The Levy Library Blog

Writing your Residency Applications? The Library has Resources for You!

Your Levy Library is one of the many ISMMS resources supporting you during the residency application process. As you embark on this next phase of your medical career, we want to ensure that you have all the resources and assistance you need to succeed. 

We understand that crafting a compelling personal statement can be challenging. We are excited to share with you how to connect with our team who can provide confidential feedback and guidance on your personal statements. We recognize that as a rising 4th year medical student you also are balancing the job of residency applications with the rest of your clinical learning and practice, so we want to remind you about the clerkship resources we offer and some online articles about writing personal statements that may save you time or help you get started. 

Here's how we can help:

• ISMMS Writing Support Services
• Library Contacts for Residency Personal Statement Review
• Additional Library Resources

ISMMS Writing Support Services

One of the ways the Library can support you is through our Writing Support Services. Our writing support consultants are available to advise you as you craft compelling personal statements and other application materials. These consultations are confidential and non-judgmental, and our consultants are experienced in providing feedback and guidance tailored to writing personal statements for a wide range of situations. If you're looking for assistance with your writing, we encourage you to consider scheduling an appointment with one of our Writing Support Consultants. This service is open to all Mount Sinai students and trainees. 

To learn more about the writing support service and to schedule a consultation, please visit: https://libguides.mssm.edu/writingsupport 

Library Contacts for Residency Personal Statement Review

If your schedule does not work well with the ISMMS Writing Support Service appointment times or if you would prefer to work with someone at Mount Sinai, we offer meeting with a member of the Library team as an option.  We have completed advanced graduate education, are knowledgeable about residency and fellowship applications, and are available to provide feedback in consultations or via email on your personal statement drafts. We understand that this can be a time-sensitive process, and our team will work with you to accommodate your schedule as much as possible.

Additional Library Resources 

We can also recommend other resources that may be helpful. Our library guide Clerkship Resources provides a curated list of materials that can support your learning during your clinical rotations, including textbooks, online resources, and other references.  

• Clerkship Resources
• Online articles on writing personal statements for residency
• Be inspired by others who lived this experience. Note these are older resources and many things have changed--the guidance on personal statements is still useful:
  • [online, includes examples of personal statements] Le T, Bhushan V, Shenvi C. First Aid for the Match. 5th edition. McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011.
  • [print only] Eule B. Match Day : One Day and One Dramatic Year in the Lives of Three New Doctors. 1st ed. St. Martin’s Press; 2009.
  • [print only] Katta R, Desai SP, Desai SP. The Successful Match: 200 Rules to Succeed in the Residency Match. MD2B; 2009. 

The library is committed to supporting you throughout your 4th year and the residency application process. We are here to provide guidance, resources, and assistance--please reach out to us and let us know what you may need.