Personal Statement:Medicine 120

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

My choice of medicine as a career was a cumulative process that occurred over a period of years, rather than an impulsive verdict. Since starting secondary school, I have entertained an acute interest in what makes us who we are; the mechanisms that sustain us. This allowed me to excel at Biology, strengthening my resolve.

Some people want to discover what is at the other end of the universe. Others want to know what is beneath their feet. I want to know what makes us function, why one person falls sick, yet another stays perfectly healthy. I want to find out why the diseases that plague our world do so. Medicine does not have all the answers, but the challenge lies in finding out.

How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?

To further my knowledge in medicine, I took part in Doctors of Tomorrow, a school initiative aimed at educating students in the various intricacies of the field of medicine. I was involved in a wide range of activities and attended a few medical conferences, which allowed me insight into the rigorous courses that doctors have to take to keep up to date. The high point of the programme was earning the Basic Life Support Accreditation, in a course provided by the local hospital. I learned how to make crucial decisions under immense levels of stress and take charge in chaotic situations. The course gave me a brief glimpse into the medical profession, and I was fascinated by what I saw.

My volunteer work at the local hospital saw me shadowing experienced personnel around the hospital. It was a highly rewarding and enlightening participation. From my rounds within the Emergency Department, I came face to face with the tense and perpetually urgent atmosphere that doctors have to operate under. My interactions with physicians allowed me to construct an informed decision about my choice to join medicine. One of the essential elements of care-giving, I found, is the doctor-patient relationship; a perhaps overlooked aspect of medicine. The amount of trust placed on physicians by patients is enormous. Not only is a doctor in charge of treating ailments, he or she is also responsible for just how well-informed and at-ease the patients are.

What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

In school I participated in various activities, ranging from Model United Nations (MUN) to Rugby. MUN helped me develop my administrative and empathetic skills. Attending over 12 conferences, national and international, expanded my powers of critical thought as well as empathy. I represented various nations, not always agreeing with their policies but I was able to successfully put aside my personal views and objectively represent them. Communicating with patients effectively and with compassion is quintessential in a doctor. I am resolute that my experiences in MUN, which demanded a stellar degree of diplomatic prowess has granted me a moral compass that would allow me to handle patient interactions with skill.

Trust, honesty and integrity make up the professional ethos of a doctor. To earn and maintain the trust of anyone is by no means easy. My role as prefect within my school showed me the importance of being a caring individual. Earning the student's trust and making them feel comfortable in sharing their problems was extremely rewarding. I also developed my leadership and teamwork skills working with the rest of the prefects alongside teachers to help improve the school. Supporting others, evaluating ideas and coming up with mutual solutions was challenging and gratifying.

As part of the International Award (Duke of Edinburgh) programme, I coached children in swimming. It took time and effort to help them overcome their fears. The process was thoroughly enjoyable, teaching the children that the deep end did indeed have a bottom and that there weren't any sharks there. Through these experiences I realised helping people was something that gave me great satisfaction and wish to carry it on to my professional career.

How personal statements have changed?

The current personal statement format, with three 'scaffolding' questions, was introduced by Ucas in September 2025. This personal statement was submitted before then, using the old essay-style format. It has been carefully edited into the three-question format, with all of the original wording kept.

Need help with your personal statement? You can ask a question or get feedback from The Student Room community (and our trained personal statement experts) on the personal statement advice forum.