Writing Resources: Personal Statements, Fellowships, Scholarships and Letters of Recommendation

Writing a personal statement, letter of recommendation, scholarship or fellowship statement is a reflective process. It requires one to be thoughtful about why one has engaged in professional experiences as well as intentional about what one has learned.

In general these documents should discuss how the applicants' pursuit of their goals has informed their career paths and ideally how their goals align with the mission and values of the organization they're seeking to join.

We recommend that applicants work closely with their school advisors, faculty members and skilled writers who know them well, to help them review and edit their documents.

The Office of Career and Professional Development does not review personal, fellowship or scholarship statements. Students looking for additional help with these statements can find a list of resources below.

General Writing Resources

For anyone experiencing the most common writing issues, including, but not limited to; trouble with the writing process, organization, clarity, grammar, mechanics, punctuation, and how to cite sources, the Purdue OWL Writing Lab is an excellent resource.

• https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/index.html
  • The Purdue OWL. Purdue U Writing Lab, 2019.

  Medicine Personal Statement Resources:

  Writing Your Personal Statement

  • Tips for Writing Residency Personal Statements
  • Read the Medical Residency Personal Statement Dissected Sample
  • AAMC Careers in Medicine (password protected): Writing a Winning Personal Statement
  • Personal Statement Resources from Dr. James Woodruff, Dean of Students, at The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine:
    • Personal Statement Workshop
    • Personal Statement Workshop Guide
    • Personal Statement Worksheet

    Dentistry Personal Statement Resources:

    Writing Your Personal Statement

    • Read Tips for Writing Residency Personal Statements
    • Read the Dental Residency Personal Statement Dissected Sample

    Additional Personal Statement Samples

    • Endodontics Personal Statement 1
    • Endodontics Personal Statement 2
    • General Practice Residency Personal Statement
    • Orthodontics Personal Statement 1
    • Orthodontics Personal Statement 2
    • Pediatric Personal Statement
    • Surgery Personal Statement

    Dissected Personal Statements

    • Dissected Endodontics Personal Statement 1
    • Dissected Endodontics Personal Statement 2
    • Dissected Orthodontics Personal Statement
    • Dissected Pediatrics Personal Statement
    • Dissected Prosthodontics Personal Statement

    Online Statement Review Resources:

    While OCPD doesn't not endorse any copy editing service, students could perform a google search for copy editing to find proof readers. It is every student’s responsibility to research and validate their options so please make sure to engage in due diligence if contracting any service. Below is a list of criteria to consider if a student chooses to look for a proof reading service, (Please also note that per the UCSF policy of student conduct and discipline, any form of academic dishonesty will result in disciplinary action per section 102.1):

    • Search the Better Business Bureau's online database for proof of accreditation, consumer complaints, or government actions taken against a business
    • ​Validate the company's contact information. Legitimate businesses make it easy for a person to contact the business and talk to a live person that they'll be working with
    • Perform a thorough assessment of your budget and needs, as well as researching reviews for services rendered

    Letters of Recommendation Resources:

    • UCSF School of Medicine: Writing letters of recommendation for residency
    • UCSF Dermatology Career Information page has advice if you are asked to write your own letter of recommendation
    • UCSF School of Dentistry: Read the Dentistry Letter of Recommendation Dissected Sample
    • UCSF School of Dentistry: ADEA provides letter writers guidelines on elements of what a strong letter of recommendation contains. We strongly encourage letter writers to speak to these qualities in their letters. The list is provided here for reference:
      • Critical thinking
      • Clinical skills
      • Didactic knowledge
      • Integrity
      • Interpersonal skills
      • Maturity
      • Organizational skills
      • Professional demeanor
      • Reaction to criticism
      • Self-awareness

      Fellowship, Research, and Scholarship Resources:

      • How to Win a Graduate Fellowship, Chronicle of Higher Education
      • Grant Writing Resources, (including a successful grants library)
      • Writing Research Resources, (including a 6 part guide for how to write research articles)
      • Presenting Science Resources, (including conference talks, designing research posters, and job talks for academic careers job search)