What should I not put in my personal statement?
Christopher Ramos
Updated on April 02, 2026
11 Things NOT to Put in Your Personal Statement
- NEGATIVITY.
- NOT MENTIONING YOUR SKILLS & ACHEIVEMENTS.
- EXAGGERATION & OUTRIGHT LIES.
- POOR SPELLING AND GRAMMAR.
- NOT GETTING FEEDBACK.
- STATING THE OBVIOUS.
- TALKING ABOUT YOUR CHILDHOOD.
- THE WORD PASSION.
How do you write a personal statement that doesn’t suck?
How to Make Sure Your Med School Personal Statement Doesn’t Suck
- Med School Personal Statement Concerns.
- Its Not a Cliche if You Write it Correctly.
- Choose an Interesting Opening Story.
- Be (Almost Completely) Truthful.
- Know About the Pre-Professional Competencies.
- Choose a Good Theme.
- Proofread.
What is a good personal statement?
Your personal statement should share something about who you are, something that can’t be found in your resume or transcript. For colleges: Consider your college application as a whole. Your personal statement, application short answers, and supporting documentation should together tell a story about who you are.
Do personal statements need titles?
DON’T write your statement with the goal of telling schools what you think they want to hear. Sincerity is important and recognizable. DON’T use quotes or give a title to your statement.
How do you write a really good personal statement?
What makes a good personal statement?
- Explain the reason for your choice and how it fits in with your aspirations for the future.
- Give examples of any related academic or work experience.
- Show you know what the course will involve and mention any special subjects you’re interested in.
Can you plagiarize your own personal statement?
The personal statement is meant to be “personal”. There are programs available for applicants to check their own personal statements for plagiarism, but in general, if you have not used any other sources while writing it really should not be an issue.
Can you mention Ted talks in personal statement?
Anything relevant can go here – wider reading, school societies, work experience, MOOCs, TED talks, online/public lectures, volunteering, exhibitions you’ve visited… Explain how each activity has helped prepare you for study or university in general.
