Make every word count - communicate an impression and take an innovative approach.
Brainstorm for ideas.
Revise and rework your initial essay and all secondary essays.
Type (rather than handwrite) your personal statements.
Always consider the tone of the essay - you want to highlight your positive attributes.
Mention your clinical exposure and personal experiences and how they have directly influenced your decision to be a physician - most importantly, share your feelings.
Use active language, complex sentences, simple sentences, and correct terminology.
Know your audience and have an understanding of the institution to which you are applying.
Be proud of your accomplishments.
Convey your research, leadership, service, and life experiences.
Demonstrate your integrity, common sense, and your ability to inspire confidence in your colleagues.
Demonstrate compassion for human beings, overall commitment, and enthusiasm for your future medical pursuits.
Contextualize your accomplishments.
Relate your professional goals and your personal goals.
Talk from your heart.
Definite DON'Ts
Don't speak in generalities - always answer the "how" and the "why" and use evidence to support your statements.
Don't cut and paste your first statement for use in your secondary application.
Don't use bad grammar, incorrect punctuation, or make spelling errors - proofread instead!
Don't ramble on.
Don't make excuses or beg for an interview.
Don't harp on the less than stellar qualities of your application - explain any apparent contradictions and move on.
Don't forget to do the essay - incompleteness is undesirable.
Don't list qualities - illustrate and elucidate specific aspects.
Don't swear.
Don't employ gimmicks, try to create a great literary piece, or be overly flamboyant - be yourself.
Don't restate the scores already listed elsewhere in your application, such as GPA or MCAT results.
Don't speak of actions only - speak of feelings too as they are unique to you.
Don't overlook the power of the introduction and conclusion.
Don't take a non-stop approach to the statement - step away once in a while and come back.
Don't forget to have others read your statement and provide you with feedback.