Sample PS 1 - Internal Medicine

Specialty: Internal Medicine

Fictitious Applicant Profile: Male international medical graduate who graduated in 2019. Due to financial constraints, he could not apply for the US residency before so he started his residency in a tertiary care hospital in his home county and saved money for the exams. Throughout this time, he balanced his training with studying for the USMLEs. He has no US clinical experience but lots of experience in his home county. His story is not extraordinary, very simple, without any major achievements except that he had a merit scholarship in medical university. He chose medicine because he was interested in the altruistic nature of the field. In his free time, he enjoys watching and playing cricket.

Personal Statement – Internal Medicine Residency

I have always been drawn to professions rooted in service. Growing up, I admired the quiet dignity of doctors in my community, their ability to bring comfort through knowledge, to listen before they spoke, and to act when it mattered most. It was this altruistic nature of medicine that first drew me in, and that has kept me on this path ever since.

I graduated from medical school in 2019 with the help of a merit-based scholarship. While many of my peers began preparing for international training, I faced a different reality. Financial constraints meant I couldn’t immediately pursue the USMLE exams or gain international experience. Still, I wasn’t deterred. I began residency training in internal medicine at a tertiary care hospital in my home country. This path allowed me to support myself while steadily saving for my future goals.

Balancing clinical responsibilities with USMLE preparation required discipline. Long shifts were followed by late nights of study, but the experience shaped me in powerful ways. It taught me resilience and the value of consistent effort, even when progress felt slow. More importantly, it strengthened my connection to medicine and to the patients who reminded me every day why I chose this field.

One patient I will never forget was a man admitted with undiagnosed diabetes who presented in DKA and sepsis. He arrived confused and in distress, his condition worsened by a lack of prior medical care. I was closely involved in his management. His recovery required not only treatment but also careful education and emotional support. I explained insulin use and dietary adjustments to his family in simple terms. Watching him stabilize and leave with understanding and control over his health reminded me that medicine is not just about treatment, it is about trust and communication.

Throughout my training, I have worked with patients across internal medicine subspecialties, often in high-pressure settings with limited resources. These constraints sharpened my clinical reasoning, reinforced the importance of teamwork, and taught me to rely equally on medical knowledge and empathy. Though I haven’t had the chance to gain US clinical experience yet, I bring with me extensive hands-on training, adaptability, and a deep commitment to internal medicine.

These values of resilience, teamwork, and strategy are mirrored in one of my favorite pastimes: cricket. Whether enduring long innings or responding swiftly in changing conditions, the game has taught me patience, timing, and collaboration. These same principles shape how I approach medicine. I am drawn to the U.S. healthcare system for its emphasis on structured learning, evidence-based practice, and multidisciplinary collaboration. Training in such a setting will surely refine my clinical skills and allow me to contribute meaningfully to a dynamic, evolving system of care. This environment will allow me to grow to become the kind of physician I aspire to be, someone who is thorough, compassionate, and dependable. I seek a residency program that values diverse experiences, strong mentorship, and quiet dedication. With the steady resolve that has guided me throughout this journey, I am ready to grow, contribute, and serve-with humility and focus.