This is part of a series of blog posts where members of the 6med team attach and comment on their own medicine Personal Statements. Ali (one of our co-founders) applied to study Medicine at Cambridge, Imperial, UCL and Kings and received offers from Cambridge, Imperial and Kings.
Here is a breakdown of his Personal Statement!
Please be aware that these examples are meant purely for the sake of inspiration, and should absolutely NOT be used as a model around which to base your own personal statement. UCAS have a rather strict system that detects plagiarism.
Cambridge Medicine Personal Statement Analysis
Standing in theatre for seven hours during a triple bypass surgery made me appreciate the resilience and tenacity required to be a successful doctor. The level of focus and adrenaline flowing through the room was tangible, as the surgical team worked calmly through every complication that arose, stopping only when the final stitch was sewn. This display of sheer determination deeply inspired me, and strengthened my resolve to study medicine.
Standard introduction. I opened with an interesting example from work experience – obviously, this kind of introduction means you have to know a decent amount about what a triple heart bypass is, what it’s used for etc.
To gain a better insight into the lives of doctors, I observed ward rounds and clinics in different hospitals. I was struck by the patients’ gratitude towards and utmost respect for the doctors, even when things weren’t going as planned. I was able to contrast the experience with the healthcare system in Pakistan, where I spent a week shadowing both consultants and juniors. Although there was a huge disparity in facilities, I could see that doctors everywhere work towards a common goal, doing everything they can for the patient, with teamwork and communication playing a vital part in that process. I am enthused by the prospect of becoming a part of such a dynamic and stimulating field.
One of the benefits of doing work experience in a different country is that you can always make some interesting comments when you compare/contrast their healthcare system with the NHS. I haven’t specified how many “different hospitals” I visited – the names and numbers of hospitals is pretty irrelevant.
Want to write a Personal Statement like Ali Abdaal's?
Write an impressive Personal Statement with the help of our in-depth resources and intensive crash course, all for the price that you decide.
Personal Statement Crash Course
Personal Statement Crash Course
MEDICINE MASTERY BUNDLE
Want to write a Personal Statement like Ali Abdaal's?
Write an impressive Personal Statement with the help of our one-to-one tuition, in-depth resources, an intensive crash course and much more.
Personal Statement Crash Course
Personal Statement Crash Course
Two weeks spent in a GP surgery (coupled with five years of being a St John Ambulance cadet) highlighted to me the importance of primary care and society’s dependence upon these services. What stood out most was how the doctor was able to explain her observations to the patient in an understandable and relatable manner – a style that I hope to emulate in my own work.
In all honesty, I don’t particularly like this paragraph. It lacks a clear sense of style, but it does name-drop 5 years in St. John Ambulance, which can only be a good thing.
I also volunteered at a special school over the last year, where I taught ICT to mentally and physically disabled young people. Although this was a challenge at times, I learnt valuable lessons in patience and empathy, and the experience was immensely rewarding. I was particularly drawn to, and worked with, a child with autism. He was quiet and reserved, but our various discussions about trivial matters really brought out his personality, which shone brightly in his final presentation to the class. In addition, I have worked at a maths study centre for the past four years, where I enjoy identifying students’ strengths and weaknesses, and working with them over a long period of time. This is another aspect of medicine which I am attracted to – being part of a patient’s life and seeing them progress through treatment to hopeful recovery.
A few points here – firstly, the name of the school is irrelevant, and would have been a waste of words had I included it. Secondly, it’s generally a good idea to mention a specific patient/student, rather than making solely general comments about the experience of working with the patients/students as a whole. Thirdly, working at a maths study centre doesn’t have much of an explicit relationship with Medicine, so it requires a quick sentence to link it back and make it relevant to Medicine.
Being a naturally inquisitive person, I have always been drawn by the allure of science. I am fascinated by the workings of the human body in particular, and recently came across Oliver Sacks’ “The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat”, which introduced me to other mental disorders and opened my eyes to the world of neurology. I find it amazing how even the smallest defect has the potential to alter a person’s entire being, and hope to learn more about this intriguing subject, along with others, at medical school.
The classic technique of mentioning a book that you’ve “read”. I threw this paragraph in because I was applying to Cambridge and Imperial, two universities renowned for their “love of science”. Although interestingly, it was only in my King’s interview that I was actually asked anything about this book/neurology. Obviously, if you’re mentioning a book in your personal statement, you need to be able to talk about it, so be very careful about saying you’ve read something you actually haven’t, or mentioning a really complicated book that you don’t really understand.
Personal Statement Inspiration & Examples Articles
Having spoken to many doctors and students, I understand that medicine can be a stressful profession, which is why it is important to find a good work-life balance. I personally enjoy playing tennis and chess, and have also been running my own web design studio since the age of thirteen. This, along with my prefect duties, has really improved my organisation and ability to work under pressure. Finally, I have recently discovered the world of magic and hypnosis, the psychology behind which I find incredibly fascinating. I take pleasure in sharing with people that moment of wonder, and have found that becoming a magician has also improved my confidence and communication skills. After a year of practice, I gave my first public performance at a hospice last month, and am now a regular volunteer there.
Always good to end with a quick paragraph about extra-curricular activities. I think I’ve got a decent, quirky bunch of things here which are all interesting topics of conversation at interviews. I was fully prepared to answer questions about what web design, magic and/or hypnosis had to do with Medicine – if you’re someone (like me) who doesn’t have the classic “I played football at county level” or “I’m a diploma pianist”, it’s helpful to have one or two interesting activities/hobbies that you can talk passionately about.
From watching open heart surgery to caring for vulnerable children, I have really enjoyed the blend of science and human interaction that medicine offers. No other career would allow me to combine my love of science with an inherently caring nature, while making a profound difference in people’s lives.
Standard conclusion. Not reinventing the wheel, just drawing it together in a nice, somewhat cliched fashion.
Pay what you want for expert Personal Statement support.
Learn how to write the perfect Personal Statement for the price that you decide, all thanks to 6med’s Personal Statement Bundle.
Personal Statement Work Book
Personal Statement Workbook
MEDICINE MASTERY BUNDLE
Looking for Personal Statement support?
We’ll do you one better! The Medicine Mastery Bundle supports you through your Personal Statement, UCAT and Interview with 30+ hours of 1-1 tuition and a full suite of resources and features.
Personal Statement Work Book
Personal Statement Workbook
