially valuable. They’re sometimes referred to as personal mission statements or statements of purpose , so if you’re tasked with writing a personal mission statement, the following example will work for you.

I’ve broken down this personal statement example section by section, with a commentary on each element. 

That way, you’ll see its strengths and weaknesses and get some inspiration for your own personal statement .

Once you’ve read the personal statement example and analysis, you’ll be able to download a pdf of the whole document, to use as inspiration for your own!

Personal Statement Example: Introduction

“Diagnostic imaging is the mainstay of modern medicine, and its role is becoming more prominent every day and with each technological advance. Searching for a specialism that would satisfy my desire to work in a challenging and fulfilling field, I was drawn to diagnostic radiology. Not only does this specialism give me the personal and professional scope to influence some of those technological advances, but it also offers the tools and techniques to avoid the devastating consequences of hidden diagnostic dilemmas by providing the potential for accurate radiologic diagnosis.”

My Commentary and Analysis 

This personal statement example is clearly written for use within a professional medical context. It begins convincingly with an informed statement that leads the writer to outline their motivation and interest in the field of radiology.

Using appropriate terminology and relevant vocabulary, the writer indicates a sound awareness of the challenges and benefits of this field and offers a personal opinion on the value of the course they are applying for.

It is an informed and professional introduction, although lacking a little personality. In many respects, it consists of a series of accurate but general statements rather than giving an insight into the person behind the words. However, it instils confidence and illustrates professional suitability quite successfully.

If you’re struggling with your personal statement introduction, check out my article on how to write perfect opening paragraphs here .

Personal Statement Example: Subject Background

“The art of accurate diagnosis and its positive impact on patient’s lives is exemplified by the case of a 79-year-old admitted when I was an intern. We had limited success in establishing a diagnosis by applying appropriate algorithms. Still, the accurate radiological diagnosis of portal vein thrombosis changed our understanding and broadened the treatment options, resulting in a positive outcome that we may not have otherwise achieved. In another example, detecting a tiny brain arteriovenous malformation in a young adult with long-term refractory epilepsy, combined with subsequent neurosurgical intervention, led to the life-long abortion of seizures. Subsequently, I have developed a scholarly interest in the importance of diagnostic imaging within the field of neuroradiology.”

My Commentary and Analysis

This personal statement example develops well and offers personal examples of observations of the value of the field of study the writer is pursuing. Again, evidence of comprehensive professional knowledge is convincing, and the way the writer’s experiences have combined to give them a motivated insight into radiology are clearly outlined.

Again, this is a paragraph which is factually impressive but doesn’t really tell us what the writer did or learned in these situations. Their writing imparts knowledge but no skills, value or personality. That might not be as critical here as for other subjects, but you should always strive to communicate the personal value of an experience rather than simply describe it.

If you’d like to learn more about how to structure your personal statement or statement of purpose , check out my awesome Personal Statement Template eBook here . It’s full of detailed examples of what to include!

Personal Statement Example: Practical Experience 1

“I selected radiology because it is an intellectually challenging discipline. To reconstruct pictures into possible diagnoses, a radiologist must combine comprehensive clinical knowledge across the anatomy of organ systems with an individual patient’s history and findings. Furthermore, diagnostic imaging is about confidence. As radiologists, we are obliged to localise abnormality and anatomically anomalous areas, provide differential diagnoses, detect normal variations and safely use potentially lethal radiation. Over the four years of the residency program, my top priorities were hard work, diligence and follow-up of patients. Serving as the Chief Resident during my last year of residency thoroughly prepared me for my independent practice as a radiologist. The interdisciplinary work with other specialities, such as surgeons, internists, paediatrics and neurologists, has revealed to me the true nature of teamwork.”

Commentary and Analysis

The first section of this paragraph shows that the writer has a good understanding of the discipline and implies that they have the skills needed to succeed.

The second part is more valuable. The writer outlines the skills and experiences they have gained in a relevant professional role and considers how these add to their suitability for the course. 

Check out lots more examples of personal statements here , and see how they can inspire your application!

Personal Statement Example: Practical Experience 2

“Working in rural and urban areas for over five years offered me many valuable experiences and helped me maintain the necessary skills and qualifications required of a professional radiologist. These experiences have also assisted me in amplifying my ability to think visually, pay informed attention to details and, most importantly, interpret relevant facts from the spectrum of available information and communicate them in a timely and effective manner, both verbally and in writing.

The brain is the most complex among the body systems, and as a result of my practice, I have developed an interest in brain localisation. Working with technologically advanced equipment, such as MRI machines, I have learned to analyse and interpret data, work efficiently, and apply software appropriately to solve practical problems. Since my move to the US in 2020, I have complimented my radiology practice by working as a research fellow. In this role, I have involved myself in several research opportunities and, working with my supervisor, have contributed to numerous case conferences, familiarising myself with various abnormal neuroradiology cases.”

My Commentary and Analysis: 

The first paragraph above outlines further experience and suggests that the writer has gained the skills necessary for this course. However, there is very little detailed discussion of what these skills might be, how they were obtained or why they might be of value.

It’s quite a presumptive passage – the writer assumes that the impressive nature of their achievements will imply suitability and skills without really explaining what they are. This may be the case, but it is far more effective to outline the skills learned, their value and how they will be applicable to specific aspects of the course you are applying for. That way, a reader will be able to see the connection explicitly.

The second paragraph is far more effective, as it outlines experiences and the skills developed as a result. It shows depth of knowledge and commitment to the subject, and again uses a range of professional vocabulary to convince the reader.  Like before, I would like to see clearer links made between these experiences and the ways in which they will support the writer in meeting the challenges of this qualification.

The one thing that all successful personal statements have in common is that they are concise, engaging and accurate in spelling, punctuation and grammar. Consequently, I always recommend Grammarly to my students and clients. 

It’s an outstanding tool for ensuring your personal statement is rich with detail whilst hitting those all-important word limits. Check out the free version of Grammarly here , or hit the banner for more information.

Personal Statement Example: Conclusion

“Radiology challenges me to excel when applying a wide range of well-developed skills, to engage my expertise and attention and to develop my personal qualities to a high level. I am now seeking a position in the neuroradiology fellowship program that will allow me to build upon this foundation of knowledge and practice, excel whilst developing my skills and continue providing outstanding patient care.

I am a dedicated, motivated and positive team member, and I look forward to adding value to your program and sharing my expertise in this revolutionary, essential and inspiring field.”

This conclusion is effective but limited in scope. The writer clearly has a sound understanding of the subject matter and justifies their reasons for applying in terms of the potential for professional development. However, there is little sense of detail related to the specifics of the course they are applying to. 

Why this course? What are the opportunities? What are the outcomes, and why are they important to the writer? What research opportunities does the writer hope to undertake? Who do they want to work in the programe? What are their ambitions, and how will the course help them achieve these?

These are all important questions that should be addressed in the conclusion of a postgraduate personal statement example, as they show the admissions reader that you understand the structure, content and opportunities provided by the course. This is important to evidence, as by doing so, you reassure the reader of your commitment and dedication and illustrate clearly that the course fits into a larger academic or professional plan.

The writer indicates their desire to add value but doesn’t specify how. Again, this is vital in a conclusion. How will the writer add to the body of knowledge of the faculty? What strengths and value will they bring? How will their peers and teaching staff gain value from their contributions? 

In summary, this is a professional and well-written personal statement which evidences a great deal of knowledge. It is compelling in parts and shows a serious and experienced applicant. I don’t feel there’s enough development of personal value and learning, evidence of academic research or justification for the specific course being applied to.

For more great advice, check out my article on writing an excellent final personal statement paragraph here .

Click here or on the banner below to get your free download of this complete personal statement example . 

Whether you’re looking for personal mission statement examples or an example of personal purpose statement, I hope this personal statement example has been helpful. Above all, I wish you every success in your academic career. 

If you’d like to work with me to develop your personal statement 1:1 and write a powerful mission statement, I’d be delighted to hear from you. 

Find out about my personal statement support services by clicking here or on the image below.

Research and content verified by Personal Statement Planet .

David Hallen

I've worked in the Further Education and University Admissions sector for nearly 20 years as a teacher, department head, Head of Sixth Form, UCAS Admissions Advisor, UK Centre Lead and freelance personal statement advisor, editor and writer. And now I'm here for you...

Recent Posts

Postgraduate Personal Statement Example: Environmental Policy

Studying examples of personal statements can be a valuable strategy when applying to a university or college.  That’s because personal statement examples can teach you how to write and...

Postgraduate Personal Statement Example: Technology Entrepreneurship & Innovation

Examples of personal statements can be valuable to reference when applying to a university or college course.  That’s because personal statement examples can teach you how to write and...

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 or the product of artificial intelligence. 
• 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. Such use 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. 

Return to Top ↑

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. 

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. 
• Printer-friendly version

• Best Radiology Fellowships
• How to Write a Personal Statement
• All You Should Know About Writing a Winning Diagnostic Radiography Personal Statement

Category: Fellowship Programs

The personal statement for diagnostic radiography along with other application documents like the letters of recommendation, resume and other required documents are essential components of the application.  In order to put your best foot forward in the radiography program personal statement and other requirements, keep reading in the following.

Diagnostic Radiography Fellowship Program Application

To apply in the diagnostic radiology fellowship programs, you must complete the requirements, such as diagnostic radiography education requirements .   Generally, you need eligibility, so you should have completed a diagnostic training program by the starting date. You must also be holding a specialist certificate.

How to apply

• Submit the general requirements
• Reference letters
• Letter of intent or personal statement
• CV or resume

If you’re for third party sponsors, you should complete an online form.  At the very least, the application timeline for the diagnostic imaging and radiotherapy fellowship is 16-147 months before the start date.  You might also want to check the website of the subspecialty for the opening of the application.  Generally, an application won’t be accepted after the deadline.

Being a fellow, you will lean real life situations of people in your field have to deal with and the challenges you need to overcome. You will also increase your knowledge in the specialty and have more experience you’ll need once you become a diagnostic radiologist.

Interesting Career Facts

According to this source , employment was expected to increase faster than the average rate of 14 percent beginning 2014 to 2024. The main reason for it is the healthcare industry expansion.

And due to the need for diagnostic testing along with a growing number of people becoming more at risks of cancer also make job opportunities for such professionals. Working in the field, you can expect a high salary. In fact, professionals in the field earned $286,902 median salary in January 2016.

Diagnostic Radiology Fellowship Programs

• University of Washington (Seattle):    Many students who completed choose to specialize in areas like interventional radiology, nuclear medicine and mammography.
• University of California – San Francisco :   It is dedicated to help fellows learn what they need to become experts in the field.  Get diagnostic radiography personal statement help if you want to increase your chances of success.  The fellowship focuses on general radiology practice.
• Indiana University :   The school offers ACGME accredited nuclear medicine, neuroradiology, vascular, interventional, and pediatrics.
• Michigan State University :   This school offers 1-year MRI fellowship aside from radiology residencies
• University of California : It offers fellowships for radiology in addition to radiology residency.
• University of Colorado : Only 16 fellows and up to 10 residents are accepted annually.
• University of Iowa :  It offers 6 different fellowships and three residencies. This school has a dedicated radiology library.

Troubles in Writing Diagnostic Radiography Personal Statement

Some mistakes of students when writing their personal statement include the following.

• Not following re quirements on the diagnostic radiography personal statement words
• Not checking a diagnostic radiography personal statement example for ideas
• Not planning on what to include in the content
• Poor flow and structure
• Using vague words and verbose
• Telling not showing

What are the questions to address in the personal statement?

Just as what you can read in the diagnostic radiography personal statement example , you should address certain questions in writing the essay.

• What are your goals ( enhancing clinical experience , broaden knowledge in radiology)?
• Why should you be chosen?
• Why is the program perfect for you?
• What makes you unique?
• What are your motivations?
• And other specific questions from the school

How to Write a Killer Personal Statement

In order to write the perfect musculoskeletal radiology fellowship personal statement , you must make it certain it has a catchy introduction, well-glued paragraphs and strong conclusion.

• The first paragraph for the diagnostic radiography personal statement should have a hook that will draw in the readers’ attention immediately.
• You must state why you’re interested in radiology. Do not let your readers be hanging and guessing why you choose this field.
• Explain any issues or problems to address. It might be something that would prevent you from getting an interview.
• Expand your ERAS application to explain or emphasize something further.
• Show and do not tell. Use examples in your claims.
• Sum up what you can bring to the table when chosen.
• Spend time for editing and making the final revision. Check for the flow and structure. You must also check your essay follows the instructions in MSK radiology fellowships .

Importance Of A Well-Written Interventional Radiology Fellowship Personal Statement

Remember that one of the best ways on how to apply for diagnostic radiography is to ensure that you will write the perfect interventional radiology fellowship personal statement , which can be your golden ticket to the radiology program of your dream.   

Learning how to write a personal statement for diagnostic radiography , you will improve your chances of being invited for an interview and proceed to the next steps of the application process.

However, it may be easier said than done to complete a well-written personal statement especially if it is your first time to come up and submit a great fellowship application essay.  It can also be challenging and overwhelming to have a specific angle to discuss or choose a story to tell.

But if you’re feeling overwhelmed to come up with a great radiography program personal statement ,  you can seek help from the experts who know how to write an excellent fellowship personal statement that captures attention and that is memorable for the committee.

Write the best diagnostic radiography personal statement today!

Subscribe To RSS

Previous Post

• 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

Cookies are used on this website to improve your user experience

• Applying to Uni
• Apprenticeships
• Health & Relationships
• Money & Finance

Personal Statements

• Postgraduate
• U.S Universities

University Interviews

• Vocational Qualifications
• Accommodation
• ​​​​​​​Budgeting, Money & Finance
• ​​​​​​​Health & Relationships
• ​​​​​​​Jobs & Careers
• ​​​​​​​Socialising

Studying Abroad

• ​​​​​​​Studying & Revision
• ​​​​​​​Technology
• ​​​​​​​University & College Admissions

Guide to GCSE Results Day

Finding a job after school or college

Retaking GCSEs

In this section

Choosing GCSE Subjects

Post-GCSE Options

GCSE Work Experience

GCSE Revision Tips

Why take an Apprenticeship?

Applying for an Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships Interviews

Apprenticeship Wage

Engineering Apprenticeships

What is an Apprenticeship?

Choosing an Apprenticeship

Real Life Apprentices

Degree Apprenticeships

Higher Apprenticeships

A Level Results Day 2024

AS Levels 2024

Clearing Guide 2024

Applying to University

SQA Results Day Guide 2024

BTEC Results Day Guide

Vocational Qualifications Guide

Sixth Form or College

International Baccalaureate

Post 18 options

Finding a Job

Should I take a Gap Year?

Travel Planning

Volunteering

Gap Year Guide

Gap Year Blogs

Applying to Oxbridge

Applying to US Universities

Choosing a Degree

Choosing a University or College

Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

Guide to Freshers' Week

Student Guides

Student Cooking

Student Blogs

• Top Rated Personal Statements

Personal Statement Examples

Writing Your Personal Statement

• Postgraduate Personal Statements
• International Student Personal Statements
• Gap Year Personal Statements

Personal Statement Length Checker

Personal Statement Examples By University

Personal Statement Changes 2025

Personal Statement Template

Job Interviews

Types of Postgraduate Course

Writing a Postgraduate Personal Statement

Postgraduate Funding

Postgraduate Study

Internships

Choosing A College

Ivy League Universities

Common App Essay Examples

Universal College Application Guide

How To Write A College Admissions Essay

College Rankings

Admissions Tests

Fees & Funding

Scholarships

Budgeting For College

Online Degree

Platinum Express Editing and Review Service

Gold Editing and Review Service

Silver Express Editing and Review Service

UCAS Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

Oxbridge Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

Postgraduate Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

You are here

• Mature Student Personal Statements
• Personal Statements By University
• Accountancy and Finance Personal Statements
• Actuarial Science Personal Statements
• American Studies Personal Statements
• Anthropology Personal Statements
• Archaeology Personal Statements
• Architecture Personal Statements
• Art and Design Personal Statements
• Biochemistry Personal Statements
• Bioengineering Personal Statements
• Biology Personal Statements
• Biomedical Science Personal Statements
• Biotechnology Personal Statements
• Business Management Personal Statement Examples
• Business Personal Statements
• Catering and Food Personal Statements
• Chemistry Personal Statements
• Classics Personal Statements
• Computer Science Personal Statements
• Computing and IT Personal Statements
• Criminology Personal Statements
• Dance Personal Statements
• Dentistry Personal Statements
• Design Personal Statements
• Dietetics Personal Statements
• Drama Personal Statements
• Economics Personal Statement Examples
• Education Personal Statements
• Engineering Personal Statement Examples
• English Personal Statements
• Environment Personal Statements
• Environmental Science Personal Statements
• Event Management Personal Statements
• Fashion Personal Statements
• Film Personal Statements
• Finance Personal Statements
• Forensic Science Personal Statements
• Geography Personal Statements
• Geology Personal Statements
• Health Sciences Personal Statements
• History Personal Statements
• History of Art Personal Statements
• Hotel Management Personal Statements
• International Relations Personal Statements
• International Studies Personal Statements
• Islamic Studies Personal Statements
• Japanese Studies Personal Statements
• Journalism Personal Statements
• Land Economy Personal Statements
• Languages Personal Statements
• Law Personal Statement Examples
• Linguistics Personal Statements
• Management Personal Statements
• Marketing Personal Statements
• Mathematics Personal Statements
• Media Personal Statements
• Medicine Personal Statement Examples
• Midwifery Personal Statements
• Music Personal Statements
• Music Technology Personal Statements
• Natural Sciences Personal Statements
• Neuroscience Personal Statements
• Nursing Personal Statements
• Occupational Therapy Personal Statements
• Osteopathy Personal Statements
• Oxbridge Personal Statements
• Pharmacy Personal Statements
• Philosophy Personal Statements
• Photography Personal Statements
• Physics Personal Statements
• Physiology Personal Statements
• Physiotherapy Personal Statements
• Politics Personal Statements
• Psychology Personal Statement Examples
• Radiography Personal Statements
• Religious Studies Personal Statements
• Social Work Personal Statements
• Sociology Personal Statements
• Sports & Leisure Personal Statements
• Sports Science Personal Statements
• Surveying Personal Statements
• Teacher Training Personal Statements
• Theology Personal Statements
• Travel and Tourism Personal Statements
• Urban Planning Personal Statements
• Veterinary Science Personal Statements
• Zoology Personal Statements
• Personal Statement Editing Service
• Personal Statement Writing Guide
• Submit Your Personal Statement
• Personal Statement Questions 2025
• Personal Statement Changes 2024

Radiography Personal Statement Examples

Related resources

How to become a radiographer.

Find out more

Allied Health Professional Careers

Category: Radiology

Radiology Residency Personal Statement Examples

 by · Published

Sample Radiology Residency Personal Statement #2

Throughout my years in medical school, I have noticed some interesting parallels between chess, my childhood passion, and the practice of medicine. Chess is beautifully artistic, yet remarkably precise in its strategic demands. This...

Radiololgy Residency Personal Statement

• * Residency Personal Statement Help
• * Residency Personal Statement Tips
• Anesthesiology
• Dermatology
• Family Medicine
• Internal Medicine
• Neurosurgery
• Ophthalmology
• Orthopedics
• Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation PMR

MdpersonalStatements.com may earn a commission on Amazon.com purchases made thru our site.

From Pre-Med to Med School to Residency

IMG Radiology Residency Personal Statement Examples for Match

The Medfools IMG Radiology Sample Residency Personal Statement Library is now open!

These sample IMG radiology residency personal statement examples 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  contribute yours .

AN EXAMPLE FROM A “NON-Traditional” MEDICAL STUDENT studying @ an International School IMG Personal Statement “If you plan on becoming anything less than you are capable of being, you will probably be unhappy all the days of your life.” – Abraham Maslow

Growing up in Anytown, USA I seemed to be on the path to success. I was in all Honors classes, I was near the top of my class, and I was representing my school on both the tennis and basketball teams. However, I now realize that I was actually accomplishing all of this without too much conscious effort on my part. In large part, I have my parents to thank for their powerful influence, raising me in a household where academic excellence and the pursuit of knowledge were always paramount. Although I achieved great academic success, I realize in retrospect that I had not at that stage learned the true meaning of hard work, of setting and achieving goals. I had not yet been truly challenged, and only by being challenged could I grow.

In late high school and early undergrad, the level of difficulty of the coursework increased dramatically. That coupled with the transition of my leaving home for the first time and being completely independent, I found myself for the first time in my life performing less than stellar. That is when I decided that I needed a change. I needed a new environment, I needed new challenges, and I needed to find myself and define my own ambitions. I came to know of an established, reputed medical school in Europe that consisted of 6 years of curriculum, both pre-med and general medicine combined. I truly felt that a change of this magnitude was exactly what I needed, and I decided to go off the beaten path. A few months later, I was halfway across the world, anxious but eager to explore the opportunities made available by my decision.

In retrospect, I can say with confidence that choosing to study medicine in EuropeTown at that point in my life was a wise decision. In my four years there, I found myself, I found my fiancée, and I resurrected my dreams of becoming a physician. The science and medical curriculum for the International students was exactly what I needed to inspire me to work harder than I ever had before. It was very challenging indeed, but for the first time in my life, I was facing this challenge head on, with the tenacity and vigor that I had been seeking all along.

During my 4th year there, we started our semester long Radiology course… and I was hooked. The detailed images revealing secrets undetectable otherwise, the awesome technology involved, the behind-the-scenes work of the “doctor’s doctor” were just a few of the qualities that appealed to me in ways that no other specialty ever had before. I consider myself a very intellectual person, and I truly enjoy the “thinking” side of medicine. That coupled with my long time fascination of the intricacies of human anatomy makes the field of Radiology the only specialty that I can imagine myself practicing. I found myself experiencing a second catharsis, and I decided then and there that I would become a Radiologist, and I have not looked back since. 

Realizing then that Radiology is a very competitive field that accepts only the most highly qualified candidates, I decided that I would do all that I could to return to the United States to complete my clinical training at U.S. teaching hospitals. Although a number of U.S. Allopathic medical schools that I contacted expressed interest in me, I had unfortunately missed the deadlines for that academic year. Thus, I chose to transfer with advanced standing to University, a Caribbean medical school that allowed me to begin my clinical training right away. I’m just completing my 3rd year Core rotationsas I write this, and I must say that my decision to return to the U.S was a prudent one. The slope of my learning curve is close to vertical here, and my focus remains on a Radiology residency with the intensity of a laser beam.

Although my journey has been somewhat unconventional and an uphill climb, I am thankful for it, as it has made me the man I am today. My decision to go abroad for medical school is what allowed my inner qualities of relentless drive, inexorable dedication, and unyielding discipline to manifest. I realize now that this is the only way to live… to constantly strive to be the best you possibly can be at everything you do. If given the opportunity, that is exactly what I will do during my Radiology residency. I will do my absolute, very best, and those who were kind enough to believe in me and give me that opportunity will not be disappointed.

Post Author: fool

Related Posts

Residency Match Personal Statement Makeover Rewrite Anesthesiology Part 1

RESIDENCY PERSONAL STATEMENT SAMPLE HELPCODE BLUE! We take a residency personal statement from pulseless and cold to normal sinus...

Residency Match Personal Statement Makeover Rewrite Radiology Part 1

Residency match personal statement makeover rewrite emergency medicine part 1, residency match personal statement makeover rewrite dermatology part 1, residency match personal statement makeover rewrite – general surgery part 1.

Pathology Residency Personal Statement Examples

Reading over pathology personal statement examples can be of utmost help in composing your own personal statement. You cannot allow the blank page to conquer you, but when you find yourself unable to proceed, taking a look at what others have written will be your greatest boon.

How to prepare for residency applications will necessarily include writing the perfect personal statement to send out to programs. Even if you are in one of the medical schools with the best match rates , you will still benefit from standing out in every way, including your personal statement.

Even if you already know everything about writing style, tone, and structure, even if you have all of your past accomplishments on hand, it can still be a daunting task to write out a personal statement. It’s a great comfort reading example statements, which is why we present them here for your edification.

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free strategy call here . <<

Article Contents 10 min read

Pathology personal statement example #1.

I have to assume that most people don’t find their true calling while being covered in blood and surrounded by sundered body parts and organs. But there I was in the pathology lab, after a particularly grueling session, with a smile under my mask, and an understanding that this was where I wanted to be. 

Any lab was home to me, ever since I was little my parents gave me a “kid’s science kit”. They are both scientists themselves, and are the ones who spurred my natural curiosity about the world.

When I was a little boy I would ask questions about why moths are attracted to light or what makes a bat come out in darkness. They would rarely give the answer. They would start me on my journey of discovery, and I would move forward to learn. I learned how to set up very rudimentary experiments from them, and I did so often, learning about the natural world.

This paid off when I was enrolled in the gifted program. I was taking high school courses in junior high, and would continue to excel academically.

Unfortunately, I must stress that word, “academically”. I found that a lot of my friends didn’t really like me in the advanced program, and as much fun as I had there, I was – I admit – becoming insufferable. My friends let me know this, and we got into a lot of fights.

After a while, I started to flub my grades in an attempt to just “Be normal”.

My life didn’t get back on track until one evening when I heard that one of my friends – Dale – was in a car accident and was on life support. In his hospital room, I remember thinking how small he looked.

I felt guilty for not being a better friend to Dale, and so I started volunteering at the hospital, hoping to help him as best I could. I found I loved that, too, and had an aptitude for much of the work that was being offered me at the facility.

“Five letter word. Neckwear for a highlander.” Ascot. A Scot. That was the first cryptic crossword clue that I ever solved, and I was happier for that small victory than if I’d run a marathon.

I am a puzzle-solver. Crossword puzzles are my favorite ones to crank out, and I cannot consume enough of them. Much of my spare time is devoted to puzzle-solving, and when it came time to choose a path in life and a vocation, I wanted to solve puzzles. “Puzzle solver” isn’t on any of the forms, though, and so I was stumped as to this puzzle: what should I do with my life?

To make some money for university tuition I was a lifeguard. I remember being mostly bored, often doing a crossword puzzle nestled beside me in the lifeguard seat. Fourteen-down, seven letters… Then a splash moved my eyes from the page. It was a “wrong” splash. I can’t explain it, but it wasn’t like the others. Maybe it was the commotion around the splash, but I knew it was wrong.

If it sounded wrong, boy did it look wrong. Red was in the water, floating like crimson mist, and I dove into the pool. Forget the whistle, just dive. I lost track of time, I think, and remember only dragging the boy out of the pool, his head bleeding, his eyes closed, water seeping from his mouth, and my CPR and first aid training took over. I was counting and pumping and breathing, and finally – finally – after an agonizing time, I saw him cough and splutter and sit up. His mother had been shouting the whole time, but I hadn’t heard her; I was focused and in the zone.

I saw her bright embrace of the boy, and I knew I wanted to save lives.

Medical school came next, and there was always, lingering in the back of my mind, the sense that I had been beaten by that puzzle: how to be a puzzle-solver for a career. I was enjoying my classes, my labs, learning about aspects of medicine, shadowing physicians, but nothing was really solving that itch. I resigned myself to being a weekend puzzle-solver and a doctor by day.

Nine letter word; an aspect of medicine concerned with the study of tissues. PATHOLOGY.

I encountered a fellow puzzle-solver: a pathologist named Dr. Claire Barton, and she had me hooked from day one. I found a world I had never seen before in the study of pathology, and I started doing as much extra credit as I could.

Dr. Barton showed me how to use clues contained in tissues, how to investigate and discover, and how to handle the technical aspects of the ins and outs of her profession. I know this is what I want to do.

With my work and education under Dr. Barton, I shared my crosswords and Sudokus and murder mystery novels, and she and I found new insights in applying puzzle solving patterns to our lab work. Treating it almost like a game helped our minds relax and work faster.

Dr. Barton and I worked one case – in perinatal pathology – where we put in extra hours to find the root cause of a patient’s miscarriages. It turned out that she had a rare autoimmune condition which was affecting her pregnancies. Months later, Dr. Barton showed me a picture of a baby, and told me it was sent to us by our patient. I don’t think I’ve ever been happier in my life.

Someday, I hope to be a physician working to solve problems faster. I want to solve the problems of solving problems, and my ambition is to refine pathology methods into a superior state. My dream job would be to work in a laboratory and ferret out the best methods for identifying and disposing of illnesses. I would also like to write materials, text books, that combine my two loves to make pathology more accessible – teaching the discipline through a series of puzzles and games. That would be a tremendous project and undertaking.

The real goal, though, at the end of the day, is to always give out more of those bright-eyed hugs – the welcome-back embraces of that mother to her child. Puzzle solving is fun, but saving lives is the goal, and that’s what I want to do. Wherever I do it, however I do it, that’s the principle and purpose of my four-letter-word for existence.

They were panicking. They didn’t know where the campsite was and they had the compass calibrated all wrong. Even worse: they knew it wasn’t quite right, but nobody could remember how to fix it. I did, but I was waiting to see if they figured it out. It was funny because we weren’t really lost, had plenty of food, and I knew there was no real danger.

My first foray into guiding was as a boy scout, and I was in my teenage years leading some campers on their first-ever canoe trip.

Don’t worry, I only let them panic for about five minutes before giving them some pointers on how to calibrate their compass. That’s the thing, I don’t want people to just have answers handed to them. I had that happen to me; I had a grade school teacher who would just give us the answers, and that was never satisfying to me. I wanted to figure it out myself – just a few hints. So that’s how I taught: here’s how to calibrate the compass, hold the map like this, now figure it out. The best part? They did.

I had other teachers who challenged me the way I liked to challenge others. I think we learn best when we do that.

As much as I enjoy teaching students and guiding them, I never really wanted to purely be an educator. It’s a fine field, don’t get me wrong, but I felt like I wanted something different. Medicine seemed just right.

How did I arrive at medicine? Well, let me give you some pieces.

My mother was a nurse and used to complain about a lack of good doctors. She said they were few and far between.

I had gotten a few high grades, high enough that I started to think the sky was the limit when it came to educational opportunities.

I wanted a field where I could teach, guide, and help, but not where I would just be a teacher.

It’s obvious that I decided on medicine. What really clinched it for me, though – good as those reasons were – was when I went with my mother on career day into the hospital and watched her first-hand care for patients. I saw what she dealt with and the impact she made.

I’ve always been close to my mother, and she taught me well. She was the first to hint-teach, and maybe that’s why I prefer that method over all others.

She needed my help when she caught the coronavirus at work, too. She isolated, but I had to care for her and the household, and keep on top of my studies. I had already expressed an interest in pursuing medicine, and at the end of the fortnight of caring for her she asked, “So, you still want to be a doctor?”

Would you like to go over some medical school personal statement examples that got SIX acceptances? Check this video:

So I enrolled in medical college and started trying everything. Pediatrics wasn’t for me, although it was almost what I wanted. Pathology wasn’t even on my radar until I took a course and then as a research assistant for the instructor in the next semester. Teaching pathology students was special because a lot of them liked learning how I liked learning. A couple expressed an interest in piecing answers together rather than having them presented.

I had many excellent experiences working with pathologists, and I found I had an aptitude for it. I helped diagnose a bone condition in one patient, for instance, that let us solve a long problem he had. He had a history of fractures, and since the patient was in his 60s, his doctor had thought that this was just age. Still, he wanted samples tested in the pathology lab, and we discovered that the patient had a medical condition which affected his bones – outside of just age. That patient is now receiving treatment that will help combat his fractured condition.

Preparing your residency applications is not easy. We can help! ","buttonText":"Free Strategy Call","buttonColor":"#ffffff","bannerUnderText":null,"trustpilot":false}" :url=""https:\/\/bemoacademicconsulting.com\/contact-schedule-free-strategy-call"" code="banner3" background-color="#000066" button-color="#ffffff" banner-image>

I loved working with that team so very much, and I knew this was the specialization for me. I want to work as a physician and a teacher, even if only a class or two at a local medical college or high school, but that is my main goal and what I hope to accomplish. Someday I would like to create educational programs that more closely operate within my ideal educational methods, but that’s the far future. The next step is to study further and find more students who love the question and the answer as much as I do.

Between 700 and 800 words, or about a page.

Not with a letter grade, no, but they will absolutely affect your chances of acceptance.

It’s the best way that the applications committee can get to know you. These statements move beyond residency CVs , MSPEs , transcripts, and USMLE and MCCQE , and let the committee know the kind of person you are, the values you have, and the growth you have experienced.

Yes, if you can show your growth and strength of character in overcoming obstacles and learning from past mistakes. You can’t just say that you’ve failed a class or have a problem with procrastination. Instead, you need to explain why failing a class once made you a stronger student and why you’ll never procrastinate again. Use specific examples.

It means that you can’t just list off your accomplishments or abilities, you have to make the reader understand them.

It’s the difference between saying, “I never give up and fight for the underdog,” and telling a story of how you championed a weaker person, faced adversity head-on, got “knocked down”, but never quit, and kept trying.

The story will communicate those qualities (perseverance and helping out people weaker than yourself) without ever needing to say them directly.

That’s how to show instead of tell.

Residency applications are looking for one page, keep it to one page.

Keep in mind that these readers are going through a stack of applications, so you don’t want to bog them down by being overly verbose. Better to say something quickly and effectively than simply with a lot of empty ink.

By the time you’ve hit residency application, odds are very good that you’ll have a stack of experiences as long as your leg – or longer. The trick can be figuring out which to use.

Pick your two or three best qualities and stories that illustrate those. You will also want to pick qualities and stories that highlight your appropriateness for the discipline to which you are applying. Specializing in pathology means you pick stories that highlight how good a pathologist you’ll be.

Never lie, never brag, and never be unprofessional – including putting anybody down.

Your statement should never have any poor spelling or grammar.

Want more free tips subscribe to our channels for more free and useful content.

Apple Podcasts

Like our blog? Write for us ! >>

Have a question ask our admissions experts below and we'll answer your questions, get started now.

Talk to one of our admissions experts

Our site uses cookies. By using our website, you agree with our cookie policy .

FREE Training Webinar: 

How to make your residency application stand out, (and avoid the top 5 reasons most applicants don't match their top choice program).