Personal Statement:Medicine 47

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

My interest in the human body awoke from a passion of mine very dear to me which is paleontology and the study of evolution. As Homo sapiens underwent a series of evolutionary changes, so did my interest in biology. With the passing of years and the study of anatomy during my school years I eventually saw that, as far as the constant struggle for perfection goes, evolution is at its most complex in the form of the human body.

Nevertheless, my decision to study the human body and, consequently, become a doctor emerged from a personal medical issue that has always intrigued and fascinated me: sleep paralysis. Some of the books and documentaries I had access to really opened my eyes to the wonders and complexities of the brain and how it controls the body. I truly believe that we, as humans, have so much more to learn from our own brain and that the possibilities are indeed countless.

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

During my summer holiday I decided to experience first-hand what it is like to be a doctor working with a different kind of patients. So this led me to the psychiatric wing of the local hospital where I was allowed to shadow the nurse. Working with patients was what I enjoyed most and it was fascinating to see that, with little effort, you could brighten up the patients.

Moreover, the following days were more than rewarding for me as I got to talk to the patients and learnt one of the first crucial qualities a doctor must possess: patience.

As the daughter of an epidemiologist, I have accompanied my mother to work many times while I was quite young. It was because of her that I got to experience how a medical environment felt like. During my spare time I became her personal assistant and she introduced me to all kinds of doctors, nurses and patients throughout my time spent at the local hospital. I was amazed by some of the doctors who spoke with such patience and kindness that I thought they were going to cure them only through the healing power of a simple talk.

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

Furthermore, one of my hobbies, speleology, has allowed me to take part in some very remarkable expeditions. Nevertheless, none has been as rewarding as the one where I was allowed to take part in the cave rescue team. The scenario was simple: a fellow speleologist had broken his leg and he was in urgent need of medical attention. The paramedic, also an esteemed speleologist, was the first to get to the victim and, remarkably, he did not show any signs of stress or panic. I quickly realized that in such painstaking situations one must keep his calm at all times especially if one is holding the patient’s life in his bare hands. His actions showed remarkable calm so we all soon relaxed and knew that the job of giving the victim first aid would be done with professionalism and in a short amount of time.

One of the most interesting camps I have taken part in during my time as a Red Cross volunteer is an International Red Cross Camp which I attended a few years ago in Switzerland. Besides being fun and entertaining, it helped me to learn some quite useful things about dealing with situations such as car accidents and other severe injuries. Although the technical part was more than useful, what really captivated me was not what was done there but how it was done. Most of the games and activities we did involved team work and I must say that I was surprised to see how well each of us played his part.

Since being admitted to my local high-school, I have been a member of the school’s Mountain Sports Club which has allowed me to discover some truly remarkable places such as magnificent mountains, caves and other entertaining activities. Nevertheless, this club has also been an active part of our community as, each year, it organizes activities for underprivileged children and that is the most rewarding part of being a member. Dealing with such children has helped me to gain valuable skills about being part of a team and leading them in the right direction.

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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