Personal Statement:Medicine 26

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

Medicine appeals to me because it incorporates both my love of science and my desire to help people and care for them. It was fueled when I came into contact with the medical profession while I was researching for an article 'Young and the Homeless' to enter into the Young Journalist Competition in the North West. My winning entry gave the award of "Best Young talent in the North West" and my prize was to work as a reporter at The Big Issue in Manchester which gave me an insight into the health issues of the homeless people. This experience has enhanced my interests in medicine and led me to consider pursuing the various career options with a medical degree. I have the appreciation for the academic, physical and emotional demands of a potentially stressful career, but the challenge would be for me rewarding and worthwhile.

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

The subjects I have studied at A-level have helped me to develop important analytical skills. Chemistry has furthered my scientific interest and understanding which has helped me to develop data analysis skills. I am working on an ongoing research project under the tutelage of Dr Mark R Leech at Salford University in Manchester with a team of A-Level students. We are compiling the 'Chemical Thesaurus' which is a store house of information about Chemical Species and Chemical reactions. Viewed from all A-level Specifications and textbooks, the reward of this research project lies in its practical application. There will be a time when it will allow future A-level students to move from chemical species to chemical species via chemical process. Physics has helped me to develop my intellectual curiosity; I have represented my School in the regional 'Physics Paper Clip Challenge', which entailed an experiment using household items.

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

To gain insight into the life of a NHS Doctor, I have tried to experience different views of hospital work by shadowing a NHS Specialist at Wythenshaw Hospital and another consultant Gastroenterologist in Pakistan while I was there on holidays. These experiences have certainly been beneficial in giving me a perspective of a medical career. I have spoken to several junior doctors allowing me to understand a career in medicine.

With the object of gaining more idea of what to expect from a good doctor I regularly volunteered for one year at Wythenshaw Hospital Manchester in the Elderly people's ward. While chatting with elderly and keeping them company was rewarding, I was also able to appreciate a patient's loneliness and loss of independence.

I am a member of European Youth Parliament which has offered me a forum for constructive debates for the youth of Europe on matters that affect the whole of Europe; which has taught me that listening to others as well as voicing my own opinions are equally important. In January 2004 I represented my school at the North West European forum in Liverpool, our team won the regional competition and has been selected to compete at the national final of European Youth Parliament in September 2004 at the University of Durham. I have also successfully represented my school at various Public speaking venues organized by the Rotary Club.

I have successfully kept a balance between my academic and non academic activities by developing my time management skill. I am working towards the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award. In a role of prefect I have accepted the responsibility which will further mature me. I am a member of Gifted and Talented Youth Academy at Warwick University. I believe my interests and talents will add to the vitality of University life. By joining a science based course I will be able to pursue my career in health care with day to day practical involvement with the general public.

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.

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