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 Aymed, who studies Medicine at the University of Nottingham.
Ayen applied to study medicine in 2020 at four high-quality medical schools in the UK, including Leicester and Birmingham. She received offers from 3/4 of her choices and decided to study at Nottingham.
| University | University of Nottingham | University of Leicester | University of Birmingham | University of Sheffield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Offer? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Let’s read the personal statement that got her a place at Nottingham, or skip straight to her feedback to learn what made her 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.
University of Nottingham Medicine Personal Statement Example
WHOLE PERSONAL STATEMENT
Every breath was a fight for life. Witnessing my grandfather’s battle with lung cancer ignited my desire to study medicine. It made me question the fragility of human life and appreciate how doctors can combine their clinical and non-clinical skills to make such a positive difference to an individual’s wellbeing and quality of life, providing comfort at such a distressing time.
A career in medicine would offer me the opportunity of pursuing my passion for human sciences, physiology, and anatomy whilst learning new clinical skills with the aim to improve the lives of others.
To gain further insight into what a career in medicine entails, I arranged hospital work experience placement where I observed a number of different specialist medical practitioners working alongside each other. An especially insightful consultation was when the dermatologist I was shadowing was faced with an upset and frustrated patient during a busy outpatient clinic.
I witnessed the professional manner in which the clinician dealt with the situation, allowing the patient to express herself whilst keeping calm. This highlighted the challenging nature of the profession and the importance of good communication skills. In addition, I spent time with a pediatrician caring for children with learning disabilities. I was inspired by the outstanding level of patient-centered care I observed delivered by a multidisciplinary team including nurses, physiotherapists and occupational therapists.
Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, my placement at a GP’s surgery was cancelled and so to enhance my understanding I have undertaken an “Observe GP” online experience and completed ‘The NHS explained’ course. This gave me an insight into primary healthcare and highlighted the important role general practitioners play as gatekeepers in the NHS. What was apparent is that the nature and extent of the challenges faced by the NHS, particularly during the current Covid-19 pandemic, are extensive. During these testing times I have witnessed not only the impact Covid-19 can have on the physical health of patients and medical professionals but also the wider psychosocial impact it has had on society. As a result, I initiated and managed a team to create an online activity book to support local children and their families during lockdown.
I have also completed further research within my school with a view to setting up additional support for students that have struggled with issues such as insomnia and anxiety. Another aspect of a career in medicine that I find fascinating is the frequent advances in medical science. I have furthered my interest by regularly reading BBC Health and undertaking independent research on the subject of virtual reality in medicine which I presented to the school medical club. I was enthralled to find out how many disciplines can make use of this technology and the extent to which it can transform teaching, treatment and rehabilitation in so many areas from Parkinson’s disease to surgery.
In addition to my studies, I have also been involved in various roles and extracurricular activities ranging from peer mentoring and MUN, debating and Deputy Head Girl. These experiences have allowed me to further develop my communication, team building, and leadership skills. As a result, I received the Headmaster’s Award for academic excellence and outstanding contribution to the school last year.
I appreciate the necessary balance required between academia and leisure. To relax I enjoy writing and Thai boxing which I intend to continue in the future.
I feel these experiences have provided me with a range of skills and an excellent foundation to cope with the challenges of studying medicine. The dynamic nature of the career excites me, yet I remain aware of the demanding lifestyle and uncertainties doctors face. I strongly believe it is the right career for me, offering me the opportunity to contribute to the community and make a difference.
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University of Nottingham Medicine Personal Statement Example Analysis
Now, let’s go section by section and see what Aymen has to say about what she wrote:
INTRODUCTION
Every breath was a fight for life. Witnessing my grandfather’s battle with lung cancer ignited my desire to study medicine. It made me question the fragility of human life and appreciate how doctors can combine their clinical and non-clinical skills to make such a positive difference to an individual’s wellbeing and quality of life, providing comfort at such a distressing time.
A career in medicine would offer me the opportunity of pursuing my passion for human sciences, physiology, and anatomy whilst learning new clinical skills with the aim to improve the lives of others.
- THE GOOD
Introduction
I think that what works well in this opening is that I’ve drawn on a personal experience I’ve had and how it affected my perception of the medical field, which really shows from the start that my desire to peruse medicine stems from more than just a passing fancy but from true moments in my life. I don’t get too lost in the details of the situation but provide just enough information to understand and see how it affected my idea of becoming a doctor from a young age. The sentences are also written in a creative way, almost like a novel, making the statements more powerful.
- THE BAD
Introduction
When writing an opening, it’s quite difficult to fit in all you want. I think I could have alluded more to specific things the doctor did for my grandfather and maybe drawn more on how exactly they provided comfort. It’s a very poetic introduction, but it doesn’t say very much considering the number of words used. Everything said here could have been said much more bluntly in a couple of sentences, which would allow for more space to elaborate on topics later in the statement.
MAIN BODY
Section 1
To gain further insight into what a career in medicine entails, I arranged hospital work experience placement where I observed a number of different specialist medical practitioners working alongside each other. An especially insightful consultation was when the dermatologist I was shadowing was faced with an upset and frustrated patient during a busy outpatient clinic.
I witnessed the professional manner in which the clinician dealt with the situation, allowing the patient to express herself whilst keeping calm. This highlighted the challenging nature of the profession and the importance of good communication skills. In addition, I spent time with a pediatrician caring for children with learning disabilities. I was inspired by the outstanding level of patient-centered care I observed delivered by a multidisciplinary team including nurses, physiotherapists and occupational therapists.
- THE GOOD
Section 1
In these first two paragraphs, I discuss my main work experience at a hospital. I think when writing about work experience it was good that I had written about how I arranged it myself, as this shows how I took initiative in the situation to sort it out myself. The two examples given have details about the situation but focus mostly on my own reflection and learning from the experience. This is the key element here of any personal statement as universities need to see that you have actually learnt lessons from these experiences that can be transferred into your studies. I’ve also discussed how I shadowed different specialities and witnessed a wide range of the medical field, which is always a good thing to highlight. The more unique experiences you have learned from the better, as it provides you with new outlooks on medicine which will help you in your studies.
- THE BAD
Section 1
As it is, this section does lack a little bit of depth when it comes to discussing how these experiences affected me. I perhaps could have given slightly more context to the situations discussed. For example, I could have discussed why the patient was upset, as this would have allowed me to further discuss what I had learnt from the experience. On the opposite end of this though, it may also have been better to have cut this section down in order to save space. Since I did not speak too much about my own outcome of the event, it feels a bit too much like an anecdote without much meaning. It’s an interesting story, but it doesn’t really say much about me as an applicant. So really, this should have either been expanded upon or cut short to allow other areas more discussion.
MAIN BODY
Section 2
Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, my placement at a GP’s surgery was cancelled and so to enhance my understanding I have undertaken an “Observe GP” online experience and completed ‘The NHS explained’ course. This gave me an insight into primary healthcare and highlighted the important role general practitioners play as gatekeepers in the NHS. What was apparent is that the nature and extent of the challenges faced by the NHS, particularly during the current Covid-19 pandemic, are extensive. During these testing times I have witnessed not only the impact Covid-19 can have on the physical health of patients and medical professionals but also the wider psychosocial impact it has had on society. As a result, I initiated and managed a team to create an online activity book to support local children and their families during lockdown.
- THE GOOD
Section 2
This paragraph is very strong in my opinion, considering the time of my application. Firstly, my ability to recover from my work experience being cancelled again shows initiative and determination. I did not give up when this happen and instead attempted to the changing landscape of medicine and found a different form of work experience. No matter what this placement was, this was a very important thing to highlight, as using COVID as an excuse for lacking experiences wasn’t going to work for me.
With that being said, the placements I ended up getting were actually a very good replacement. Given the circumstances, my work experience in a primary setting was hugely beneficial to my application, whether or not it was online. And beyond this, I do actually effectively explain why this experience was so valuable and how it’s made me a better candidate. I’ve also written about what I’ve learnt about the healthcare system and my appreciation for the NHS, showing I have a deeper understanding of the system. I’ve also linked what I’ve learnt to what it made me feel and then what I did to help combat the psychological impact of Covid.
- THE BAD
Section 2
Perhaps I could have given a little more detail on the role of the GP and maybe delve a little bit into the positives of the NHS such as how it is free at the point of use and the structure of having primary and secondary care available. On the one hand, it would further show how much I learnt during these experiences but on the other hand, it could be seen as wasting space on listing facts that the reader already knows. It’s difficult to find the balance between adding context and padding your statement, as it really depends on how the writing is being framed. Typically though, it would be best to focus on the skills you learnt and the things you discovered about yourself rather than stating specific knowledge or facts.
MAIN BODY
Section 3
I have also completed further research within my school with a view to setting up additional support for students that have struggled with issues such as insomnia and anxiety. Another aspect of a career in medicine that I find fascinating is the frequent advances in medical science. I have furthered my interest by regularly reading BBC Health and undertaking independent research on the subject of virtual reality in medicine which I presented to the school medical club. I was enthralled to find out how many disciplines can make use of this technology and the extent to which it can transform teaching, treatment and rehabilitation in so many areas from Parkinson’s disease to surgery.
- THE GOOD
Section 3
This paragraph focuses on my own research and highlights my continued interest in the scientific aspect of medicine. All of this serves to show off more about myself and my desire to learn more which is a good change of pace after focusing more on my work experiences in the last few paragraphs. I feel that this paragraph is much more personal and does a better job of demonstrating my interests, motivations and abilities. All of this research was done out of my own interest in the subject, which is exactly the kind of thing that universities are expecting of medical students. It’s not just about doing the work you’re required to do but also going that extra mile to do something you have a genuine passion for.
- THE BAD
Section 3
While the paragraph manages to demonstrate how I went about a project from my own initiative, I think more could be included about the type of research that was conducted or maybe even the findings. Not only would this help show evidence of research, but it would help further specify the types of skills I excel in terms of research, as there are a lot of ways that the process could be complete meaning a lot of applicable skill sets. Plus, showing just how broad my research was would have made it seem more impressive, as I may have undersold it somewhat here. If you’ve done something that you know shows strength in your application, there’s no point in being too modest about it. Be honest and reflective about it, but ensure you let the reader know how much work it took.
MAIN BODY
Section 4
In addition to my studies, I have also been involved in various roles and extracurricular activities ranging from peer mentoring and MUN, debating and Deputy Head Girl. These experiences have allowed me to further develop my communication, team building, and leadership skills. As a result, I received the Headmaster’s Award for academic excellence and outstanding contribution to the school last year.
I appreciate the necessary balance required between academia and leisure. To relax I enjoy writing and Thai boxing which I intend to continue in the future.
- THE GOOD
Section 4
This paragraph highlights the hobbies and extracurricular activities I had undertaken at that point. I think this part is very balanced in showing different things I’ve done, showing that I’m a well-rounded person. It also includes what I learnt from these roles and hobbies and how they help me develop as a person and a medical applicant. This is always a good thing to discuss toward the end of your personal statement as it is always going to feel a bit more casual than the previous discussion points. This section is about how you unwind from work, but it also helps the reader unwind a bit before the conclusion.
- THE BAD
Section 4
I think that while this paragraph is a good length, I should have delved deeper into what the activities have taught me and how they’ve helped me develop. My discussion here does not relate to medicine at all, and only briefly mentions a few generic skills that I have improved upon with these activities. At the end of the day, it does show that I’m a well-rounded person and that I’ve achieved a lot outside of medicine, but it doesn’t do much more than that. This could have easily been improved by being a bit more reflective here and discussing how exactly these things make me a better medicine applicant. This is also a bit of a nitpick, but I shouldn’t have separated that last sentence into its own paragraph as this just feels very out of place.
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CONCLUSION
I feel these experiences have provided me with a range of skills and an excellent foundation to cope with the challenges of studying medicine. The dynamic nature of the career excites me, yet I remain aware of the demanding lifestyle and uncertainties doctors face. I strongly believe it is the right career for me, offering me the opportunity to contribute to the community and make a difference.
- THE GOOD
Conclusion
I think this works well as it forms a balanced ending. It links back to my initial desire to pursue medicine and ties everything together nicely and succinctly. It also works well in how I show my understanding of the challenges that doctors face and that it doesn’t deter me from pursuing the career. These are all essential qualities for a medical student so emphasising this is important in your personal statement.
- THE BAD
Conclusion
Overall, this conclusion functions very well, and there isn’t too much I would change about it. It could have been a bit shorter, but I don’t feel it’s too overstuffed with content. The length mainly comes from the more descriptive language I used, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. If I were struggling to fit the statement into the word limit then I could have had to have changed how I wrote this, but it wasn’t an issue so I was able to be more expressive like I was in the introduction.
Final Thoughts
- THE GOOD
Overall
One of the main positives I would say about this personal statement is consistency. I think the strong points are shown throughout the whole thing, with reflective links to each experience being implemented well and the key qualities of a doctor such as empathy and responsibility being discussed knowledgeably. By showing that I really do comprehend the aspects of this career well, I created a sense of trust and authority with the reader that demonstrates that I am a good applicant. Furthermore, the paragraphs link well to each other and the reader can follow along without anything feeling too abrupt or out of place. The reading experience is just as important as the content you present, so it’s always important to structure your statement properly.
- THE BAD
Overall
I think that the biggest area to improve would be the fact that some more specific and explicit details could be added in various areas of the statement. This mainly comes down to the assessment of myself and my skills in relation to my experiences. I do an overall good job of describing situations and explaining the many skills I saw at play, but I do not say enough about how these experiences truly impacted me and how they helped me develop my own skills beyond understanding their importance. This is, of course, a pretty important thing to take away from these experiences, but it’s also important to demonstrate how you would potentially implement these skills into your own studies and into your career. This statement is about you, not the things you did or saw, so everything needs to link back to why they make you a great medicine student.
So there you have it! This personal statement helped Aymen get 3/4 offers in her application, which put her in a very desirable position as a university applicant.
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 Aymen 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 Medicine Mastery Bundle for all the med school application support and resources you’ll ever need!
More Medicine Personal Statement Examples & Inspiration
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