Free help and advice on how to write the perfect UCAS personal statement for medicine.

 

What should be included in a personal statement for medicine?

  • Motivation for a career in medicine. So basically, why you have chosen to study medicine?

  • Your research into the demanding nature and requirements for a career in medicine. Have you done some homework into finding out what it is like studying at medical school and what it is like being a doctor?

  • Demonstration of the caring as well as scientific side of medicine, perhaps through suitable work experience. A good way to demonstrate this is a case that you have seen on your work experience.

  • Evidence of participation in activities which demonstrate teamwork, leadership and other communication skills essential for being a doctor. There are several qualities of a doctor (and by extension a medical student). Do you have the beginnings of any of these?

  • Your participation in a suitable range of extracurricular activities and interests. The medical school needs to see you are a well-rounded person. In addition, do you extra circular activities demonstrate some of the skills that could also be useful to you as a doctor or medical student?

  • The presence of awards or achievements outside normal academia. If you have any of these, you can include them and again mention how they could help you as a doctor or in your medical studies.

What do medical schools look for on a personal statement?

The Medical School Council (MSC) has created a list of what medical schools are looking for in a candidate. Here is the list: -

  • Motivation to study medicine and genuine interest in the medical profession

  • Insight into your own strengths and weaknesses

  • The ability to reflect on your own work

  • Personal organisation

  • Academic ability

  • Problem solving

  • Dealing with uncertainty

  • Manage risk and deal effectively with problems

  • Ability to take responsibility for your own actions

  • Conscientiousness

  • Insight into your own health

  • Effective communication, including reading, writing, listening and speaking

  • Teamwork

  • Ability to treat people with respect

  • Resilience and the ability to deal with difficult situations

  • Empathy and the ability to care for others

  • Honesty