Should You Use AI to Write Your ERAS Personal Statement?

  • Reviewed by: Amy Rontal, MD
  • It’s late in the afternoon on a Saturday in September. You’ve been at this coffee shop since it opened and the employees are starting to give you a strange look. You need to finish writing your Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) personal statement, but the only thing in front of you is a blank page. 

    The pressure is mounting, and the clock is ticking. Most of your classmates have either submitted their personal statements, or are in the final review process. In a moment of desperation, you remember a friend mentioning the use of chatGPT. 

    “Of course” you say to yourself. “With just a few clicks, I could have AI write my statement.” You smile, and admonish yourself for not taking advantage of this elegant solution sooner. 

    But as you pull up chatGPT, something gives you pause. A part of you thinks using AI to write your personal statement could backfire, and lower your chances of matching into residency altogether. That smile turns into a writer’s frown, and you get back to typing. 

    What do you think? Did you make the right decision in our hypothetical scenario? Or was it foolish not to take the easy way out? I say you made the right call. It’s definitely not the easy thing to do, but it’s the right move.

    In this post, I’ll discuss the benefits of writing your ERAS personal statement by hand, and some ways you can use AI to improve what you’ve written, or maybe spark your imagination. As we’ll see, there’s nothing wrong with using AI to enhance your application or fix a grammatical error—but when it comes to writing the essay, that should be led with your own personal touch.

    Starting your residency application can feel daunting, with a multitude of aspects to consider and the pressure to do well. If you’re applying to residency soon and aren’t sure where to start, download the FREE Residency Application Timeline to stay on track and make sure your top programs receive your very best residency application!


    Why shouldn’t I use AI to write my ERAS personal statement?

    If you’re still not convinced you made the right call in our hypothetical, it’s understandable. You’ve got a lot to do, and using AI to write your personal statement could save you a lot of time and effort. So we’ll begin with why—in this case—the easier path isn’t the one to take.

    1. It takes the “personal” out of your personal statement

    While AI can craft a seemingly perfect narrative for your residency application, it lacks the personal touch and genuine insights that only you can provide. Your personal statement is more than just a story—it’s your chance to convey your passion, experiences, and dedication to medicine. Don’t let the allure of convenience overshadow the importance of authenticity on your application.

    The point of a personal statement is that it allows for residency programs to see beyond your academic and clinical achievements, giving them insight into your personality, character, values, and suitability for the program. It’s a crucial component of your application that helps residency selection committees evaluate if you would be a good fit for their program (and vice versa). 

    After all, your journey in medicine is yours alone, and AI probably won’t be able to capture the nuances of your experiences and how they have influenced your career path. For example, can AI truly capture and describe the hardships you went through to become a doctor? Can it correctly highlight your motivations for going into medicine, or the challenging road you overcame that led you to your success today? Can it capture the emotional toll it takes to care for a loved one or a particularly meaningful patient encounter?

    Notice how many times I used “you” and “your” in the paragraphs above? That’s because it’s your story, the one residency programs want to hear. And AI can’t tell it like you can.

    2. Plus, residency programs will be able to tell!

    The number of medical school graduates has increased significantly in the past decade and as a result, more people than ever are applying for coveted US residency positions. And many of them have the same idea: use AI to make the application process easier.

    Detection Software

    As such, residency programs are catching on and starting to screen with detection software to find and void personal statements written solely by AI. These detection tools can compare an applicant’s ERAS application with their personal statement and flag any inconsistencies. 

    Detection tools are widely used in educational institutions, and can compare submitted statements against a vast database of work, online sources, and previously submitted applications. Once flagged, your statement may undergo manual review, during which an experienced reader compares your personal statement with collaborative databases and other parts of the application to seek out discrepancies.

    Cookie-Cutter Responses

    Beyond detection software, it can be easy to tell if you used AI to write your personal statement if yours is too similar to another applicant who had the same idea. AI can write “cookie-cutter” essays that have similar formats, anecdotes, and writing styles. 

    It’s simply not worth the risk. You don’t need a personal statement that reads like it was written by a published novelist (or even AI for that matter). Programs simply want a competent, ethical applicant who can communicate their story for why they chose medicine. 

    The application process as a whole, personal statement included, is designed to assess your qualifications and whether you’re a genuine fit for a program. Relying entirely on AI undermines this process, and could potentially harm your career. Maintaining the integrity and honesty of your application is essential for building a trustworthy professional identity.


    Why is it important to write my own ERAS personal statement?

    So, now you’ve heard the negative side of the argument. But what are the benefits to writing your own personal essay, by hand? Here are just a few:

     1. Authenticity

    One of the primary reasons to write your own personal statement is to demonstrate authenticity. Program directors and residency admissions committees are looking for genuine insights into your character and motivations for pursuing a particular field in medicine.

    Unlike other application components such as test scores or extracurriculars, the personal statement is your opportunity to directly communicate to the residency from its program director to its admissions committee who you are beyond your academic and professional side. Personalize it to showcase your passion for medicine, a life lesson, and/or how much you’ve accomplished in your effort to enter a particular specialty. Help them understand your qualities as an applicant and what you can bring to the residency program and the field of medicine. 

    2. Ethics

    Integrity is a cornerstone of the medical profession and residency programs certainly value it. Writing your own personal statement reflects your commitment to honesty and ethical behavior. Having your personal statement solely generated by AI can be seen as dishonest and raise concerns about how genuine your application is. 

    There’s a risk that if you submit a statement written by AI, it could jeopardize your chances of admission and damage your professional reputation. 

    3. Self-Reflection

    The process of writing a personal statement encourages deep self-reflection. Doing so will allow you to articulate your motivations for pursuing a specific specialty, reflect on your experiences, and consider how these have shaped your goals. This self-reflection is unique to you, will help to illuminate your professional aspirations to the program, and is beneficial not only for your application but also your personal growth.

    4. Interview Prep

    Finally, writing your own personal statement can serve as excellent preparation for residency interviews. After taking the time to brainstorm and write your personal statement, you’ll likely be more confident discussing your experiences and motivations during interviews. 

    Candidates who write their own statements often find it easier to answer questions about their journey and career aspirations, as they have already organized their thoughts and narratives.

    Looking for some interview prep with questions that can spark ideas for your ERAS personal statement? Check out this FREE Residency Mock Interview with the most common residency interview questions!


    Can I still use AI to help me in the writing process?

    While the previous sections were a simple warning not to use AI to write your personal statement for you, I firmly believe there are alternative and beneficial uses for AI that can still help you without doing all the heavy lifting.

    These include:

    1. Brainstorming

    Use AI tools to generate potential topics or themes for your personal statement based on your experiences and interests. You can also get suggestions on how to frame your unique perspective and/or narrative when writing your personal statement. 

    2. Outlining 

    AI can help you organize your thoughts and create an outline that covers everything you want to convey. Many applicants I advise want help with the organization and framing of their personal narratives, which AI can aptly do.

    3. Proofreading

    Use AI tools to check for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors. This can be especially helpful for international medical graduates or non-native English speakers/writers. AI can help clarify complex ideas or stories and improve the overall readability of your personal statement. 

    Furthermore, AI can offer you feedback on certain aspects of your personal statement, such as suggesting a stronger introductory paragraph. 

    Still, make sure you have a human touch!

    Utilize AI as a helper, not an original writer of your personal statement in order to ensure that your voice and unique experiences remain the focus of it and the rest of your application. Make sure to still have human readers proofread your personal statement to make sure it actually reflects your personality, values, and experiences.


    Final Thoughts 

    While AI can serve as a useful tool for brainstorming, outlining, and refining your personal statement, it’s crucial that the core content and final revisions come from you. Your personal statement should authentically reflect your experiences, motivations, and unique voice. By writing your own personal statement, you maintain integrity, showcase your communication skills, and present a genuine narrative that residency programs value. 

    For those looking for additional support, consider utilizing resources like writing workshops or our residency consultant program to help you craft a compelling and authentic personal statement. Embrace the process of self-reflection and let your true personality shine through, making your residency application stand out in a meaningful and honest way. 

    Good luck writing your own personal statement, and be sure to reach out if you need assistance!

    About the Author

    Mike is a driven tutor and supportive advisor. He received his MD from Baylor College of Medicine and then stayed for residency. He has recently taken a faculty position at Baylor because of his love for teaching. Mike’s philosophy is to elevate his students to their full potential with excellent exam scores, and successful interviews at top-tier programs. He holds the belief that you learn best from those close to you in training. Dr. Ren is passionate about his role as a mentor and has taught for much of his life – as an SAT tutor in high school, then as an MCAT instructor for the Princeton Review. At Baylor, he has held review courses for the FM shelf and board exams as Chief Resident.   For years, Dr. Ren has worked closely with the office of student affairs and has experience as an admissions advisor. He has mentored numerous students entering medical and residency and keeps in touch with many of them today as they embark on their road to aspiring physicians. His supportiveness and approachability put his students at ease and provide a safe learning environment where questions and conversation flow. For exam prep, Mike will help you develop critical reasoning skills and as an advisor he will hone your interview skills with insider knowledge to commonly asked admissions questions.