Application season is upon us! Whether you are applying for medical school, graduate school, or even a new job, these tips can help ANYONE be successful.  

1. Start your applications early.

   Figure out your deadline, then work backwards to structure a plan for yourself. Starting your applications early will give you time to . . . 

2. Seek feedback from multiple trusted people. 

   Ask a mentor, professor, supervisor, friend, and family member to review your applications. They can each provide unique insights and fresh perspectives to help ensure your message is communicated clearly. Speaking of which . .

3. Tell a story. 

   All the components of your applications should fit together to tell a story about you and your lived experiences.

   Why are you pursuing work or training in this particular area? What does this job or school have to offer you, and what do you have to offer them?

   True storytelling means shaping moments into meaning and purpose.

4. Don’t restate your CV in your personal statement or cover letter. 

   Your personal statement or cover letter serves to help with your storytelling and make you standout.

   Don’t just re-list your previous work and educational experience, tie the threads together! If there are gaps in your CV . . .

    

5. Use your personal statement, cover letter, or letters of recommendation to fill in the gaps. 

   If you took time off of work or school due to caregiving responsibilities, significant life events, changes in career, or even had a rough academic year with lower grades, you can discuss that head-on in your personal statement or cover letter.

   You can even ask your letter writers to reflect on this in their recommendations. But remember . . . 

6. Don’t put anything in your applications you wouldn’t share on social media or another public setting. 

   Personal statements are not places to share your most intimate secrets or disclose the most difficult experiences you have been through.

   Those stories and experiences are yours, and you don’t need a heart-wrenching story to get into a program or get a job.

   Instead, authentically share unique anecdotes or reflections that tie into the story you are telling about where you have been and where you want to go in relation to the training program or job you are applying for.  

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