Personal Statement:Medicine 69

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

Whilst living in Nigeria, I daily saw numerous individuals with various diseases (such as polio and leprosy), which, if they were living in a well-developed country could have been cured. This has convinced me that I definitely want to pursue medicine as a career. Moving to Lagos at the age of twelve and witnessing the extreme poverty and exceedingly low healthcare standards really opened my eyes to the world and showed me how privileged I am. This is one of the main reasons why I want to spend some time with Medecins sans Frontieres after qualifying as a doctor.

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

I relish the challenges of my A2 subjects. Mathematics has improved my problem solving and statistical skills. Biology has given me a good basic insight into the interactive complexities of the human body; I am fascinated by the cardiovascular system and in particular the heart. Chemistry has made me realise that the world is, in effect, a series of cycles and changes of ongoing reactions. My AS subject, English furthered my analytical techniques. In addition, I am completing an Extended Project Qualification on degenerative diseases.

I have taken my preparation for medical school seriously, but at the same time enjoyed the experience. In the summer of 2009, I spent a week at Berkeley Hospital, a small community hospital primarily concerned with palliative care. Many of the patients at this hospital were sufferers of dementia and I found it sad that they have little control over their minds. During my time there, I performed basic nursing tasks, such as bed making, washing down patients and delivering food. It amazed me how tiring such simple tasks were and helped me to appreciate how hard the allied healthcare professionals work. I have a keen interest in oncology, sparked by observing the diagnoses of a young boy with lymphoma and removal of melanoma from an old man at the outpatient clinics. I have also attended a Med.Ahead course at a local grammar school.

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

Since the age of eleven, I have been a volunteer at the Open Door club. This is a weekly club providing social interaction for mentally and physically disabled adults. What has struck me is how the members are some of the most happy, most loving individuals I have ever met. Volunteering at Open Door has made me feel grateful for everything I have as well as helping me to become more patient, considerate and responsible.

I intend to take a Gap Year, during which I will work in Lagos volunteering with the 'Lekki Motherless Babies Home', which is an orphanage for HIV/AIDS orphans. I will also be spending some time working with the nuns at the Cardoso charity. After this, I am hoping to take on an apprenticeship with the Primary Care Trust in Gloucestershire; this will give me a chance to experience first hand the 'business side' of the NHS. In addition, I will be taking a course in sign language to further my accessibility to deaf patients as a doctor.

At school, I am the Science Prefect and the Chaplaincy Prefect, as well as a member of the Sixth Form Committee and Friday Philosophers. I have demonstrated responsibility and organisational skills whilst doing a wide variety of duties. I am also involved with a number of school extracurricular activities, for example choir and debating. Debating has taught me how to work in a team as well as how to analyse all sides of an argument. I am involved in local dramatic societies, including the Dursley Operatic Society production of 'Hello Dolly' and I am currently rehearsing for The Tabard Player's production of 'Bonaventure'. I enjoy a busy and varied lifestyle and look forward to the challenges I will face as a student 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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