Personal Statement:Medicine 68

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

My ambition to pursue a medical career stemmed partly from a personal experience with my late grandmother. The person who held the family together and was a figure of power and authority lay in front of me helpless on the hospital bed. Caring for her at home whilst her life threatening gall stones resulted in the progressive deterioration in her condition, made me empathise and be sensitive towards patients needs. My hunger to learn what exactly was happening to her led me towards medicine.

I shadowed a psychiatric consultant on a home visit and observed a range of different diagnoses taking place. This gave me an insight into what psychiatric healthcare involves, along with how organisations within the NHS function. Talking to in-patients allowed me to support them in times of need. This made me appreciate the importance of verbal communication in medicine and recognise the vast amount of patience and care required when approaching them and their families.

Experiencing university lectures made me more aware of the intricacy of the human body. I found myself absorbed by how different systems work in conjunction with one another to maintain basic bodily functions. My natural curiosity for science led me to attend talks on ‘Medicine from Plants’ and ‘Microscopic Mechanisms’. Presenting a report on the anti-inflammatory effects of Indometacin gave me an opportunity to pursue what interests me.

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

Achieving exceptional grades at an inner city comprehensive school and gaining admission into a grammar school showed me that I have the determination to become a doctor. Working alongside peers from all social and ethnic backgrounds has made me a more approachable person.

My multilingual skills allowed me to encourage the younger pupils who valued this reassurance.

Completing the Red Cross first Aid course gave me the opportunity to assist the general public on a number of occasions, one of which included performing basic recovery on an injured pedestrian with serious head injuries. Doing so has increased my confidence and ability to work well under pressure.

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

Volunteering at a local Primary school and nursing home allowed me to converse with the elderly and give them moral support as well as read to and teach younger children, developing my ability to communicate effectively with people of a wide age group.

I enjoy playing sports. It ensures that I keep fit and provides a means for me to relieve stress. Regularly taking part in tennis and basketball has demonstrated my ability to work both individually and as part of a team. Competing in an interschool tennis tournament and reaching the semi finals is testimonial to my competitive and determined nature.

As a prominent member of the team which organised the school Christmas show and managing the sales department of my Young Enterprise company enabled me to delegate tasks and meet deadlines. This helped to balance out my social activities with my academic responsibilities. My strong sense of discipline and organisation were recognised by my school as I was appointed deputy head boy. I have acted as a mentor at both my current and previous schools, assisting younger students with their academic and social concerns.

From the age of ten I have supported my father in the running of the family business and maintained his business records efficiently since he is illiterate. I have had to adapt into a professional environment from a very young age, and it is my determined and persevering nature which has allowed me to drive myself and my family forward in times of difficulty.

Work experience and voluntary work in healthcare were enjoyable and made my decision to pursue medicine an easy one. I firmly believe I have the capacity to commit myself to the competitive nature of this profession and become a successful, caring and compassionate doctor.

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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