Your Personal Statement

Some Questions to Think About Before You Write

This list has been adapted from a similar list at Xavier University.

Before you start to write your personal statement, think about these questions. Although the answers to these questions will not necessarily appear in your personal statement, you may find it helpful to write down the answers, and look at them as you prepare to write your personal statement.
  1. Why do you want to be a doctor/dentist?
  2. Why do you think you will be a good doctor/dentist?
  3. What have you done (if anything) to demonstrate your interest in medicine/dentistry?
  4. Is there anything unique about your background, family situation, or the area in which you were reared?
  5. Do your current grades reflect your true potential? If not, what factors/circumstances in your life have made it difficult for you to achieve to your true potential?
  6. List 3-5 words which describe your core values.
  7. What were some of the turning points in your life?
  8. What has been your biggest challenge and how did you handle it?
  9. What person most influenced your life? How?
  10. What were the reasons for some of your major decisions in your life?
This page was last updated 5-30-02.