Personal Statement:Medicine 75

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

Medicine is the career I want to follow because I want to be in a profession helping people by diagnosing illness and organising treatment. I'm looking forward to university and to contribute and become part of the university community. Medicine is a degree which requires dedication and commitment and I lack neither, I understand it can be difficult but I look forward to the challenge of the degree and the work life, becoming a doctor is a dream of mine which I want to make reality.

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

During my holidays I attended AAB emergency First aid course at Westminster University where I learnt the skills to administer emergency first aid and received a certificate. The course was especially useful as it explained further about an illness called asthma, as one of my family member's suffers from asthma it was helpful to have an increased knowledge of the condition.

For a citizenship project I was able to persuaded and lead my friends into convincing our school to reduce its carbon emissions. I presented my research, targets and ideas in a teachers meeting; and after the campaign we found that we were successful in reducing the carbon emissions of the school significantly. It was truly satisfying over three months from preparing my initial idea, organising a team from scratch, leading and delegating roles, to create successful change in my school. Leadership is important for doctors, being able to take in all information and advice from team members and adjust accordingly for an improved result, a skill which I was able to demonstrate.

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

I worked as a teacher's assistant at my secondary school helping students from years 7 to 10. Within the lessons I explained what to do and helped in the pupils projects as well as dealing with misbehaving pupils. During a two day workshop we had the challenge to get across the message of convincing people of ethnic minorities to give blood due to a shortage of blood donors from these groups. We also discussed perception which could have become barriers to people donating blood. Working with children in a creative way was enriching especially in helping them communicate, and express themselves, in such a significant medical issue. Effectively communicating ideas to children was a challenge which I succeeded in.

During the summer I worked in Monsoon (retail), swine flu has been major concern in the public and working in Monsoon was an insight, listening and discussing with colleagues their concerns about Swine flu. Customer service was a priority when it came to working in Monsoon, ranging from aiding with enquires, and talking to customers unhappy for any number of reasons. In all organizations there are colleagues from different backgrounds and titles, all working together to create an important team. I was able to effectively communicate throughout the ranks. My communication skills were essential whether it was dealing with frustrated customers or talking to the manger. I was punctual, and flexible doing overtime whenever requested, flexibility is an important quality I have.

I have organised to volunteer for St. John Ambulance service starting from September where I hope to work with people from different backgrounds helping people in need. I have also organised to volunteer in St John's hospice starting in October, the hospice specialises in palliative care, as a volunteer I'll be able to do small things to help out like getting tea, talking to relatives, talking to patients and small errands. I enjoy participating in table tennis and participated in the London youth games, representing Lambeth. Table tennis to me is a way to relax and release stress, which is important for doctor's to do.

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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