ERAS is a narrative + evidence system. Programs skim fast. Your job is to make the skim obvious: clear specialty commitment, clean chronology, and zero ambiguity around gaps, licensing status, and USCE.
Personal statement hard limit
MyERAS personal statement content is capped at 28,000 characters (including spaces and punctuation). In reality, aim for a single ERAS page when printed — tight, readable, and specific.
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Step 1 — Build a 4-part personal statement
1) Opening hook (clinical moment + insight). 2) Why this specialty (pattern across your history). 3) Proof (USCE + projects + measurable outcomes). 4) Why you’ll succeed (work ethic, teachability, reliability) + close.
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Step 2 — Handle gaps with “fact → reason → action”
One paragraph max. State dates, the neutral reason, and what you did (study, clinical work, caregiving, research). Close with what the gap taught you (resilience, systems thinking) without melodrama.
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Step 3 — Align Experiences with your specialty signal
Order experiences so your target specialty reads inevitable. Use action verbs and outcomes: “implemented,” “audited,” “reduced,” “led,” “published,” “trained.” Avoid vague role descriptions.
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Step 4 — LOR architecture
Aim for 3–4 letters with at least 1–2 from US physicians in your specialty. Provide writers with your key talking points and remind them about LoRP upload mechanics early.
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Step 5 — Proof the application like a clinical note
Consistency check: names, dates, exam attempts, visa needs, and institution spellings. One contradiction can trigger silent rejection because it increases perceived admin risk.
Never sound defensive
A gap explanation is not a confession. Keep it factual and forward-facing. Programs care whether you are stable, competent, and likely to finish training.
SourceAAMC ERAS: Personal statement guidance + 28,000 character limit
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