Medicine Personal Statement Examples – Plymouth (Abdullah)

My desire to study Medicine has been a formative process over several years. I am inspired by the science and art of diagnosing disease in patients; it combines my passion for applied biomedical science and problem solving with teamwork and interpersonal interactions. Through this, my aim is to make a difference to patients and their families. I applied to study Medicine last year, but issues caused by COVID to the end of my sixth form studies and examination results process meant I was not successful. I have learned much from this experience, such as the importance of being more dynamic and prepared for unexpected events, and the process has refined my resilience. Over the summer I have been preparing for my summative A level examinations this October. I will also use the rest of this year to gain further work experience in a healthcare setting.

I enjoy learning and have expanded my knowledge of Medicine beyond the constraints of the curriculum through an EPQ on the history of Medicine. From my readings, it was clear that significant leaps were made during the middle ages by Middle Eastern scholars. Surprisingly, I found some medical discoveries credited to other physicians had been discovered centuries before by these physicians. This historical perspective helped me to connect medical concepts and thus understand the purpose of Medicine better. I recently read P. Kalanithi’s ‘When Breath Becomes Air’, in which the author describes how delicate neurosurgery, such as suboccipital craniectomy, is; any faults in the incision can lead to permanent paralysis. Inspired by this, I attended Operating Theatre Live. I learned more about types of sutures and anaesthesia and performed a craniotomy and leg amputation on a pig cadaver. This event enhanced my understanding of form and function. Through other aspects of the course, I was challenged to work through ethical dilemmas and how to apply the four pillars; I was fascinated by the complexity of the arguments made. 

While shadowing a general surgeon at the local hospital, I observed how they adapted from being emotionally aware to being reasoned and precise when discussing the diagnosis with junior doctors. I learned just how vital multidisciplinary teamwork and excellent communication is in medical practice. I have developed similar skills together with dedication and perseverance to complete my expedition in Gold DofE. Challenging climbs and overnight camping in arduous conditions made me realise the need for selfless teamwork and resilience. Shadowing a nurse on the ward, I observed medics deliberating on the best course of action for a debilitated patient. This patient had a spinal cord injury resulting in damage to essential autonomic functions like bladder control. I was moved by the empathy shown by the doctors while assessing each patient’s needs, something I had also seen in India. It is inspirational that doctors over the world strive for the best patient outcomes as their primary concern. Having spoken to doctors, medical students as well as my mother, who is also a doctor, I realise that Medicine can be a stressful profession and its important to find a work-life balance. I was a member of my school cricket team; this boosted my teamwork and communication skills and an awareness of each other’s weaknesses & strengths.  I mentored underperforming Year 11 Maths students; identifying the student’s weaknesses and worked with them to overcome them. Although this was challenging at times, I learned valuable lessons from it in patience and understanding.

Taken together, my experiences have helped me strengthen my resolve to pursue a career in Medicine. Through my determination, an appetite for applied bioscience and a strong desire to contribute to my community, I believe I possess the probity and dedication not just to be one of ‘Tomorrow’s Doctors’ but also strive to have a successful long-term career in Medicine.