Writing a medical school essay can be a daunting yet very rewarding experience. A strong essay will not only show admissions committees your enthusiasm, creativity, and intelligence, but also demonstrate how you are uniquely qualified to become a part of their medical school community.
When beginning to write your essay, it is important to think of yourself as a storyteller and to focus on your narrative. What are the stories you want to tell, and how can they connect to why you are interested in medicine? Brainstorming can help you define the experiences, memories, and values that have shaped your desire to pursue a career in medicine.
Once you have identified the stories that you want to tell, you should think about the structure for your essay. Generally, medical school essays should be about 500-650 words in length, so you may need to hone in on the specific experiences that best illustrate why you are a great candidate for medical school. Make sure to include an introduction, body, and conclusion. In the introduction, provide some background information but avoid summarizing your entire life story. The body should focus on the stories that you identified in the brainstorming stage, while the conclusion should bring together the themes of your essay and articulate why you are the perfect fit for their medical school.
Finally, proofread your essay thoroughly spelling and grammar errors will not make a good impression on admissions committees. You may also ask a trusted friend or mentor to review your essay and provide feedback. After completing these steps, you will have a strong medical school essay that is sure to make an impact on admissions committees!
