personal statement about cancer

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• Oncology Personal Statement Examples

Oncology is a taught medical discipline. Becoming a doctor or nurse with an Oncology specialisation requires further studies in the UK. If you plan to apply to university you will need to submit your Oncology personal statement . 

A personal statement in oncology is required by admission tutors since they will you this type of essay to evaluate your application. 

Writing a good personal statement is not an easy task. So, we are presenting two Oncology personal statement examples from successful applicants . You can use it as a guide when writing your application. 

Oncology personal statement

I have been driven by a desire to help others and make a positive impact through medicine. This passion led me to pursue anaesthesiology , allowing me to support patients through surgery and relieve their suffering . My decade of experience has equipped me with a diverse skill set across specialities including thoracic and upper GI procedures. However, a defining moment reshaped my career aspirations – losing my mother to cancer in her 30s. Witnessing her battle sparked my interest in oncology and deepened my determination to fight this devastating disease.

As an anaesthesiologist, I gained significant exposure to cancer patients and participated in their care plans. My haematology and oncology electives at Saint Vincent Hospital and the University of Massachusetts Medical School during residency training further reinforced my desire to specialise in this field. I was inspired by the opportunity to directly care for patients, appreciating how invested I was in improving their prognosis. I worked with a range of cancers and management approaches from curative and palliative treatment to symptom control and surveillance. Throughout, I was fortunate to collaborate with dedicated oncologists who fuelled my passion.

Expanding my research at St. Elsewhere allowed me to work closely with clinicians across cancer treatment. Participating in Heme/Onc, BMT and Gyn-Onc teams underscored the importance of a multidisciplinary approach. I particularly valued my time with pain management and hospice organisations. Caring for paediatric and adult patients at the end of life developed my respect for palliative care and my ability to discuss sensitive topics with compassion.

My goal is to build the academic and clinical skills to advance cancer care through research and practice. With my background, I am confident I can contribute to this field. Most of all, I want to make a difference for patients and families by improving treatment and quality of life. I am inspired to follow the example of the remarkable people I have worked with – from patients facing diagnosis with courage to specialists committed to progress.

This programme offers an ideal opportunity to fulfil my aspirations through excellent oncology training, research and mentoring. I am drawn to the department’s values of compassion, innovation and leadership. By combining my existing expertise with new specialised knowledge, I will be well-equipped to pursue my aim of tackling cancer. Your approach aligns perfectly with my vision to deliver patient-centred care, advance treatments and expand support services. I am excited by the prospect of learning from expert clinicians while collaborating with peers to drive change. If selected for your prestigious programme, I am confident my experience, dedication and determination will enable me to become a leader in oncology and make a meaningful impact.

Oncology personal statement example

My fascination with the intricate workings of the human body. This interest grew as I studied biology and chemistry at school, learning about the molecular basis of life. However, it was a close family member’s cancer diagnosis that inspired me to pursue a career in oncology . Witnessing their brave struggle and all they endured during treatment opened my eyes to the vital role oncologists play in easing suffering and saving lives. Though difficult at times, I found comfort in supporting them through their treatment journey and saw first-hand the impact an empathetic, skilled oncologist can have. This experience fuelled my passion for oncology and strengthened my determination to be part of this challenging yet rewarding field.

At university, I have sought every opportunity to expand my oncology knowledge . During my medical sciences module , I completed an in-depth study into targeted cancer therapies , gaining insight into the extensive research underpinning modern treatments. I also attended guest lectures by oncologists, learning about diverse specialities and the latest innovations in the field. A particular highlight was shadowing in an oncology ward, where I observed patient consultations and multidisciplinary team meetings. This consolidated my understanding of the varied responsibilities of an oncologist, from diagnosis and treatment planning to patient communication and holistic care. Discussing cases with clinicians, I developed my clinical reasoning skills and appreciated the meticulous precision oncology demands.

Beyond my studies, I serve as a cancer care volunteer at a local hospice. Supporting patients and families during palliative care, I provide a compassionate presence in extremely difficult times. This emotionally challenging yet highly rewarding role has significantly improved my ability to connect with people on a human level – a skill I know is fundamental to good oncological practice. I am also an active member of my university’s oncology society, engaging in fundraising, awareness campaigns and the organisation of guest lectures. This has allowed me to demonstrate my dedication to the field whilst honing essential skills like leadership, communication and teamwork.

With my academic knowledge and practical experiences, I possess the qualities and values needed to excel on an oncology degree programme. I am particularly drawn to your research specialisms in targeted therapies and immunotherapy, which align closely with my interests. As an ambitious and conscientious student with a genuine desire to pursue a career improving cancer outcomes, I would cherish the opportunity to develop into an effective oncologist at your esteemed institution. I very much hope you will consider me for a place on your course.

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Strong Personal Statements, Part 5: Turn a Challenge into an Opportunity

• August 22, 2018

We’re sharing exceptional personal statements from last year’s applicants to illustrate that a good personal statement can be on a variety of topics, but ultimately, showcases the student’s character, curiosity, and voice. These statements, written by students now enrolled at Emory University, were selected for a multitude of reasons, and we asked our admission staff to share what made each statement stand out.

This is one of a 5-part series on application writing; read  Part 1 here ,  Part 2 here , Part 3 here , and Part 4 here .

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

I never truly realized the gravity of cancer until I turned sixteen. It had been an abstract term that had been associated with me since I was four, when I was diagnosed with leukemia. Nine years later, I had survived and beaten it. But, I couldn’t take credit for that victory. It was a victory for my parents, who had never left my bedside or stopped praying for me. It was a victory for the doctors and nurses who had cared for me. But it truly wasn’t mine, even though I wanted to pretend it was, I hadn’t done more to fight cancer than simply exist, to be honest. And so, I never paid cancer much attention, even though everyone around me did.

As I grew up, cancer never was a topic of discussion in my household. Questions about my stints in hospitals were met with simple, evasive answers, and eventually, I forgot about the parts of my life spent in a hospital ward. The only lingering effects cancer seemed to have on me were biannual visits to the hospital to confirm my wellness. These visits appeared redundant, but they got me out of school for a day and as a result, no questions were posed. When my parents finally discussed the reason behind my trips to the hospital with me as I turned thirteen, I chose not to recognize the gravity of the situation. I didn’t want the burden of cancer to cast a shadow over the life I was content with.

My attitude regarding the matter changed when I picked up a paperback – Siddhartha Mukherjee’s The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography Of Cancer. I was shocked at how cancer was considered a death sentence for patients only a short while back, and many forms were just as deadly today as they were decades ago. I thought about my “victory” against cancer and wondered how many battles had been lost to set up that single win.

Finishing the book drove me to pursue any opportunity I could to get involved with cancer research. I found a laboratory in my hometown, and set to work analyzing proliferation indices and immunostains. My work was just as exciting as I thought it would be, and the long summers in the lab passed by quickly before I could fully grasp the magnitude of what I was doing. That changed when I started volunteering in an oncology inpatient unit.

Volunteering at the inpatient unit was completely different from my previous laboratory experience. There exists a hardened sense of reality in the ward that no amount of statistical analysis can reveal. I was able to relate to the patients and their struggles and understand that the deep cultural and societal ties of these patients couldn’t be captured through numbers. I learned that there were truly two aspects of what cancer was about: the medical as well as the human.

Growing up after my ordeals, I had always wondered why I was unlucky enough to suffer from cancer; not because they were painful, but because they brought me unnecessary concern and attention. Upon turning sixteen, entirely new dimensions of the disease were exposed to me, depicting families that struggle with disheartening relapses, and doctors who dedicate years of tireless research to help save lives. Cancer lost its abstract feeling and became more tangible for me. Volunteering experiences have taught me that battles with cancer aren’t easily won. But two summers of work at the Pediatric Cancer Laboratory have given me a different message: that these battles can be and will be won. I wasn’t able to contribute much to my original battle against cancer, but now, I look to play a bigger role in the battles of the future.

Feedback from Admission Staff

As we read applications, each student has a team of admission staff assigned to their file to review it and assess the student’s potential. The staff responsible for this student’s file had this to say about the personal statement:

My favorite essays are the ones that stick with me days (or weeks) after I have read them, and leave me with a new piece of information or perspective on a topic. This piece of writing is a perfect example of that. This essay was very different from the essays I typically read. This student explains overcoming cancer (which is an amazing victory!), but since they were so young when it happened, they do not feel like they are able to truly “own” this part of their story. As this student grew older and understood the battle they had overcome, they wanted to learn more about cancer and give back to other people affected by it in the future. It was a unique, mature, approach to such a heavy topic.

Don’t hesitate to connect with us by posting a comment to this blog, tweeting us @emoryadmission , or emailing us at [email protected] . We look forward to hearing from you!

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• previous post: Strong Personal Statements, Part 4: Use Accomplishments to Convey your Interests
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Cancer Biology Postgraduate Personal Statement

Sample Cancer Biology Postgraduate Personal Statement

It is perhaps not unusual for individuals who wish to be involved in cancer research to have a personal connection to cancer, usually in the form of a relative or loved one suffering the illness. In my particular case, the death of my grandfather when I was ten years old from a disease that I could not even begin to comprehend was the event that, once I had matured a little, stimulated my wish to make a contribution to human wellbeing. As I grew older and became increasingly interested in biology, I reached the conclusion that, based on my academic and personal skills, the best contribution that I could personally make to saving lives would take the form of a career in scientific research that sought to unlock the mysteries of cancers and work towards creating new treatments for the different forms of the disease. Consequently, I chose to study Cell Biology at the University of East Anglia, with the intention of subsequently undertaking postgraduate research. Now, in the final year of my BSc, my motivation to continue down this path remains as strong as ever.

I have enjoyed the full range of courses that I have taken in my undergraduate degree, something which I think is reflected in the excellent marks that I have received. I believe the BSc has served as an excellent and thorough foundation on which to build a research specialisation. Throughout my time as an undergraduate I have maintained my interest in cancer, and where possible I have selected courses related to this field. In preparation for undertaking postgraduate research in this area, I have chosen cancer as the focus of my final-year research project. Carrying out preparatory research into the area has been highly rewarding, and I am looking forward to the challenge of carrying out laboratory work and writing up the findings of the project.

Studying Cell Biology and carrying out research for my final-year project has helped me to develop a much greater understanding of the current state of cancer research. Over the past few years, for example, I have gained a much fuller understanding of the ways in which cancer cells develop multi-drug resistance, something which explains why in the past so many cancer drugs and therapies have been unsuccessful. This aspect of the fight against cancer captures my interest because it presents the possibility that, if researchers are able to develop methods of counteracting that resistance, previously unsuccessful treatments could become effective. This is just one of the strands of cancer research in which I would be interested to be involved. I have found that studying cancer as part of my degree has generated a wide range of areas that I am motivated to study in greater depth and, I would enter the MRes with an enthusiastic and open mind regarding the available research project options.

Whilst I see the MRes as an opportunity to specialise in cancer research, I am equally looking forward to the taught aspects of the course. I recognise that being a research scientist requires far more than a simple desire to contribute to scientific knowledge and an undergraduate science degree. My commitment to cancer research is a deep-rooted and long-term one, and as a consequence I am looking forward to the opportunity to gain a rigorous grounding in the biology of cancer and research methods and skills in preparation for being involved with a research project. I believe that the courses offered as part of the MRes and the world-class facilities of the University of London will provide me with the best possible training for a career in scientific research, and I hope to be able to progress from the MRes to undertaking doctoral research in the field.

I believe that I have developed the skills and attributes that are necessary for the demands of scientific research work. I have greatly enjoyedthe laboratory work that I have carried out to date, both during the course of my BSc and whilst carrying out a three-month work placement at a hospital in Cyprus. I believe that the results I have achieved so far in my BSc so far demonstrate my aptitude for advanced study. I am equally comfortable working on my own or as part of a team, something of which I have ample experience through both extracurricular activities such as my period of national service in the Cypriot military and through university work. Above all, however, I have an unwavering motivation to pursue a career in the field of cancer research, based around the desire to make a meaningful contribution to helping people that I have developed not just through the passing of my grandfather, but also through carrying out voluntary work and hospital work experience in Cyprus.

We hope that this sample Cancer Biology postgraduate personal statement will be a useful guide for those looking for help with writing a personal statement of their own.

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• Medical School Application

Medical School Personal Statement Examples That Got 6 Acceptances

Featured Admissions Expert: Dr. Monica Taneja, MD

These 30 exemplary medical school personal statement examples come from our students who enrolled in one of our application review programs. Most of these examples led to multiple acceptance for our students. For instance, the first example got our student accepted into SIX medical schools. Here's what you'll find in this article: We'll first go over 30 medical school personal statement samples, then we'll provide you a step-by-step guide for composing your own outstanding statement from scratch. If you follow this strategy, you're going to have a stellar statement whether you apply to the most competitive or the easiest medical schools to get into .

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

Listen to the blog!

Article Contents 36 min read

Stellar medical school personal statement examples that got multiple acceptances, medical school personal statement example #1.

I made my way to Hillary’s house after hearing about her alcoholic father’s incarceration. Seeing her tearfulness and at a loss for words, I took her hand and held it, hoping to make things more bearable. She squeezed back gently in reply, “thank you.” My silent gesture seemed to confer a soundless message of comfort, encouragement and support.

Through mentoring, I have developed meaningful relationships with individuals of all ages, including seven-year-old Hillary. Many of my mentees come from disadvantaged backgrounds; working with them has challenged me to become more understanding and compassionate. Although Hillary was not able to control her father’s alcoholism and I had no immediate solution to her problems, I felt truly fortunate to be able to comfort her with my presence. Though not always tangible, my small victories, such as the support I offered Hillary, hold great personal meaning. Similarly, medicine encompasses more than an understanding of tangible entities such as the science of disease and treatment—to be an excellent physician requires empathy, dedication, curiosity and love of problem solving. These are skills I have developed through my experiences both teaching and shadowing inspiring physicians.

Medicine encompasses more than hard science. My experience as a teaching assistant nurtured my passion for medicine; I found that helping students required more than knowledge of organic chemistry. Rather, I was only able to address their difficulties when I sought out their underlying fears and feelings. One student, Azra, struggled despite regularly attending office hours. She approached me, asking for help. As we worked together, I noticed that her frustration stemmed from how intimidated she was by problems. I helped her by listening to her as a fellow student and normalizing her struggles. “I remember doing badly on my first organic chem test, despite studying really hard,” I said to Azra while working on a problem. “Really? You’re a TA, shouldn’t you be perfect?” I looked up and explained that I had improved my grades through hard work. I could tell she instantly felt more hopeful, she said, “If you could do it, then I can too!” When she passed, receiving a B+;I felt as if I had passed too. That B+ meant so much: it was a tangible result of Azra’s hard work, but it was also symbol of our dedication to one another and the bond we forged working together.

My passion for teaching others and sharing knowledge emanates from my curiosity and love for learning. My shadowing experiences in particular have stimulated my curiosity and desire to learn more about the world around me. How does platelet rich plasma stimulate tissue growth? How does diabetes affect the proximal convoluted tubule? My questions never stopped. I wanted to know everything and it felt very satisfying to apply my knowledge to clinical problems.

Shadowing physicians further taught me that medicine not only fuels my curiosity; it also challenges my problem solving skills. I enjoy the connections found in medicine, how things learned in one area can aid in coming up with a solution in another. For instance, while shadowing Dr. Steel I was asked, “What causes varicose veins and what are the complications?” I thought to myself, what could it be? I knew that veins have valves and thought back to my shadowing experience with Dr. Smith in the operating room. She had amputated a patient’s foot due to ulcers obstructing the venous circulation. I replied, “veins have valves and valve problems could lead to ulcers.” Dr. Steel smiled, “you’re right, but it doesn’t end there!” Medicine is not disconnected; it is not about interventional cardiology or orthopedic surgery. In fact, medicine is intertwined and collaborative. The ability to gather knowledge from many specialties and put seemingly distinct concepts together to form a coherent picture truly attracts me to medicine.

It is hard to separate science from medicine; in fact, medicine is science. However, medicine is also about people—their feelings, struggles and concerns. Humans are not pre-programmed robots that all face the same problems. Humans deserve sensitive and understanding physicians. Humans deserve doctors who are infinitely curious, constantly questioning new advents in medicine. They deserve someone who loves the challenge of problem solving and coming up with innovative individualized solutions. I want to be that physician. I want to be able to approach each case as a unique entity and incorporate my strengths into providing personalized care for my patients. Until that time, I may be found Friday mornings in the operating room, peering over shoulders, dreaming about the day I get to hold the drill.

Let's take a step back to consider what this medical school personal statement example does, not just what it says. It begins with an engaging hook in the first paragraph and ends with a compelling conclusion. The introduction draws you in, making the essay almost impossible to put down, while the conclusion paints a picture of someone who is both passionate and dedicated to the profession. In between the introduction and conclusion, this student makes excellent use of personal narrative. The anecdotes chosen demonstrate this individual's response to the common question, " Why do you want to be a doctor ?" while simultaneously making them come across as compassionate, curious, and reflective. The essay articulates a number of key qualities and competencies, which go far beyond the common trope, I want to be a doctor because I want to help people.

This person is clearly a talented writer, but this was the result of several rounds of edits with one of our medical school admissions consulting team members and a lot of hard work on the student's part. If your essay is not quite there yet, or if you're just getting started, don't sweat it. Do take note that writing a good personal essay takes advanced planning and significant effort.

I was one of those kids who always wanted to be doctor. I didn’t understand the responsibilities and heartbreaks, the difficult decisions, and the years of study and training that go with the title, but I did understand that the person in the white coat stood for knowledge, professionalism, and compassion. As a child, visits to the pediatrician were important events. I’d attend to my hair and clothes, and travel to the appointment in anticipation. I loved the interaction with my doctor. I loved that whoever I was in the larger world, I could enter the safe space of the doctor’s office, and for a moment my concerns were heard and evaluated. I listened as my mother communicated with the doctor. I’d be asked questions, respectfully examined, treatments and options would be weighed, and we would be on our way. My mother had been supported in her efforts to raise a well child, and I’d had a meaningful interaction with an adult who cared for my body and development. I understood medicine as an act of service, which aligned with my values, and became a dream.

I was hospitalized for several months as a teenager and was inspired by the experience, despite the illness. In the time of diagnosis, treatment and recovery, I met truly sick children. Children who were much more ill than me. Children who wouldn’t recover. We shared a four-bed room, and we shared our medical stories. Because of the old hospital building, there was little privacy in our room, and we couldn’t help but listen-in during rounds, learning the medical details, becoming “experts” in our four distinct cases. I had more mobility than some of the patients, and when the medical team and family members were unavailable, I’d run simple errands for my roommates, liaise informally with staff, and attend to needs. To bring physical relief, a cold compress, a warmed blanket, a message to a nurse, filled me with such an intense joy and sense of purpose that I applied for a volunteer position at the hospital even before my release.

I have since been volunteering in emergency departments, out-patient clinics, and long term care facilities. While the depth of human suffering is at times shocking and the iterations of illness astounding, it is in the long-term care facility that I had the most meaningful experiences by virtue of my responsibilities and the nature of the patients’ illnesses. Charles was 55 when he died. He had early onset Parkinson’s Disease with dementia that revealed itself with a small tremor when he was in his late twenties. Charles had a wife and three daughters who visited regularly, but whom he didn’t often remember. Over four years as a volunteer, my role with the family was to fill in the spaces left by Charles’ periodic inability to project his voice as well as his growing cognitive lapses. I would tell the family of his activities between their visits, and I would remind him of their visits and their news. This was a hard experience for me. I watched as 3 daughters, around my own age, incrementally lost their father. I became angry, and then I grew even more determined.

In the summer of third year of my Health Sciences degree, I was chosen to participate in an undergraduate research fellowship in biomedical research at my university. As part of this experience, I worked alongside graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, medical students, physicians, and faculty in Alzheimer’s research into biomarkers that might predict future disease. We collaborated in teams, and by way of the principal investigator’s careful leadership, I learned wherever one falls in terms of rank, each contribution is vital to the outcome. None of the work is in isolation. For instance, I was closely mentored by Will, a graduate student who had been in my role the previous summer. He, in turn, collaborated with post docs and medical students, turning to faculty when roadblocks were met. While one person’s knowledge and skill may be deeper than another’s, individual efforts make up the whole. Working in this team, aside from developing research skills, I realized that practicing medicine is not an individual pursuit, but a collaborative commitment to excellence in scholarship and leadership, which all begins with mentorship.

Building on this experience with teamwork in the lab, I participated in a global health initiative in Nepal for four months, where I worked alongside nurses, doctors, and translators. I worked in mobile rural health camps that offered tuberculosis care, monitored the health and development of babies and children under 5, and tended to minor injuries. We worked 11-hour days helping hundreds of people in the 3 days we spent in each location. Patients would already be in line before we woke each morning. I spent each day recording basic demographic information, blood pressure, pulse, temperature, weight, height, as well as random blood sugar levels, for each patient, before they lined up to see a doctor. Each day was exhausting and satisfying. We helped so many people. But this satisfaction was quickly displaced by a developing understanding of issues in health equity.

My desire to be doctor as a young person was not misguided, but simply naïve. I’ve since learned the role of empathy and compassion through my experiences as a patient and volunteer. I’ve broadened my contextual understanding of medicine in the lab and in Nepal. My purpose hasn’t changed, but what has developed is my understanding that to be a physician is to help people live healthy, dignified lives by practicing both medicine and social justice.

28 More Medical School Personal Statement Examples That Got Accepted

What my sister went through pushed me to strengthen my knowledge in medical education, patient care, and research. These events have influenced who I am today and helped me determine my own passions. I aspire to be a doctor because I want to make miracles, like my sister, happen. Life is something to cherish; it would not be the same if I did not have one of my four sisters to spend it with. As all stories have endings, I hope that mine ends with me fulfilling my dream of being a doctor, which has been the sole focus of my life to this point. I would love nothing more than to dedicate myself to such a rewarding career, where I achieve what those doctors did for my family. Their expertise allowed my sister to get all the care she needed for her heart, eyes, lungs, and overall growth. Those physicians gave me more than just my little sister, they gave me the determination and focus needed to succeed in the medical field, and for that, I am forever grateful. ","label":"Medical School Personal Statement Example #3","title":"Medical School Personal Statement Example #3"}]" code="tab4" template="BlogArticle">

I came to America, leaving my parents and friends behind, to grasp my chance at a better future. I believe this chance is now in front of me. Medicine is the only path I truly desire because it satisfies my curiosity about the human body and it allows me to directly interact with patients. I do not want to miss this chance to further hone my skills and knowledge, in order to provide better care for my patients. ","label":"Medical School Personal Statement #4","title":"Medical School Personal Statement #4"}]" code="tab5" template="BlogArticle">

The time I have spent in various medical settings has confirmed my love for the field. Regardless of the environment, I am drawn to patients and their stories, like that scared young boy at AMC. I am aware that medicine is a constantly changing landscape; however, one thing that has remained steadfast over the years is putting the patient first, and I plan on doing this as a physician. All of my experiences have taught me a great deal about patient interaction and global health, however, I am left wanting more. I crave more knowledge to help patients and become more useful in the healthcare sector. I am certain medical school is the path that will help me reach my goal. One day, I hope to use my experiences to become an amazing doctor like the doctors that treated my sister, so I can help other children like her. ","label":"Medical School Personal Statement Example #5","title":"Medical School Personal Statement Example #5"}]" code="tab6" template="BlogArticle">

My interest in the field of medicine has developed overtime, with a common theme surrounding the importance of personal health and wellness. Through my journey in sports, travelling, and meeting some incredible individuals such as Michael, I have shifted my focus from thinking solely about the physical well-being, to understanding the importance of mental, spiritual, and social health as well. Being part of a profession that emphasizes continuous education, and application of knowledge to help people is very rewarding, and I will bring compassion, a hard work ethic and an attitude that is always focused on bettering patient outcomes. ","label":"Medical School Personal Statement Example # 7","title":"Medical School Personal Statement Example # 7"}]" code="tab8" template="BlogArticle">

Medicine embodies a hard science, but it is ultimately a profession that treats people. I have seen firsthand that medicine is not a \u201cone-treatment-fits-all\u201d practice, as an effective physician takes a holistic approach. This is the type of physician I aspire to be: one who refuses to shy away from the humanity of patients and their social context, and one who uses research and innovation to improve the human condition. So, when I rethink \u201cwhy medicine?\u201d, I know it\u2019s for me \u2013 because it is a holistic discipline, because it demands all of me, because I am ready to absorb the fascinating knowledge and science that dictates human life, and engage with humanity in a way no other profession allows for. Until the day that I dawn the coveted white coat, you can find me in inpatient units, comforting the many John\u2019s to come, or perhaps at the back of an operating room observing a mitral valve repair \u2013 dreaming of the day the puck is in my zone. ","label":"Medical School Personal Statement Example #8","title":"Medical School Personal Statement Example #8"}]" code="tab9" template="BlogArticle">

When I signed up to be a live DJ, I didn't know that the oral skills I practiced on-air would influence all aspects of my life, let alone lead me to consider a career in the art of healing. I see now, though, the importance of these key events in my life that have allowed me to develop excellent communication skills--whether that be empathic listening, reading and giving non-verbal cues, or verbal communication. I realize I have always been on a path towards medicine. Ultimately, I aim to continue to strengthen my skills as I establish my role as a medical student and leader: trusting my choices, effectively communicating, and taking action for people in need. ","label":"Medical School Personal Statement Example #9","title":"Medical School Personal Statement Example #9"}]" code="tab10" template="BlogArticle">

\u201cWhy didn\u2019t I pursue medicine sooner?\u201d Is the question that now occupies my mind. Leila made me aware of the unprofessional treatment delivered by some doctors. My subsequent activities confirmed my desire to become a doctor who cares deeply for his patients and provides the highest quality care. My passion for research fuels my scientific curiosity. I will continue to advocate for patient equality and fairness. Combining these qualities will allow me to succeed as a physician. ","label":"Medical School Personal Statement Example #10","title":"Medical School Personal Statement Example #10"}]" code="tab11" template="BlogArticle">

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Please note that all personal statements are the property of the students who wrote them, re-printed with permission. Names and identifying characteristics have been changed. Plagiarism detection software is used when evaluating personal statements. Plagiarism is grounds for disqualification from the application. ","label":"NOTE","title":"NOTE"}]" code="tab2" template="BlogArticle">

As one of the most important  medical school requirements , the personal statement tells your story of why you decided to pursue the medical profession. Keep in mind that personal statements are one of the key factors that affect medical school acceptance rates . This is why it's important to write a stellar essay!

“Personal statements are often emphasized in your application to medical school as this singular crucial factor that distinguishes you from every other applicant. Demonstrating the uniqueness of my qualities is precisely how I found myself getting multiple interviews and offers into medical school.” – Dr. Vincent Adeyemi, MD, Emory University school of Medicine

But this is easier said than done. In fact, medical school personal statements remain one of the most challenging parts of students' journeys to medical school. Here's our student Melissa sharing her experience of working on her personal statement:

"I struggled making my personal statement personal... I couldn't incorporate my feelings, motives and life stories that inspired me to pursue medicine into my personal statement" -Melissa, BeMo Student

Our student Rishi, who is now a student at the Carver College of Medicine , learned about the importance of the medical school personal statement the hard way:

"If you're a reapplicant like me, you know we all dread it but you have to get ready to answer what has changed about your application that we should accept you this time. I had an existing personal statement that did not get me in the first time so there was definitely work to be done." - Rishi, BeMo Student, current student at the Carver College of Medicine

The importance of the medical school personal statement can actually increase if you are applying to medical school with any red flags or setbacks, as our student Kannan did:

"I got 511 on my second MCAT try... My goal was anything over median of 510 so anything over that was honestly good with me because it's just about [creating] a good personal statement at that point... I read online about how important the personal statement [is]... making sure [it's] really polished and so that's when I decided to get some professional help." - Kannan, BeMo Student, current student at the Schulich School of Medicine  

As you can see from these testimonials, your medical school personal statement can really make a difference. So we are here to help you get started writing your own personal statement. Let's approach this step-by-step. Below you will see how we will outline the steps to creating your very best personal statement. And don't forget that if you need to see more examples, you can also check out our AMCAS personal statement examples, AACOMAS personal statement examples and TMDSAS personal statement examples to further inspire you!

Here's a quick run-down of what we'll cover in the article:

Now let's dive in deeper!

#1 Understanding the Qualities of a Strong Med School Personal Statement

Before discussing how to write a strong medical school personal statement, we first need to understand the qualities of a strong essay. Similar to crafting strong medical school secondary essays , writing a strong personal statement is a challenging, yet extremely important, part of your MD or MD-PhD programs applications. Your AMCAS Work and Activities section may show the reader what you have done, but the personal statement explains why. This is how Dr. Neel Mistry, MD and our admissions expert, prepared for his medical school personal statement writing:

"The personal statement is an opportunity for you to shine and really impress the committee to invite you for an interview. The personal statement is your chance to be reflective and go beyond what is stated on your CV and [activities]. In order to stand out, it is important to answer the main questions [of medical school personal statements] well: a bit about yourself and what led you to medicine, why you would make an ideal medical student and future physician, what attracts you to [medicine], and what sets you apart from the other candidates. The key here is answering the last two questions well. Most candidates simply highlight what they have done, but do not reflect on it or mention how what they have done has prepared them for a future medical career." - Dr. Neel Mistry, MD

“my essay also focused on volunteering in the local health clinic during the many summer breaks. volunteering was more than just another activity to tick off my bucket list for my medical school … i volunteered because i wanted to view medical practice through the lenses of already qualified doctors, not because i needed a reason to be a doctor. i understood that the admissions committee would be more interested in how i was motivated.” – dr. vincent adeyemi..

A personal statement should be deeply personal, giving the admissions committee insight into your passions and your ultimate decision to pursue a career in medicine. A compelling and introspective personal statement can make the difference between getting an interview and facing medical school rejection . Review our blogs to find out how to prepare for med school interviews and learn the most common medical school interview questions .

As you contemplate the task in front of you, you may be wondering what composing an essay has to do with entering the field of medicine. Many of our students were surprised to learn that medical school personal statements are so valued by med schools. The two things are more closely related than you think. A compelling personal statement demonstrates your written communication skills and highlights your accomplishments, passions, and aspirations. The ability to communicate a complex idea in a short space is an important skill as a physician. You should demonstrate your communication skills by writing a concise and meaningful statement that illustrates your best attributes. Leaving a lasting impression on your reader is what will lead to interview invitations.

A quick note: if you are applying to schools that do not require the formal medical school personal statement, such as medical schools in Canada , you should still learn how to write such essays. Many medical schools in Ontario , for example, ask for short essays for supplementary questionnaires. These are very similar to the personal statement. Knowing how to brainstorm, write, and format your answers is key to your success!!!

You want to give yourself as much time as possible to write your statement. Do not think you can do this in an evening or even in a week. Some statements take months. My best statement took almost a year to get right. Allow yourself time and start early to avoid added stress. Think of the ideas you want to include and brainstorm possible ways to highlight these ideas. Ask your friends for ideas or even brainstorm your ideas with people you trust. Get some feedback early to make sure you are headed in the right direction.

“I wrote scores of essays at my desk in those few weeks leading up to application submission. I needed it to be perfect. Do not let anyone tell you to settle. There was no moment when I had this shining light from the sky filtering into my room to motivate me. The ultimate trick is to keep writing. It is impossible to get that perfect essay on the first try, and you may not even get it on your fifteenth attempt, but the goal is to keep at it, keep making those edits, and never back down.” – Dr. Vincent Adeyemi

All personal statements for medical school, often start by explaining why medicine is awesome; the admission committee already knows that. You should explain why you want a career in medicine. What is it about the practice of medicine that resonates with who you are? Naturally, this takes a lot of reflection around who you are. Here are some additional questions you can consider as you go about brainstorming for your essay:

• What motivates you to learn more about medicine?
• What is something you want them to know about you that isn't in your application?
• Where were you born, how did you grow up, and what type of childhood did you have growing up (perhaps including interesting stories about your siblings, parents, grandparents)?
• What kinds of early exposure to the medical field left an impression on you as a child?
• Did you become familiar with and interested in the field of medicine at an early stage of your life? If so, why?
• What are your key strengths, and how have you developed these?
• What steps did you take to familiarize yourself with the medical profession?
• Did you shadow a physician? Did you volunteer or work in a clinical setting? Did you get involved in medical research?
• What challenges have you faced? Have these made an impact on what you chose to study?
• What are your favorite activities?
• What kinds of extracurriculars for medical school or volunteer work have you done, and how have these shaped who you are, your priorities, and or your perspectives on a career in medicine?
• What was your "Aha!" moment?
• When did your desire to become a doctor solidify?
• How did you make the decision to apply to medical school?

You shouldn't try to answer all of these in your essay. Try only a few main points that will carry over into the final draft. Use these to brainstorm and gather ideas. Start developing your narrative by prioritizing the most impactful responses to these prompts and the ideas that are most relevant to your own experiences and goals. The perfect personal statement not only shows the admissions committee that you have refined communication skills, but also conveys maturity and professionalism. It should also display your motivation and suitability for medical practice. Here's how our student Alison, who was a non-traditional applicant with a serious red flag in her application, used her brainstorming sessions with our admissions experts to get a theme going in her medical school personal statement and her overall application package:

"I think it was during my brainstorming session that we really started talking about... what the theme [was] going to be for my application. And I think that was really helpful in and of itself. Just [reflecting] 'Hey, what's your focus going to be like? How are we going to write this? What's the style going to be?' Just to create an element of consistency throughout..." Alison, BeMo Student, current student at Dell Medical School 

After brainstorming, you should be able to clearly see a few key ideas, skills, qualities, and intersections that you want to write about. Once you've isolated the elements you want to explore in your essay (usually 2-4 key ideas), you can begin building your outline. In terms of structure, this should follow the standard academic format, with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

As you begin thinking about what to include in your personal essay, remember that you are writing for a specific audience with specific expectations. Your evaluator will be familiar with the key qualities desired by medical schools, as informed by the standards of the profession. But keep in mind that they too are human, and they respond well to well-crafted, engaging essays that tell a story. Here's what our student Alison had to share about keeping your audience in mind when writing your personal statement:

"Make it easy for the reader to be able to work [their] way through [your personal statement]. Because, at the end of the day, I think one thing that helped me a lot was being able to think about who was going to be reading this application and it's going to be these people that are sitting around a desk or sitting at a table and [go] through massive numbers of applications every single day. And the easier and more digestible that you can make it for them, gives you a little bit of a win." - Alison, BeMo student, current student at Dell Medical School

The admissions committee will be examining your essay through the lens of their particular school's mission, values, and priorities. You should think about your experiences with reference to the AAMC Core Competencies and to each school's mission statement so that you're working toward your narrative with the institution and broader discipline in mind.

Review AAMC Core Competencies : The AAMC Core Competencies are the key characteristics and skills sought by U.S. medical schools. These are separated into three general categories:

You are not expected to have mastered all of these competencies at this stage of your education. Display those that are relevant to your experiences will help demonstrate your commitment to the medical profession.

Review the school's mission statement: Educational institutions put a lot of time and care into drafting their school's vision. The mission statement will articulate the overall values and priorities of each university, giving you insight into what they might seek in candidates, and thus what you should try to display in your personal statement. Echoing the values of the university helps illustrate that you are a good fit for their intellectual culture. The mission statement may help you identify other priorities of the university, for example, whether they prioritize research-based or experiential-based education. All this research into your chosen medical schools will help you tremendously not only when you write you personal statement, but also the rest of your medical school application components, including your medical school letter of intent if you ever need to write one later.

Just like the personal statement is, in essence, a prompt without a prompt. They give you free rein to write your own prompt to tell your story. This is often difficult for students as they find it hard to get started without having a true direction. Below is a list of ideas to get your creative juices flowing. Use these prompts as a starting point for your essay. Also, they are a great way of addressing why you want to be a doctor without saying something generic.

• The moment your passion for medicine crystallized
• The events that led you toward this path
• Specific instances in which you experienced opportunities
• Challenges that helped shape your worldview
• Your compassion, resilience, or enthusiastic collaboration
• Demonstrate your commitment to others
• Your dependability
• Your leadership skills
• Your ability to problem-solve or to resolve a conflict

These are personal, impactful experiences that only you have had. Focus on the personal, and connect that to the values of your future profession. Do that and you will avoid writing the same essay as everyone else. Dr. Monica Taneja, MD and our admissions expert, shares her tip that got her accepted to the University of Maryland School of Medicine :

"I focused on my journey to medicine and opportunities that I sought out along the way. Everyone’s path and validation is unique, so walking the reader through your growth to the point of application will naturally be different, but that's what I wanted to share in my personal statement." - Dr. Monica Taneja, MD

“the essay is not about what you have been through; it's about who it made you into.” – dr. vincent adeyemi.

Admissions committees don't want your resumé in narrative form. The most boring essays are those of applicants listing their accomplishments. Remember, all that stuff is already in the activities section of the application. This is where you should discuss interesting or important life events that shaped you and your interest in medicine (a service trip to rural Guatemala, a death in the family, a personal experience as a patient). One suggestion is to have an overarching theme to your essay to tie everything together, starting with an anecdote. Alternatively, you can use one big metaphor or analogy through the essay. Dr. Jaime Cazes, MD and experienced admissions committee member of the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine, encourages you to be creative when it comes to the theme of your personal statement:

"It is very easy to make the “cookie cutter” personal statement. To a reviewer who is reading tens of these at a time it can become quite boring. What I did was [tell] a story. Like any good novel, the stories' first lines are meant to hook the reader. This can be about anything if you can bring it back and relate it to your application. It could be about the time your friend was smashed up against the boards in hockey and you, with your limited first aid experience helped to treat him. It is important that the story be REAL." - Dr. Jaime Cazes, MD

Your personal statement must be well-organized, showing a clear, logical progression, as well as connections between ideas. It is generally best to use a chronological progression since this mirrors your progression into a mature adult and gives you the opportunity to illustrate how you learned from early mistakes later on. Carry the theme throughout the statement to achieve continuity and cohesion. Use the theme to links ideas from each paragraph to the next and to unite your piece.

Medical School Personal Statement Structure

When working toward the initial draft of your essay, it is important to keep the following in mind: The essay should read like a chronological narrative and have good structure and flow. Just like any academic essay, it will need an introduction, body content, and a conclusion. If you're wondering whether a medical school advisor can help you with your medical school application, check out our blog for the answer.

Check out our video to learn how to create a killer introduction to your medical school personal statement:

Introduction

The introductory paragraph and, even more importantly, the introductory sentence of your essay, will most certainly make or break your overall statement. Ensure that you have a creative and captivating opening sentence that draws the reader in. This is your first and only chance to make a first impression and really capture the attention of the committee. Starting with an event or an Aha! moment that inspired your decision to pursue a medical profession is one way to grab their attention. The kinds of things that inspire or motivate you can say a lot about who you are as a person.

The broader introductory paragraph itself should serve several functions. First, it must draw your reader in with an eye-catching first line and an engaging hook or anecdote. It should point toward the qualities that most effectively demonstrate your desire and suitability for becoming a physician (you will discuss these qualities further in the body paragraphs). The thesis of the introduction is that you have certain skills, experiences, and characteristics and that these skills, experiences, and characteristics will lead you to thrive in the field of medicine. Finally, it must also serve as a roadmap to the reader, allowing them to understand where the remainder of the story is headed.

That is a lot of work for a single paragraph to do. To better help you envision what this looks like in practice, here is a sample introduction that hits these main points.

I was convinced I was going to grow up to be a professional chef. This was not just another far-fetched idealistic childhood dream that many of us had growing up. There was a sense of certainty about this dream that motivated me to devote countless hours to its practice. It was mostly the wonder that it brought to others and the way they were left in awe after they tried a dish that I recall enjoying the most creating as a young chef. But, when I was 13, my grandfather was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer, and I realized that sometimes cooking is not enough, as I quickly learned about the vital role physicians play in the life of everyday people like my family and myself. Although my grandfather ended up passing away from his illness, the impact that the healthcare team had on him, my family, and I will always serve as the initial starting point of my fascination with the medical profession. Since that time, I have spent years learning more about the human sciences through my undergraduate studies and research, have developed a deeper understanding of the demands and challenges of the medical profession through my various volunteer and extra-curricular experiences, and although it has been difficult along the way, I have continued to forge a more intimate fascination with the medical field that has motivated me to apply to medical school at this juncture of my life. ","label":"Sample Introduction","title":"Sample Introduction"}]" code="tab3" template="BlogArticle">

In the body of your essay, you essentially want to elaborate on the ideas that you have introduced in your opening paragraph by drawing on your personal experiences to provide evidence. Major points from the above sample introduction could be: dedication and resilience (practicing cooking for hours, and devoting years to undergraduate studies in human sciences), passion and emotional connection (being able to create something that inspired awe in others, and personally connecting with the work of the grandfather's healthcare team), motivation and drive (being inspired by the role physicians play in their patients' lives, participating in volunteer work and extracurriculars, and an enduring fascination with the field of medicine). Depending on the details, a selection of volunteer and extra-curricular experiences might also be discussed in more detail, in order to emphasize other traits like collaboration, teamwork, perseverance, or a sense of social responsibility – all key characteristics sought by medical schools. Just like an academic essay, you will devote one paragraph to each major point, explaining this in detail, supporting your claims with experiences from your life, and reflecting on the meaning of each plot point in your personal narrative, with reference to why you want to pursue a medical career.

Your final statement should not be a simple summary of the things you have discussed. It should be insightful, captivating, and leave the reader with a lasting impression. Although you want to re-emphasize the major ideas of your essay, you should try to be creative and captivating, much like your opening paragraph. Sometimes if you can link your opening idea to your last paragraph it will really tie the whole essay together. The conclusion is just as important as the introduction. It is your last chance to express your medical aspirations. You want to impress the reader while also leaving them wanting more. In this case, more would mean getting an interview so they can learn more about who you are! Leave them thinking I have got to meet this person.

The narrative you construct should display some of your most tightly held values, principles, or ethical positions, along with key accomplishments and activities. If you see yourself as someone who is committed to community service, and you have a track record of such service, your story should feature this and provide insight into why you care about your community and what you learned from your experiences. Saying that you value community service when you've never volunteered a day in your life is pointless. Stating that your family is one where we support each other through challenge and loss (if this is indeed true), is excellent because it lays the groundwork for telling a story while showing that you are orientated towards close relationships. You would then go on to offer a brief anecdote that supports this. You are showing how you live such principles, rather than just telling your reader that you have such principles:

"Remember to use specific personal examples throughout your statement to make it more impactful and memorable for the readers. Often, painting a picture in the reader’s mind in the form of a story helps with this." - Dr. Neel Mistry, MD

A lot of students make the mistake of verbalizing their personal attributes with a bunch of adjectives, such as, "This experience taught me to be a self-reliant leader, with excellent communication skills, and empathy for others..." In reality, this does nothing to convey these qualities. It's a mistake to simply list your skills or characteristics without showing the reader an example of a time you used them to solve a problem. If you simply list your skills or characteristics (telling), without demonstrating the ways you have applied them (showing), you risk coming across as arrogant. The person reading the essay may not believe you, as you've not really given them a way to see such values in your actions. It is better to construct a narrative to show the reader that you possess the traits that medical schools are looking for, rather than explicitly stating that you are an empathetic individual or capable of deep self-reflection. Instead of listing adjectives, tell your personal story and allow the admissions committee to paint the picture for themselves. This step is very challenging for many students, but it's one of the most important strategies used in successful essays. Writing this way will absolutely make your statement stand out from the rest.

While it may be tempting to write in a high academic tone, using terminology or jargon that is often complex or discipline-specific, requiring a specialized vocabulary for comprehension. You should actually aim to write for a non-specialist audience. Remember, in the world of medicine, describing a complex, clinical condition to a patient requires using specific but clear words. This is why your personal statement should show that you can do the same thing. Using large words in unwieldy ways makes you sound like you are compensating for poor communication skills. Use words that you believe most people understand. Read your personal statement back to a 14-year-old, and then again to someone for whom English is not their first language, to see if you're on the right path.

Ultimately, fancy words do not make you a good communicator; listening and ensuring reader comprehension makes you a good communicator. Instead of using complex terminology to tell the admissions committee that you have strong communication skills, show them your communication skills through clear, accessible prose, written with non-specialists in mind. A common refrain among writing instructors is, never use a $10 word where a $2 word will suffice. If you can say it in plain, accessible language, then this is what you should do.

Display Professionalism

Professionalism may seem like a difficult quality to display when only composing a personal statement. After all, the reader can't see your mannerisms, your personal style, or any of those little qualities that allow someone to appear professional. Professionalism is about respect for the experience of others on your team or in your workplace. It is displayed when you are able to step back from your own individual position and think about what is best for your colleagues and peers, considering their needs alongside your own. If a story is relevant to why you want to be a physician and demonstrates an example of how you were professional in a workplace setting, then it is appropriate to include in your essay.

One easy way to destroy a sense of professionalism is to act in a judgmental way towards others, particularly if you perceived and ultimately resolved an error on someone else's part. Sometimes students blame another medical professional for something that went wrong with a patient.

They might say something to the effect of, "The nurse kept brushing off the patient's concerns, refusing to ask the attending to increase her pain medications. Luckily, being the empathetic individual that I am, I took the time to listen to sit with the patient, eventually bringing her concerns to the attending physician, who thanked me for letting him know."

There are a couple of things wrong with this example. It seems like this person is putting down someone else in an attempt to make themselves look better. They come across as un-empathetic and judgmental of the nurse. Maybe she was having a busy day, or maybe the attending had just seen the patient for this issue and the patient didn't really need re-assessment. Reading this kind of account in a personal statement makes the reader question the maturity of the applicant and their ability to move past blaming others and resolve problems in a meaningful way. Instead of allocating blame, identify what the problem was for the patient and then focus on what you did to resolve it and reflect on what you learned from the whole experience.

One last note on professionalism: Being professional does not mean being overly stoic, hiding your emotions, or cultivating a bland personality. A lot of students are afraid to talk about how a situation made them feel in their personal statement. They worry that discussing feelings is inappropriate and will appear unprofessional. Unfortunately for these students, emotional intelligence is hugely important to the practice of medicine. In order to be a good doctor, one must be aware of their own emotions as well as those of their patients. Good doctors are able to quickly identify their own emotions and understand how their emotional reactions may inform their actions, and the ability to deliver appropriate care, in a given situation. Someone who is incapable of identifying their emotions is also incapable of managing them effectively and will likely struggle to identify the emotions of others. So, when writing your personal statement, think about how each experience made you feel, and what you learned from those feelings and that experience.

How to Write About Discrepancies and Common Mistakes to Avoid

Part of your essay's body can include a discussion of any discrepancies or gaps in your education, or disruptions in your academic performance. If you had to take time off, or if you had a term or course with low grades, or if you had any other extenuating circumstances that impacted your education, you can take time to address these here. It is very important to address these strategically. Do not approach this section as space to plead your case. Offer a brief summary of the situation, and then emphasize what you learned from such hardships. Always focus on the positive, illustrating how such difficulties made you stronger, more resilient, or more compassionate. Connect your experiences to the qualities desired by medical schools. Here's how I student Alison address an academic discrepancy in her application:

I had an academic dishonesty during undergrad, which, at the time, ended up being this big misunderstanding. But I was going to appeal this and get it off my record. I was supposed to start nursing school two weeks after this whole ordeal had gone down and, at our university, if you try to appeal your academic dishonesty then you'd have to take an incomplete in that class and I needed this class in order to start nursing school. So I wasn't able to [appeal]. So when I talked with the people at the nursing school they were like ‘it's no big deal, it's fine’. [But] it came back and it haunted me very much. When I was applying [to medical school] I started looking online [to see] how big of a deal is it to have this ‘red flag’ on my application. I started reading all of these horror stories on Student Doctor Network and all of these other forums about how if you have an academic dishonesty you shouldn't even bother applying, that you'll never get in. Schools will blacklist you and I was [wondering] what am I going do. [My advisor suggested I use the essay to talk about my discrepancy]. 

First off, if anyone out there has an academic violation don't read student doctor network. don't listen to anybody. you absolutely are still a potential medical student and schools are not going to blacklist you just because of one mistake that you made. that's all lies. don't listen to them. i don't even think it came up a single time during any of my interviews. i think a lot of that came back to how i wrote that essay and the biggest advice that i can give that i got from the [bemo] team is explain what happened… just give the facts. be very objective about it. in the last two thirds [of the essay] you want to focus on what you learned from it and how it made you a better person and how it's going to make you a better physician.” – alison, bemo student, current student at dell medical school.

We hope many of you find a peace of mind when you read Alison's story. Because it shows that with the right approach to your medical school personal statement, you can overcome even red flags or setbacks that made you dread the application process. Use your personal statement to emphasize your ability to persevere through it all but do so in a positive way. Most of all, if you feel like you have to explain yourself, take accountability for the situation. State that it is unfortunate and then redirect it to what you learned and how it will make you a better doctor. Always focus on being positive and do not lament on the negative situation too much.

Additional Mistakes to Avoid in Personal Statements:

Check out this video on the top 5 errors to avoid in your personal statement!

Step 3: Writing Your First Draft

As you can see, there is a LOT of planning and consideration to be done before actually starting your first draft. Properly brainstorming, outlining, and considering the content and style of your essay prior to beginning the essay will make the writing process much smoother than it would be you to try to jump right to the draft-writing stage. Now, you're not just staring at a blank page wondering what you could possibly write to impress the admissions committee. Instead, you've researched what the school desires from its students and what the medical profession prioritizes in terms of personal characteristics, you've sketched out some key moments from your life that exemplify those traits, and you have a detailed outline that just needs filling in.

As you're getting started, focus on getting content on the page, filling in your outline and getting your ideas arranged on the page. Your essay will go through multiple drafts and re-writes, so the first step is to free write and start articulating connections between your experiences and the characteristics you're highlighting. You can worry about flow, transitions, and perfect grammar in later drafts. The first draft is always a working draft, written with the understanding that its purpose is to act as a starting point, not an ending point. Once you've completed a draft, you can begin the revising process. The next section will break down what to do once you have your first draft completed.

You can also begin looking at things like style, voice, transitions, and overall theme. The best way to do this is to read your essay aloud. This may sound strange, but it is one of the single most impactful bits of writing advice a student can receive. When we're reading in our heads (and particularly when we're reading our own words), it is easy to skip over parts that may be awkwardly worded, or where the grammar is off. As our brains process information differently, depending on whether we're taking in visual or auditory information, this can also help you understand where the connections between ideas aren't as evident as you would like. Reading the essay aloud will help you begin internalizing the narrative you've crafted, so that you can come to more easily express this both formally in writing and informally in conversation (for example, in an interview).

#1 Did You Distinguish Yourself From Others?

Does your narrative sound unique? Is it different than your peers or did you write in a generic manner? Our admissions expert Dr. Monica Taneja, MD, shares how she got the attention of the admissions committee with her personal statement:

"I also found it helpful to give schools a 'punch-line'. As in I wanted them to remember 1-2 things about me that are my differentiators and I reiterated those throughout [the personal statement]." - Dr. Monica Taneja, MD

Use your narrative to provide a compelling picture of who you are as a person, as a learner, as an advocate, and as a future medical professional. What can you offer? Remember, you will be getting a lot out of your med school experience, but the school will be getting a lot out of you, as well. You will be contributing your research efforts to your department, you will be participating in the academic community, and as you go on to become a successful medical professional you will impact the perception of your school's prestige. This is a mutually beneficial relationship, so use this opportunity to highlight what you bring to the table, and what you will contribute as a student at their institution. Let them know what it is about you that is an attribute to their program. Make them see you as a stand out from the crowd.

#2 Does My Essay Flow and is it Comprehensible?

Personal statements are a blessing and a curse for admission committees. They give them a better glimpse of who the applicant is than simple scores. Also, they are long and time-consuming to read. And often, they sound exactly alike. On occasion, a personal statement really makes an applicant shine. After reading page after page of redundant, cookie-cutter essays, an essay comes along with fluid prose and a compelling narrative, the reader snaps out of that feeling of monotony and gladly extends their enthusiastic attention.

Frankly, if the statement is pleasant to read, it will get read with more attention and appreciation. Flow is easier to craft through narrative, which is why you should root the statement in a story that demonstrates characteristics desirable to medical schools. Fluidity takes time to build, though, so your statement should be etched out through many drafts and should also be based on an outline. You need to brainstorm, then outline, then draft and re-draft, and then bring in editors and listeners for feedback (Note: You need someone to proofread your work. Bestselling authors have editors. Top scholars have editors. I need an editor. You need an editor. Everyone needs an editor). Then, check and double-check and fix anything that needs fixing. Then check again. Then submit. You want this to be a statement that captures the reader's interest by creating a fluid, comprehensible piece that leads the reader to not only read each paragraph but want to continue to the next sentence.

#3 Did You Check Your Grammar?

If you give yourself more than one night to write your statement, the chances of grammatical errors will decrease considerably. If you are pressed for time, upload your file into an online grammar website. Use the grammar checker on your word processor, but know that this, in itself, isn't enough. Use the eyes and ears of other people to check and double-check your grammar, punctuation, and syntax. Read your statement out loud to yourself and you will almost certainly find an error (and likely several errors). Use fresh eyes to review the statement several times before you actually submit it, by walking away from it for a day or so and then re-reading it. Start your essay early, so that you actually have time to do this. This step can make or break your essay. Do not waste all the effort you have put into writing, to only be discarded by the committee for using incorrect grammar and syntax.

#4 Did You Gather Feedback From Other People?

The most important tip in writing a strong application essay is this getting someone else to read your work. While the tips above are all very useful for writing a strong draft, nothing will benefit you more than getting an outside appraisal of your work. For example, it's very easy to overlook your own spelling or grammatical errors. You know your own story and you may think that your narrative and it's meaning make sense to your reader. You won't know that for sure without having someone else actually read it. This may sound obvious, but it's still an absolute necessity.

“It was very helpful for two of my mentors to review my statements before submitting my application. Ensure you trust the judgement and skills of the person to whom you would be giving your personal statement for review.” – Dr. Vincent Adeyemi

Have someone you trust to read the essay and ask them what they thought of it. What was their impression of you after reading it? Did it make sense? Was it confusing? Do they have any questions? What was the tone of the essay? Do they see the connections you're trying to make? What were their takeaways from your essay, and do these align with your intended takeaways for your reader? Ideally, this person should have some knowledge of the application process or the medical profession, so that they can say whether you were successful in demonstrating that you are a suitable candidate for medical school. However, any external reader is better than no external reader at all.

Avoid having people too close to you read your work. They may refrain from being too critical in an effort to spare your feelings. This is the time to get brutal, honest feedback. If you know someone who is an editor but do not feel that they can be objective, try and find someone else.

Want more examples? Check out our video below:

FAQs and Final Notes

Your personal statement should tell your story and highlight specific experiences or aspects of your journey that have led you to medicine. If your first exposure or interest in the medical field was sparked from your own medical struggles, then you can certainly include this in your statement. What is most important is that you write about what factors or experiences attributed to you deciding that medicine is the right career path for you.

Sometimes students shy away from including their own personal struggles and describing how they felt during difficult times but this is a great way for admissions committees to gain perspective into who you are as a person and where your motivations lie. Remember, this is your story, not someone else's, so your statement should revolve around you. If you choose to discuss a personal hardship, what's most important is that you don't cast yourself as the victim and that you discuss what the experience taught you. Also, medical schools are not allowed to discriminate against students for discussing medical issues, so it is not looked at as a red flag unless you are talking about an issue inappropriately. For example, making yourself appear as the victim or not taking responsibility.

All US medical schools require the completion of a personal statement with your AMCAS, TMDSAS or AACOMAS applications.

Medical schools in Canada on the other hand, do not require or accept personal statements. In lieu of the personal statement, a few of these schools may require you to address a prompt in the form of an essay, or allow you to submit an explanation essay to describe any extenuating circumstances, but this is not the same as the US personal statement. For example, when applying through  OMSAS , the  University of Toronto medical school  requires applicants to complete four short, 250 words or less, personal essays.

Many students struggle with whether or not they should address an unfavorable grade in their personal statement. What one student does isn't necessarily the right decision for you.

To help you decide, think about whether or not that bad grade might reflect on your poorly. If you think it will, then it's best to address the academic misstep head-on instead of having admissions committees dwell on possible areas of concern. If you're addressing a poor evaluation, ensure that you take responsibility for your grade, discuss what you learned and how your performance will be improved in the future - then move on. It's important that you don't play the victim and you must always reflect on what lessons you've learned moving forward.

Of course not, just because you didn't wake up one morning and notice a lightbulb flashing the words medicine, doesn't mean that your experiences and journey to medicine are inferior to those who did. Students arrive to medicine in all sorts of ways, some change career paths later in life, some always knew they wanted to pursue medicine, and others slowly became interested in medicine through their life interactions and experiences. Your personal statement should address your own unique story to how you first became interested in medicine and when and how that interest turned to a concrete desire.

While your entire statement is important, the opening sentence can often make or break your statement. This is because admission committee members are reviewing hundreds, if not thousands of personal statements. If your opening sentence is not eye-catching, interesting, and memorable, you risk your statement blending in with the large pile of other statements. Have a look at our video above for tips and strategies for creating a fantastic opening sentence.

Having your statement reviewed by family and friends can be a good place to start, but unfortunately, it's near-impossible for them to provide you with unbiased feedback. Often, friends and family members are going to support us and rave about our achievements. Even if they may truly think your statement needs work, they may feel uncomfortable giving you their honest feedback at the risk of hurting your feelings.

In addition, family and friends don't know exactly what admission committee members are looking for in a personal statement, nor do they have years of experience reviewing personal statements and helping students put the best version of themselves forward. For these reasons, many students choose to seek the help of a professional medical school advisor to make sure they have the absolute best chances of acceptance to medical school the first time around.

If you have enough time set aside to write your statement without juggling multiple other commitments, it normally takes at least four weeks to write your statement. If you are working, in school, or volunteering and have other commitments, be prepared to spend 6-8 weeks.

Your conclusion should have a summary of the main points you have made in your essay, but it should not just be a summary. You should also end with something that makes the reader want to learn more about you (i.e. call you for an interview). A good way to do this is to include a call-back to your opening anecdote: how have you grown or matured since then? How are you more prepared now to begin medical school?

The goal is to show as many of them as you can in the WHOLE application: this includes your personal statement, sketch, reference letters, secondary essays, and even your GPA and MCAT (which show critical thinking and reasoning already). So, it’s not an issue to focus on only a few select experiences and competencies in the personal statement.

Yes, you can. However, if you used an experience as a most meaningful entry, pick something else to talk about in your essay. Remember, you want to highlight as many core competencies across your whole application). Or, if you do pick the same experience: pick a different specific encounter or project with a different lesson learned.

Once your essay is in good shape, it's best to submit to ensure your application is reviewed as soon as possible. Remember, with rolling admissions, as more time passes before you submit your application, your chances of acceptance decreases. Nerves are normal and wanting to tinker is also normal, but over-analyzing and constant adjustments can actually weaken your essay.

So, if you're thinking about making more changes, it's important to really reflect and think about WHY you want to change something and if it will actually make the essay stronger. If not your changes won't actually make the essay stronger or if it's a very minor change you're thinking of making, then you should likely leave it as is.

The reality is, medical school admission is an extremely competitive process. In order to have the best chance of success, every part of your application must be stellar. Also, every year some students get in whose GPAs or  MCAT scores  are below the median. How? Simply because they must have stood out in other parts of the application, such as the personal statement.

The ones that honestly made the most impact on you. You'll need to reflect on your whole life and think about which experiences helped you grow and pushed you to pursue medicine. Ideally, experiences that show commitment and progression are better than one-off or short-term activities, as they usually contribute more to growth.

Final Notes

This Ultimate Guide has demonstrated all the work that needs to be done to compose a successful, engaging personal statement for your medical school application. While it would be wonderful if there was an easy way to write your personal statement in a day, the reality is that this kind of composition takes a lot of work. As daunting as this may seem, this guide lays out a clear path. In summary, the following 5 steps are the basis of what you should take away from this guide. These 5 steps are your guide and sort of cheat sheet to writing your best personal statement.

5 Main Takeaways For Personal Statement Writing:

• Brainstorming
• Content and Theme
• Multiple Drafts
• Revision With Attention to Grammar

While a strong personal statement alone will not guarantee admission to medical school, it could absolutely squeeze you onto a  medical school waitlist , off the waitlist, and onto the offer list, or give someone on the admissions committee a reason to go to battle for your candidacy. Use this as an opportunity to highlight the incredible skills you've worked and studied to refine, the remarkable life experiences you've had, and the key qualities you possess in your own unique way. Show the admissions committee that you are someone they want to meet. Remember, in this context, wanting to meet you means wanting to bring you in for an interview!

Dr. Lauren Prufer is an admissions expert at BeMo. Dr. Prufer is also a medical resident at McMaster University. Her medical degree is from the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry. During her time in medical school, she developed a passion for sharing her knowledge with others through medical writing, research, and peer mentoring.

To your success,

Your friends at BeMo

BeMo Academic Consulting

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Medical School Personal Statement Examples and Analysis

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A strong medical school personal statement can take many forms, but the most impressive ones share several features. A winning statement obviously needs to be well written with perfect grammar and an engaging style. Also, a standout personal statement needs to be personal . The AMCAS application used by nearly all United States medical schools provides a simple prompt: "Use the space provided to explain why you want to go to medical school." The personal statement clearly needs to be about your motivation. How did you become interested in medicine? What experiences have affirmed that interest? How does medical school fit into your career goals?

The structure and precise content of the statement, however, can vary greatly. Below are two sample statements to illustrate some possibilities. Each is followed by an analysis of the statement's strengths and weaknesses.

Medical School Personal Statement Example #1

The walk across campus was excruciating. During my first year of college, I had gotten strep throat for the second time in a month. When antibiotics didn’t seem to be working, my doctor found that strep had led to mono. Worst of all, I had developed hiccups. Yes, hiccups. But these weren’t just any hiccups. Every time my diaphragm spasmed, I had such a stab of severe pain in my shoulder that I nearly blacked out. Needless to say, this was strange. The fatigue and sore throat made sense, but torturous knife-in-the-shoulder hiccups? I immediately headed for the urgent care facility at my university’s medical center. The walk seemed like miles, and every hiccup brought a stifled scream and a stop to my progress.

I grew up in rural New York, so I had never been to a teaching hospital before. All of my childhood doctors, in fact, had moved to my area to get their medical school loans repaid by agreeing to practice in an underserved community. I had four different doctors growing up, all of them perfectly competent, but all of them overworked and eager to do their time so they could move on to a “better” job.

I’m not sure what I expected when I set foot in the university’s medical center, but I had certainly never been in a massive medical complex that employs over 1,000 physicians. What mattered to me, of course, was my doctor and how she would fix my demonic death hiccups. At the time, I was thinking an epidural followed by a shoulder amputation would be a good solution. When Dr. Bennett arrived in my examining room, she immediately sent me to x-ray and told me to bring the films back to her. I thought it was odd that the patient would do this ferrying, and I found it even more strange when she put the images up on the illuminator and viewed them for the first time with me by her side.

This was the moment when I realized that Dr. Bennett was much more than a physician. She was a teacher, and at that moment, she was not teaching her medical students, but me. She showed me the outlines of the organs in my abdomen, and pointed to my spleen that was enlarged from mono. The spleen, she explained, was pushing on a nerve to my shoulder. Each hiccup dramatically increased that pressure, thus causing the shoulder pain. Apparently I wouldn’t need my shoulder amputated after all, and Dr. Bennett’s explanation was so wonderfully simple and comforting. Sometime during my visit to the hospital my hiccups had stopped, and as I walked back across campus, I couldn’t help marveling at how strange the human body is, but also what a pleasure it is to have a doctor who took the time to teach me about my own physiology.

As my interest in medicine grew and I added biology and chemistry minors to my communication studies major, I started looking for shadowing opportunities. Over winter break of my junior year, a dermatologist from a nearby town agreed to let me shadow him full time for a week. He was a family acquaintance who, unlike my childhood doctors, had been working out of the same office for over 30 years. Until that January, however, I really had no idea what his job was actually like. My first impression was one of disbelief. He began seeing patients at 6 a.m. for 5-minute consultations during which he would look at a single area of concern for the patient—a rash, a suspicious mole, an open sore. Around 7:00 a.m., regularly scheduled appointments began, and even here, he rarely spent more than 10 minutes with a patient. His workday was over by midafternoon in time to get in some skiing (golf in warmer months), but he would still see upwards of 50 patients in a day.

One would think with that kind of volume, the patient experience would be impersonal and rushed. But Dr. Lowry knew his patients. He greeted them by name, asked about their kids and grandkids, and laughed at his own bad jokes. He was deceptively quick and efficient, but he made patients comfortable. And when he discussed their medical issues, he pulled out a remarkably battered and dog-eared copy of Fitzpatrick’s Clinical Dermatology to show color photos of their condition and explain what next steps, if any, were needed. Whether a patient had a benign seborrheic keratosis or melanoma that had gone untreated for far too long, he compassionately and clearly explained the situation. He was, in short, an excellent teacher.

I love biology and medicine. I also love writing and teaching, and I plan to use all of these skills in my future medical career. I’ve been a lab TA for Human Anatomy and Physiology, and I wrote articles for the university newspaper on flu prevention and a recent outbreak of whooping cough. My experiences with Dr. Bennett and Dr. Lowry have made clear to me that the best doctors are also excellent teachers and communicators. Dr. Lowry taught me not just about dermatology, but the realities of rural medicine. He is the only dermatologist in a 40-mile radius. He is such a valuable and integral part of the community, yet he will be retiring soon. It isn’t clear who will replace him, but perhaps it will be me.

Analysis of Personal Statement Example #1

With its focus on rural medicine and the importance of good communication in health professions, the statement's topic is promising. Here's a discussion of what works well and what could use a little improvement.

There is much in this personal statement that the admissions committee will find appealing. Most obviously, the applicant has an interesting background as a communication studies major, and the statement successfully shows how important good communication is to being a good physician. Medical school applicants certainly don't need to major in the sciences , and they need not be apologetic or defensive when they have a major in the humanities or social sciences. This applicant clearly has taken the required biology and chemistry classes , and the additional skills in writing, speaking, and teaching will be an added bonus. Indeed, the statement's emphasis on doctors as teachers is compelling and speaks well to the applicant's understanding of effective patient treatment.

The readers of this statement are also likely to admire the applicant's understanding of the challenges rural communities face when it comes to health care, and the end of the statement makes clear that the applicant is interested in helping address this challenge by working in a rural area. Finally, the author comes across as a thoughtful and at times humorous person. The "demonic death hiccups" are likely to draw a smile, and the understanding of Dr. Lowry's contributions to the community reveals the author's ability to analyze and understand some of the challenges of rural medical practices.

On the whole, this is a strong personal statement. As with any piece of writing, however, it is not without some shortcomings. By telling two stories—the experiences with Dr. Bennett and Dr. Lowry—there is little room left to explain the applicant's motivation for studying medicine. The statement never gets very specific about what the applicant wants to study in medical school. The final paragraph suggests it could be dermatology, but that certainly doesn't seem definitive and there's no indication of a passion for dermatology. Many MD students, of course, don't know what their specialty will be when they begin medical school, but a good statement should address why the applicant is driven to study medicine. This statement tells a couple of good stories, but the discussion of motivation is a little thin.

Medical School Personal Statement Example #2

My paternal grandfather died of rectal cancer when I was 10 and my grandmother died of colon cancer two years later. Indeed, numerous family members on my father’s side of the family have died of colorectal cancer, and these are not beautiful and peaceful deaths. No dosage of opioids seemed to alleviate the pain caused by tumors that had spread to my grandfather’s spine, and the numerous rounds of chemotherapy and radiation were their own form of torture. My father gets frequent colonoscopies in an effort to avoid the same fate, and I will soon be doing the same. The family curse isn’t likely to skip a generation.

Five years ago, my favorite uncle on my mother’s side of the family was diagnosed with triple hit lymphoma. Doctors gave him, at best, a few months to live. He was an avid reader and researcher who learned everything he could about his disease. Walking with a cane because of tumors in his leg, he attended a medical conference, inserted himself into a conversation with a top cancer researcher, and managed to get enrolled in a clinical trial for CAR T-cell therapy. Because of his inquisitiveness and assertiveness, he is still alive today with no signs of cancer. This type of happy outcome, however, is more the exception than the rule, and in an ideal world, a cancer patient should not have to reject his doctor's diagnosis to seek his own cure.

My interest in oncology certainly stems from my family history and the ticking time bomb within my own genes, as well as my general fascination with understanding how living things work. The field also appeals to my love of challenges and puzzles. My early childhood was one big blur of giant jigsaw puzzles, scouring the countryside with a magnifying glass, and bringing home every newt, salamander, and snake I could find. Today, those interests manifest themselves in my fondness for mathematics, cellular biology, and anatomy.

In contemporary medicine, there is perhaps no greater living puzzle than cancer. Ken Burns’ film Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies really brings home how little we understand the disease. At the same time, it’s encouraging that this 2015 film is already out-of-date as new and promising treatments continue to emerge. Indeed, it’s an exciting time for the field as researchers make some of the most significant advancements in cancer treatment in decades. That said, some cancers remain remarkably elusive, and so much more progress is needed. My volunteer work at the university’s Cancer Center has made this need clear. So many patients I’ve met are suffering through chemotherapy not with a hope of beating cancer, but with the modest hope of living just a little longer. They often aren’t wrong to have such modest expectations.

My interest in oncology isn’t limited to treating patients—I also want to be a researcher. During the past year and a half, I’ve been a research assistant in Dr. Chiang’s laboratory. I’ve gained extensive experience conducting literature reviews, handling rodents, measuring tumors, genotyping, and creating genetic samples using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Some of my fellow lab assistants find the work tedious and repetitive, but I view each piece of data as part of the bigger puzzle. Progress may be slow and even halting at times, but it is still progress, and I find it exciting.

I’m applying to your joint MD/PhD program because I firmly believe that research will make me a better doctor, and working directly with patients will make me a better researcher. My ultimate goal is to become a cancer research professor at an R1 university’s medical school where I will treat patients, educate the next generation of doctors and researchers, and make headway in defeating this terrible disease.

Analysis of Personal Statement Example #2

With its laser-sharp focus on oncology, this statement stands in sharp contrast to the first example. Here's what works well and what doesn't.

Unlike the first writer, this applicant does an excellent job revealing the motivation behind attending medical school. The opening paragraphs bring to life the damage cancer has done to the applicant's family, and the statement as a whole convincingly shows that oncology is an area of interest for both personal and intellectual reasons. The applicant's volunteer work and research experiences all center on cancer, and the reader has no doubt about the applicant's passion for the field. The applicant also has remarkably clear and specific career goals. On the whole, the reader gets the sense that this applicant will be an ambitious, focused, motivated, and passionate medical student.

Like the first example, this personal statement is generally quite strong. If it has one significant weakness, it is on the patient care side of medicine. In the first example, the applicant's admiration for and understanding of good patient care stands at the forefront. In this second statement, we don't have much evidence of the applicant's actual interest in working directly with patients. This shortcoming could be addressed by going into more detail about the volunteer work at the university Cancer Center, but as is, the statement seems to present more interest in research than patient care. Given the interest in research, the applicant's interest in an MD/PhD program makes sense, but the MD side of that equation could use more attention in the statement.

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My Life After Cancer: A Personal Statement From a Leukemia Survivor

My life since I completed my chemotherapy treatment and earned the title “leukemia survivor” has been quite the  Metanoia . 

Don’t freak out! I just like uncommon words. And this harmless little Greek word simply means “ A journey of changing one’s mind, heart, self, or way of life. ”

It sounds peaceful, doesn’t it? This word Metanoia seems to naturally evoke thoughts of rivers flowing gently through peaceful valleys… Maybe a few songbirds and butterflies flitting through the air.

My life after cancer has definitely been a journey, but you can forget the illusion of peaceful valleys and songbirds.

No, thoughts of my Metanoia conjure images of the desecrated and burning depths of hell where the very environment serves to evoke pain and suffering on every level. The closest thing to songbirds in the air was the fire that occasionally rained down from above.

To be fair, I believe I DID encounter a river in hell. The “river of lost souls” or something like that. If you are interested in hearing more about my “cancer is hell” analogy, you can check that out here. 

In all honesty, there was nothing peaceful about my journey to recovery after two-and-a-half years of intensive chemotherapy. And enduring those hellish conditions completely changed me, my perspectives, and my life in just about every sense.

For those of you who don’t already know me, my name is Aspen, and there are a few things I want to share with you.

When I got cancer, it was like the floodgates of hell broke loose. Everything I knew about myself and the world was swept away and obliterated. The flood of dark waters threatened to sweep my very life away many times, but somehow they didn’t. 

While those flood gates eventually closed, and the raging torrent eventually subsided, I have been left to sink or swim in the remaining water.

(Along the lines of this analogy, let’s just say I have had to become a phenomenal swimmer).

It took me a long time to want to share my experiences. I couldn’t do it through the chemotherapy years that were full of immense physical suffering. Then, the trauma of those years smothered any spark of desire I had to tell my story.

I spent a long time running like hell from my cancer and everything it had done to me.

I had to run from it. I wanted to forget that it had ever happened to me and go on to be healthy and “normal”.

I needed my suffering to be in the past because my pain was threatening to drown me.

I initially had the delusion that once my cancer was gone and my treatment ended, my life would be okay. I thought  I would be okay. 

I understood how wrong I was a few months into my chemo treatment. My life had been irrevocably changed from the moment I was diagnosed in the hospital. It just took me a while to accept that.

If you have not already done so, take the time to read My Story  about what occurred during my years of chemotherapy. If you have already done so, or if you personally know me, the next line will make perfect sense to you:

My cancer and chemotherapy broke me. Suffering so greatly for so long does not leave your body or spirit intact.

Scars caused by immense mental and physical suffering aren’t always just a distant reminder of an old battle wound. Some can actually limit you as you move forward. These are the kinds of scars that you have to learn to live with.

Your experiences shape you. They make you who you are.

I realized I couldn’t run away. I was the product of my experiences. Cancer and chemo had forced me to discover my greatest strengths, instilled my greatest fears, sculpted my perceptions of this world, left my physical body scarred and damaged, and had given me an entirely new health battle to deal with the rest of life.

Cancer and all the suffering it brought— every physical and emotional “side effect” it left me to deal with—was now an inescapable part of me.

When I had this monumental epiphany… I was furious . I was in disbelief at how unfair it was. I agonized through cancer and chemo, and I couldn’t even escape it? I wanted nothing more to do with cancer. I wanted my physical and emotional pain to end. 

I wanted to forget.

No one wants to coexist with their greatest tormentor— the thing that brought them more pain and suffering than anything. I didn’t want that. Like hell I was going to accept that.

Feeling like the world had ripped me off, I opted to remain in an intentional state denial for a while longer.

Then, I realized (with a SECOND epiphany) that I was giving in .

I was bending the knee (yes, this is a G.O.T. reference) to the world that told me I should die; the world that had convinced me life was just suffering and pain; the world that gave me every possible reason to hate life, despise my body, and give up.

And I was playing right into its hands . At that time, I hated myself, my life, and did not want a future.

This was unacceptable . Other people and external forces had been dictating what my life looked like for too long. And now the world was trying to shove me into a box right next to my cancer to promote my suffering. There was no way I was letting that happen.

So, I decided to do the last thing I ever thought I would do.

I chose to embrace everything I had been through.

I began to wade through the never-ending stream of horrible memories and trauma that I had encountered. I challenged my beliefs, perceptions, and fears, recognize where I needed to grow, and learn how to keep my past from ruling my present.

I accepted that cancer had messed me up and that I had to fix myself and learn to be better than I was. 

I began to see how cancer has made me strong, empathetic, introspective, wise, compassionate, and resilient.

I chose to embrace myself despite feeling betrayed by my own body and in spite of long-lasting physical and emotional challenges that affect me to this day. I came to believe that I am more than my physical body and whatever it goes through.

I refused to let cancer and it’s long–term effects define who I was.

I embraced the hell of the past, the frustration and limits of the present, and the potential hardships the future may bring, and made the decision to do everything in my power to grow from my experiences.

I accepted that I may very well be forced to swim in the dark water that remained after my chemotherapy.

So I became a damn good swimmer. 

The world tried to screw me over, and I raise my middle finger in response.

Cancer is a part of me, and I accept that. It is just one of the many parts that make up Aspen.

And I love who I am : In mind, heart, and spirit, I think I am pretty cool.

(Even if I don’t always get along with my physical body).

So who is Aspen Heidekrueger? What kind of crazy person did cancer turn her into? 

Let me share some things about me and you can decide for yourself:

I am someone who could spend hours in a library or bookstore and then equally as much time in a coffee shop, reading the books I found. 

Nothing makes me feel more alive than being able to run outside for miles on end (whenever my body permits me to do this). 

I sit on the edge of cliffs whenever I come across them on hikes… And I always have someone take a picture as proof.   ———————————>

I jump into every single mountain lake I come across, e ven the glacial ones.

Going outside to run around in the rain (like it is a socially acceptable thing) just to feel the drops on my skin and get completely soaked is one of my favorite things to do in this life. 

I am slightly obsessed with beautiful and unique words that seem to understand me more than most human beings do. Read about my all-time favorite word here .

Something (other than running) that makes me feel truly alive and reminds me that the world is beautiful is going outside at night to look at the stars . 

I love studying philosophy and appreciate the peace philosophical perspectives can bring me. (That’s right, philosophy is NOT just for old, dead Greek dudes). Click here to read about one concept that helped me find control after my battle with cancer.

My idea of a great time is getting up at ungodly hours of the morning to go climb a 14er (mountains above 14,000ft). 

If the apocalypse happens, I will be happily backpacking through the woods… deep in the mountains… as far away from civilization as possible and using a bow to hunt like Katniss Everdeen from the Hunger Games. 

Any time there is a song that I know playing, I will sing along to it. (Yes, even in public) And I laugh and joke around all the time.

As you can tell from the pictures below, my camera is basically a natural extension of my hand. My personal philosophy as a photographer is that you can’t be afraid to be in socially questionable poses to get a good photo ( such as laying flat on the ground ).

My photos are all over this blog. Just look for the photos with my name on them!

Did I mention that I love writing? (This blog might have been a hint). 

My scars are visual reminders of how much I have endured (there are a lot of them, believe me), and I love every single one.

I feel like I am 67 years old mentally (If time flies when you are having fun, the last 20 years of my life have gone at the pace of an old snail… that is traveling uphill … and taking a break every 5 seconds ).

I always somehow find the strength to continue even when I feel like I have nothing left. You have heard of rock bottom, right? Well, let me tell you now: Rock bottom has a basement. 

And finally:

I STILL STRUGGLE . I actively face ongoing health issues that make for a lot of bad days, I deal with anxiety and panic attacks, and I have to handle the stress of normal life on top of it. I feel the weight of my pain-filled past, I get discouraged when I face challenges in the present, and I worry about my health in the future. 

I still get to points where I don’t know how to go forward. I often think life is unfair and hate my circumstances.

But I never give up. I never stop trying to be happy.

When bad things happen, I scream, I cry, I get angry, I feel the unfairness of it all. (believe me, it’s not a pretty sight).

But then I find the strength to keep going. I choose to take control of where I can and make the best of it. 

I keep trying to improve and be the best version of me possible.

I take joy where I can find it, and work ridiculously hard to live a happy life.

Where there is a will, there is a way. 

I have no idea how much time I may or may not have, given the numerous post-chemo concerns for my health in the future.

And I will fight until my very last breath and do everything in my power to live this life to the fullest.

And for me, that means experiencing all that life has to offer—the good and the bad. This means taking everything I am given and making the very most of it. 

This is my life. I only get one. And I refuse to waste a moment of it.

However short or long, I will make the most of the time I have.

So now, nearly eight years after my cancer diagnosis, it is time to share the story of my journey, my Metanoia, with the world. It is a tale of surviving and overcoming, but more than anything it will be a story about living.  

All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us – J.R.R Tolkien 

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My career goal is to contribute to human health through scientific discoveries and innovations. After receiving my medical degree from Kyoto University in Japan, I took a career path as a surgeon. During my five-year career as a surgical oncologist, I saw many cancer patients who developed very aggressive tumors. Because none of the treatments were effective, I realized the necessity of transformational developments leading to new treatments for cancer patients.

My cancer research career began at Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine. During my doctoral training, I studied how tumor suppressor genes are inactivated in esophageal cancer. Then I realized the need for basic science training for innovative science, and moved to the Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington. I started a project on the mechanisms of genomic amplification, a process that drives aggressive tumor phenotypes such as tumor progression and therapy resistance. Since becoming an independent researcher at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, I have provided novel insights on both genetic and genomic factors involved in gene amplification. I also gained deep insights into human genetic variation and genome evolution, subjects that are important for understanding the complexity of the human genome. In 2014, I moved to Cedars-Sinai to expand my work.

In summary, armed with expertise in both the concepts (cancer biology, human genetics and molecular evolution) and methodology (molecular biology, cell biology and genomics), I am dedicated to the development of interventions for novel cancer diagnostics and treatments.

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Cancer Biology and Immunology Personal Statement Examples

• 1 Personal Statement Example Links
• 2 Career Opportunities
• 3 UK Admission Requirements
• 4 UK Earnings Potential For Cancer Biology
• 5 Similar Courses in UK
• 6 UK Curriculum
• 7 Alumni Network

Personal Statement Example Links

• Personal Statement Example 1
• Personal Statement Example 2
• Personal Statement Example 3
• Personal Statement Example 4
• Personal Statement Example 5

Fascinated by the intricate dance between the human immune system and malignancies?Inspired to contribute to the global fight against cancer?

Pursuing a course in Cancer Biology and Immunology could be your pathway to making a significant impact on public health.

It is an interesting and relevant choice for students interested in learning about the latest developments in cancer research and immunology. This course provides students with an in-depth understanding of the biology and immunology of cancer, as well as the latest advances in cancer treatments.

Students will learn about the molecular and cellular processes that cause cancer, the role of the immune system in cancer development and progression, and the various treatments available for cancer patients.

They will also gain an understanding of the ethical considerations involved in cancer research and treatment. By the end of the course, students will have an understanding of the complexity of cancer and the importance of immunology in its treatment.

This course is particularly relevant for students interested in pursuing a career in cancer research or in the medical field. It provides students with the necessary knowledge to understand the biology and immunology of cancer, as well as the ethical considerations involved in cancer research and treatment.

Additionally, this course provides students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the laboratory, which can be invaluable for those looking to pursue a career in cancer research.

👍 When writing a personal statement : Highlight your passion for the course, demonstrating your understanding of it. Use relevant personal experiences, coursework, or work history to showcase how these have fostered your interest and readiness for the course.

Career Opportunities

Someone with a degree in cancer biology and immunology can pursue a variety of careers and professions.

1. Research Scientist: A research scientist in cancer biology and immunology can work in a laboratory setting to investigate the causes, treatments, and potential cures for cancer. This career requires a strong background in scientific principles and laboratory techniques.

2. Clinical Research Coordinator: Clinical research coordinators work with clinical trials and other research projects to ensure that the protocols are followed and the results are accurately recorded. This career requires excellent organizational and communication skills and a thorough understanding of the research process.

3. Biostatistician: A biostatistician uses data analysis to inform research projects in cancer biology and immunology. This career requires strong analytical skills and an understanding of statistical methods.

4. Medical Writer: Medical writers create educational materials, patient information, and other documents related to cancer biology and immunology. This career requires excellent writing skills and an understanding of the medical field.

5. Healthcare Administrator: Healthcare administrators manage the operations of healthcare facilities, including hospitals, clinics, and research centers. This career requires strong leadership and management skills and an understanding of the healthcare industry.

6. Pharmaceutical Sales Representative: Pharmaceutical sales representatives promote and sell pharmaceutical products to healthcare professionals. This career requires excellent communication and sales skills and an understanding of the pharmaceutical industry.

7. Educator: Educators teach courses in cancer biology and immunology at the university or college level. They design lesson plans, deliver lectures, guide research projects, assess student performance, and stay updated with the latest developments in the field. They also may contribute to the academic field through their own research and publications.

UK Admission Requirements

To be accepted into the Cancer Biology and Immunology course at a UK university, applicants must have achieved a minimum of a 2:1 in a relevant degree, such as a biomedical sciences or life sciences degree. Additionally, applicants must have achieved a minimum of a B grade in A-level Biology and Chemistry, or equivalent qualifications.

The entry criteria for this course are generally similar to other university courses in the field of life sciences, with the main difference being the requirement of a 2:1 degree, rather than a 2:2. This is due to the fact that Cancer Biology and Immunology is a highly specialised field, and therefore requires a higher level of academic achievement.

UK Earnings Potential For Cancer Biology

The average earnings for someone with a degree in cancer biology and immunology will depend on the type of job they pursue. According to PayScale, the median salary for a cancer biologist is $67,971 per year. For an immunologist, the median salary is $80,817 per year.

In terms of trends in the job market, the demand for cancer and immunology professionals is expected to increase in the coming years. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of medical scientists, which includes cancer biologists and immunologists, is projected to grow 8% from 2019 to 2029. This is faster than the average for all occupations.

Similar Courses in UK

Other university courses related to Cancer Biology and Immunology include Molecular Biology and Genetics, Biochemistry, Cell and Developmental Biology, and Microbiology.

Molecular Biology and Genetics focuses on the study of the structure and function of genes, the molecular basis of inheritance, and the regulation of gene expression. This course emphasizes the study of gene structure and regulation, and the role of genes in the development and evolution of organisms.

Biochemistry focuses on the study of the chemical processes and reactions that occur in living organisms. It explores the structure and function of proteins, enzymes, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids, as well as their role in metabolism, energy production, and other cellular processes.

Cell and Developmental Biology studies the structure and function of cells, and how cells interact with each other and their environment. It also explores the processes of cell division, differentiation, and development, and how these processes are regulated.

Microbiology focuses on the study of microorganisms, their structure, function, and interaction with other organisms. It explores the role of microorganisms in disease, the environment, and biotechnology.

The key difference between these courses and Cancer Biology and Immunology is that Cancer Biology and Immunology focuses specifically on the study of cancer and the immune system, while the other courses listed focus on broader topics related to biology.

UK Curriculum

The key topics and modules covered in a cancer biology and immunology course typically include:

• Introduction to Cancer Biology and Immunology: This module will provide an overview of the fundamentals of cancer biology and immunology, including the structure and function of cells, the role of the immune system in cancer, and the molecular and genetic basis of cancer.
• Cancer Cell Biology: This module will explore the structure and function of cancer cells, including the role of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in cancer development.
• Cancer Immunology: This module will focus on the role of the immune system in cancer, including the mechanisms of immune recognition, the role of the immune system in cancer progression, and the development of immunotherapies.
• Molecular and Genetic Basis of Cancer: This module will explore the molecular and genetic basis of cancer, including the role of DNA mutations, epigenetic changes, and gene expression in cancer development.
• Cancer Prevention and Treatment: This module will explore the strategies for cancer prevention and treatment, including the use of chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy.
• Hands-on experience or practical work involved in a cancer biology and immunology course may include laboratory experiments, clinical case studies, and data analysis. Students may also have the opportunity to engage in fieldwork, such as visiting cancer research laboratories or medical centers.

Alumni Network

Notable alumni from the course Cancer Biology and Immunology include:

1. Dr. Robert Weinberg , a professor of Biology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He is a pioneer in the field of cancer biology and his research has helped to identify the genetic and molecular basis of cancer. He is a leader in the field of cancer immunology, studying how the immune system can be used to fight cancer.

2. Dr. Philip Greenberg , a professor of Medicine and Immunology at the University of Washington. He is an expert in the field of cancer immunology and has made major contributions to our understanding of how the immune system can be used to fight cancer. He has developed novel immunotherapies, such as adoptive T-cell therapy, to treat cancer.

3. Dr. David Baltimore, a professor of Biology at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). He is a leader in the field of cancer biology and has made major contributions to our understanding of how cancer develops and spreads. He has also developed novel cancer therapies, such as gene therapy and immunotherapy.

Alumni events and networking opportunities available for alumni of the course Cancer Biology and Immunology include:

1. The Cancer Biology and Immunology Alumni Network, which is an online platform for alumni of the course to connect with each other and stay informed of the latest developments in the field.

2. The Cancer Biology and Immunology Alumni Association, which boasts a robust global network of accomplished professionals, hosts a range of valuable events and networking opportunities. These include engaging webinars, informative panel discussions, research symposiums, and annual conferences, enabling graduates to not only remain updated with the latest advancements in their fields, but also to connect with industry experts, academia, and fellow alumni.

The association also provides platforms for mentorship, collaborations on new research, job postings, and an environment to foster lifelong relationships, thereby ensuring alumni of the course maintain a strong connection to their academic roots while also advancing their careers.

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Cancer Personal Statements Samples For Students

9 samples of this type

During studying in college, you will inevitably need to craft a bunch of Personal Statements on Cancer. Lucky you if linking words together and turning them into relevant content comes easy to you; if it's not the case, you can save the day by finding a previously written Cancer Personal Statement example and using it as a model to follow.

This is when you will definitely find WowEssays' free samples collection extremely useful as it includes numerous skillfully written works on most various Cancer Personal Statements topics. Ideally, you should be able to find a piece that meets your criteria and use it as a template to develop your own Personal Statement. Alternatively, our skilled essay writers can deliver you an original Cancer Personal Statement model written from scratch according to your personal instructions.

Masters In Public Health (Mph): Personal Statements Examples

Personal statement on narrative: a brief essay about my desire and motivation to become a physician assistant, social work personal narrative personal statement example.

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Good Example Of Personal Statement On Science and Knowledge of Physics

Career in medicine personal statement example, why i want to pursue a career in medicine, why i will be an asset to the college, and further information including my previous accomplishments, discovery of chemistry personal statement.

Chemistry taught me the importance of perseverance and hard work. When I first started studying chemistry in High School, I thought it was difficult and incomprehensible. I was fortunate enough to have an excellent teacher who made me want to work hard at chemistry and showed me that once you had a good introduction to a field, everything was possible.

The discovery of chemistry taught me patience and discipline and the importance of hard work to accomplish a goal and it changed my life.

Free Personal Statement On Development in Medicine

Free why do you want to study biological sciences personal statement example, personal statement on internal medicine residency program, personal statement.

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Biomedical Sciences: Advice on the Personal Statement

You can also download this page as a pdf document .

Your personal statement is an important part of your application to Oxford. It allows you to tell us about your interests, achievements and ambitions in your own words. Although we do not formally score your statement we read it carefully and use the information it contains as part of our short-listing exercise. If you are invited for interview, the statement is likely to provide a focus for the questions that you are asked. It is therefore essential that your statement is an accurate, unembellished account of your activities. We may check the claims that you make on your statement: discovery of fabricated or exaggerated material – during the admissions exercise, or even later on during your time as a student – may bring into question your suitability to study on the course.

Present yourself in the best light: the same basic facts about yourself (in terms of education, interests, experience), when presented differently, can quite dramatically convey positive or negative messages about you to tutors.

For Biomedical Sciences, whilst your academic record and BMAT performance data will come into play when candidates are being short-listed for interview, time spent in drafting an effective personal statement should also help your overall chances of success. Every detail becomes even more important once you have reached the interviews and are being considered for a place.

DO NOT BE SHY IN DECLARING ANY MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES

These may help us to put your achievements or personality within a finer context. We actively look for reasons why you may have under-performed in examinations, or performed well against the odds. These may be factors associated with your schooling, health or domestic circumstances. If you are returning to study after a break, or switching vocation, it is even more important to highlight your reasons for choosing a course at Oxford, and for you to demonstrate your determination, resilience, ability and commitment.

DO NOT SIMPLY RECOUNT EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE

We’re looking for quality, not quantity! Remember that large numbers of candidates apply for our courses. Tell us in what ways you will stand out from the crowd. In choosing to talk about an activity, describe what you have drawn from the experience: has it changed you as a person? Did it surprise you?

WE WANT TO LEARN ABOUT YOU AS A PERSON, NOT JUST ABOUT YOUR ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

If you have undertaken extra-curricular activities, or hold positions of responsibility at school, tell us why you sought these, and why they are important to you. You will not impress us by simply recounting that you took up a placement in Thailand, but we might be more appreciative if you tell us what you personally learnt from the experience, about your interaction with local people, and about shadowing the medical team working within your village.

Example: I have become involved with a city music and drama group, and work especially with the younger members. I find this exciting and more than occasionally challenging. Coaching for the group has given me experience in organising others, as well as teaching them. Watching group members learn and progress is thrilling, especially in the case of one of them who has ADHD. At first he was incapable of remaining still, silent or attentive for even a few minutes, but eventually became far more focused and calmer, making excellent progress in many areas.

DIRECTLY ADDRESS OUR SELECTION CRITERIA

• Motivation and capacity for sustained and intense work.

Example: My interest has always been in how the body works in the way it does, and why. This was triggered early on by my mother's cancer, and I felt compelled to find out all about this condition, and what could be done to help treat it. I am thirsty for new knowledge, and am fascinated by the interrelatedness of systems in the human body.

• A strong track record of academic achievement, and particular ability and potential in science and/or mathematics. An excellent record at GCSE (or equivalent).
• Intellectual curiosity and enthusiasm and readiness to cope with the academic demands of the course.

Example: I read beyond the syllabus topics covered at A-level extensively, and decided to research and write an extended essay discussing ethics and science, with particular emphasis on 'living wills'. I enjoyed the challenge and discipline of studying independently, and follow recent developments and debate in this area.

• Reasoning and problem solving ability: use of a logical and critical approach, and strong powers of analysis.
• Communication: Good command of the English language. Ability to express ideas clearly and effectively. Ability to listen.

Example 1: I have worked as a hotel waitress during the summer conference season, which allowed me to develop teamwork skills, and work under various time pressures. It also allowed me to interact with many different members of the public.

Example 2: I took part in my school's open day, and demonstrated experiments in the Chemistry lab. During the last year I have also participated in a reading scheme, helping younger pupils with learning difficulties.

• Ability to generate own ideas and proposals. Originality and creativity of thought, lateral thinking and hypothesis-generation.

YOU WILL NOT BE ALONE IN TRYING TO OPEN WITH AN ATTENTION-GRABBING INTRODUCTION...

If you try this, make sure it helps tutors to learn something about what motivates and enthuses you.

Example: My vast collection of books and videos on "How the Body Works" when I was 7 years old first triggered my interest in the functions of the body. Watching the little personified, cartoon blobs that represented red blood cells run around an animated yet functioning body fascinated me and I longed to find out more. As a result, when a friend received a letter explaining their little girl had just been diagnosed with X at just 14 months old, I was intrigued to find out what this was.

THE STATEMENT IS CALLED  PERSONAL  FOR A REASON

It should be written by you, not by your parents, siblings, or teachers. Do not plagiarise material that you find on the web as there is a great chance that such deception will be discovered.

DO NOT FEEL THAT THERE IS A PRECISE TEMPLATE TO FOLLOW THAT WILL SCORE YOU POINTS

We look for bright and independent thinkers, so try to be original!

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Sample Statement of Purpose Cancer Research (Ph.D.)

by Talha Omer, MBA, M.Eng., Harvard & Cornell Grad

In statement of purpose.

The following statement of purpose is written by an applicant who got accepted to top Ph.D. programs in cancer research/cancer biology. Variations of this SOP got accepted at JHU. Read this essay to get inspiration and understand what a top Ph.D. SOP should look like.

Sample Statement of Purpose Ph.D. Cancer Research

I belong to Grushevka, a remote Northern area of Ukraine. Over the years, I have seen how diseases such as deafness, dumbness, mental retardation, hair-related disorders, and cancer have caused widespread miseries for the local inhabitants. Since my childhood days, the agony of their life touched my heart, but I could not do anything for them except spare some time to make them happy. However, during those childhood days, I made a vow to myself to play my part in the fight against diseases that are prevalent in my hometown.

When I started studying biology, I found an avenue that could help me to fulfill my dream. I decided to work on genetic disorders while pursuing my Master’s. During my Master’s, I selected cancer Biology as my area of interest. I studied subjects related to signaling involved in humans, including “Advances in Molecular Genetics,” “Advances in Molecular Biology,” and “Molecular Mechanisms of diseases.” These subjects gave me a strong foundation in Molecular biology, which helped me to pursue research in human genetic disorders. Since my preferred area of interest (Cancer Biology) was unavailable in this lab, I worked on “Mapping Genes Involved in Hereditary Hypotrichosis.” During the research program, I was trained in Molecular biology techniques, including PCR, Electrophoresis, DNA Sequencing and analysis, and others.

Cancer has become the leading cause of death after cardiovascular diseases. Breast and ovarian cancer worsen due to early marriages, frequent pregnancies, lack of pre and post-pregnancy care, malnutrition, and a high rate of consanguineous marriages. Estimates suggest that about 80% of breast and 90% of ovarian cancers are sporadic. Only 5% to 10% of breast cancers are hereditary. Many mutated genes play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of different cancers, including APC, BRAC1, BRCA2, and B-catenin, causing colorectal cancer, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer. According to a reported study, 55%- 65% of women with BRCA1 mutations are at a high risk of breast cancer. According to a WHO report, breast cancer is the most common type in females, affecting females in 145 countries, causing 14% of cancer-related death worldwide and causing the death of 3.3 million women worldwide.

Moreover, it is a severe health threat in countries like Ukraine, with two million deaths in only Europe. In Ukraine, breast and ovarian cancer will be an epidemic, with 1 case per 9 women. However, according to the IARC, only registered cases included 19,271 breast cancer cases and 10,376 breast cancer deaths. Moreover, in contradiction to international trends, in Ukraine, young women aged between 20 to 35 years report breast cancer more frequently, instead of 40 onwards. Due to these alarming figures for the whole country, I have set an ambitious goal to beat and make a difference in the fight against cancer.

For the last decade, I have dreamed of working on applied oncology to eradicate the disease-mediated miseries in Ukraine, particularly in my native areas. I am enthusiastic about pursuing Ph.D. in the subject of cancer biology. Through this research program, I could study the biochemical processes and signaling cascades involved in the underlying disease pathology. I am also looking forward to learning about cancer cells’ intercellular and intracellular atmosphere and how cancer cells metastasize at the molecular level. I also hope to find novel therapeutics as a remedy against the disease, like nanoparticles, proteins that can work as inhibitors of cancer proteins, or RNAi-based silencing of affected genes involved in cancers.

Once I am equipped with these techniques and subject knowledge, I can train the students in my areas at the graduate and research levels. Ukraine has the resources, but a significant barrier is a need for qualified researchers. There is already a university in my native area but it lacks research laboratories and a trained workforce. Therefore, I wish to educate the coming generations and to work for disease-suffering families.

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Growing up in Kuala Lumpur, the bustling heart of Malaysia, I was exposed to a significant urban-rural divide in healthcare access. The influx of people from rural areas into the city for advanced medical care highlighted the lack of sophisticated medical facilities...

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Sample Statement of Purpose for Masters in Public Policy (MPP) India is a place of immense challenges and opportunities. On the one hand, limited state capacity in a country with a burgeoning population results in unmet needs for basic amenities such as healthcare,...

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The following SOP was written by an applicant who was admitted to top MSBA (Masters of Science in Business Analytics) programs in the US. Variations of this essay got accepted at Duke, UT Austin, and UCLA. This statement of purpose is intended to provide an example...

Sample Stanford Computer Science Statement of Purpose

The following statement of purpose is written by an applicant who got accepted to Stanford's doctoral programs in computer science. Stanford's CS program requires a 2-page statement of purpose that covers the following points: Should be concise, focused, and well...

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The following statement of purpose is written by an applicant who got accepted to Harvard's master’s programs in public health. Harvard's MPH program requires a 600-word statement of purpose that covers the following points: Academic and/or professional preparation...

Sample Statement of Purpose in Public Health (MPH)

The following statement of purpose is written by an applicant who got accepted to several top master's programs in public health. Variations of this SOP got accepted at Rutgers, and Chicago. Read it to understand what a top SOP in MPH should look like. Example...

Sample Statement of Purpose for Nursing

The following statement of purpose was written by an applicant who was admitted to top MSN (Masters of Science in Nursing) programs in the US. The applicant aspires to specilize in the field of nursing informatics. Variations of this SOP got accepted at Johns Hopkins...

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With an admissions rate of less than 20%, even applicants with the most outstanding profiles and GRE test scores get rejected from the Fulbright program. What sets successful Fulbright applicants stand out are their unique experiences, achievements and their ability...

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3 Foolproof Ways to Make Your Personal Statement Memorable

By: Ryan Kelly

Since the dawn of time, there have been many different cultures and societies with various beliefs on medicine.

Ugh. Scratch that.

What exactly is ‘medicine?’ Webster’s Dictionary defines it as “the science and art dealing with the maintenance of health and the prevention, alleviation, or cure of disease.”

As the great thinker Paracelsus once said, “Medicine is not only a science, but also an art.”

Alright I’m going to have to stop us right there.

These hooks are bad - more likely found in English 101 papers than medical school personal statements. In fact, they’re inspired by my time teaching clueless freshmen how to write.

If you scoffed at these lines, then good, your instincts are spot on.

But what if I challenged you to write your own hook right now? Think you could do better? Go ahead - I’ll wait - take all the time you need:

WRITE YOUR OWN PERSONAL STATEMENT HOOK:

____________________________________________________________________________

Maybe you came up with one, maybe you didn’t. But my guess is that it wasn’t easy and that you didn’t feel satisfied.

WHY ARE PERSONAL STATEMENT HOOKS SO CHALLENGING TO WRITE?

1. getting started feels daunting..

You often don’t know where you’re going or where you’ll end up. Discussing medicine in relation to your entire life story feels impossible. No hook feels good enough for the perfect, all-encompassing essay that you envision.

“I want to talk about translational research, but I also want to mention the free clinic for the underserved. Oh, and my three weeks in Ghana. How can I tie that together with my grandma’s cancer and my brother’s mental problems? Is there a hook for all of that?”

Every year, I watch perfectionism and self-consciousness cripple pre-med writers. They “pre-write” things in their heads for weeks, maybe months, never getting anything down on the page. They ponder ways to somehow combine all the different angles or ideas they want to explore, rather than writing one solid, focused essay. They forget that the personal statement is just one element of the primary application (and the last one that admissions officers read!).

Don’t get me wrong, outlining and pre-writing are great strategies - they might help you figure out a way to callback to your hook at the end, or how to make its theme emerge throughout.

But DON’T be fooled into thinking that the muse will suddenly strike and you’ll knock the personal statement out in one brilliant sitting. Writing is a process, and most personal statements take three or four revisions. Sometimes your hook won’t even reveal itself until you’ve warmed up and word-vomited a few paragraphs.

Your hook doesn’t need to be all-encompassing (which is impossible anyway). As we’ll see, most good hooks rely on their specificity and narrowed scope.    

2. EVERY IDEA SOUNDS CLICHE. ESPECIALLY THE IDEAS THAT FEEL MOST HONEST OR AUTHENTIC.

Ever since doctors cured my grandfather’s cancer, I have wanted to pay forward that same service to other patients and their families.

Even as a child, I had medical aspirations. I remember using my toy stethoscope on my three younger siblings as we ‘played doctor.’

Family illnesses and childhood dreams are important, but they’ve become cliche due to their overuse. I’ve written about these cliches before:

THE 5 MOST OVERUSED SENTENCES IN PERSONAL STATEMENTS

3 TECHNIQUES TO AVOID SOUNDING CLICHE IN YOUR MEDICAL SCHOOL PERSONAL STATEMENT

It’s frustrating to realize that your motivations towards your life’s calling are cliche, unoriginal, run-of-the-mill. But it’s okay. Most pre-meds have similar reasons for choosing medicine (helping people + using science), so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. You just have to make it your wheel by figuring out what makes your story/application distinct.      

3. EVERY INTRIGUING OR CREATIVE IDEA FEELS TOO RISKY. YOU’RE NOT WRITING THE NEXT EXPERIMENTAL NOVEL, AFTER ALL.

“I was thinking about comparing medicine to the ingredients and layers of a burrito. Like an extended metaphor. I could also compare the healthcare system to an open wound - that’s attention-grabbing, right?”

Okay, there is such a thing as TOO risky. Fancy extended metaphors or blatant shock value might not be the way to go.

But most of the time, pre-meds play it too safe. Playing it safe might mean straying away from “frivolous” storytelling or “tangential” information that could actually be the most memorable or unique aspect of their experiences.

Pre-meds don’t have many opportunities to write about themselves, and their academic and research experiences don’t always encourage risk-taking. They never have to worry about grabbing the reader’s attention in their lab reports. So playing it safe might also mean sticking to the expository writing that they’re accustomed to in academia (all telling, no showing).

You have to change your mindset when writing a hook.

Imagine you’re a journalist writing a feature story about your life. Or you’re writing a memoir about your pre-med journey. You need to make a good impression right away and compel the audience to continue reading. For example:

Bzzz. Bzzz. Bzzz. Our research team in the Philippines had taken every precaution. But somehow a rogue mosquito had managed to venture into the booties designed to protect my feet. When I looked down at the angry inflammation on my foot, I couldn’t believe the damage inflicted by such a tiny creature. The gruesome edema around my ankle served as a direct reminder of the mosquito-borne diseases that ravaged this community.

In general, it’s smart to open your essay with a problem, a failure, an unexpected challenge, a surprise, an ethical dilemma, an unsolved mystery, etc. All of these strategies create a “narrative question” that the reader wants answered. You might be worried about sounding too negative, but trust me, it’s okay. The conflict and tension are what make it interesting.

REGARDLESS OF THE CONTENT, HERE ARE THREE QUALITIES OF A GOOD HOOK:

1. good hooks are counterintuitive..

If something on your pre-med path has surprised you or upended your expectations, it might be a great thing to use as a hook. Chances are, it will surprise the reader too.

Cotton candy. Heavy metal music. American Ninja Warrior. Not what you’d expect to encounter in palliative care. But then I met Jimmy, a teenager with terminal cancer. A few months earlier, the words “children’s hospice” almost seemed like an oxymoron…

I’ve always been known for my sweet tooth, but I never expected that all the gummy worms and peanut butter cups would lead me to medicine. Growing up, I was resented for my lightning-fast metabolism, never gaining weight despite my sugary indulgences. On the outside I seemed healthy, but my sweet tooth had a secret cavity. At 18, I was diagnosed with secum diverticulitis and told that I had the digestional tract of a 60-year-old…

2. GOOD HOOKS ARE CONTRARIAN.

To illustrate this idea, let’s take one of our previous example hooks and make it better.

This type of narrative is expected. It could benefit from a reversal:

When my six-year-old nephew told me he wanted to be a doctor, I didn’t give him a high five or tell him “that’s awesome.” Instead, I asked, “Are you sure? That’s a pretty tough job.” I know it sounds harsh, but it’s the same question I was asked growing up. There are several doctors in our family, but they never push the career on their children. Instead, the career choice is more of an interrogation.

3. GOOD HOOKS ARE MORALLY AMBIGUOUS.

Again, let’s take one of our previous examples and make it better.

“Ever since doctors cured my grandfather’s cancer, I have wanted to pay forward that same service to other patients and their families.”

This type of narrative is too straightforward. It needs more tension and ambiguity:

I couldn’t understand my grandfather’s decision to give up. When he looked the doctor in the eye and refused treatment, my heart sank. The prognosis was grim, and he did not want to endure more chemo with such a low recovery rate. To me, the 5% was worth the agony, but I was being selfish. My family pleaded with the doctors to help change his mind, but they had to respect his decision.

It took me years to realize this was the humane thing to do.

REMEMBER THE HOOK YOU WROTE EARLIER? WITH THESE QUALITIES IN MIND, TAKE A SHOT AT REVISING IT:

Getting started can be the toughest part of the writing process, but hopefully my advice helps you jumpstart your essay with a memorable hook that feels authentic and distinct.

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Cancer Biology and Immunology

Applied in: winter 2013, university offers: bristol.

When I read ‘The Greatest Show on Earth’ by Dawkins and ‘Cancer’ by Scotting, I realised that Biology was more than just a school subject. From fossil records to more modern DNA mapping used for identifying relationships between species, Dawkins showed me just how many different ways there are to prove evolution. Scotting revealed to me the more scientific and medical side to Biology, from the risk factors of carcinogens leading up to how cancer cells form and are transported around the body using the lymphatic system. My interest in learning more about the wider world of Biology led me to organise work experience shadowing a surgical team at Hillingdon Hospital. Observing the team in theatre allowed me to see how having a biological knowledge is used in a more practical setting. I also had work experience in a biochemistry research lab at the University of Reading. I followed a researcher introducing DNA into cells and detecting proteins using antibodies by a process called Western blotting. This was very interesting and enabled me to see how diligent researchers have to be in order to conduct successful experiments. I have been to exhibitions and lectures at the Wellcome Trust Museum, including a talk about how radiology was used at the Olympic Games. I was interested in how varied sports injuries can be and how some bodies are able to cope better than others with intense exercise.

My surgical work experience allowed me to see the more human aspect of Biological research, specifically immunology. I now have a clearer idea of the challenges that researchers must face and the practical, ethical and scientific questions that they must answer. I recently read an article in the New Scientist on the benefits of the BCG vaccine in reducing susceptibility to eczema and asthma by up to twenty five percent, an effect that until recently was unknown to the vaccine’s developers. The ethics behind this are complicated since the researchers were unaware of these effects and yet the vaccine was given anyway. What if there were adverse effects that were not known about? How would patients affected by this be treated and who would be blamed for allowing the vaccine to be distributed? This showed me how the field of immunology is constantly being reassessed and the importance of precise research. I attended a course on BDNF to research a field that wasn’t covered by the school syllabus. I learnt how this chemical can assist with neurogenesis and be produced through exercising to help treat conditions such as dementia and depression. This encouraged me to co-write a paper on the effects of BDNF on Dementia which was published by Medlink (http://bit.ly/18TUK3n). I enjoyed the aspect of researching a new topic beyond my school course and attempting to come up with ideas for possible uses of the knowledge.

Being appointed a senior Non-Commissioned Officer in my school’s Combined Cadet Force and achieving the Duke of Edinburgh’s silver award have helped me develop my teamwork. Through my positions of responsibility at school, being elected as both a Senior Prefect and a Head of House, I have improved my leadership and confidence skills. I have mentored in GCSE Biology, refreshing and reinforcing my own knowledge. I also organised a school team to participate in the Great Gorilla Run, a charity event for the conservation of gorillas. My participation in squash and running teams at Borough level and for national races has developed my team working skills and also time management, as training must fit around my school work. I believe these qualities are essential for the modern scientist working in a team and managing large amounts of research effectively.

My long-term ambition is to work for a body such as the World Health Organisation, which influences healthcare on an international scale. I believe that studying this course will help me realise this ambition while opening my eyes to the varied world of Biology.

Please note UCAS will detect any form of plagiarism. PSE and its contributors do not take any responsibility for the way in which personal statements are used.

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Palace Gives Update on King Charles’ Cancer Treatment, Return to Royal Duties and More

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Buckingham Palace has confirmed King Charles III ’s official return to public duties amid his cancer battle.

“His Majesty The King will shortly return to public-facing duties after a period of treatment and recuperation following his recent cancer diagnosis,” a statement released by the palace on Friday, April 26, reads. “To help mark this milestone, The King and Queen will make a joint visit to a cancer treatment center next Tuesday, where they will meet medical specialists and patients.”

Us Weekly can confirm that Charles, 75, is still being treated for his undisclosed form of cancer, but remains in positive spirits.

“His Majesty’s medical team are very encouraged by the progress made so far and remain positive about the King’s continued recovery,” Buckingham Palace noted. “Forthcoming engagements will be adapted where necessary to minimize any risks to His Majesty’s continued recovery.”

King Charles III Through the Years: The Monarch’s Life in Photos

The spokesperson added: “The pacing of the King’s program will be carefully calibrated as his recovery continues, in close consultation with his medical team.”

Charles and Queen Camilla , will be able to meet with medical specialists and patients during the Tuesday, April 30, outing, in an effort to raise awareness of the importance of early diagnosis and highlight innovative research, supported by Cancer Research U.K. It will be the king’s first appearance since undergoing cancer treatment.

The palace also released a new photo of the king and queen, 76 on Friday, taken the day after their 19th wedding anniversary on April 10, in honor of the upcoming anniversary of his coronation.

“As the first anniversary of the coronation approaches, Their Majesties remain deeply grateful for the many kindnesses and good wishes they have received from around the world throughout the joys and challenges of the past year,” the palace said of the portrait.

Charles assumed the British throne in 2022 after the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth III . Eighteen months later, he was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer.

Royal Family Members Who Were Diagnosed With Cancer: From the Early Monarchs to King Charles III

“I would like to express my most heartfelt thanks for the many messages of support and good wishes I have received in recent days,” Charles said in a February statement . “As all those who have been affected by cancer will know, such kind thoughts are the greatest comfort and encouragement.”

He continued at the time, “It is equally heartening to hear how sharing my own diagnosis has helped promote public understanding and shine a light on the work of all those organizations [that] support cancer patients and their families across the U.K. and wider world. My lifelong admiration for their tireless care and dedication is all the greater as a result of my own personal experience.”

As Charles underwent treatment, of which details have not been publicly shared, he took a step back from his public duties. Camilla, brother Prince Edward , sister Princess Anne and son Prince William have all held appearances in his place . William’s wife, Princess Kate Middleton , has not made any appearances of her own or on Charles’ behalf as she is also battling an undisclosed form of cancer. Kate, 42, confirmed in March that she was undergoing a preventative course of chemotherapy and will return to the public eye following medical approval to do so.

Charles, meanwhile, has still held a few audiences at Buckingham Palace and attended several church services with Camilla earlier this month.

After Tuesday’s appearance, Charles will step out at a “number of external engagements” in the coming weeks, according to the palace statement. He and Camilla will also host the Emperor and Empress of Japan for an official state visit in June.

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NFL Draft: Adonai Mitchell says he's 'kind of pissed' after slide to Colts in second round

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Apple has resumed talks with OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, to build an AI-powered chatbot into the iPhone, according to a new report.

Toronto greets Shohei Ohtani with loud boos after free agency snafu, Ohtani responds with HR

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Death of Mandisa, 'American Idol' alum, does not appear suspicious, Franklin police say

Franklin Police Department officials said Monday that no foul play is suspected in the death of Christian singer Mandisa — four days after she was found dead in her home.

Mandisa, a Grammy-winner born in Citrus Heights, California, as Mandisa Lynn Hundley, was 47 years old.

The singer died suddenly in her Franklin home and was found on Thursday. Hundley was identified by a medical examiner, police officials said.

"At this time, there is no indication the death was the result of suspicious or criminal activity," said police spokesperson Max Winitz. "The Franklin Police Department send its condolences to Hundley’s family, friends, and fans."

He did not provide a suspected cause of her death on Monday.

Initially, police only said they were working at a home that matched the address provided for the 'American Idol' alum on public records. The Media Collective talent agency that represented Hundley confirmed her death Friday. But the company provided no insight into her cause of death.

Hundley graduated from Fisk University, where she was a member of the famed Fisk University Jubilee singers, in 2000.

In 2005, Hundley appeared on "American Idol" and made it to the top nine contestants. Her career as a Christian artist bloomed from there. She released her first album, "True Beauty" in 2007 and debuted on the Top Christian Album charts with her first single, "Only the World."

Hundley won best contemporary Christian Music Album for "Overcomer" at the 56th Grammy Awards in 2014.

As news of her death spread, other celebrities and people who knew Mandisa have spoken out on social media, saying her music and lyrics served as inspiration to them when they needed it.

"Mandisa's smile was like turning on sunshine," said singer-songwriter Amy Grant on Instagram.

Frequent collaborator TobyMac said: "I have never met an artist who is more encouraging and supportive to other artists than Mandisa."

Tennessean reporters Craig Shoup and Melonee Hurt contributed to this report.

O.J. Simpson dies of prostate cancer at 76, his family announces

O.J. Simpson , the football star and actor whose life took a shocking turn when he was accused of stabbing to death his ex-wife and a man who was with her the night of the killings, died Wednesday of prostate cancer at the age of 76, according to a post on social media attributed to the Simpson family.

"Our father, Orenthal James Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer," the post said . "He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren. During this time of transition, his family asks that you please respect their wishes for privacy and grace."

Simpson  was acquitted of two counts of murder during a televised trial that gripped America and divided the country largely among racial lines. But the jury in a civil trial found Simpson liable for the double murder, and he later served nine years in prison for his role in a botched armed robbery. He was granted parole in 2017 .

It completed a stunning fall from grace for the once-celebrated running back who won the Heisman Trophy in 1968 while starring at the University of Southern California. At times he looked unstoppable in the NFL , too, as a member of the Buffalo Bills who was inducted into both the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

He capitalized on his athletic success in Hollywood, developing a career as a successful actor and TV pitchman . But it all came crashing down after the murder charges that riveted America.

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O.J. charged with murder; the trial

There was the televised low-speed car chase in 1994, with Simpson in his white Ford Bronco and police in pursuit as Los Angeles residents cheered from freeway overpasses.

There was the so-called " Trial of the Century " in 1995, when a host of high-powered figures emerged, including Johnnie Cochran, one of Simpson’s defense attorneys. He turned a bloody glove found at the scene of the crime into one of the most memorable moments of the trial. In the courtroom, when Simpson struggled to put his hand inside of the glove, Cochran told the jury, “If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit."

Simpson’s acquittal set off celebrations from those who pointed to historically unjust treatment of Black people by the U.S. justice system but dismay from those who argued that, regardless of race, the system favored those who could afford high-priced lawyers.

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O.J. Simpson's early life as football star

Orenthal James Simpson was born July 9, 1947, in San Francisco and was known as “O.J.” from birth, the son of Eunice Simpson and Jimmy Lee Simpson.

At San Francisco's Galileo High School, Simpson emerged as a football star.

Saddled with poor grades, he enrolled at  City College of San Francisco  in 1965, where his exploits on the football field continued. He was named to the Junior College All-America team and was a coveted prospect by Division I colleges.

Simpson elected to transfer to the University of Southern California, where he led the nation in rushing during the 1967 and 1968 seasons while playing under coach John McKay. He was runner-up for the Heisman Trophy as a junior before winning the award as a senior.

“O.J. Simpson was the first player to reach a rushing mark many thought could not be attained in a 14-game season when he topped 2,000 yards,” said Pro Football Hall of Fame president Jim Porter in a statement Thursday. “His on-field contributions will be preserved in the Hall’s archives in Canton, Ohio.”

O.J.'s personal life

Simpson married his first wife, Marguerite, in 1967, and they had three children, including one who drowned in the family's swimming pool at age 2 in 1979, the year the couple divorced.

Simpson met future wife Nicole Brown when she was a 17-year-old waitress and he was still married to Marguerite. Simpson and Brown married in 1985 and had two children. She later called police after incidents in which he struck her. Simpson pleaded no contest to spousal abuse charges in 1989.

O.J.'s career as broadcaster, actor

The end of Simpson’s football career marked the beginning of his ongoing celebrity as a broadcaster and actor. He worked as a commentator on "Monday Night Football" and the NFL on NBC while also embarking on a career in acting.

Perhaps best known for his role in the "Naked Gun" movie franchise, Simpson made appearances in about a dozen movies. He also made appearances in about two-dozen TV projects, landing his first roles in 1968 with "Dragnet" and in 2018, one of his final appearances, in "Who is America," according to IMDb.

Simpson was largely shunned by the entertainment industry after he was accused of murdering Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman on June 12, 1994, outside of Nicole's home in Los Angeles.

Contributing: Reuters

Survivors learn to live fully with a cancer diagnosis

Steffanie, age 57, describes herself as an artist, a gardener, an associate creative director and a cancer survivor. When she was diagnosed with cancer in 2021, she asked about 20 people she knew who were cancers survivors the same question: When it comes to treatment, what would you always choose to do again? One person told her something that changed her life: Talk to a cancer therapist.

“I’d never heard of a cancer therapist,” says Steffanie, who met with Bonnie McGregor, Ph.D., at Seattle’s Orion Center for Integrative Medicine, a program of Harmony Hill. “She helped me manage the emotional aspects of dealing with a life-threatening illness. For me, it was mainly anxiety and fear. That hasn’t gone away completely, but I now have skills like visualization and breathing exercises that continue to help immensely.”

“Science clearly supports the connection between emotional well-being and overall physical health,” says McGregor, who has contributed to dozens of research studies exploring the mind-body connection in cancer patients and survivors. “But we don’t see emotional health included as part of the prescription for people with a cancer diagnosis, offered alongside nutrition, sleep, exercise, and medication. That’s changing but it’s a slow journey, taking as long as 17 years for peer-reviewed research to make its way into clinical practice.”

Health-related quality of life

Research at the National Cancer Institute shows that, like Steffanie, nearly 70% of people diagnosed with cancer will live five-plus years. But just because the disease is in remission, that doesn’t mean life returns to normal for survivors. One study published in the journal Cancer examined nearly 500 cancer patients for post-traumatic stress disorder markers. Nearly 22% of patients experienced markers of PTSD six months post-diagnosis, and about one-third of those patients were still experiencing persistent symptoms — in many cases worsening — at the four-year follow-up.

Research is also finding a direct relationship between a person’s Health-Related Quality of Life,  an individual’s perceived physical and mental health over time, and health outcomes. Conditions such as social isolation, stress and/or depression can be associated with key biological processes promoting tumor progression as well as poorer survival.

Harmony Hill’s retreats and other programs, designed and led by medical professionals, therapists and a chaplain, offer a host of techniques and experiences that promote a sense of connection with others and life, reduce fear and stress, encourage self-care and promote wellness. Harmony Hill’s outcomes demonstrate that over 90% of cancer retreat participants report:

• Increased sense of well-being.
• Increased awareness of the value of self-care.
• Increased sense of connection with others and with life.
• Decreased stress.
• Decreased fear and anxiety.

Community support is key for cancer survivors

McGregor referred Steffanie to an 11-week virtual support group she leads for those undergoing cancer treatment and survivors, Living SMART with Cancer. Participants learn mindfulness and relaxation practices to reduce stress and enhance overall well-being, as well build community.  

“These were people with different types of cancer, in different stages, who all knew what I was going through,” Steffanie says. “They could give me perspective and support in a way no one else could. It was such an inspiring and healing place to be every week, with other like souls who were not afraid to be themselves. Not afraid to be afraid.”

Steffanie and about a dozen of her Smart Group members later met for a Harmony Hill three-day Cancer Retreat. One of the last things they did was to write letters to their future selves. Steffanie wrote, in part: “I’m writing to remind you what’s important to you: peace, love, joy, and real connection — deep connection. Remember what it felt like to be in your body and take good care of it. Remember what it felt like to be in truth and fully in heart. Remember what’s important. Remember to show compassion for self and others. Remember that the fog will lift, and the beauty that was there the entire time will show itself. Be kind and compassionate to yourself today. Make the time to love yourself and enjoy the gifts of the moment.”

“As a cancer survivor there will always be a little voice inside your head that reminds you of your illness and how precious life is,” says Steffanie, who has been cancer-free since 2022. “And now I also have the skills to soothe myself, quiet the negative thoughts and fears when they arise.”

Harmony Hill inspires healthy living, transforming the lives of those affected by cancer, health care professionals and others experiencing challenges. Harmony Hill and their Seattle location at Orion Center for Integrative Medicine teach the art and science of emotional healing.