Personal Statement:Therapeutic Radiography 1

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

My aim is to study therapeutic radiography, and then to get a job as a therapy radiographer. This appeals to me as it is a combination of patient and people skills, with the technical aspects of the machinery and radiation physics, and I feel that this would be a career with much job satisfaction that I would enjoy. Another factor that appeals to me is the security of a job once qualified owing to the few numbers of radiographers at present.

I recently spent a day in Addenbrookes oncology department, and I was shown around, and shown the machines, and was able to see some patients receiving treatment. There were a variety of patients, including young and old, and patients with different needs and symptoms, and the specialist equipment used for this. I also saw the simulator machine, and how it was used to plan treatment, both for a new patient and a returning patient with new needs that needed to be accommodated in the treatment. The experience was thoroughly enjoyable, and this assured me that this would be a career I would like. I also got the opportunity to talk to qualified radiographers about their job, and ask any questions, and also spoke to a second year student about her experiences training.

As well as talking to radiographers, I was introduced to a physicist and a medical technician, and spent a short time with them and saw how their jobs were closely related both with each other and the radiographer and what they did. The day as a whole showed me the variety of jobs that a radiographer does, and how the radiographer carries out the treatment while considering any other problems caused by the treatment or the cancer itself and how to accommodate it.

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

In college, I am a member of the classics society, and am also currently a joint treasurer. As part of the society, we arrange talks by specialists on areas of the curriculum, and also on other areas of the Classical World, as well as organising smaller events such as the Classics Departments displays and events on the colleges open evenings. I also took part in a nationwide chemistry competition, for which our college received joint first prize. The competition involved working out the concentration of a sample sent to us, by titration against a standard solution of known concentration, and then calculating the results. This involved extra chemical knowledge than was covered in the lessons, and after school experiments, as well as good teamwork.

The results I gained in my AS level exams at the end of last year were satisfactory, but I feel that I could have done better, and as such am re-sitting both a chemistry and a biology module with the aim of improving my overall grades. The college also has a very good multi-gym, which I try to find the time to make use of in my free lessons.

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

Out of college, I try to spend my time productively, although this does not always go to plan! Owing to a staff restructure, I could not carry on my job at a local hospital, but I enjoyed the time I spent there. The contact with patients was a new experience for me, but a valued one. I learnt a different way of communicating with people, and became comfortable talking to patients, and also helping them do tasks we take for granted, such as feeding themselves.

Another skill I learnt working at the hospital was the ability to listen better. Many patients, especially as they were older patients, liked to have a little chat as you went round, and although this was only a short space of time, it could mean a lot to the patient. Also out of college I enjoy socialising with friends, and occasionally find time to go horse riding. For relaxation, I enjoy a book or to just listen to some music.

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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