mcat personal statement length

• Live Online
• Self-Paced Course
• Free Resources
• 1-888-427-7737

3 Steps to Writing a Strong Medical School Personal Statement

• Feb 26, 2019
• Reviewed By: Liz Flagge

As any admissions officer will tell you, there is no single determining factor in medical school admissions. A perfect MCAT score won’t guarantee you’ll get accepted, though that doesn’t mean you still shouldn’t try your best to get the highest MCAT score you can.

The beauty of holistic review is that all parts of your application are important, including your med school personal statement. In fact, many students fail to get accepted because, despite their otherwise flawless application and intriguing story, they couldn’t write a compelling personal essay. It’s not an easy task, and students often ask for help writing a personal statement.

We’ve broken down the writing process into three steps to make it less overwhelming.

Step One to Writing a Med School Personal Statement: Prepping

Understand the requirements.

The AMCAS ( American Medical College Application Service ), TMDSAS ( Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service ), and AACOMAS ( American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine ) all have open-ended prompts that ask you to explain your interest and motivation for pursuing medicine. The section should be used as an opportunity to distinguish yourself from other applicants.

Free-Write to Jot Down Your Thoughts

Although you’re not answering a specific question, there are certain things you want to get across in your essay: the reason(s) you decided to pursue medicine, your motivations, and any hardships or unique situations you’ve faced. Take 30 minutes to simply write everything that would even remotely address these questions. Don’t think; just write. There are no right or wrong answers in this stage. Your thoughts don’t necessarily need to connect to each other, but they should relate back to the prompt. Freewriting allows you to start putting ideas to paper without the pressure of writing a perfect first draft. Then choose the best topic out of the bunch to flesh out, or select a network of related ideas.

Focus and Reflect

Look at the experiences and activities you chose to focus on. What did you learn from those experiences? What point do you want to leave your reader with? Why do you REALLY want to become a doctor and how do your experiences and writing convey that? Adcoms don’t just want a list that regurgitates your resume/accomplishments/awards; they want to know you’ve thought hard about your decision to become a doctor.

Analyze Other Personal Statements

Chances are you haven’t written a personal statement since you applied to undergrad. Analyzing other personal statements can be very beneficial to not only get your creativity flowing but also to understand what framework works better. A successful personal statement will demonstrate what admission committees look for. On the other hand, a personal statement from a student that didn’t get into his top schools can show you what not to do. You can apply the same critical eye to your own drafts afterward. Dr. Ryan Gray has compiled 30 personal statements with feedback for you to analyze and draw inspiration from.

Step Two to Writing a Med School Personal Statements: Writing Your First Draft

Set the stage in the introduction.

Once you have picked your topic, it’s time to start writing. Your goal in the introduction is to engage the reader. Without giving too much away, make sure you’re conveying the qualities you chose to write about and leave them wanting more.

Don’t Tailor It to One Specific School

The AMCAS and TMDSAS applications are universal, which is why you shouldn’t tailor the essays to a specific school, especially if you’re applying to multiple schools. Save the personal touch for each school’s secondary application.

Find a Unique Angle

Unfortunately, it’s very likely many med school applicants will talk about the same topic. Almost all applicants will have volunteered at a hospital or clinic, so your task is to showcase what made your experience unique. It might be a specific patient or doctor you worked with, a disaster that changed the way you looked at medicine, or how you managed to flourish despite when you fainted the first time you drew someone’s blood.

Write a Story, Not Just An Essay

Essays, at least in the collegiate sense, can be boring. The normal structure of Intro-Thesis- Supporting Paragraphs-Conclusion may not work in the medical school admissions process. Think about it: admissions officers likely read hundreds of applications every day. Their eyes might just gloss over a thesis sentence that reads, “In this essay, I will explain why I want to become a doctor.” Give them a break from the cookie-cutter essays. This is your moment to prove you’re something more than just MCAT scores and GPA. Write your story, the one that got you to point where you are and that will continue in medical school. Be descriptive and utilize your personal flair, but don’t be informal. This is still a professional setting. There’s also need to exaggerate; the committee wants to hear about YOU! Your reasons for becoming a doctor as legitimate as the next person’s.

Stay Within the Character Limit and Format

This speaks for itself, but it’s very important to not go over the allotted character limit (5300 on the AMCAS and 5000 for the TMDSAS, including spaces). The AMCAS platform also doesn’t read formatting, so it’s best to write your essay in a word document first, then paste it in a text application before submitting.

Wrap It up in Your Conclusion

Use your conclusion to bring everything full circle and reemphasize your passions and commitment to medicine.

Step Three to Writing a Med School Personal Statement: Editing and Rewriting

Go through multiple rounds of editing.

You will rewrite your personal statement more than once. Each draft can go through different phases of editing. Go through your first draft and pay attention to the content and what you can say to make it better. Then set it aside. When you’re ready to pick it up again, check for other issues, such as spelling/grammar, clarity, structure, content, flow/transitions, thematics, and tone. Rewrite your statement at least twice.

Get an Outside Opinion

Often when we create something, we are too close to the project to be completely objective. It’s always best to have other people edit a draft. However, your neighbor or best friend may not be the best choices to look over your essay. Find people who have strong backgrounds in writing or even medicine who can make your statement stronger.

Condense If Necessary (and It Probably Will Be)

You’re already aware of the character limits for the essays. Hopefully, your first draft stayed within those parameters, but if it didn’t, now is the time to decide what information is necessary and what can be cut. It’s always a good idea to use all the space provided if you need to, but less is often more. A shorter, but strong, personal statement is more effective than one that drones on and on without hitting its mark.

The personal statement is where your personality and story can really shine. Show the admissions committee what makes you unique and a strong doctor-in-the making. Schedule a free consultation with our Senior Advisors to learn how to take your application from good to great!

Related Posts

MCAT Timing Strategies

Easy Glycolysis Explanations for the MCAT

Understanding the Difference Between Top-Down and Bottom-Up Processing for the MCAT

Search the blog, free consultation.

Interested in our Online MCAT Course , One-on-One MCAT Tutoring or Med admissions packages? Set up a free consultation with one of our experienced Senior Student Advisors.

Popular Posts

Free MCAT Practice Account

Get the most representative MCAT practice possible when you sign up for our free MCAT Account, which includes a half-length diagnostic exam and one of our full-length MCAT practice exams.

Sign-up for our newsletter!

Ace Your MCAT Personal Statement: Top Tips & Tricks to Impress!

The MCAT personal statement is your golden ticket to medical school. It's the perfect opportunity to showcase not only your academic prowess but also your unique personality and life experiences. With so much on the line, it's essential to make your essay stand out from the crowd. In this article, we'll reveal top tips and tricks for crafting a powerful MCAT personal statement that will leave admissions committees in awe. Let's get started!

1. Understand the Purpose of the Personal Statement

Before diving into the writing process, it's crucial to understand the purpose of the MCAT personal statement. This essay serves as your chance to reveal who you are beyond your test scores and GPA. Admissions committees want to get a sense of your character, motivation for pursuing medicine, and how you will contribute to their program. Keep these goals in mind as you brainstorm and write your essay.

2. Reflect on Your Experiences and Motivations

To create a compelling personal statement, you must first reflect on your own experiences and motivations. Ask yourself why you want to pursue a career in medicine, and identify the key moments that have shaped your journey thus far. Consider experiences related to academics, research, clinical exposure, community service, and personal growth. These reflections will serve as the building blocks for your essay.

3. Hook Your Reader from the Start

With countless personal statements to review, admissions committees are likely to spend only a few minutes reading each one. To grab their attention, start your essay with a captivating opening. This could be a personal anecdote, a thought-provoking question, or a bold statement. The key is to make your reader eager to learn more about you and your journey.

4. Tell a Cohesive Story

One of the biggest mistakes students make with their personal statements is simply listing their achievements and experiences. Instead, focus on crafting a cohesive narrative that weaves together your experiences and demonstrates your growth as a future medical professional. By connecting the dots between your past, present, and future, you'll create a compelling story that leaves a lasting impression.

5. Show, Don't Tell

When discussing your experiences and accomplishments, it's essential to show your reader the impact they had on you, rather than just telling them. Use vivid imagery, specific examples, and powerful emotions to paint a picture of your journey. This will help your reader understand your motivations and empathize with your story.

6. Be Authentic and Genuine

Medical schools are looking for individuals with unique perspectives and diverse backgrounds. Embrace your individuality and be genuine in your writing. Avoid cliches, grandiose statements, and exaggeration. Instead, focus on being true to yourself and sharing your genuine experiences and motivations.

7. Proofread and Edit Relentlessly

A polished personal statement is a must for making a strong impression. Allocate ample time for proofreading and editing your essay. Check for spelling and grammar errors, and ensure your writing is clear and concise. Don't be afraid to seek feedback from trusted friends, family, or advisors, as their insights can help you refine your message and strengthen your essay.

8. Address Any Red Flags

If there are any red flags in your application, such as a low GPA or a gap in your education, it's essential to address them in your personal statement. Be honest and concise in explaining the circumstances, and focus on demonstrating your growth and resilience through these challenges.

9. Keep it Professional

While personal anecdotes and emotions can add depth to your essay, remember to maintain a professional tone throughout. Avoid using slang, excessive humor, or controversial topics. Instead, focus on presenting yourself as a mature, thoughtful, and dedicated future medical professional.

10. End on a Strong Note

Your conclusion is your last chance to leave a lasting impression on your reader. Summarize your main points, reiterate your passion for medicine, and express your excitement about joining the medical school community. Aim for a powerful and memorable closing that leaves your reader convinced of your potential.

Final Thoughts

Crafting an outstanding MCAT personal statement takes time, effort, and reflection. By following these tips and tricks, you'll be well on your way to creating a compelling essay that showcases your unique journey and passion for medicine. Remember, your personal statement is your opportunity to stand out and make your case for why you would be an excellent addition to the medical school community. So, put your best foot forward and let your story shine!

With hard work and perseverance, you can craft a personal statement that will not only impress admissions committees but also propel you one step closer to achieving your dreams of becoming a doctor. Good luck on your journey!

• December 24, 2022

How To Write A Med School Personal Statement [Plus Examples]

The med school personal statement is a crucial element of your medical school application and allows the admissions team to get a sense of your personality, background, and motivations . It is important because it’s the document that separates you from the dozens of other qualified applicants and is an opportunity to stand out from the field.

New to the MCAT? Start Here

Yale’s Office of Career Strategy describes the personal statement as:

“The opportunity to present a compelling snapshot of who you are and perhaps why you want to be a doctor.”

Your goal is to articulate to the admissions team why you’re a driven student that will make an excellent medical professional.  Furthermore, the personal statement partially “serves as a test of your communication skills,” so your writing quality is important in addition to the content of your essay.

During your junior and senior years of your pre-med education, you’ll begin completing applications for medical schools. Depending on the school, applications will open and close at different times. Medical schools require personal statements as a document in the application process, so you should begin thinking about and drafting your personal statement before applications open for the schools you want to apply to.

Princeton Review recommends allotting a 6-month time period to write your personal statement. This will allow you to write the draft, revise, and revisit the draft with fresh eyes several times to make more improvements.

You can find out more about the medical school application timeline here .

How Do You Write a Personal Statement?

The personal statement has a strict word limit for applicants and the character limit, including spaces, is 4,500 for AACOMAS, 5,000 for TMDSAS, and 5,300 for AMCAS. Be mindful of these restrictions (you can use tools like LetterCount ) as you do not want to risk disqualification because you wrote too much!

Writing your personal statement is a long process that ideally spans several months, so you have the opportunity to write, revise, rewrite, revise, and revise more! Spreading your work over a long period makes it easier to examine your essay from a new perspective and find new flaws to perfect in your writing.

Before you start writing, it’s a good idea to make a list or take notes regarding experiences that shaped your passion in medicine. This is a good way to collect ideas, events, and moments throughout your life that could fit into your personal statement. This is beneficial since you’ll be able to thoroughly examine your options and pick the examples that seem the most effective in portraying your positive qualities and experience.

After you have an outline of what you want to cover you can begin writing your first draft. Once finished, you should set the document aside for a predetermined amount of time, ranging from a few days to a few weeks.

When you’re ready for your first revision, consider consulting a few people to read your essay and give honest feedback on what you can improve.

From there repeat the process as many times as you need!

Related: A Day in the Life of a Medical Student

See Caroline Chen share her tips on how to write a personal statement for medical school (she got into Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons).

What Information Should It Contain?

Your personal statement needs to show off who you are beyond your test scores and why you want to go into medicine. That may sound daunting since those requirements may initially seem vague but there are a lot of ways to detail your qualities as well as your drive to become a medical professional.

In addition, the information needs to be delivered in a compelling way. As mentioned before, you should have thought about events that were important to you that also highlight your values and skills. After deciding which moment you want to describe, you should write about it as if it’s a story. This will make your experience feel alive on the page, and it will stand out from essays that simply list off the qualities of an applicant.

Your story should form a narrative that shows off your talent and passion and you do not want to sound like you’re just making several statements.

Consider the two ways of writing about the same event:

“For the last three years, I spent my summer volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club in Oceanside. I always wanted to have a positive influence on the lives of others, so I decided to tutor kids in elementary school math and reading. It’s sad to think that some students can’t get the help and guidance they need to learn in school, so I’m glad I was able to lend a helping hand over the summer.”

“Blistering heat complimented my walk to the Oceanside Boys and Girls Club. Despite the grueling conditions, kids darted left and right with inhuman energy, as they competed in a variety of games and team sports. Between four-square and tag, I helped Julian, a five-year-old, read “Hop on Pop”, which he insisted was his favorite Dr. Seuss book.  A habit of reading and studying was instilled into my daily routine during elementary school, so it felt right to sit with young kids and help them develop their reading skills. Two years later, Julian explained the plot of a “Magic Tree House” chapter book to me, and I couldn’t hide my grin. Helping others and watching them grow first-hand is an unbelievable experience.”

See the difference?

The first example states the author’s personal experience in a matter-of-fact manner. The author told the reader what happened: they volunteered, they wanted to help kids, and they helped kids.  Although it is informative and talks about a positive experience, it’s straightforward and dry and is not a strong piece of writing in any capacity.

The second example explains the same volunteering experience in a narrative style. Scenic details paint an image of what it is like at a Boys and Girls Club in the summer. Instead of telling the reader that the author helped students learn a subject, the author gives an example of a specific student showing growth. This makes the author’s contribution feel more genuine and concrete since they are distilling their work in a specific experience. Overall, the second example shows the moment that demonstrates the author’s values, while the first example bluntly tells the reader what they value and why.

How Should You Structure Your Personal Statement?

The structure of your personal statement can mirror a normal five-paragraph essay; introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Despite the seemingly basic structure, you should employ the storytelling techniques mentioned earlier to write an engaging essay.

The introduction should be a strong hook to the reader that pulls them into a personal story that exemplifies an important quality of yours. You need to develop the event at the start of the essay to catch the admission officer’s attention. Reeling them in with an anecdote about yourself will set yourself apart from other applicants that decide to start their essay with, “I’m interested in medicine because…”.

The body paragraphs play a crucial role in portraying your passion for medicine to the reader. Each body paragraph should describe an event that helped develop your interest in medicine. To come up with effective body paragraphs, you should consider all the aspects of your experience. Start with what drove you to take part in the experience and explain how you felt during it. Mention the takeaways from the event – what you learned, what task you completed, and how you affected others. Then, wrap up the paragraph with how the event affected your feelings about becoming a medical professional.

You will want to describe two or three medical experiences in this manner. Be mindful of the amount you write because there is a word limit that you must adhere to.  Don’t be afraid to explore what you were feeling because you want to genuinely invoke passion in the reader through your experience. Also, it is typically better to order the body paragraphs chronologically, since the timeline of events will make more sense to your reader in that format.

After the body paragraphs, you should bring your essay together with a strong conclusion. In this part of the essay, feel free to explicitly state your beneficial qualities, the things you learned in your formative medical experiences, and your desire to pursue a career in medicine. This reiterates the conclusions of each paragraph throughout the essay and ties them together in a neat summary. If it’s possible, you can conclude your essay by calling back to the story of the introductory paragraph.

How Can You Stand Out?

Arguably the most important part of your personal statement is finding a way to stand out. Lots of applicants have great grades and impressive test scores. If you want to get admitted into a program, you must set yourself apart from the typical high achievers that apply to top med schools .

Stories that display your strengths will differentiate an applicant from others that include a laundry list of programs and accomplishments. The narrative style can help you create a compelling essay that sells administrators on your strengths and your fitness for a career in medicine. This should leave them with the overwhelming feeling that you are a perfect candidate for medical school.

Medical School Personal Statement Examples

Below are some examples of personal statements from medical students.

From Code Blue Essays :

“During the summer of 2016 I had the opportunity to volunteer at Downtown Children’s Hospital. My primary responsibility was assisting the Child Life Specialists in providing entertainment for hospitalized children and distracting them during difficult or painful procedures. During my volunteer time, I had the opportunity to get to know an 8 year old patient who was undergoing treatment for leukemia. I could tell that she was very afraid of the things that were happening to her. We bonded over a mutual love of coloring books. I would visit her room each day with a new page for us to color together. Gradually, she began to talk to me about questions about her treatment and expressed fearfulness about not knowing what was going to happen. I did my best to empower her with knowledge; I began to ask the medical personnel to explain the procedures and treatments to me so that I could provide the patient with accurate answers to her questions. Over time, I found that I not only wanted to know about the procedures so that I could help the patient- I wanted to know for myself as well. I found the practice of medicine fascinating and it solidified my desire to become a physician. Since my time volunteering at Downtown Children’s Hospital, I have remained committed to my desire to become a physician. I was given the opportunity to shadow physicians at The Happy Family Practice and had the opportunity to learn about preventive health care. One of my most memorable experiences was counselling an obese patient with hypertension about his health risks. Although he was concerned about his health, he seemed to have little hope that it could improve. After some discussion, I managed to convince him to make a few small changes in his diet. When he returned for his follow-up appointment six weeks later, his weight and blood pressure had improved significantly. Furthermore, he thanked me and said that my encouragement had motivated him to begin exercising again. It felt good to have a positive effect on someone’s health. I am an eager learner who is fascinated by the workings of the human body and its ability to heal. In addition, I am able to empathize with my patients and the difficulties they face. Through my experiences with the healthcare field, I have learned the importance of advocating for my patients and partnering with them to help them achieve optimal health. I am committed becoming a high quality physician who will be an asset to my patients and the medical community.”

From University of Nevada, Reno, School of Medicine :

“Throughout medical school I have committed myself to finding the one specialty that aligns perfectly with my personality and future goals. While this task seemed straightforward and uncomplicated, I soon realized during my third-year clerkships that every area of medicine offered aspects I enjoyed. After exploring other specialties, I reflected on the qualities that I wished to possess as a physician. I envisioned myself as compassionate, respected, and knowledgeable, traits which I realized embodied the field of internal medicine. My intense self-reflection, combined with my medical school experiences, solidified my decision to pursue a residency in internal medicine. The first patient I admitted while on my third-year internal medicine clerkship was an African American lady who was diagnosed with sarcoidosis. After I completed my history and physical, I realized the questions I had asked relied upon my ability to combine my knowledge of pathophysiology along with the clinical presentation of a disease process. At last I comprehended the importance of the basic science years as it related to patient care. I continued to follow this patient every day, and the responsibility of caring for someone’s health had both a significant and fulfilling impact on me. I gained immense satisfaction from treating the whole person: her emotional needs as well as her medical needs. After completing my twelve weeks on internal medicine, I discovered that four months later this patient was re-admitted for a pulmonary embolus, which combined with her diminished lung function, ultimately resulted in her passing away. Although I was only a small part of this woman’s care, I still felt connected to her. While her death saddened me, it also made me conscious of the potential rewards, such as lasting patient-doctor relationships, which could only come out of providing a lifetime of care to each of my patients. Upon the completion of my third-year rotations, I felt that the role of the internist most closely matched my interests and abilities. The variety and complexity of the problems I encountered offered the intellectual stimulation that I desired in a medical field. I admired my attendings’ breadth of knowledge across various medical disciplines, and I took pleasure in collaborating with physicians of all specialties, especially when the diagnosis proved to be difficult. The opportunity for close patient contact was also an appealing aspect. With fewer responsibilities than an intern, I found that as a third-year medical student I was able to spend more time with my patients, explaining how a diagnosis is made and what treatments might be required. Encouraged by these experiences with my patients, I was inspired to learn more about their conditions, not only for my own personal knowledge but also for their education as well. I have many attributes to contribute to internal medicine. My experiences as a secondary education school teacher, Special Olympics swim coach, and elected class officer attest to my ability to lead and educate others. I am also analytical and detail-oriented, characteristics which originally led me to complete an undergraduate degree in economics. After my first year of medical school, I was awarded a scholarship to conduct research in the field of trauma surgery, an experience which enhanced my problem solving skills. In addition, my years as a varsity swimmer at Duke University have endowed me with certain traits that will not only make me a successful internist but also a well-balanced physician. These qualities include a never-ending quest for personal improvement, pride in my work or training, and the ability to focus on several tasks while balancing personal and professional obligations.”

From Loma Linda University :

“The ice seemed to move and breathe under me as I burrowed deeper into my -32 degree sleeping bag. The thought crossed my mind that Antarctica might spring to life and swallow me whole.  I dreamed of going to this Crystal Desert since I was small, but now that I am sleeping on the final continent for me to explore, I remembered that I did not really enjoy being cold. Even the 13 layers of thermal gear cannot keep the biting wind from brushing her icy fingertips across my face. It was my goal since I was 10 years old to explore every continent in the world. This night was the moment, the first landfall on the white continent; even the most biting cold could not take away the wonder that filled my soul. Nothing can top this experience I thought to myself. Little did I know that an even greater and more rewarding challenge lay ahead in medical school. The first two years were the hardest of my life, but it was there that I met my favorite class: Pathophysiology, but the best and most adventurous year of my life happened-third year. My love for pathophysiology met its perfect fit in internal medicine. The spectacular dance and partnership between the heart and the kidney, the liver and intestines, indeed the whole body that weaves into a balance of health. I love the connectedness of the body systems. I remember being barely conscious as I drove that long road to the county hospital. It was just before dawn and I was really tired.  When I bumble into the hospital a transformation took place the moment my feet hit the pavement. Energy infused my tired body because I am genuinely excited about the day; the patients I would encounter, the things I would learn, the team that partnered together and pushed me to my full potential. The antagonists for internal medicine have said that it is mundane, but to me it is anything but ordinary. Internal medicine is marvelous and elegant, allowing people to bring their unique story while grounding treatments in evidence-based practice. My decision to pursue a life dedicated to Medicine has come as a surprise to some. I graduated with a degree in Communications before immersing myself in medical school. Everyone that knew me was amazed at my desire to go into a science-based field because of my flair for the Humanities. However, I am a believer in medicine as an Art, and as such, I bring strength to the human component of medicine. I communicate effectively with even the more cantankerous patients. The need for good communication is not limited to patient-physician interactions but must extend across the systems of medicine to be the most effective. I am not only a team player, but also a team builder. I am good at pointing out the strengths of my teammates and verbally affirming what is being done well. When on my general surgery rotation, I had an Attending that was notorious for her high expectations and short fuse.  Students were terrified of being verbally gutted during rounds. I went into a low anterior resection with her and sustained 12 hours of brutal inquisition.  After the surgery, I approached her in her office and asked to have a quick word. With all the courage I could muster, I sat down and said, “My success is your success.  I am on your side here.” There was a breakthrough in our working relationship and I was able to learn a lot more from that point on. I go where most people do not venture.  I rise to the challenge of life with an unquenchable curiosity and vitality. I will bring that energy to your residency. I do not think it is possible for me to see the world without seeing Beauty.  I stand in awe of the human body and the incredible sacredness of the whole person. Like Antarctica, residency is a challenging but inspiring journey and I will rise to the challenging but inspiring journey, and I will rise to the challenge with the same wonder and excitement that fuels who I am as a person.”

Now that you have a better understanding of how to write and format your med school personal statement it’s time for you to do your own!  Use the above examples (or check out this great list of 20+ examples from our friends over at Shemassian) as inspiration as you craft an essay that will help you stand out! Good luck!

• TERMS & DISCLOSURE
• PRIVACY POLICY

BLACK FRIDAY & CYBER MONDAY SAVINGS

Discounted mcat, gre, lsat, nclex, sat, act.

• 1-866-333-3138
• [email protected]

How to Write Your Medical School Personal Statement

By jeanne tan.

• April 15, 2023

You likely know that it takes a lot of information to apply to medical school. Whether you are applying to medical school through AMCAS , AACOMAS , TMDSAS , OMSAS , or another centralized medical school application system, you will be asked to provide your contact information, course history, grades, GPA, MCAT score(s), and descriptions of your extracurricular activities. In the process of providing this information, it is not uncommon for students to feel unfairly, or at least incompletely, represented by their application. Well, herein lies the purpose of your personal statement!

Your medical school personal statement is an opportunity to express to medical schools whatever you want them to know about you, but have been unable to mention elsewhere in your application. Many students approach their medical school personal statement with the mindset that they should merely describe who they are or what kind of doctor they aspire to be; but, those are only small pieces of the picture. Instead, you should aim to tell a story with your personal statement. Here are some prompts to get you started:

• When and where did you first develop an interest in practicing medicine?
• Describe a loss or challenge you experienced in life and how you overcame it.
• Discuss your non-academic achievements.
• What aspects of medicine interest you the most?

Talking about yourself can be tedious; for, you do not want to come off as arrogant or over-confident nor do you want to convey a lack of interest or motivation. Nevertheless, it is important to keep in mind that your personal statement will most likely be your only chance to introduce yourself to your prospective medical schools prior to your interview. So, you should strive to say what the rest of your application does not say about you. For instance, you may have earned a low grade in Biochemistry lecture, but excelled in Biochemistry lab. Unless your Biochemistry professor writes a letter of recommendation for you and mentions this hidden fact, there is no way the admissions committee will know about your entire Biochemistry performance.

On the other hand, your application usually does not present any of your personal responsibilities except for employment. Say you served as caretaker to a grandparent or guardian to a younger sibling. Admissions committees love to learn about such experiences from their applicants because it speaks to their character, compassion, and level of maturity. Yet, it is up to you, the applicant, to write about it in your personal statement!

Now, here are some things to avoid while writing your personal statement:

• Professing to “know” what it is like or what it takes to be a doctor
• Blaming professors for poor academic performance
• Reiterating information that can be found elsewhere in your application (i.e. “My MCAT score is…”)
• Focusing solely on your strengths or weaknesses

Honesty is the best policy and you can believe that your honesty will come through in your personal statement. So, be genuine, take responsibility for your setbacks, own your strengths and weaknesses, do not be afraid to put yourself out there, and let your passion shine.

Get Started with a Free MCAT Prep Account

Free mcat practice test with answers, helpful explanations and scaled score estimates.

*Required Fields

We respect your privacy

A valid e-mail address is required in case you forget your password and for contacting our technical support. We do not share your contact information with third parties. We are committed to protecting your privacy. The personal data that you provide is only used to answer your queries, process orders, allow access to product or account related information, and send helpful MCAT preparation advice. You have the right to modify and delete all personal information stored with us at anytime. For details, click here: Privacy Policy

Forgot Password | Login

AMCAS Personal statement checker

Check your amcas personal statement with our character counter tool, personal statement guidelines and formatting.

• • AMCAS personal statements must not exceed 5300 characters.
• • Characters can include spaces, carriage returns, symbols, numbers and punctuation.
• • Tabs, italics, multiple spaces and other styling are not allowed in the personal statement.
• • To delineate paragraphs, type a double return.

Note: If you check your character count in Microsoft Word it might be lower than the character count in AMCAS because Word does not count a carriage return (the enter key) as a character. Our counter does count carriage returns to better comply with AMCAS.

How to use our AMCAS character counter

To use our AMCAS character counter, start by typing into the text box above. Additionally, if you are using another source to type out your personal statement, you can copy and paste into our text box above.

As the text gets entered into the text box, you will notice the character count getting updated directly above the text box.

The character count on the top left represents the total characters typed so far out of 5300.

The character count on the top right represents the number of characters remaining.

If you go past the 5300 character limit, the two character counts will turn red. This is an indicator that you need to reduce the length of your personal statement.

When you are done typing in the text box, you can click the green Copy Text button to copy the text inside the text box. You can then paste this into the AMCAS website.

Alternatively, if you need to start fresh and delete everything inside the text box, click the red Clear Text button. Warning: only click this button if you are sure you want to delete everything.

Personal Statement FAQ

What is the amcas personal statement word limit, how long should your amcas personal statement be.

AMCAS has a character limit of 5300 characters. Paste your statement into our counter tool above to check your length.

How many words is 5300 characters?

Accoring to our Characters to Words Converter , 5300 characters is equal to an estimated 815 to 1060 words. Keep in mind that this estimate also includes spaces, periods etc.

Is the AMCAS personal statement character limit with or without spaces?

It includes spaces. Also, spaces can include carriage returns (the enter key). However, tabs are not allowed. Keep in mind, Microsoft Word does not count carriage returns as a character and will give you a different character count than AMCAS. Please use ours, as it will better comply with AMCAS's formatting guidelines.

*This character counting tool is not affiliated with AMCAS

*No personal statements are sent to the hosting server

Get a 515+ on the MCAT. Guaranteed.

LISTEN FOR FREE

RECENT POSTS

How to Deep Dive Into Self Assessment

What You Need In Your Ultimate Test Day Go Bag

Figuring out how ADCOMS feel about your MCAT Score

© Medical School Headquarters - All Rights Reserved. | Affiliate Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Website by MAP

Section 8 of the AMCAS® Application: Essays

New section.

Here you will upload your Personal Comments essay.

• AMCAS® Sign In

Every applicant is required to submit a Personal Comments essay. The available space for this essay is 5,300 characters (spaces are counted as characters), or approximately one page. You will receive an error message if you exceed the available space. Click the "What information should I consider including in my personal comments?" link in the application or see Section 8 of the  AMCAS Applicant Guide  for suggestions of things to think about when writing this essay.

• If you're applying to an MD-PhD program, you must complete two additional essays: the MD-PhD Essay and the Significant Research Experience Essay.
• To avoid formatting issues, we recommend that you type your essay directly into the AMCAS ® application rather than copying and pasting your essay from other software.
• Alternately, you can draft your essay(s) in text-only word processing software, such as Microsoft Notepad or Mac TextEdit, then copy and paste your essay(s) into the application. Copying formatted text into the application may result in formatting issues that you will not be able to edit after your application is submitted.
• Proofread carefully! There is no “spellchecker” in the AMCAS application, and no changes will be permitted to this section after you have submitted your application.

Send us a message .

Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. ET Closed Wednesday, 3-5 p.m. ET

The 2025 AMCAS application is now open . If you wish to start medical school in Fall 2025, please complete and submit the 2025 AMCAS application.

As of May 13  AMCAS is:

Marking transcripts as "Received" that were delivered on or before:

Paper (mailed) – May 13

Parchment – May 10

National Student Clearinghouse –  May 13

Outline of the current AMCAS application process, policies, and procedures.

This resource is designed to help you prepare your materials for the 2024 AMCAS ® application but does not replace the online application.

The application processing fee is $175 and includes one medical school designation. Additional school designations are $46 each. Tax, where applicable, will be calculated at checkout. 

If approved for the Fee Assistance Program, you will receive a waiver for all AMCAS fees for one (1) application submission with up to 20 medical school designations ($1,030 value). Benefits are not retroactive.

AMCAS vs. AACOMAS vs. TMDSAS Med School Application Differences

• By Med School Insiders
• March 3, 2022
• Medical Student , Pre-med
• AACOMAS , AMCAS , Medical School Application , Osteopathic , TMDSAS

AMCAS vs. AACOMAS vs. TMDSAS—what’s the difference, and how do you choose? While you don’t have to create an individual medical school application for each school you apply to, different schools and programs use different application services.

In general, all three of these application types follow a similar format, but there are important differences to be aware of. The sooner you decide which schools you want to apply to, the sooner you can begin tailoring your application.

Learn about the differences between AMCAS, AACOMAS, and TMDSAS, including the requirements for personal statements, letters of recommendation, activities, and matriculant scores.

AMCAS: The American Medical College Application Service

The American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) is the AAMC’s centralized medical school application processing service. It’s the primary application method for first year entering classes for the vast majority of US medical schools. It doesn’t matter how many different schools you intend to apply to; you only need to submit one set of application materials to AMCAS.

Although you submit your medical school application to AMCAS, the service has no say in admission decisions—those are made solely by the individual medical schools. AMCAS simply collects, verifies, and delivers your application materials and MCAT score to the schools you apply to.

Most first year applicants will apply to medical school through AMCAS, as it’s the standard. If you intend to apply to Stanford Medical School, Johns Hopkins, or the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, for example, you need to apply through AMCAS.

Only submitting one set of application materials simplifies the already complicated process of applying to medical school. The exception is if you choose to apply to osteopathic (DO) schools or medical schools located in Texas.

AACOMAS: The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service

AACOMAS is the centralized online application service for the US colleges of osteopathic medicine. It’s the primary application method for students who want to pursue osteopathy. AACOMAS simplifies the process of applying to osteopathic medical schools by only requiring students to submit one set of application materials. They verify, process, and submit your materials to the schools you choose, so long as you are only applying to DO schools.

Osteopaths (DOs) distinguish themselves from regular doctors (MDs) with a whole-body, holistic approach that treats the person—not the symptoms . The focus of osteopathy is preventative medicine and recognizing the interconnectedness of the various systems and organs in the body and their influence on each other.

Just like MDs, DOs have to complete four years of medical school followed by residency, and nearly every specialization available to an MD is also available to a DO. That said, a DO degree generally doesn’t have the same reputation as an MD degree, in large part due to the fact the statistics for acceptance are often lower than allopathic (MD) schools. DOs also have a harder time practicing medicine outside of the United States.

Reasons to Apply Through AACOMAS

• You don’t have the GPA or MCAT scores to get into allopathic (MD) schools.
• You plan only to practice medicine in the United States.
• You had a DO as a mentor or worked closely with osteopathic doctors.
• You have a passion for osteopathic medicine.

If you want to go to an MD school but don’t have the right grades or MCAT score, Med School Insiders can help. Contact our team to learn more about our MCAT Tutoring , Courses , and Application Editing Services .

TMDSAS: The Texas Medical and Dental School Application Service

TMDSAS is the primary application service for most medical schools located in Texas, including dental and veterinary schools. The state of Texas only accepts a maximum of 10% of medical students from out-of-state, so since the vast majority of medical school applicants come from Texas, they have their own centralized medical school application service. Just like AMCAS and AACOMAS, you only have to submit one set of medical school application materials to TMDSAS, which they will process and transmit to your selected Texan schools.

It also means that native Texans have a significant advantage when applying to schools in their home state, whereas anyone from outside of Texas has a significant disadvantage. So, if you come from Texas, it makes sense to apply to a medical school in your own state.

Reasons to Apply Through TMDSAS

• You wish to attend a Texas medical school that uses TMDSAS.
• You live in Texas.
• You have extracurricular or work experience in the Texas medical system.

AMCAS vs. AACOMAS vs. TMDSAS: Personal Statement

AMCAS, AACOMAS, and TMDSAS all require personal statements, but there are a few small differences.

AMCAS Personal Statement Length: 5300 characters

AACOMAS Personal Statement Length: 5300 characters

TMDSAS Personal Statement Length: 5000 characters

If you plan on applying to medical schools both in Texas and outside of it, ensure your personal statement is 5000 characters or less to meet the character limits of both applications.

Even though the length of the AACOMAS personal statement is the same, the question you need to answer is slightly different. You are asked a more specific question: why do you want to study osteopathic medicine? If you already have an AMCAS personal statement prepared, ensure you make the appropriate adjustments to focus on why you want to become a DO specifically.

Read our free Step-by-Step Guide: How to Write a Medical School Personal Statement for tips on getting started, what to include, and common mistakes to avoid.

AMCAS vs. AACOMAS vs. TMDSAS: Letters of Recommendation

The letters of recommendation requirements for all three application services are quite similar. The letters can be submitted through the respective services or through an alternative service like Interfolio if you are applying to schools across the board. With Interfolio, you only need your letter writers to upload once, even if you are using multiple application services.

The number of letters varies from school to school more than it does from one application service to the next. No matter which application process you’re applying through, it’s important to find out how many letters of recommendation are required for each individual school. For the most part, you will be covered if you acquire 4-5 strong letters of recommendation across science, non-science, and extracurriculars. If you are applying solely to Texan medical schools, you only need 3-4.

AMCAS Letters of Recommendation

• 3-10 total letters of recommendation (we recommend submitting 4 or 5).
• 1-2 letters from science professors.
• 1 letter from a non-science professor.
• 1 letter from a physician you shadowed or worked with.
• 1 letter from an extracurricular or volunteer supervisor.
• 1 letter from an employer.

AACOMAS Letters of Recommendation

• 2-6 total letters.
• One letter MUST be from a DO.

TMDSAS Letters of Recommendation

• 3-4 total letters.
• One Health Professions Committee Packet or three individual letters of evaluation.
• (Optional) One additional letter.

Read our Medical School Letters of Recommendation Guide for critical information on who to ask, when to ask, how to ask, what to provide, and common mistakes to avoid.

AMCAS vs. AACOMAS vs. TMDSAS: Activities and Mini-Essays

The Work & Activities section is a little different for each type of application. There are different character limits, added or omitted sections, and extra essay options depending on the application service.

For example, AACOMAS doesn’t have a Meaningful Experience section, but there’s no limit to the number of Experiences and Achievements you can add. Most notable are the extra essay questions available on TMDSAS applications that each have a 2500 character maximum.

AMCAS Application Activities and Mini-Essays

• 700 characters each
• 1325 characters each (in addition to 700 each for Work & Activities)
• 1325 characters each, if answering Yes to the following questions:
• Have you ever matriculated at, or attended, any medical school as a candidate for a medical degree?
• Were you ever the recipient of any institutional action by any college or medical school for unacceptable academic performance or conduct violation, even though such action may not have interrupted your enrollment or required you to withdraw?
• Were you dishonorably discharged from the military? Please explain the circumstances of your discharge, including the circumstances leading to your discharge, your period of service and your rank at the time of discharge.
• Have you ever been convicted of, or pleaded guilty or no contest to, a Felony crime, excluding 1) any offense for which you were adjudicated as a juvenile, or 2) convictions which have been expunged or sealed by a court (in states where applicable)?
• Have you ever been convicted of, or pleaded guilty or no contest to, a Misdemeanor crime, excluding 1) any offense for which you were adjudicated as a juvenile, 2) any convictions which have been expunged or sealed by a court, or 3) any misdemeanor convictions for which any probation has been completed and the case dismissed by the court (in states where applicable)?
• Do you wish to be considered a disadvantaged applicant by any of your designated medical schools that may consider such factors (social, economic or educational)?

AACOMAS Application Activities and Mini-Essays

• 600 characters each
• Categories: Non-Healthcare Employment, Extracurricular Activities, Non-Healthcare Volunteer or Community Enrichment, Healthcare Experience
• Categories: Awards, Honors, Presentations, Publications, Scholarships
• 500 character limit
• Dishonorary discharge from the military
• Have you ever been convicted of a Misdemeanor?
• Have you ever been convicted of a Felony?
• Have you ever been disciplined for academic performance by any college or school?
• Have you ever been disciplined for student conduct violations by any college or school?
• Were you ever denied readmission to any academic program due to academic conduct or performance?
• Have you ever had any certification, registration, license or clinical privileges revoked, suspended or in any way restricted by an institution, state or locality?
• Have you ever matriculated in or attended any medical school or health profession as a candidate for a professional degree?
• 200 character limit to explain the school and program you attended
• 500 character limit to explain why you left
• 2,500 character limit
• Please describe how COVID-19 has impacted your pathway to medical school.
• Did your school move to offering only online curriculum during the COVID-19 crisis? (Y or N or N/A)
• Did you have an opportunity to receive a letter grade for any of your courses taken during the COVID-19 crisis? (Y or N or N/A)

TMDSAS Application Activities and Mini-Essays

• 300 characters each
• Categories: A cademic R ecognition, Non-Academic Recognition , Leadership , Employment , Research Activities , Healthcare Activities , Community Service , Extracurricular Activities
• Which of your previously listed activities were most meaningful and why?
• 500 characters each (in addition to 300 each in Activities)
• Indicate future activities you plan on participating in between the application deadline and August 2022.
• This can include any future employment, future research, healthcare, community service, or extracurricular activities
• 600 – 1000 characters
• Describe how your military experience prepared you for a career as a healthcare provider. (1000 characters)
• Have ever been arrested or charged with any violation of the law regardless of outcome? ( 600 characters to provide details. )
• If you indicate that you consider yourself a non-traditional applicant, the following essay prompt will appear: “Describe the factors that have defined you as a non-traditional candidate and how they impact your application.” (1000 characters)
• 2500 characters
• Learning from others is enhanced in educational settings that include individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Please describe your personal characteristics (background, talents, skills, etc.) or experiences that would add to the educational experience of others.
• The optional essay is an opportunity to provide the admissions committee(s) with a broader picture of who you are as an applicant. The essay is optional; however, you are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity.

AMCAS vs. AACOMAS vs. TMDSAS: GPA and MAT Scores

MCAT and GPA score averages vary from year to year, but there are some common trends depending on the type of school and specific institution you’re looking at. In general, the necessary MCAT and GPA scores for AMCAS and TMDSAS schools are similar, with some schools in each requiring higher scores depending on how competitive it is to get into that specific institution. On average, osteopathic (DO) schools require lower MCAT and GPA scores for acceptance.

The following are score averages of matriculants for overall GPA averages and total MCAT scores. These numbers only reflect average scores. In order to be a competitive applicant, you should set your own goals much higher. Learn more: What MCAT Score Should You Aim For?

AMCAS Overall GPA Average: 3.74

AMCAS MCAT Score Average: 511.90

AACOMAS Overall GPA Average: 3.54

AACOMAS MCAT Score Average: 504.31

TMDSAS Overall GPA Average: 3.79

TMDSAS MCAT Score Average: 510.80

Final Thoughts

Although each application process is generally the same, each subtle difference adds up. It can be a lot to remember while already balancing a stressful schedule.

Applying through multiple services can add an extra layer of complexity to an already complicated process. Carefully consider if you want to apply through multiple systems since it will mean adjusting your personal statement and affect who you can ask for letters of recommendation. The sooner you decide which schools you want to apply to , the sooner you can plan your application strategy, so don’t delay making this decision.

How to Choose the Medical School That’s Right For You .

Med School Insiders can help. Utilize our Comprehensive Medical School Admissions Packages to succeed in every step of the application process, no matter which application service you apply through. We offer AMCAS Application Editing , AACOMAS Application Editing , and TMDSAS Application Editing tailored to the schools you choose.

Read our Guide to Understanding the Medical School Application Process , which includes an application timeline, what you need to include in your application, mistakes to avoid, and what happens next.

Med School Insiders

Am I Ready to Apply to Medical School?

Are you ready to apply to medical school? Applying before you’re ready is a costly mistake. Find out if you’re on the right track for acceptance this cycle.

2024 TMDSAS Secondary Application Guide

Learn how to create a stand out TMDSAS secondary application, including secondary deadlines, costs, the types of questions asked, and critical strategies.

2024 AACOMAS Secondary Application Guide

Learn how to create a stand out AACOMAS secondary application, including secondary deadlines, costs, the types of questions asked, and critical strategies.

This Post Has One Comment

Has AACOMAS started requiring a DO letter? My understanding is that in past cycles, that has not been necessary, and I know a lot of people who received IIs to osteopathic schools without a DO letter. Thanks.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Join the Insider Newsletter

Receive regular exclusive MSI content, news, and updates! No spam. One-click unsubscribe.

Customer Note Premed Preclinical Med Student Clinical Med Student

You have Successfully Subscribed!