How to write the Perfect PT school Personal Statement

Summary

In this video, Dr. Justin Lee, a physical therapist and PT school admission expert, offers valuable advice on crafting a personal statement for physical therapy school applications. He identifies common mistakes, such as not answering the prompt and lacking a strong hook, and emphasizes the importance of reflection on personal experiences. Dr. Lee outlines a three-part structure for a compelling personal statement: sharing two impactful experiences, reflecting on personal growth, and connecting these experiences to future success as a physical therapist. He also provides an example of a successful essay and offers one-on-one coaching for those needing further assistance.

Takeaways

• 📝 The importance of answering the essay prompt: The essay should clearly articulate what makes the student unique and how these qualities will contribute to being a successful physical therapist.
• 🔍 Focus on clarity and focus: The essay should avoid being disjointed and should maintain a clear direction throughout, addressing the prompt directly.
• 🎯 The need for a strong hook: The opening of the essay should be engaging and compelling, similar to the way a TV show pilot captures attention from the start.
• 🤔 Reflection is crucial: Students must reflect on their experiences, showing what they have learned and how they have grown, which is essential for a successful personal statement.
• 📈 Two key experiences: The personal statement should focus on two main experiences or stories that highlight the student's unique qualities and growth.
• 📝 Reflect and connect: After sharing experiences, students should connect their reflections to how these experiences will make them successful physical therapists.
• 👨‍🏫 Dr. Justin Lee's expertise: Dr. Justin Lee, a physical therapist and PT school admission expert, offers guidance on writing a compelling personal statement.
• 📚 Tailoring to the prompt: The content of the personal statement should be tailored to the specific prompt of the year, as prompts can change over time.
• 📉 Avoiding common mistakes: Common pitfalls include not answering the prompt, lack of a strong opening, and missing the reflection on personal growth.
• 💡 The power of storytelling: Using personal stories effectively can demonstrate a student's journey and transformation, making the essay more relatable and impactful.
• 🔗 Linking personal growth to the profession: The essay should explicitly link the student's personal growth and experiences to the qualities of a successful physical therapist.

Q & A

What is the main issue Dr. Justin Lee addresses in the video script regarding personal statements for PT school applications?

Dr. Justin Lee addresses the issue of personal statements not answering the prompt, lacking focus, and clarity, which are common mistakes he sees in students' essays.

Who is Dr. Justin Lee and what is his role in the context of the video script?

Dr. Justin Lee is a physical therapist and a PT school admission expert who helps students get accepted into physical therapy school, particularly by guiding them on how to write effective personal statements.

What does Dr. Lee emphasize as the most common mistake in personal statement writing?

The most common mistake emphasized by Dr. Lee is not answering the prompt, which should focus on what makes the applicant unique and how that uniqueness will contribute to being a successful physical therapist.

According to the script, what is the importance of a strong and enticing hook in a personal statement?

A strong and enticing hook is important because it sets up the entire essay and captures the reader's attention, preventing the essay from being generic and boring.

What is the second common mistake that Dr. Lee points out in the script?

The second common mistake is the lack of a strong and enticing hook in the first paragraph of the essay, which should ideally start with a climax to draw in the reader.

What does Dr. Lee suggest should be included in the first paragraph of a personal statement to make it compelling?

Dr. Lee suggests starting with a climax or an engaging event, similar to how a Netflix pilot starts with an exciting scene to capture the viewer's attention.

What is the third aspect that Dr. Lee mentions students often miss in their personal statements?

The third aspect that students often miss is the lack of reflection on their experiences, which is crucial for showing personal growth and transformation.

Why is reflection important in a personal statement for PT school applications?

Reflection is important because it shows the applicant's learning, growth, and transformation, which are key to demonstrating how they will be a successful physical therapist.

What is the main structure Dr. Lee recommends for writing a personal statement for PT school applications?

Dr. Lee recommends a main structure that includes sharing two experiences or stories, reflecting on those experiences, and relating the lessons learned to how they will contribute to being a successful physical therapist.

What does Dr. Lee offer to help students with their personal statements?

Dr. Lee offers one-on-one coaching sessions to help students ensure they are on the right track with their personal statements, providing guidance and revisions to improve their chances of acceptance into PT school.

How can students who need help with their personal statements reach out to Dr. Lee according to the script?

Students can reach out to Dr. Lee for help by following a link in the description of the video, where they can purchase coaching sessions and self-book at their nearest availability.

Outlines

00:00

📝 Personal Statement Critique and Writing Guidance

Dr. Justin Lee, a physical therapist and PT school admission expert, begins the video by expressing frustration with a student's personal statement that failed to answer the prompt and lacked focus and clarity. He emphasizes the importance of a clear and prompt-responding essay for PT school admission. Dr. Lee outlines his intention to teach viewers how to write an effective personal statement, highlighting common mistakes such as not answering the prompt, lacking a strong hook, and missing reflection on experiences. He encourages students to revise their essays using the tips provided and invites them to share their struggles with personal statement writing.

05:02

🔑 Key Components of a Successful Personal Statement

The second paragraph delves into the three main parts of an effective personal statement for PT school applicants. Dr. Lee advises focusing on two key experiences or stories that demonstrate the applicant's uniqueness and potential for success as a physical therapist. He stresses the necessity of reflection on these experiences to show personal growth and learning. Lastly, he insists on connecting these experiences to the field of physical therapy, illustrating how they will contribute to the applicant's success in the profession. Dr. Lee offers one-on-one coaching for those who need personalized assistance and shares an example of a successful essay that secured multiple interview opportunities.

10:04

🌟 Transformative Experience and its Relevance to PT Practice

In the final paragraph, Dr. Lee provides a detailed example of an applicant's personal statement that effectively utilized the three key components discussed earlier. The applicant shared a transformative experience of battling an illness and the subsequent rehabilitation process, which taught her compassion, empathy, and self-love. These experiences and the lessons learned from them were directly related to her future role as a physical therapist, showcasing her readiness to serve and empathize with her patients. Dr. Lee concludes by inviting feedback on the video's helpfulness and promoting his one-on-one coaching service for further assistance with personal statements.

Keywords

💡Personal Statement

A personal statement is a written document typically required as part of a university application, where students express their motivations, experiences, and aspirations. In the context of this video, the personal statement is crucial for admission into physical therapy school, and the speaker emphasizes the need for clarity and relevance to the prompt.

💡Physical Therapy School

Physical therapy schools are educational institutions that offer programs leading to a degree in physical therapy. The video focuses on how to craft a compelling personal statement to increase the chances of being accepted into such schools.

💡PT School Admission

PT School Admission refers to the process of applying and being accepted into a physical therapy program. The speaker, Dr. Justin Lee, is an expert in this area and aims to guide students on how to write a personal statement that will help them stand out in the admission process.

💡Prompt

In the context of the video, the prompt is the specific question or topic that the personal statement must address. The speaker highlights the importance of directly answering the prompt, which for the year 2023 is about what makes the applicant unique and how that uniqueness will contribute to being a successful physical therapist.

💡Uniqueness

Uniqueness in this video refers to the individual qualities or experiences that set an applicant apart from others. The speaker advises applicants to clearly articulate what makes them unique and how these traits will help them succeed in physical therapy.

💡Successful Physical Therapist

A successful physical therapist, as discussed in the video, is someone who not only has the necessary skills and knowledge but also the personal qualities that contribute to their effectiveness in the field. The speaker emphasizes that the personal statement should demonstrate how the applicant's unique qualities will make them a successful physical therapist.

💡Hook

In writing, a hook is a technique used at the beginning of a piece to grab the reader's attention. The speaker advises that the first paragraph of the personal statement should be strong and enticing, similar to how a compelling TV show starts with an engaging scene to capture viewers' interest.

💡Reflection

Reflection in the context of the video refers to the applicant's introspection on their experiences and how they have grown or changed as a result. The speaker stresses the importance of including a reflection in the personal statement to show personal growth and learning.

💡Experiences

Experiences in this video are the personal or professional events that have shaped the applicant's perspective and skills. The speaker suggests focusing on two significant experiences that demonstrate the applicant's qualities and potential as a physical therapist.

💡Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation in the video refers to the process of recovery and restoration of function following an illness or injury. The speaker uses an example of a student who went through rehabilitation after being hospitalized, which not only transformed her physically but also emotionally and mentally, making her a better candidate for physical therapy.

💡Self-Esteem

Self-esteem in the video is discussed in relation to the student's journey through illness and rehabilitation. The speaker highlights how overcoming health challenges and regaining physical abilities can lead to an increase in self-esteem and personal growth, which are relevant to the qualities of a successful physical therapist.

Highlights

The importance of answering the essay prompt correctly in personal statements for physical therapy school applications.

Common mistakes in personal statement writing include lack of focus and clarity.

The necessity of making the essay clear and directly answering the prompt for PT school admission.

The role of a strong and enticing hook in the first paragraph of the essay.

Comparison of essay hooks to the engaging openings of Netflix shows.

The critical aspect of reflection in personal statements, showing personal growth and learning.

The need for students to share how their experiences will contribute to their success as a physical therapist.

The three main parts of writing a compelling personal statement: experiences, reflection, and relevance to physical therapy.

The advice to focus on only two experiences or stories in the personal statement.

The significance of reflecting on experiences in detail, using five to eight sentences to elaborate.

The importance of linking personal growth to the role of a physical therapist in the essay.

An example of a student's essay that effectively utilized the three main parts of a personal statement.

The transformative impact of a personal health crisis on a student's perspective and motivation for physical therapy.

How the student's personal health experience taught her compassion and empathy, crucial for a physical therapist.

The student's journey from self-esteem issues to self-kindness and self-love, and how it will benefit her future patients.

The offer of one-on-one coaching to help with personal statement writing for PT school applications.

The urgency of booking coaching sessions in advance due to high demand and approaching deadlines.

The final encouragement to lift weights, lift others, and lift oneself up as part of personal and professional development.

Transcripts

by man I just finished a personal

statement writing session with the

student and unfortunately I had to chew

her out the essay was not answering the

prompt the essay was lacking focus it

was lacking Clarity a lot of these

common mistakes that I really think a

lot of students need to pay attention to

and need to fix because if you're trying

to get into physical therapy school you

have to make sure that your essay is

clear and it's Act answering the prompt

so in this video I'm going to teach you

what exactly you need to write about to

get accepted into physical therapy

school regarding your personal statement

so let's get into it let go what's going

on everyone my name is Dr Justin Lee

physical therapist I'm a PT school

admission expert and I help students get

accepted into physical therapy school

the first time so I'm going to teach you

how to write your personal statement for

PT school and this is going to be a game

Cher you're going to read your essay

learn the tips that I'm teaching you in

this video and you're going to go back

and reread your essay and redraft it cuz

you're probably not doing it right but

let's talk about that what are you not

doing right so what are some common

mistakes that people make when writing

their personal statement the biggest

mistake that I see when working with

students and make sure you're paying

attention to this is actually answering

the prompt so right now this video is

filmed in 2020 three and if you're

watching it years later it might be a

different prompt but the physical

therapy the PT Cass essay prompt is

pretty much asking you what makes you

unique and what is going to make you a

successful physical therapist as you're

reading everything that you have written

ask yourself does this share what makes

me unique and am I sharing how that's

going to help me be a successful

physical therapist if you're not clearly

answering those two questions then you

are doing it wrong go back redraft it

and make sure you're answering those two

questions I'm going to share with you

two more common mistakes but the third

one is super important so make sure

you're pay attention to this the second

mistake is that you don't have a strong

and enticing hook your first paragraph

probably the first five sentences is

going to set you up for the entire essay

and if you are being super generic if

you're going to tell your life story of

how you got into Physical Therapy where

you started it's super boring all right

now think about this when you watch your

Netflix show um the pilots the first

episode in especially in the very

beginning are they starting off with the

person getting up in bed snoozing their

alarm making breakfast no that's super

boring they're starting out with the

person in the battlefield shooting da da

da da da da da and killing all these

people and then boom a big explosion

happens

and there's ringing in the ears the

person is unconscious and then you in

just as the person is closing their eyes

turns out that that person grabs them

and kidnaps them and now you're like

what what's going on how did that happen

it captures your attention your hook

your first paragraph should do the exact

same thing get to the climax think of

the end first and start with that the

third big thing hey pay attention is a

lack of reflection man so many students

miss this part they share a great story

they do all the right things good

experience but they build it up and then

ah they dro the ball they missed the

game winning layup all you have to do is

share your reflection what have you

learned how have you grown how did this

transform you this is really important

and we're going to talk about this

because that's going to be a huge part

of writing a perfect personal statement

hey before we get into the actual Parts

the Tactical things of how to write a

personal statement I'm just curious if

one of those three things were you and I

was talking to you give this video a

like and let me know in the comments be

vulnerable I want to know what struggles

you're going through with the personal

statement essay writing process because

I want to help please let me know so

we're going to jump into the next part

so please pay attention because in this

next part I'm going to teach you how to

write that perfect personal statement

that's going to get you accepted like I

mentioned it's 2023 so the prompt is

asking what makes you unique and how is

that uniqueness going to make you a

successful physical therapist if you're

watching this in the years later this

might not necessarily be relevant to you

but I think you can get a little bit of

a tactical things from what we're going

to be talking about here but this is

very specific for 2023 2024 probably

2025 as well cuz PT cast usually reuses

the same prompt for several years okay

so there are three main parts to this

and make sure again you stay for that

third one because that third one is

going to be a huge part of what's going

to get you accepted what's going to help

you stay stand out okay first part of

writing a really good personal statement

is make sure that you have two

experiences or stories to share only

focus on two many students will start

out with one idea to the next experience

to the next idea to the next experience

and they're talking about five six seven

different things and when I'm working

with students like the student that I

just talked to here

earlier man I'm like I'm lost I'm not

engaged AED I want to not read your

essay anymore and I want to move on to

the next student because it doesn't keep

my attention so focus on just those two

stories those two experiences because

those are the things that we are going

to use and pull a lot of information out

of so that we can write a really

compelling personal statement okay now

number two like we talked about you have

to reflect on your experience whatever

has happened happened in your experience

or your stories I want you to share with

me what have you learned you can say

quotequote through these experiences I

have learned right or quote quote

through these experiences or through

through what I have gone through I have

grown by right just those things and

then you can finish off the sentences

and I want you to actually spend about

five to eight different sentences to

elaborate on your reflection that's the

most critical thing so that's going to

share with the person who's reading your

essay how have you grown how have you

matured this is so important because as

you're going through your undergraduate

years I mean you're a freaking kid when

you're 18 years old but as you go

throughout life you're going to learn

all the mistakes that you've made all

the things that you have uh learned from

from those mistakes and now the third

part is how does that relate to being a

successful physical therapist oh my gosh

so many students miss this part they

don't answer how it relates to being a

successful physical therapist again how

it doesn't answer the prompt answer the

freaking prompt so this is the way that

you're going to do this you're going to

share your two experiences you're going

to share you're going to reflect on how

those experiences have made you grow or

how it transformed you or what you

learned from that and then whatever you

learned that's what you're going to use

to share how that's going to make you a

successful physical therapist I'm going

to share an example with you of how to

use these three things and how to write

that in your personal statement so that

you can get accepted but I will say this

if you need help with your personal

statement I can help you with one on-one

coaching and matter of fact I have a

really good awesome opportunity right

now for you to work with me on several

occasions

very quickly all we need to do is 25

minute sessions to make sure you are on

the right track so that you are writing

the right things using the formula and

approach that I'm teaching you to help

you get accepted if you're interested in

that there's a link in the description

you can go to that link purchase and

Self book at your nearest availability

and we can get started on your personal

statement right away okay let's review

this example together so I was working

with the student earlier this year and

and from this essay she has gotten

multiple interview opportunities from

different schools that means they're

judging her on her application but also

her essay so this essay has been really

helpful and she utilized these same

three things that I had just taught you

in this video so here's an example of

what she talked about so she first

mentioned how she got coid and she got

sick just like a lot of other people but

coid has really affected her negatively

because this has made her health really

deep declined to a point where she got

bedridden and hospitalized for weeks now

granted that she was deadlifting over

300 lb and squatting in the 200 range

and really building up her self-esteem

in by working out but because of this

experience of being hospitalized she

lost all of that so throughout the

several weeks that she had to go through

a rehabilitation with physical

therapists alongside at the hospital and

outpatient rehab she had to regain the

ability literally the ability to walk

again but through her experience with

her physical therapist she learned how

to walk she learned how to do her first

Squat and she built the self-confidence

to go back into the gym now this

experience was very transformative for

her because it really humbled her as to

learn how much it takes to really just

put in the effort to walk or do your

simple functional tasks she has learned

compassion and empathy for the future

patients that she's going to work with

that are going to come into her clinic

and on top of that to go a layer deeper

prior to getting co9 and going to the

hospital she had issues with her

self-esteem body dysmorphia and she

really had some social struggles that

she was going through with social media

and the pressure of other people and how

she really looked and that's what was

one of her driving factors to really

exercise and get stronger and throughout

the Journey of rehabing and being able

to start walking again and squatting and

building up her strength she has learned

the ability to have self kindness to

have self love and to extend that out to

anyone who's really struggling with low

self-esteem as well and all of these

things that she has learned learned

throughout this experience she's going

to utilize to empower and to have

compassion those who are going to come

into her clinic and serve her as a

successful physical therapist so that's

exactly what I mean

experiences

reflection and related to answering the

prompt of how it's going to help you be

a successful physical therapist hey was

that helpful was this video helpful for

for you let me know in the comments yes

this was helpful or if there's any type

of video topic idea regarding the

personal statement or PT school essays

let me know so that I can create more

videos like that on my channel if you

need help I can help you one-on-one

coaching super fast make sure you're on

the right track do some revisions for

you to make sure that you can get

accepted into PT school there's a link

in the description sign up for that

today before your deadline comes my

spots fill up very quickly and it's very

often that you need to book out couple

weeks in advance because I'm already

booked up that much so think ahead if

you need help let me know take action

before it's too late and I can't help

you because the deadlines are too fast

all right everyone every day is a great

day to lift weights lift others and lift

yourself up stay lifting