As you embark on the journey of crafting your personal statement for medicine UCAS applications, it’s crucial to understand the significance of this document. Your personal statement serves as a window into your aspirations, experiences, and suitability for the demanding yet rewarding profession of medicine. To ensure your statement stands out, we'll delve into the essential components, structure, and strategies to create a compelling narrative that reflects your individuality, maturity, and readiness for the challenges ahead.
It’s okay if your motivation to do medicine seems generic. Honestly everyone including me wants to do medicine to help people / make a difference / they enjoy science etc. But hone in on the aspects personal to you: e.g. family story / something you have seen that has touched you (e.g. a patient during your work experience / volunteering). Avoid exaggerated statements or clichéd descriptions of revelatory moments. Instead, aim for honesty and introspection in your opening paragraph.
Understand that admissions tutors seek evidence of your informed decision to pursue medicine, rather than merely stating your desire.
Demonstrate your understanding of the realities of medicine and the challenges it entails, reflecting on what you have done to inform yourself about the career.
Express your genuine passion for becoming a doctor, whether through direct statements or vivid anecdotes that illustrate your motivation - it could be that one interesting subject led to another and from then onwards you researched the career.
Demonstrate your understanding of the multifaceted role and responsibilities of a doctor, emphasising the unique aspects that attract you to this profession.
Acknowledge the challenges inherent in the medical field, showcasing your realism and commitment to overcoming obstacles.
Highlight the importance of being self-motivated and maintaining emotional balance to navigate the rigours of medical practice effectively.
Things that set medicine apart: lifelong-learning, diagnostic role, incredible breadth and depth of knowledge taught in course, over 70 specialties available to pursue and also can keep the option of doing surgery open, many challenges (e.g. long working hours, staff shortages, bed and wheelchair shortages, dealing with death, uncertainty, frustrated patients) that don’t put you off but only motivate you further. Shirin’s note: my own (weird) personal answer to why med (backed up with examples) was 1. Breadth and depth, variety, and challenges.
Describe your work experience in healthcare settings, such as hospitals or general practices, showcasing your initiative and eagerness to learn. Use key words and key qualities of a doctor: e.g. confidentiality, patient-safety, empathy, communication, decision making, leadership, teamwork, resilience, manual dexterity, patience, listening skills, clinical detachment, life-long learning, curiosity, care, etc.
Reflect on the insights gained from your experiences, emphasising how they have deepened your understanding of the role, skills, and challenges of being a doctor. Make this as realistic as possible. It shows the admissions team that you’ve done your research and you know exactly why you want to go into medicine and what it actually entails. e.g. what you were shocked by (how much paperwork there is, how overworked some doctors were, high rate of burnout, long hours, high stress etc. , then put a positive spin on it e.g. you were impressed by how well the doctors / MDT worked in high-stress case).
Distinguish your experiences from those of other healthcare professions, underscoring why medicine is uniquely suited to your interests and abilities.
Utilise specific examples to demonstrate the development of key skills essential for a successful medical career, such as communication, teamwork, and empathy.
Focus on what you have learned from your experiences rather than listing activities.
Show not tell - illustrate your empathy and analytical skills through meaningful interactions with patients or residents.
Discuss your involvement in extracurricular activities, highlighting how they complement your academic pursuits and contribute to your personal growth. Lots of people drop out of the degree / leave the medical profession. You want to show you are a well-rounded person and can balance work and personal time; you can show you have different skills and ways to adapt / work with different people outside of studies.
Showcase activities that demonstrate your ability to manage stress effectively and engage with diverse communities, such as sports teams, volunteer organisations, or cultural societies, showing that you have good time management skills.
Illustrate your potential to contribute to university life by participating in clubs, societies, or initiatives that align with your interests and values.
Non-academic interests don’t have to be high-powered (e.g. Olympic / National level); authenticity and commitment and what you gain are more important.
Address the four non-academic requirements for selection outlined by admissions tutors, emphasising your suitability based on these criteria.
Demonstrate your self-motivation, literacy, articulacy, and ability to interact successfully with others through relevant examples from your experiences.
Show how you have learned from past interactions in healthcare or social care settings, highlighting your resilience, empathy, and ethical judgement.
Avoid signalling potential red flags such as psychological vulnerability, low empathy, extreme ethical orientation, or lack of organisational skills, these are top things that are filtered out in the application process, if you instead can show you are aware of any lacking skills and are working towards bettering them as they would be useful to have as a doctor / medical student, that would show reflection and maturity.
Including some science / interesting research that you’ve come about! It shows your curiosity and initiative as a candidate. Medicine is a science-based degree, so aside from showing your humanity you also have to show an interest in the biomedical sciences. Most applicants overlook the importance of weaving in research, so they only mention the generic things (I love helping people / describing all of the things that they’ve done: volunteering / work experience / A-levels). These are good points, don’t get me wrong, but you want to really stand out and secure your offer.
Conclude by reaffirming your motivation for medicine, grounded in insightful experiences and reflections.
Acknowledge the challenges associated with medicine while highlighting the rewarding aspects that have solidified your determination.
Summarise key personal attributes that align with the qualities expected of a doctor, reinforcing your suitability for the profession.
Share your personal statement with people you trust, including teachers, doctors, and peers, for constructive feedback. Consider the perspectives of those who know you well and understand the expectations of medical admissions teams. Refine your statement through multiple drafts, focusing on clarity, coherence, and the authenticity of your voice. Be careful about reading other people’s personal statements for inspiration as you may subconsciously pick up a line / phrase which you put in yours and then be flagged for plagiarism. Use examples only as a vague guide for structure if you need it. Writing a personal statement requires a balance of honesty, insight, and reflection. By reflecting on meaningful experiences, demonstrating empathy and intellectual curiosity, and showcasing your personal attributes, you can create a narrative that resonates with admissions tutors. Remember, your personal statement is an opportunity to convey your genuine motivation and readiness for the challenges and rewards of a career in medicine.
Don’t overthink / stress your introduction and conclusion as these are an afterthought - feel free to do them last, or a few drafts once your middle paragraphs take some shape as it's usually easier to write them then.
After finalising your personal statement, focus on thorough preparation for the UCAT, ensuring a more competitive application (some universities interview starting from the highest-scoring applicants - who could have a higher chance at getting in if they have prepared for interviews well as fewer spaces would have been offered).
