personal statement for medical school

You thought the worst was over once you got into a residency at a hospital. Still, choosing an area of expertise is another tough decision for doctors to make. There are a variety of specializations to choose from. Here are some of the more popular choices of expertise:

* Pediatrics

Kids are cute and fragile. Because their immune systems are not yet as strong as adults’, most of them tend to get sick or acquire some illness or another. Pediatrics is a popular choice for doctors to specialize in it, probably because of the natural urge to care for children. Pediatrics, however, means more than just listening to heartbeats and breathing patterns. Pediatricians must master the art of reaching out to their young patients, who usually dread trips to the doctor’s office. Aside from diagnosing the illness and prescribing  medicines for it, pediatricians also educate parents on the proper care of their children’s well-being. Pediatrics is also a lucrative specialization, as there can never be a shortage of children in most areas or of parents who pay large amounts for the well-being of their kids.

* Plastic surgery

Though vanity is oft-quoted as the root of all evil, many medical practitioners see man’s (or woman’s) quest for beauty as a very profitable specialization to venture into. Plastic surgery is one of the most popular specializations these days and also one of the hardest subjects to master and excel in. Aside from enhancing what one already has, plastic surgery also has a functional aspect by reconstructing body parts that have been deformed congenitally or through accidents. To some, plastic surgery is like an art form that uses the body as a canvas. Still, it’s more than just molding and reshaping body parts. Plastic surgery usually involves a major medical operation; with any operation, risks are involved. That’s why plastic surgeons have to take into account the patient’s condition, not only on the external appearance, but also based on the patient’s inner well-being.

* Obstetrics and gynecology

Female doctors also like to specialize in the field of obstetrics and gynecology, as most of them easily gain familiarity in this practice. The care and maintenance of female body parts contribute to the well-being of a woman and of her unborn child as well. This is also a lucrative specialization as doctors can be assured of a steadfast clientèle, with expectant mothers and non-pregnant women becoming more aware of the need to observe good reproductive health.

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Medical education in the US is open to everyone, even to foreign students like you. American students and foreign students are given equal opportunities when it comes to medical school admissions. Medical students are chosen based on academic excellence and medical potential, not racial origin or religious beliefs. The requirements for medical admissions, however, is not the same for American and foreign students. Here are some application tips for foreign students like you who wish to study in a US medical school.

Practice in speaking fluent English

Because English is always the language used in teaching medicine, you need to practice your English communication skills before applying to US medical schools. Both written and verbal forms of English are important to help you adapt to the advanced education system in medical school. All research papers and medical reports must be written in English while group discussions and oral reports must also be delivered in English. Learning how to write and speak English is not only advantageous to your academic performance, but also to your social life. Being fluent in English gives you more confidence in interacting with your professors and fellow students.

Write an amazing personal statement

The US academic curriculum is different from other countries, so American medical school applicants have an advantage when it comes to the required subjects. You can increase your chances of admissions, though, by writing an amazing personal statement. Most admissions evaluators are especially interested in reading personal statements from foreign students like you. The information they will look for your personal statement is the explanation on why you would rather study in a US medical school. To get their approval, write a brief comparison between the education system in your country and in the US. You may also share that learning medical concepts from a different perspective might be beneficial for the advancement of medicine in your country. Write an amazing personal statement, but keep it as honest as possible.

Medical school is tough for both American and foreign students. Academic excellence and medical success is not measured by skin color or geographical location. The key to being a great doctor is in you. If you persevere enough to reach for the stars, then you will be rewarded with sweet success.

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You may be under the impression that being a foreigner in the US would diminish your chances of getting accepted into medical schools. However, medical schools are actually welcoming many qualified foreign students because doing so increases diversity within the campus. The process for application to medical schools is almost the same for both foreign and American students, the only difference being that foreign students have more requirements to submit. Below is a guide for applying to medical schools in the US if you’re a foreign student.

1. Choosing between medical schools

Before applying to medical schools, it’s important for you to determine first which schools you’d like to apply to. As a foreign student, you should take into account the possibility that you will be separated from your family. It’s advisable to apply to schools that are near the homes of friends and relatives. Aside from that, you also have to consider your financial status and how much you would need to cover your tuition fees and other expenditures for medical school. The US government does not grant financial aid to foreign students so it’s important that you apply to schools offering financial aid programs to foreign students.

2. Preparing the requirements

Foreign students have to submit requirements that are the same as that of American students. These requirements include the personal statement essay, Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) scores, recommendation letters, and resume and transcripts.

When you apply to medical schools, it’s important that you’ve already completed a bachelor’s degree. When writing your personal statement essay, you should mention why you chose to study in a US medical schools. You can read some sample medical school personal statements to get more ideas on how you’re going to write your own personal statement.

3. Completing additional requirements

Although many of the requirements for application to medical schools are common to both American and foreign students, there are still some additional requirements you have to submit, so you have to get information from various schools about these requirements. There are some schools that will require you to submit your scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Keep in mind that proficiency in the English language is a must, even for schools that do not require you to submit your TOEFL scores. US medical schools usually require applicants to have undergone a minimum of one year of education in schools within the US or Canada. Find out about required courses and take these up before applying to US medical schools.

You also have to provide schools with a proof of how you’re going to be able to shoulder the financial expenses that studying in a US medical school will entail. There are various medical schools that charge higher rates to foreign students. It’s also important that you have a complete documentation with the immigration services of the US.

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