Personal Statements

Hello again (now that I left it so long the last time, I'm over-killing it with two posts in one day!!)

I felt I didn't do you justice with my UCAS form post so here's a post all dedicated to PERSONAL STATEMENTS (that's meant to be said with some sort of dramatic music behind it...!)

For a whole website page dedicated to advice about what to write in each section -

http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/Advice_for_People_Writing_their_Medicine_Personal_Statements

Don't worry, I've not gone the easy way out and left it at that!!! I've just jotted down some tips I think you might find helpful

So - your PS needs to hit the following big points:

1. Why do you want to do medicine?
2. Who are you?!
3. Why are you applying to graduate entry medicine?
4. What have you done to show that you have an accurate expectations about being a doctor? (ie work experience)
5. Anything extracurricular 
6. Anything else you think is worthwhile!!

So points 1-3 should be in the first paragraph and they should be written in a concise and 'punchy' way.  As I was told by someone that read my personal statement, you need to make it clear why you want to do medicine NOW (as in why after uni/work and not straight from school). The answer to this questions should have a well thought out and clear answer. Obviously - it should also be the truth because chances are that you'll be questioned about it at interview.

That paragraph has raised to key points to your PS - 

• Being Concise - UCAS forms have a character (including spaces) limit of 4,000 so being concise is the only way to be!
• Telling the truth - your personal statement is most likely going to be the basis of your interview (if its a panel style or something along the lines of a 'chat'!!) so what's the point in lying?! In my opinion, you'll get caught out because no-one's entirely themselves at an interview because its a pretty terrifying experience (even if you're the most confident person on the planet!) so keeping up a lie will just make it even more stressful 

Then there's the work experience paragraph. This is probably going to be the biggest chunk of your PS because its your chance to explain everything you've done in the run up to your application. It also shows a key point which is that you understand (realistically) what life as a doctor really is. Also - don't be that person that thinks doctors are the only people in the NHS...! We all know that's not true and the reason that healthcare is successful is because of teamwork. 

The specifics you include in the work experience and extracurricular paragraphs is obviously entirely dependent on what you've done but whatever it is, explain what you've learned/gained from all these experiences. 

Also - don't just list the things you did when you were at school. You're still that same awesome person you were at school so tell them everything you've done since then because, chances are, you've only just gotten better since leaving school (unless, of course, you discovered something that is going to help cure cancer by the age of 16..!!) 

As a summary, I've included what Warwick suggests your personal statement should include (a list that is found basically identically on every medical school website) - 

• Your motivation for studying medicine at this stage of your career
• Your experience of and capability for team work
• Your activities, interests and life outside of work or university
• An understanding of medicine and what it means to be a doctor
• Hands-on personal care (not of a relative)

Also, don't worry about it. You'll never write a good PS if you're sat there for hours on end staring at a blank screen stressing over what to write. If you're stuck, STOP and go back to it later. And when it comes to proof-reading it and submitting it - be critical but don't go over board. There is such a thing as 'over thinking' your personal statement and that could make it worse, not better. Oh and finally - check your spelling and grammar because it'll just make it look more professional and easier to read - as well as showing you care about your application. 

So, that's it really. As always, if you have something to add please comment away.

Dr Wannabe xx