Welcome to our collection of Medicine Personal Statement Examples! We’ve searched far and wide to find personal statements from successful applicants all around the UK and asked them to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of their work for your own inspiration. Today’s subject is from Thomas, who studies Medicine at King’s College London.
Thomas applied to study medicine back in 2018 at four amazing UK medical schools, including Bristol and Southampton. He received offers from 3 out of his four choices, of which he chose to study at King’s College London.
| University | King’s College London | University of Bristol | University of Southampton | University of Sheffield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Offer? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Let’s read the personal statement that got him a place at KCL, or skip straight to his feedback to learn what made his personal statement a success!
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.
King's College London Medicine Personal Statement Example
WHOLE PERSONAL STATEMENT
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.
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King's College London Medicine Personal Statement Example Analysis
Now, let’s go section by section and see what Thomas has to say about what he wrote:
INTRODUCTION
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.
- THE GOOD
Introduction
My introduction is direct and states clearly the main reasons why I want to study medicine by linking more generic points (academic / communication / logical analysis) with a personal experience. I am able to very quickly justify why I am applying for this course, which allows me to save words later on that would have been spent trying to explain my interest in joining medicine as a career.
- THE BAD
Introduction
Structurally speaking, I could have broken down the sentences as they are quite hard to read due to their length. However, the main issue here is that this is too large and expansive for a personal statement introduction. The introduction should be fairly general (but personal too) rather than exploring areas such as work experiences. In some cases, a work placement may also be the true beginning of your medical journey but typically, you should use the introduction as a way to begin your story. While I frame my experience watching surgery as the start of my journey, this really wasn’t the case as I had an interest in medicine long before I entered that theatre. This unfortunately just feels out of place.
MAIN BODY
Paragraph 1
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.
- THE GOOD
Paragraph 1
The first paragraph of my personal statement immediately focuses on my own personal experience during my shadowing placement instead of mentioning more general broad points (which have already been addressed in the intro paragraph). I have demonstrated that I not only managed to arrange some experience myself but also what I took away from it in terms of the skills required to be a good doctor. The key strength of this paragraph is my reflection on the experience and the things I had seen. The way that I describe my time there and what I learned shows that I really paid attention to what was happening around me and that I was able to come to a sensible conclusion about what is required to be in this industry. Reflection is key to a good personal statement, so always go beyond the surface level when discussing your experiences.
- THE BAD
Paragraph 1
To improve this paragraph, I could have used examples to demonstrate how, in my own life, I have developed and used the skills which I saw in my placement (such as working under pressure and teamwork). This would show the admissions team that I have not only understood what skills are required to be a competent clinician but also that I am capable of utilising these skills myself in a practical and relevant manner.
MAIN BODY
Paragraph 2
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.
- THE GOOD
Paragraph 2
This paragraph links a few different things together, including another shadowing experience, a book I have read related to medicine, my EPQ and ethical principles I have learnt through studying RS. This paragraph showed the admissions team that I understood medicine isn’t just about the academic theory but also about how you communicate and also how you make decisions using an ethical framework. One especially positive aspect of this is my ability to link all of these different topics in a way that feels connected and relevant. Finding the connections between these different experiences and then explaining them shows a great deal of awareness that some applicants will lack. On top of this, many of the positives from the last paragraph continue here.
- THE BAD
Paragraph 2
When reading the paragraph, it can feel overwhelming as it links quite a few things together and is generally just a very large block of text. I could have split the paragraph up in half and could have tried to link the different aspects in the paragraph better to help with the flow. It would have still had the same effect while also being much easier to read.
MAIN BODY
Paragraph 3
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.
- THE GOOD
Paragraph 3
This paragraph focuses on another staple of good medicine personal statements; my volunteering. It shows the admissions team that I am a well-rounded individual who has experience in care outside of the immediate medical field, while also demonstrating the skills that would very easily carry over to my studies and career. I demonstrate the different skills I have developed which are important in being a good doctor. One area that is especially important for me personally is the closing sentences where I discuss the human side of care and the empathy required to do well in the field. This is an incredibly important, and sometimes overlooked, side of medicine that any good medical professional needs to be skilled in. Medicine is as much a human topic as it is scientific, so demonstrating this early on proves that you have the right attitude to be in the medical field.
- THE BAD
Paragraph 3
When listing the different skills I have developed I could actually give an example for each to show the admissions team that I can actually back up what I say. Listing things will only get you so far without the proper evidence and personal reflection to prove you fully understand what you’re writing. I also could have developed the second part of the paragraph (about the care home) further. There was much more to this experience than what I had discussed, but with a limited word count, I felt there would be less value in expanding this section compared to the earlier paragraphs.
MAIN BODY
Paragraph 4
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.
- THE GOOD
Paragraph 4
Here, I discuss my extra-curricular activities, another valuable area to explore as a way of showing off my skills which as less conventional in terms of medicine. The first benefit of this discussion is that it shows the admissions team that I am a well-rounded person who can cope with whatever medical school throws at me. Having additional hobbies and activities is not only a good way of showing you can cope with stress but they also show what you can bring to the university in a more general sense. It’s not only about your skills in medicine but your overall life skills. To add additional value to this discussion, I link these activities back to a skill which I have learned and developed through each. This links everything back to the application, showing why everything I have mentioned will make me a great student at their university.
- THE BAD
Paragraph 4
The paragraph feels a bit to much like a list without elaborating too much on any one topic. I could have mentioned fewer activities and tried to expand on them slightly as otherwise, it does come across as though I am just trying to list a lot of different things at the end. I could have also been a bit more explicit in how these skills link back to medicine and the qualities of a good doctor specifically.
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CONCLUSION
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.
- THE GOOD
Conclusion
My conclusion is short and gets to the point quickly. I addressed the fact I am taking a year out and mentioned what I am planning to spend my time doing. It’s important to be upfront with the universities you’re applying to in regards to anything that may affect your studies. As long as you can justify these issues and potentially provide a solution or consolation, these won’t be deal breakers. My last sentence simply summarises what I have said in the rest of my PS by saying that whilst medicine is challenging I believe I have the skillset required to get through medical school. This is exactly what a final sentence should aim to do, so I believe mine is very successful and closes the personal statement off well.
- THE BAD
Conclusion
This conclusion is actually a part of the same paragraph as the last one, which in my opinion is a fairly big mistake. In hindsight, this should have been split in two which would have been a very easy issue to spot. Always be sure to review your work thoroughly as it’s very easy for a simple spelling mistake or structural issue to slip through the cracks.
The conclusion does not link back to every part of the personal statement as well as it could have. Specifically, I could have tried to link back to the beginning and the middle parts of the statement a bit more to provide a synopsis of what I have already mentioned as otherwise, it can feel slightly detached. Although it’s important to consider that the conclusion shouldn’t take up too much of the word count, so simplifying things may be a better option.
Final Thoughts
- THE GOOD
Overall
I believe I pack a lot into this personal statement without rushing or underselling any particular areas. I feel I spend the right amount of time on each section and provide a good amount of analysis and introspection in the parts that are most important. All of this analysis serves to demonstrate the knowledge and abilities that would make me an ideal candidate for their university, which is the whole point of the personal statement! Nearly everything I mention in my is personal – from my operation to my work experience which shows I have reflected upon these experiences.
- THE BAD
Overall
There are areas in my personal statement where I could have expanded a bit more on my experiences as otherwise, it can come across as though I am trying to force random things into it. I noticed that sometimes I didn’t give examples of how I have demonstrated the skills I have seen by shadowing doctors on work experience. Providing examples is a way to justify mentioning these things, as they could otherwise be seen as meaningless additions used to pad out the word count or inflate your skillset in an impractical way. As well as this, a proper explanation can show that you understand exactly what is expected of a medical professional. Being aware of these requirements is incredibly important for being competitive as it’s easy to just assume that a lot of experience will make you a strong candidate. All of this would have reinforced why I am suitable for the course.
So there you have it! This personal statement helped Thomas get 3/4 offers in his application, which is almost perfect and gives you a great selection of options to pick from.
Everyone has different experiences and abilities, so you may not be able to relate to everything that was said in this personal statement. However, the information and advice provided by Thomas is universal and will help any applicant write a better personal statement!
Be sure to check out more Medicine Personal Statement Analyses to see advice from all different kinds of applicants, including Ali Abdaal himself! Or if you want to get started on your own statement, check out 6med’s Personal Statement Bundle for all the support and resources you’ll ever need! If you want full support on every part of your application and a guaranteed place at med school, the Complete Bundle will be perfect for you.
More Medicine Personal Statement Examples & Inspiration
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