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June 13, 2018, by studentcontributor

Writing the Personal Statement for medical school applications

Personal statement writing is one of the most difficult and tedious tasks that you must undertake as part of your application to medical school. Written in first person, the personal statement is a compulsory 4000 character essay (including spaces) which must reflect what you have done to present your interest and determination towards the medical course being applied to.

The personal statement is one of the first pieces of information about you that allows universities to filter candidates and most universities use this piece of writing (along with the UKCAT/BMAT results and predicted grades) to determine which candidates get an invitation for the interview stage.

A good personal statement must constantly reflect the type of person you are whilst mentioning the work experience that you undertook, your achievements and other holistic activities such as volunteering. Every word in the personal statement must add to the value of the essay, as cliché as it is, its ‘quality over quantity’.

In summary, a bad personal statement could be the reason you aren’t accepted to a medical course. Due to its importance and the competitiveness of the application process, it is important to start writing drafts as early as possible – organization is key to ensure you aren’t rushed or stressed.

While writing drafts, you will also need to balance work experience, UKCAT/BMAT revision, UCAS application and all the other things that are going on in your life – this is made more difficult by an early application deadline on (normally) October 15 th where other applicants have until early January to submit their application.

Don’t be discouraged if you get criticism on your first draft from others, it took me exactly 23 drafts written over 3 months to feel that my personal statement was ready for submission.

How did I start?

Some examples of the things I included:

• Achievements (awards and recognitions)
• Instruments
• Work experience (completed and planned)
• Volunteering experience
• Summer schools attended
• Projects and publications

Once that was completed I had a list of all the potential things that could be included in my personal statement. The next step was the hard part – writing it all out to make me seem like the best applicant they could accept.

The structure that I followed was simple and is essentially the structure seen in most medical personal statements.

• It all starts off with an introduction – this should be a paragraph which grasps the interest of the reader while informing them of the reasons you would like to study medicine and any specific anecdotes.
• Now comes the bulk of the personal statement (2-3 paragraphs) – the paragraphs on work experience. It takes a real skill to be able to write these paragraphs effectively. I followed the rule of three:

i. Comment on what you observed

ii. Reflect on why this encounter was worth mentioning

iii. Mention how you will continue to develop the skills which were observed

Rough example:  Witnessing how effectively the multi disciplinary team worked together highlighted the importance of communication and teamwork in situations of high stress. I aim to continue to develop these skills while competing internationally with my debate team.

• Then comes the extracurricular activities paragraph – here you can include the things from the aforementioned list which you believe are the most important. This paragraph should only include things that could potentially set you apart from other applicants i.e Debate champion, sporting champion, musical achievements (Grade 6 pianist for example etc)
• Conclusion paragraph – this paragraph should sum up everything mentioned and should give that last push to show them how much you want to study medicine. This paragraph is relatively short in most personal statements as it is more important to focus on the other sections of the personal statement.

More impressive personal statements attempt to maintain a theme throughout the essay, for example in my personal statement my theme was the prevalence of specific conditions in the Middle East.

A final point to remember when writing the personal statement is that this essay is still considered a piece of writing and therefore vocabulary, grammar, punctuation and spelling need to be checked and checked again. Make sure you proofread your final draft many times and also get others to have a read to give you their opinion on the essay.

• Start early – aim to have your first draft before the summer
• Write to your heart’s content at the start – it’s easier to remove irrelevant/ unimportant things then adding them at the end
• Don’t get too caught up on making your introduction SPECIAL – everyone wants to stand out, but essentially admission teams are looking for specific things in the personal statement and if your introduction is a 2000 character creative writing piece then that limits how much you can write for the more important parts of the personal statement
• Ensure you mention how you will develop those skills observed – some skills to mention: communication, teamwork, dealing with stress, organisation, leadership etc.
• In the extracurricular paragraph avoid mentioning things that they know – avoid mentioning results (as that goes on your UCAS application) and also avoid repeating yourself
• Many people will give different opinions – you will get many opposing opinions and many people will suggest that you change things, however only do edit your draft if you truly believe that it would better the essay. Again don’t be disheartened by people’s opinions, take all the comments as constructive criticism.

This post is an extract from the “ UK Medical School Starter Pack eBook ” written by one of our fourth-year medical student, Fady Anis. 

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One comment.

Thank you for such a detailed article. I will definitely use your Personal Statement writing tips. I hope that you will continue to share your experience in this field.

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Tips for writing your personal statement

How to write a personal statement it's difficult to know where to begin. get hints and tips on structure, content and what not to write from a university expert..

• An insider's view
• What admissions tutors look for

Structuring and preparing your personal statement

What to write in a personal statement, examples to avoid, looking for clearing advice.

The Clearing concierge has the answers

An insider’s view 

Personal statements may seem formulaic, but they can be critical to the decision-making process, and admissions tutors do read them.

If you’re applying for a high-demand course, your personal statement could be the deciding factor on whether or not you get an interview.

The Director of Marketing and Student Recruitment at the University of Gloucestershire , James Seymour, shares some top tips on how to write a personal statement.

What makes a good personal statement?

This is your chance to demonstrate your enthusiasm and commitment and show us what value you can add to a university. In the vast majority of cases, universities are finding ways to make you an offer, not reject you – the personal statement is your chance to make this decision easier for them!

First, you need to explain why you want a place on a course. Take a look at James’ tips on what you should include:

• Explain the reason for your choice and how it fits in with your aspirations for the future
• Give examples of any related academic or work experience
• Show you know what the course will involve and mention any special subjects you’re interested in
• Demonstrate who you are by listing any positions you’ve held, memberships of teams or societies, and interests and hobbies
• Show consistency in your five UCAS choices. It may be difficult for an admissions tutor to take you seriously if your other choices, and references to them, are totally different. If your choices are different, you should explain this in your statement. The UCAS form is blind. Admissions tutors don’t know the other universities you’ve applied to, or your priorities, but you should still be consistent
• Keep it clear and concise – UCAS admissions are increasingly paperless – so most admissions tutors/officers will read your statement onscreen

Explain what you can bring to a course and try not to just list experiences, but describe how they have given you skills that will help you at university.

Don’t just say: I am a member of the college chess club. I also play the clarinet in the orchestra.

When you could say: I have developed my problem-solving skills through playing chess for the college; this requires concentration and analytical thought. I am used to working as part of a team as I play clarinet in the college orchestra and cooperate with others to achieve a finished production.

Applying to university and UCAS deadlines

• Applying and studying in the UK
• University interviews

What will admissions tutors look for in your personal statement?

To decide if you’re the right fit, universities and colleges are interested in how you express your academic record and potential. This should be backed up by your reference.

Those working in admissions look for evidence of:

• Motivation and commitment
• Leadership, teamwork and communication
• Research into your chosen subject
• Any relevant key skills

Admissions tutors aren't seeking Nobel laureates. They’re looking for enthusiasm for the course being applied for, and self-reflection into why you’d be suitable to study it. What value could you add to the course? Where would you like to go once you graduate?

Ben, the Admissions Manager for Law at the University of Birmingham , shared with us what he expects applicants to tell him in their personal statement:

The personal statement is not only an excellent opportunity to showcase applicants individual skills, knowledge, and achievements, but it also provides us with an insight into the type of student they aspire to be and how they could fit into the academic community. Ben Atkins, Law Admissions Manager at University of Birmingham

Real-life example: the good

Real-life example: the not-so-good

• How to make your personal statement stand out

You could have excellent experiences, but if they’re arranged in a poorly-written statement then the impact will be reduced. So, it’s important to plan your statement well.

A well-written personal statement with a clearly planned and refined structure will not only make the information stand out, but it’ll demonstrate you have an aptitude for structuring written pieces of work – a crucial skill needed for many university courses.

You can use it for other things too, such as gap year applications, jobs, internships, apprenticeships and keep it on file for future applications.

There's no one ‘correct’ way to structure your personal statement. But it’s a good idea to include the following:

• A clear introduction, explaining why you want to study the course
• Around 75% can focus on your academic achievements, to prove how you’re qualified to study it
• Around 25% can be about any extracurricular activity, to show what else makes you suitable
• A clear conclusion
• How to start a personal statement

Your personal statement is your chance to really show why you deserve a place on your chosen course. 

Remember to keep these in mind:

• Be clear and concise – the more concentrated the points and facts, the more powerful
• Use positive words such as achieved, developed, learned, discovered, enthusiasm, commitment, energy, fascination…
• Avoid contrived or grandiose language. Instead use short, simple sentences in plain English
• Insert a personal touch if possible, but be careful with humour and chatty approaches
• Use evidence of your learning and growth (wherever possible) to support claims and statements
• Plan the statement as you would an essay or letter of application for a job/scholarship
• Consider dividing the statement into five or six paragraphs, with headings if appropriate
• Spelling and grammar DO matter – draft and redraft as many times as you must and ask others to proofread and provide feedback
• For 2022 – 23 applications, refer to the challenges you've faced during the pandemic in a positive way

Don’t 

• Over-exaggerate
• Come across as pretentious
• Try to include your life history
• Start with: "I’ve always wanted to be a..."
• Use gimmicks or quotations, unless they're very relevant and you deal with them in a way that shows your qualities
• Be tempted to buy or copy a personal statement – plagiarism software is now very sophisticated and if you're caught out you won’t get a place
• Make excuses about not being able to undertake activities/gain experience – focus on what you were able to do positively, e.g. as a result of coronavirus

For further details, read our detailed guide on  what to include in a personal statement  and the best things to avoid.

Note that if you decide to reapply for university the following year, it's a good idea to consider making some changes to your personal statement. Mention why you took a year off and talk about what skills you've learnt. If you're applying for a completely different subject, you'll need to make more changes.

James gives us real-life examples of things to avoid:

I enjoy the theatre and used to go a couple of times a year. (Drama)

I am a keen reader and am committed to the study of human behaviour through TV soaps!

I have led a full life over the last 18 years and it is a tradition I intend to continue.

I describe myself in the following two words: 'TO ODIN!' the ancient Viking war cry. (Law)

My favourite hobby is bee-keeping and I want to be an engineer.

My interest in Medicine stems from my enjoyment of Casualty and other related TV series.

I have always had a passion to study Medicine, failing that, Pharmacy. (A student putting Pharmacy as her fifth choice after four medical school choices – Pharmacy can be just as popular and high status as Medicine.)

Some final advice

Above all, remember that a personal statement is your opportunity to convince a university why it should offer you a place. So, make it compelling and there’s a much higher chance they will.

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Architecture: be individual and creative...

Admissions tutors often tell us there is no such thing as a model statement, and architecture is a case in point. For example, tutors at University College London (UCL) want you to write what you find interesting. They don't have any specific things they’re looking for, they don’t necessarily want to know which architects you admire, and they don’t require you to have had any work experience or to have shadowed an architect.

So, it’s more about being individual and creative in your statement. That doesn’t mean being off-the-wall, but having something really interesting, engaging, and relevant to say about what enthuses you and what has motivated you to apply.

...but don't put stuff in just to sound good

Admissions tutors at University of Sheffield take a slightly different stance, saying that ‘a few days’ work experience in a local practice would be beneficial, but not essential'. However, they too share UCL’s point of view by emphasising that 'the most important thing is to be yourself' and that you shouldn’t 'put stuff in because you think it sounds good'. They want it to be enthusiastic and individual to you.

Although there is no such thing as a model statement, you may nonetheless find it helpful to have some guidelines around which to build it. We discussed this with Dan Blott, principal lecturer and schools admissions tutor at the School of Architecture, University of Portsmouth. Dan suggested that you try to answer the following questions:

• What prompted your interest in architecture?
• Are there any buildings and/or places you particularly like? Explain why – don't just list where you've been.
• What architects have you heard of and do you know/like any of their work? What stands out, and why?
• What do you like doing and/or what have you done well in academically that you think is relevant to studying architecture?

Sheffield offers some guidelines too, suggesting you could include why you want to study it, relevant qualities you can bring to the course and to the uni, any achievements, skills, experience or other factors you feel they should know about, and what you think you might want to do with the knowledge you gain.

You're probably starting to notice there are slight contradictions when you compare what different unis say. Don’t be put off by that, just be honest and blend your statement in the way that suits you individually. Be yourself!  

Planning: show your enthusiasm for the subject

We also spoke to Dr Tom Goodfellow, admissions tutor at the Department of Town and Regional Planning at University of Sheffield. For him, it's all about writing your statement in a way that shows you've done your research.

He's looking for students who are attracted to the kind of challenges and opportunities his university's specialist areas will present and who are 'willing to go the extra mile in terms of exploring both the ethical and practical challenges of planning in the twenty-first century’.

Construction: hot tips

Finally, some down-to-earth advice for construction applicants:

‘If you’re applying for courses like construction management, I don't really want to know about what your Dad did, I want to know why you want to be a construction manager and how you are passionate about the construction industry.

‘Or, if you’re applying for a course such as architectural technology, don't tell me about your passion to be an architect, as this just indicates that you regard our course as a fall-back position.’ Delia Forester, Admissions Tutor – University Of Brighton

In other words, be clear about what it is you’re applying for and be specific about why the course you’re applying for appeals to you personally.

We loved Delia’s general tips too:

• 'I don't really want to know that you have been to Florence/Istanbul/New York and were very impressed'
• 'Don’t send in a statement written by the careers department – put it in your own words.'
• 'I do want to know that you already know a bit about the industry, that you are reasonably articulate, and can spell'
• 'Don't use slang or informal or text language.'
• 'Don't have an offensive or inappropriate email address.'

Take a look at our in-depth guide to architecture, building, and planning , covering entry requirements to careers, for some inspiration.

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How Universities Use Your Medicine Personal Statement

Check our table to see how every Medical School uses your Personal Statement - and find out which ones place a strong emphasis on this part of your application.

Med Schools And Personal Statements

• Find out how Med Schools use Personal Statements
• Learn why it’s important to understand this
• See every Med School’s Personal Statement policy

Jump to Section

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Medicine Personal Statement Examples

• How Medical Schools Use Your Personal Statement
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• The NHS Guide
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You need to understand how universities use your Medicine Personal Statement because you’ll need to know whether it can make – or break – your UCAS application .

How Do Med Schools Use Personal Statements?

In general, there are five main ways that your Personal Statement could be used by Medical Schools:

• Not used in any part of the selection process at all
• Read but not assessed
• To shortlist candidates to invite to interview
• To form the basis of questions at interview
• To help decide between two candidates who are otherwise equally tied

For example, Brighton and Sussex say they will not use your Personal Statement in the selection process – whereas others, like King’s College London , will look at it when considering applicants to shortlist for interview.

Make Sure You Stand Out

Get The Best Personal Statement Advice

Why Do I Need to Know This?

It’s important that you know how your target Medical Schools will use your Personal Statement, so you can decide how much effort to put into it.

For example, if you’re applying to universities that won’t use the Personal Statement for shortlisting candidates at all, you may be wiser to dedicate more time to preparing for the UCAT or BMAT . Likewise, if you’re applying to universities that place a greater emphasis on your Personal Statement for Medicine, you’ll need to really scrutinise how you structure and how you write your Personal Statement to boost your chances.

How Every Med School Uses Personal Statements

This table sums up what Medical Schools are currently saying about how they will use your Personal Statement. For more detail, and for the most up-to-date information, make sure you check their websites directly.

Once you understand how your Personal Statement for Medicine will be used, it’s time to start planning it to ensure your application is as strong as possible.

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Medicine Personal Statement Examples – Nottingham (Aymen)

Home » Application Guide » Medicine Personal Statement Examples – Nottingham (Aymen)

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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 .

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.  

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.  

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.

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.  

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.  

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.

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.  

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.  

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.  

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.  

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.  

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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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.

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

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.

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!

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UCAS personal statements can be up to 4,000 characters long, which is approximately two sides of A4. Now is the time to be confident, share what's unique about you and showcase the skills and experiences that are relevant to your application. We're looking for well-written personal statements full of passion, individuality, and honesty.

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The best personal statements are those that give our Admissions team an idea of who you are, why you want to study your course of interest, and what you’d ideally like to go on to do after university. Give us an outline of what motivates you to study and why.

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Nottingham - Geography and Chinese

Geography and chinese – 2013 ( newcastle, nottingham, soas, queen mary ).

I was born in New York City. At four years old, I moved with my family to Tokyo, Japan, and lived there for ten years. I have acquired a deep ...

Please note UCAS will detect any form of plagiarism. PSE and its contributors do not take any responsibility for the way in which personal statements are used.

Personal statement advice from Nottingham Trent University (NTU) 2018

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What might tutors be looking for in an application?

• Writing which adopts an appropriate style
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• The ability to choose and use examples from practice, analysing these in the light of what you have learned from the experience: go beyond description to show your developing insights
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This provides an all-important first impression of you as a prospective teacher and we will be looking for evidence of your commitment to teaching and learning in a number of ways:

• What motivates you to join this profession? Ensure that you have explained why you want to teach (your age group/your subject), drawing on any important experiences or principles that underpin this.
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As stated above, teachers need to be skilled communicators and your personal statement provides an opportunity for you to articulate the skills and experiences you have that make you suitable for a place on our PGCE course which cannot be replicated by an AI tool. We understand that AI tools can be beneficial in terms of helping you to structure your statement, or to check for readability. However, generating all, or a large part of your personal statement, using an AI tool and presenting this as your own words could affect your chances of being offered an interview.

The DfE have issued guidance for candidates. We have been asked to contact the DfE if we suspect a candidate has used AI tools to write the whole of their personal statement.

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Nottingham Trent University Personal Statements

These UCAS personal statements have been kindly provided by students applying to Nottingham Trent University. You can click on one of the links below to view the entire statement and find out if the applicant was offered a place.

You can also view our entire collection of personal statements or view personal statements for application at other universities .

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Early Childhood Studies Personal Statement Example 5 Ever since I could remember I have always wanted to play a big part in children’s education. As I was growing up I could see children of my age in Africa struggling to go to school because of their circumstances...

English Literature with Italian Personal Statement Example As a child, I was always intrigued by the idea that other worlds could be held between the covers of a book, providing insight into cultures, times and societies that would otherwise be foreign to us. Continued study of English Literature through to 'A' level has broadened my understanding and enjoyment of literature, greatly improving my ability to read analytically and critically...

Economics and Finance Personal Statement Example 15 Through life's experiences, I have come to realise that the economy affects almost everything in the world. Newspapers dedicate more headlines to financial issues in comparison to other topics. This has led to the realisation that without a good stable economy the world could fall to its knees, for example, the Wall Street collapse of 1929 and the more current financial crisis which started in 2007...

Physics Personal Statement Example 13 Attending university has been a lifelong dream of mine; ever since my childhood, I have been told that I should, and I have always agreed with the sentiment. If I were asked to pin down an exact reason, however, I would be forced to confess that I do not know - I just enjoy learning new things and exercising my mind...

Financial Mathematics Personal Statement Example 2 Studying mathematics is a pure pleasure for me and I take pride in my achievements in the subject. What makes maths so interesting is its foundations in the real world; for instance, the Fibonacci numbers that arise all through nature, the notes played by a guitar string producing standing waves at different frequencies of sound and algebra which is used to create special effects in animated films and TV shows...

Physics Personal Statement Example 14 Physics is fascinating. It’s exciting, it’s thrilling, it’s relevant, it’s really interesting, and that’s just the start. I’ve always asked lots of questions and tried to figure out how and why everything works as it does...

Law Personal Statement Example 83 Currently I study English language, history and law. Out of the three I find law the most fascinating because it is the foundation of anything that occurs in society. Learning about how decisions are made in law, the constant arguments to reach a fair judgement and the on-going evolution of the law to adapt to society makes me enthusiastic to learn more...

Spanish and Chinese Personal Statement Example My passion for Modern Foreign Languages is what drives me to pursue a degree in Chinese and Spanish; my fascination and curiosity to explore the cultures of not only China and East Asia, but also of the Hispanic world, motivate me to learn and discover the languages of these regions...

Fashion Communication Personal Statement Example Fashion is an eternally evolving outlet for expression. I have a profound interest in how clothing can portray a message about one's self. I am particularly fascinated by the progression in the accessibility of garments since the fashion boom of the 1960s; I'm greatly inspired by the various British subcultural styles that have since been reshaped over the generations...

Chemistry Personal Statement Example 18 Chemistry explores the properties of all matter and energy in our universe, which eventually leads to breakthroughs that benefit mankind, ranging from how to prevent food from decomposing to understanding what chemicals can help or harm you...

Politics Personal Statement Example 31 I have always been interested in Politics from a young age and was enticed by media coverage of such events like 9/11, the rise of Al-Qaeda, the Iraq war and the recession and its impact on us as a nation; however, when I started AS Government & Politics I knew Politics was the course for me...

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