Sunday, August 16, 2009

Personal Statement for the Preliminary Year

Candidates who apply to certain fields - Radiology, Dermatology, in some case Emergency Medicine - need a preliminary year of training before initiating their specialty residency. I've been asked about submitting the same personal statement for both the desired specialty and the prelim year.

It is appropriate to use the same essay with modifications. Ensure you explicitly address why a prelim year in - let's say Internal Medicine - will advance the rest of your career. Of course, you can be honest about what your professional goals are; the reader knows you are applying for a one -year position, but it is important to include a paragraph that focuses on how the prelim program will help you.

The season is in full swing. Contact me asap if you would like editing services.