Things to Avoid in Your UCAS Personal Statement for Medicine

Writing your personal statement can be challenging and time-consuming, often needing several drafts before you reach the final one that you will submit on your UCAS application form. However, by avoiding certain pitfalls, you can make a strong impression with your application.

1. There are not enough words.

   You should ensure your personal statement is close to the 4,000-character limit. While it is true that we should aim for quality over quantity, falling significantly short of this count may negatively impact how the admission tutor perceives your application. The UCAS application was handwritten in the past, and large gaps stood out like a sore thumb.

2. Do not plagiarise.

   You must not copy example personal statements on the internet or from books. You must also not copy from each other. Medical schools will put your personal statement through software that will pick up if you have copied someone else’s work.

3. Do not use someone else to write a personal statement for you.

   Write the personal statement in your own words. You may have to discuss it during an interview. Some companies that offer to write the statement for you may use templates that the medical school will recognise. If you are a sixth-form student and your statement is written by a graduate, the style of writing written will differ and be picked up.

4. Lack of Detail or Reflection

   Don't just list your experiences; reflect on them. Describe what you observed during work experiences and articulate what you learned. Relate these to the qualities of a doctor and some of your own personal qualities that would be useful to you as a medical student. Too many students still produce a list without any reflection.

   When discussing studies, be specific about the topics you enjoyed to provide deeper insights into your interests and skills. For example, don’t just state you enjoyed studying the heart in biology. You must include why you enjoyed this and how this perhaps motivated you to apply to study medicine.

5. Do not be too generic.

   Ensure your statement includes evidence and experiences that genuinely reflect who you are and what interests you. It must be personal and unique to you. Don’t be too cocky, either.

6. Do not include negative comments.

   Avoid mentioning things you didn't enjoy studying or aspects of a career you might not like. While honesty is important, maintain an optimistic and positive tone throughout your statement.

7. Don’t waste space talking purely about medical facts.

   Avoid using your personal statement to purely list facts about medicine or what doctors do. Admissions tutors are already well-versed in these areas. Instead, use the space to demonstrate how your experiences have equipped you with the qualities and skills necessary for a medical career. Don’t just list books you have read. Why did you read them, and what did you learn from them above A-levels?

8. Discussing Money and Potential Earnings

   Refrain from highlighting financial motivates. Your desire to study medicine should be driven by deeper reasons, as emphasising money can harm your application. Doctors have recently had genuine grievances about pay and conditions in the NHS, but this topic is best left until your medical school interview.

9. Don’t pack in too much.

   Write in detail about a few topics rather than lots of topics superficially. The tutor needs to see how you think and critically analyse things. Remember, you do not have to come across as an expert. Don’t write long sentences that do not follow. You will bore the tutor.

10. Using Overused, Stock Phrases

    Avoid common, generic statements. If you want to convey a general idea, express it in your own words to make it more meaningful and personal. There should be no cliches or poetry. Don’t write phrases like ‘My childhood dream was to become a doctor’.

11. Losing Focus on Medicine

    Ensure your enthusiasm for medicine is evident throughout your statement. Avoid letting unrelated subjects overshadow your passion for the field. For example, don’t start talking extensively about why you studied history.

12. Overusing the Thesaurus

    While strong English is important, don't overdo it with complex synonyms. Ensure your writing is clear and sounds like you.

13. Do not use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to write the statement for you.

    Your UCAS application now requires you to declare that your personal statement is your own work, including not using AI software. Using platforms like ChatGPT could be considered cheating and may jeopardise your application.

14. Don’t lie.

    You will be found out.