Personal Statement:Medicine 56

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

“Thank you Doctor”. Just three little words, but they made me see how worthwhile all the hours of dedicated work for each patient were. The Orthopaedic Surgeon I was shadowing in the clinic saw so many patients, but to this one lady with a rare disabling knee ligament condition, the time that he spent with her explaining the life-changing surgery that he could offer was truly inspiring. Although I realise life as a doctor is not all rosy, the chance to impact on another person’s life in a holistic way, providing medical knowledge and personal support, is the reason I want to join this innovative, dynamic and unique profession.

My three weeks of varied hospital work experience placements helped confirm my desire to study and practice medicine as well as increasing my awareness of the demands placed on the modern doctor. Visiting and talking to lymphoma patients left me with admiration and respect for the sensitivity in which the doctors communicated with them and their families and made me see that there was nothing I wanted more than to also take on the responsibility of caring for and treating patients. Finally, visiting a hospital in Malawi as part of a school exchange, and seeing the truly devastating effects of HIV/AIDS had a big impact on me and I would definitely consider research into this disease as part of my career.

I am confident that I have the drive and determination to make the most of the opportunities that medical school and the resulting career have to offer and can't wait to become one of ‘tomorrow’s doctors’.

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

I spent six months volunteering at an old people’s home, helping me understand more about the challenge that an ageing population is to the NHS as well as simply indulging my joy of meeting new and interesting people, and being regaled with multiple life-stories as a result! My chats with residents with dementia encouraged me to find out more on neurological disease and the brain and I found Oliver Sacks' 'The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat' helped me relate better to them.

To further improve my understanding of medicine and to experience it from a different perspective, I am working for six months as an HCA at my local hospital before travelling to rural China to teach English, a challenge I am eagerly anticipating.

Having always tried to deepen my understanding of science taught at school, becoming a medallist in the Chemistry Olympiad and winning the Year 13 Biology Prize, a profession of life-long learning definitely appeals. I was fascinated by Matt Ridley's 'Genome' and its exploration of what makes us 'us' at the most microscopic level. Indeed, in reading ‘Nature’ I pay regular attention to the many ways that genetics helps us understand medical conditions.

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

I also recognise that a doctor has a position of considerable responsibility, and good leadership skills are essential. I demonstrate this in my work for my church, as a leader for a youth club and helping at a summer holiday club for primary school children on the estate. My youth work has taught me patience and understanding, especially towards those with learning difficulties. I was also pleased to be made Deputy Head of House and Senior Prefect at school, taking on various pastoral and organisational roles. I have enjoyed the responsibilities and challenges of managing and working alongside others and simply enjoying serving my community.

Making the time to balance work with extra-curricular activities is a key skill that I have developed which will inevitably help me in my chosen career. I have a passion for sport, and play cricket for a local club, having broken into the men's sides at fifteen. Music is another hobby I love - I am Grade 8 standard flute and play in multiple ensembles, which have taken me to performances in the Royal Albert Hall and a tour of Austria, all contributing towards my Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award. Lastly, always relishing new challenges, I am teaching myself guitar and participating in my Church’s Christmas Pantomime!

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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