Personal Statement:Postgraduate Surgery 1

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

From the first day that I entered Dr.xxxxxxx first-year Anatomy class, I knew exactly which specialty I was destined for - surgery.

During the first semester of class, I pored over every page of my textbook; I was fascinated and challenged by the structures and systems we dissected and discussed in class. Night after night, I stayed up memorizing the names of bones and muscles, systems and processes; I had an insatiable desire for surgical knowledge. Eager to learn more about surgery, I read dozens of books and journal articles about the lives of surgeons and the medical fields in which they serve. What I read convinced me that I am well suited to be a surgeon.

My unrelenting determination to be a surgeon was even stronger by two major events that affected me deeply. First, the death of my 2 years old cousin during open-heart surgery. The surgery was to correct her heart anomaly, tetrology of fallot. Second, the death of even younger cousin after long struggle with highly malignant tumor called rhabdomyosarcoma. She missed her chance of cure because of uncompleted resection of her tumor during its early stage. Their death has always reminded me about my higher goal, to be a successful surgeon.

I believe that a surgeon's success is best measured by his ability to meet both the emotional and physical needs of his patients. Although compassion is a valued character trait, a surgeon must commit himself fully to the pursuit of knowledge in order to provide the highest level of patient care.

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

I have taken the surgeon's academic responsibilities quite seriously, and I have pursued a rigorous and challenging course of study.

I graduated from my medical school with very good ratings and my scores in surgery clearly indicate my ability to excel at the study of surgical science. During my academic years, I traveled to England.

There, by completing a rotation in the department of surgery at Liverpool University Hospital, I was able to be in close contact with advanced surgical techniques. I had the same level of experience through my rotation at the department of surgery at the American University of Beirut.

Consistent with my goals, I decided to take the USMLE in order to come to the United States. I wanted to pursue a career in surgery in the leading nation in surgical research. I passed the USMLE with near perfect scores and my perfect performance in the surgery section of the test again indicates my ability to major in the study of surgery.

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

Currently, I am working in transplant surgery research lab at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Through this highly qualified lab, I am gaining experience in the field of surgical research. Such experience would add much to my surgical knowledge.

In the end, though, I believe that it will be my persistence and personal drive to study surgery that will assure me success in its practice. In the words of Washington Irving, "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. Great minds have purposes, little minds have wishes." I intend to apply my determination to becoming a great surgeon, that I might help bring physical and emotional healing to those in need.

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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