Medicine Personal Statement Examples – King’s College London (Thomas)

My ambition to study medicine is driven by the interest in a career combining a deep understanding of the human body and clinical practice whilst having ultimate responsibility for a patient. It was my personal experience of a neurosurgical operation 5 years ago, seeing the determination of the surgeon who facilitated my recovery which inspired me to help people in the same way doctors helped me and to seek work experience to further my understanding of a career in medicine.

Work experience at the John Radcliffe Hospital aided my understanding of what being a doctor entails by shadowing doctors in neurosurgical and ENT departments. I noticed how doctors were under constant pressure to see as many patients as possible in a limited timeframe. The rational thinking behind each decision a doctor made was important when prioritising the sickest patients hence the ability to make quick and accurate decisions under pressure and working in a multidisciplinary team were necessary skills to achieve an optimal outcome for the patient. It was amazing to see how a critically ill child could make a full recovery demonstrating the impact of a doctor’s actions upon someone’s life.

Work experience at a GP surgery showed me the importance of communication skills when consulting patients. This enabled the GP to put the patient at ease by explaining their diagnosis in simple terms so they can understand their condition. This led me to read “Do No Harm,” by British neurosurgeon Henry Marsh. He gave an emotional account of how not everyone can be helped or, after help has been given, the desired outcome wasn’t reached. This accentuated the need for doctors to be resilient and compassionate to patients and their relatives. Studying both biology and chemistry helped me to write an extended essay on how efficient cannabidiol (CBD) is at preventing epileptic seizures. This is highly topical with the UK in the process of legalising CBD to treat those with refractory epilepsy. Reading research papers has introduced me to academic medicine and the role of a doctor as both a clinician and researcher. Studying ethics in A Level RS taught me how to use a moral framework when making decisions which can be transferred to medicine when applying GMC guidelines to clinical scenarios to achieve an optimal outcome for a patient.

Attending a MENCAP Summer Camp and volunteering weekly at a care home provided valuable insights into a different side of the healthcare spectrum away from a hospital setting. Both involved working with vulnerable people which I found incredibly rewarding. MENCAP showed me the importance of empathy in handling difficult situations and the value of teamwork in overcoming problems. Volunteering at the care home taught me that ensuring the dignity of vulnerable people and respecting their capacity to make decisions were critical in allowing residents to live fulfilled lives.

Participating in the Duke of Edinburgh scheme gave me experience of working in and leading teams and adapting to new situations. I’m passionate about athletics and football, having represented my school in both sports helping me to become a more driven individual. Being a prefect and houseroom assistant has furthered my sense of responsibility enabling me to develop my organisational and communication skills through interacting with a diverse range of people. Playing both guitar and piano led me to electronic music production with my songs being played globally. This has enhanced my ability to work under pressure and my lateral thinking when solving problems. I’m committed to studying medicine so I have taken a year out to further develop skills relevant to medicine by working as a HCA. Working with doctors will allow me to appreciate their role in the wider healthcare team and will maximise my exposure to clinical environments. Whilst medicine is a challenging degree I’m confident that I have the academic ability and skills required to be successful at medical school.