5 rules that can BREAK your DPT personal statement

Summary

Dr. Justin Lee, a physical therapist and mentor, outlines five crucial rules for crafting a compelling DPT personal statement. He emphasizes writing in the first person, maintaining consistency, and avoiding grammatical errors. Lee advises including two meaningful stories to support main points without over-saturating the essay. He also stresses the importance of not directly answering the prompt in the first sentence, instead painting a vivid picture, and answering the prompt in the last sentence of the first paragraph. Lastly, he encourages reflecting on personal growth from experiences. Lee offers additional tips and a free guide on his YouTube channel to assist in creating a standout personal statement.

Takeaways

• 📝 Write your DPT personal statement in the first person, using 'I' and 'me' consistently throughout.
• 🔍 Ensure grammatical accuracy, including correct use of past and present tenses.
• 📚 Include at least two stories or experiences to support your main points, but avoid more than two to prevent saturation and lack of depth.
• 🎨 Start your essay with descriptive language to paint a picture, saving the prompt answer for the last sentence of the first paragraph.
• 📖 Answer the prompt in the last sentence of your first paragraph to clearly state your purpose from the outset.
• 💡 Dedicate a paragraph to discussing your personal growth and reflections derived from your experiences.
• 📈 Follow these rules to stay on the right track, but remember that compelling content and storytelling are crucial to standing out.
• 🌟 Seek additional tips and strategies on the speaker's YouTube channel for further guidance on writing your personal statement.
• 📚 A free guide is available to help you start your personal statement, with a link provided in the description for download.
• 💼 Dr. Justin Lee, a physical therapist, mentors students to get accepted into physical therapy school.
• 🏋️‍♂️ The speaker encourages daily self-improvement through physical activity and personal growth.

Q & A

What are the five rules for writing a DPT personal statement according to Dr. Justin Lee?

The five rules are: 1) Write in the first person point of view, using 'I' and 'me' consistently. 2) Include at least two stories or experiences that support your main points, but not more than five. 3) Do not answer the prompt in the first sentence; instead, paint a picture. 4) Answer the prompt in the last sentence of your first paragraph. 5) Spend a paragraph discussing your growth and reflections from your personal story or experiences.

Why is it important to write in the first person point of view in a DPT personal statement?

Writing in the first person point of view allows you to narrate your experiences and thoughts personally, making the essay more personal and relatable. It's like writing a journal, which helps in maintaining a consistent voice throughout the essay.

How many stories or experiences should be included in a DPT personal statement according to Dr. Justin Lee's advice?

Dr. Justin Lee recommends including at least two stories or experiences, but not more than five, as having too many can saturate the essay and prevent in-depth exploration of the true meaning and values you are trying to convey.

What is the recommended approach for the first sentence of a DPT personal statement?

The first sentence should not directly answer the prompt. Instead, it should paint a picture and set the scene, using descriptive language to engage the reader.

Where should the prompt be answered in a DPT personal statement?

The prompt should be answered in the last sentence of the first paragraph, providing a clear and direct response to the question posed.

Why is it crucial to discuss personal growth and reflections in a DPT personal statement?

Discussing personal growth and reflections helps demonstrate how your experiences have shaped you and your perspective, showing the admission committee your maturity and self-awareness.

What should be the focus of the paragraph discussing personal growth and reflections in a DPT personal statement?

The focus should be on what you have learned or how you have grown through your experiences, providing insights into your personal development and how these experiences have influenced your decision to pursue a career in physical therapy.

What is the purpose of having a consistent grammatical tense in a DPT personal statement?

Maintaining a consistent grammatical tense helps in ensuring clarity and coherence in your essay. It avoids confusion for the reader and makes your narrative more engaging and easier to follow.

What additional resources does Dr. Justin Lee offer to help with writing a DPT personal statement?

Dr. Justin Lee offers additional videos on tips and strategies on his YouTube channel and a free guide to help start your personal statement, which can be accessed through a link in the description of his video.

How can viewers access Dr. Justin Lee's free guide to start a personal statement?

Viewers can access Dr. Justin Lee's free guide by following the link provided in the description of his video.

What is the overall goal of following Dr. Justin Lee's five rules for a DPT personal statement?

The overall goal is to create a compelling and well-structured personal statement that effectively conveys your experiences, growth, and reflections, increasing your chances of standing out to the admission committee.