Tailor your personal statement to the specialty and medical residency program that you have decided upon. If you are applying for more than one specialty and program, write separate personal statements for each.
Write an opening paragraph to introduce who you are. Include what specialty you're applying for and how your personal values make you a good fit. For example, if you're applying for pediatric medicine, write about your abilities to put children at ease.
Construct a second paragraph to demonstrate how you chose the specialty for which you're applying. Provide examples of your experiences in the specialty, especially from your clinical rotations. Reviewers want to see that you understand the challenges in the field you're applying for and that you know what you're getting yourself into.
Create a third paragraph with any relevant research or extracurricular activities. Choose the most recent experiences as possible, but if you have particularly relevant anecdotes to tell from your undergraduate years, by all means, go ahead and write about those.
Write your fourth paragraph to show how your long-term goals are in line with the specialty you're applying for. State why you feel the specialty will be able to hold your interest over the long haul and how you will be able to grow with it and benefit from the field.
Conclude your personal statement with a thank you. Write that you're looking forward to beginning your career in your chosen specialty.
Proofread your personal statement for flow, grammar and spelling. The more people you can garner to proofread your statement for things you may have missed, the better.