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Writing a Personal Statement

The personal statement is an opportunity to stand out among the other applicants and demonstrate how you are unique. It also provides a way to highlight something that may not stand out in the rest of your application.

Before writing the personal statement (at least 6 months before the deadline), think about the following:

• What makes you passionate and interested in the field?
• What makes you unique among the other applicants?
• What are the things that you want the admissions committee to know about you?
• Relate the content to the professional field of interest

While writing the personal statement (at least 3 months before the deadline):

Do NOT use artificial intelligence to write your essay. If caught, your application may not be further reviewed.

1. Introduction

• Set up what you are going to talk about
• Should be attention-getting

2. Body

• Demonstrate your passion and interest in the field
• Where is the proof? Documentation? Evidence? Provide specific examples.
• Share what you learned
• Be detailed
• Is there anything that is left out?

3. Closing

• Avoid including any new points
• Remember that this is the last part that admissions committees will read, so leave a strong and positive impression!

For MD/DO applicants, it is highly recommended to consider the following essay format: 

1. Introduction: 4-5 sentences that "catch" the reader's attention.
2. 3-4 body paragraphs: These paragraphs should describe who you are as an individual. Of the 3-4 body paragraphs, one should reflect your clinical understanding, and another should reflect your service.
3. Conclusion: Also, include a brief summary of who you are and close off with a challenge for the future.

Voice & style

• Make sure the personal statement sounds like it is coming from you.
• Still keep the personal statement professional and appropriate.
• Things to avoid:
  • Trying to sound like you are an expert in the field
  • Listing your curriculum vitae

Make sure that you discuss each point equally.

After writing the personal statement:

1. Remember the essay character/word limitations.

• Make sure you get EVERYTHING you want to say down first
• Cross out what is not important
• Different schools vary in the length requirement

2. Consider the flow of the personal statement: Regardless of how much you cut out, make sure that the personal statement flows in regard to words and content.

3. Proofread for grammatical and spelling errors.

4. Have ~3 reviewers:

• For academic content: You can email your personal statement to the PAC Director for review at kianak@hawaii.edu.
• For field content: ~2 healthcare professionals in the field.
• Give reviewers at least two weeks to review your personal statement.

Contact the Pre-Health/Pre-Law Advising Center if you have any questions or concerns that come up along the way!

Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation (LORs) are an important component of the application process to health professional schools. The purpose of a letter of recommendation is to share information and insights regarding your character, motivations, and specific abilities that others observed. 

Preparation: Prepare for letter writers

• ONLY ASK REFERENCES WHO YOU KNOW WILL BE ABLE TO WRITE STRONG LORs!
  • Some fields or schools ask for specific aspects to be discussed by references. For example, allopathic medical schools have specific guidelines for letter writers. View the guidelines for the field and schools and then decide who would best be able to talk about these qualities:
• What kind of letter do I need?
  • Referee explains why you would be good in the field you are applying to.
  • Referee objectively evaluates your strengths and weaknesses in the field you are applying to.
• How many letters will I need?
  • • The number and type of letters required vary by school.
    • Create a LOR grid to determine how many of each type of letter you will need.
      • LOR Grid Template

• Check each school to determine what kind of letter and how many you will need! Lists of specific types of LOR for each school can be found in the table below. 

• • If the school requires a LOR from a pre-health academic advisor AND you are a current student or graduate of UHM, then you can apply for a letter from the pre-health academic advisor.

The Ask: Request a LOR

• Whom should I ask?
  • Ask people who spent time with you, admire your work, and can talk about you in detail.
  • It is not about whom you know, but what they know about you!
• When should I ask?
  • Give your referees at least a month to write the letter.
  • Always give a deadline at least two weeks before the letter is due.
  • For professional schools that require a letter of recommendation from a specific academic source, it is highly recommended for gap year and/or re-applying students to request a letter of recommendation before graduation and/or application submission.
• How should I ask?
  • Be sensitive when you ask: find a moment when the person is not rushed or distracted.
  • Ask if they can write you a strong letter or if they know you well enough to write a meaningful letter.
  • If they agree, provide a packet; the more information you provide, the more detailed the letter. Send the packet based on your references' preferences.
  • For all LORs, you should ALWAYS waive your right to view LORs to demonstrate that you completely trust your references. 
  • Email templates
• Packet should contain the following:
  • Why you asked her/him
  • A list of courses you took from her/him and the grade(s) you received
  • Dates of interaction (semester took class, employment start and end dates, or volunteer period)
  • Any exceptional work you produced for her/him
  • The area you hope s/he will address
  • Submission information, instructions, and deadline
  • Recommendation/evaluation form if applicable 

• Additional helpful materials may include copies of the following:
  • Transcripts (unofficial STAR transcripts are fine)
  • Résumé, CV, or list of pre-professional experiences
  • Personal statement
  • Guidelines for letter writers

Follow up!

• Check with your referees occasionally: have they had a chance to write yet?
  • Ask whether they need additional information/ materials
• Once referees submit letters, regularly check with the admissions office until you receive confirmation that all letters have been submitted
• Most importantly, send a sincere thank you note to everyone who wrote a letter for you!

Original LORs for graduate/professional schools or academic employment can be stored through various resources, if you need it for future use. Please check to make sure that the application system accepts letters from third parties. If not, then LORs can NOT be sent through the sources below:

• PREFERRED: Interfolio
• Mānoa Career Center Credential File

Interviews

The interview allows the applicant to assess their compatibility with the school and to ask any questions they may have. It also provides an opportunity to discuss any item or concern they may have not been able to address in their application.

Interview Types:

• 1-on-1: 1 applicant, 1 interviewer
  • Open-file: Interviewer has full/partial access to your application information.
  • Closed-file: Interviewer has no prior information about you.
• Group: Multiple applicants, 1 or more interviewer
• Panel: 1 applicant, multiple interviewers
• Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) – Multiple applicants, Multiple interviewers
  • Sample MMI Questions

Before the Interview

• All costs incurred for the interview are at the applicant's expense, so plan and budget accordingly!
• Know why you chose this career: Have a specific experience or set of experiences to talk about that made you want to pursue the chosen path.
• Research the school/program.
  • Know the school’s mission and vision.
  • Be able to answer how you fit the school and how it fits you.
• Be ready to ask the interviewer a few questions at the end.
  • Cater the questions to the interviewer:
    • Faculty (ex. How are research opportunities incorporated into the curriculum?)
    • Current Student (ex. Why did you choose to apply to this institution?)
• Think about what you are going to say.
  • Be ready to answer any questions the admissions committee may have about your application (e.g. low GPA or entrance exam score).
  • Be ready for scenario-based questions, as it is a way for interviewers to learn more about you, your ethics, decision-making style, critical thinking skills, and motivation level.
• Plan ahead for transportation, room, and board, parking, etc.
• Visit the campus and find the interview location.
• Complete mock interviews. The following offices provide these by appointment:
  • Mānoa Career Center: ONLY for UHM students and recent alumni.
  • Pre-Health Career Corps: ONLY for pre-health applicants.
  • PAC: Preferably two weeks before the first actual interview.
• Plan an appropriate outfit.
  • Dress comfortably and conservatively. If wearing a suit, do not take off the jacket during the interview.
  • Keep nails and makeup professional.
  • Maintain proper personal hygiene.
  • Do not wear strong perfume/cologne as the smell may be distracting.
  • Dress as formally as the other interviewees.
  • Remember: You want to be remembered for what you said, not what you wore.

Day of the Interview:

• Arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled start time.
• Be polite to everyone with whom you have contact, including fellow interviewees!
• Thank the interviewers at the beginning and end of the interviews for meeting with you.
• Make sure your answers sound genuine, not rehearsed!
• Ask the interviewer(s) questions at the end if appropriate.
• Try to relax!

After the Interview:

• Send emails handwritten thank you cards to your interviewers as soon after the interviews as possible!
• Review the interview and consider what went well and what you need to improve upon. Have more mock interviews to work on these areas of improvement if needed.

Tips:

• During group interviews, avoid providing the same answer as other interviewees.
  • Even if your response was taken, come up with a unique answer or add something extra.
• Each interaction counts! Ensure that your phone message prompt (should they call and leave you a message), email address, and phone & email etiquette are professional.
• Keep your social media profiles professional (in case interviewers decide to “google” you).
• Do not bring your phone or large bulky bags or purses to the interview, if anything just bring a padfolio.
• Field- and School-Specific Interview Information and Sample Questions

Contact the Pre-Health/Pre-Law Advising Center if you have any questions or concerns that come up along the way!

Re-applying to Health Professional School

Acceptance into any professional school is both a dream and a challenge for many applicants. However, the reality is that getting into any professional school is extremely competitive and therefore, not all students will get into the school to which they applied initially. Re-applying is another chance at becoming a more competitive applicant. To do so, consider the following:

How can you be a more competitive applicant?

Create a prospective timeline.

Talk with an advisor.

Apply early for opportunities.

Be actively involved while you are reapplying.

Keep track of everything!

References

How can you be a more competitive applicant?