Personal Statement:Medicine 3253

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

The four subjects which I have selected for A-level are Biology, Chemistry, ICT and Maths. I find Biology and Chemistry particularly interesting. From a young age, I have always had an avid interest in helping people; this reflects in my choice of A-levels and my desire to enter the medical field. I have always enjoyed learning about human biology. Predominantly, I find topics like the heart and circulation especially intriguing. I find it fascinating to determine how each organ plays its own key role in dealing with substances, whilst the combination of all organs enables us to function efficiently. Essentially, each organ acts as a cog, performing its own tasks, whilst enabling one of the most complex systems to operate successfully.

Chemistry has also remained one of my key interests since High School. Organic chemistry is an area which particularly appeals to me. I find it captivating to discover how substances which we use on a daily basis and which are manufactured artificially can aid the widest range of ailments. Medical advancements have led to a better world. A world in which people are now living longer and surviving diseases which were once thought to be incurable. These people who help in the preservation of life are not simply role models, they are pioneers. This is why I aspire to enter the medical field. I want to help people. I want to cure illnesses. I want to make a difference. As a famous author once said, “Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something.”

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

Recently, I committed myself to acquiring a further GCSE in Physics. I had two months to study a two year course as this is compulsory for university and my chosen career path. This required an intense amount of sacrifice and hard graft. I was determined to achieve a good grade and I was thrilled when I opened the envelope to see an A grade. I hope that this grade coupled with my 6A* and 4As at GCSE is sufficient to gain entry into tertiary education.

The four subjects which I have selected for A-level are Biology, Chemistry, ICT and Maths. I find Biology and Chemistry particularly interesting. From a young age, I have always had an avid interest in helping people; this reflects in my choice of A-levels and my desire to enter the medical field. I have always enjoyed learning about human biology. Predominantly, I find topics like the heart and circulation especially intriguing.

For my work experience in lower-sixth I spent time in a nursing home. This provided me with first hand experience into the care and treatment of older people, and the emphasis which is placed on ‘patient-centred care’. It gave me a valuable insight into the importance attached to maintaining accurate patient records and the attention to detail required in developing individual patient care plans. Although this experience was challenging, it reaffirmed that I had a high tolerance threshold, necessary for pursuing a career in the medical profession. I quickly became familiar with the residents and enjoyed talking to them and hearing about their life experiences. This helped me to further develop my interpersonal skills and gave me a greater appreciation of the importance attached to the patient’s standards e.g. treating everyone with dignity and respect.

In addition I spent two months in an acute hospital setting during July and August 2011. During this two month placement, I was exposed to direct patient care. This provided me with a valuable opportunity to experience what it was like to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team - doctors, nurses, administrators, support services, staff etc. Furthermore, I have gained a valuable insight into the day to day running of a busy hospital environment. During my time in the hospital, a member of the nursing team drew my attention to comments recorded by a patient on a satisfaction survey. This survey described in detail of how I interacted with the patient and made her feel relaxed and comforted. She also wished me luck in my future career. In these few words I felt a great sense of satisfaction and found it heart warming to learn of this patient’s gratitude. I was truly touched and I am certain that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life.

Over the past few months I have completed, a first aid course. I am now fully trained in basic first aid skills. I believe that this experience and my newly acquired skills will be vital in future life situations. I can place individuals in the recovery position, perform compressions and execute mouth to mouth breathing if no response is detected.

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

As well as my academic studies I have held down a part time position in a large local garage. This has enhanced my communication skills as I have to constantly interact with a diverse range of customers, some of whom have been pleasant whereas others proved taxing. This experience has shown me the importance of being able to multi-task whilst coping under periods of intense pressure – essential life skills which are vital in my chosen career path.

I am also a keen member of the Boy’s Brigade and I have completed my President’s Badge, which involved outdoor pursuits i.e. camping out and having to fend for myself with the very basic of equipment. This drew out my basic surviving instincts as well as providing me with an opportunity to display my leadership and intrapersonal skills as well as my ability to co-operate with my team mates. I play regularly and captain our BB football team, and recently we won the league and cup double. This illustrates my ability to work in a team and demonstrates my leadership qualities. I also play for two teams: Lurgan BBOB Youths and Lurgan BBOB 2nds. There is a high level of fitness required to play two matches and attend two training sessions per week. However, I have good organisational skills and I have struck a balance between my schoolwork and my extra curricular activities. This shows that I am well prepared and that I can juggle multiple activities. In addition, this demonstrates my high level of discipline and conviction.

I have a passion for medicine and I have always dreamed of entering into this profession. I now feel I am ready to make the transition to university. I am enthused at the prospect of making the next step in my academic career, and I am relishing the fresh prospects that lie ahead. I realise that this is one of the most important pieces of writing I will ever produce, and I hope that you are convinced of my sheer determination to enter into this field. I reiterate, I have a passion for learning and I do not find education labouring, I find it exciting and exhilarating. As William Butler Yeats once said, “education is not the filling of a pale, but the igniting of a fire.”

Grades achieved:

• A in GCSE Physics
• 6 A* at GCSE
• 4 A at GCSE

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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