Personal Statement:Medicine 30

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

My mother is a nurse who has worked in world class research hospitals, for the NHS, for twenty years and we have often discussed her experiences. This aroused my interest in becoming a doctor. I have learned that it is both an academically challenging and caring profession, one which I know I will love. I was born in the UK and it is where I spent a good part of my childhood. I want to study there because I have often contemplated moving back and I am particularly keen to enrol on a course involving problem based learning which isn't available in Ireland.

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

Before my Junior Cert I completed courses in the Irish Centre for Talented Youth, including 'Experimental Biology' and 'Medicine in the Lab', which supplemented my school lessons and was a fun social experience. At school chemistry, maths and, especially, biology were always my favourite subjects. I loved learning about the intricate workings of the nervous and circulatory systems and about advances made in the study of genetics.

I repeated my Leaving Cert in June. It took a lot of self discipline as I don't live with my parents so I also had to work full time to pay my rent and bills. I studied in the evening without taking any extra classes. However, I achieved good results and I sincerely hope my grades will strengthen my application for courses in Medicine.

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

My work experience in a hospital enabled me to observe a coronary artery bypass graft, a mitral valve replacement and a Maze procedure. I also saw an endoscopy of the fallopian tube, a caesarean section and a patient being placed under general anaesthetic.

I then arranged a week of voluntary work on an orthopaedic ward, an experience I thoroughly enjoyed and which reinforced my growing interest in Medicine. Following this I became a healthcare assistant. I now work on a step down ward for surgical patients who come from the intensive care unit. I wash and feed patients and make beds. Through my job my social skills have improved, as well as my stamina and ability to deal with stressful situations. My communication skills have also developed as I often deal with confused patients, frightened relatives and patients who are intubated or with a tracheostomy in situ. Although it can be messy and is hard work, I really enjoy it and it has given me a good view of what it is like to work in a healthcare environment.

I kept fit by playing hockey, while I have done Wado Ryu karate and Aikiwa Jitsu since I was thirteen. I was on the student council for three years, providing a link between students and teachers, and working to help make school life more enjoyable. Our most successful project was the development of a mentoring system for first year students. In fourth year, I had a major role in a production of 'Grease'. I have taken part in English and German debating and public speaking, later helping to organise an English debating league for junior students in the Leinster area, liaising with teachers from the other schools and training the girls from our own school. It was wonderful to see them gain confidence and go on to win competitions at a national level. After participating in various local and national youth conferences, I was selected to represent Ireland at a European youth conference in Brussels in 2005 and had an opportunity to speak before members of the European Commission on matters of concern to young people.

I greatly look forward to the opportunity to study medicine, and am confident I have the commitment and dedication, as well as the necessary study and social skills, to make a success of a course that I know will be both demanding and rewarding.

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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