Personal Statement:Medicine 15

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Medicine Personal Statement

INTRODUCTION - reasons for studying for medicine To be given the opportunity to study medicine would be a dream come true/the fulfilment of a life-long dream. The science of medicine fascinates and inspires me; reading StudentBMJ and NewScientist compel me into learning more. A central attraction of medicine is the chance to make a difference to another person's life, and to be able/ (in a position) to offer informed support and understanding at a vulnerable time for a patient and their family. (For many) illness is very scary and access to a compassionate and committed/attentive/helpful/caring doctor can make a significant difference to a potentially traumatic experience. I am an open-minded, approachable person and I would aspire to making vulnerable patients feel at ease; I have the social skills conducive to being an effective doctor, not a scientist

WORK EXPERIENCE comments In part due to copious amounts of letter writing, I have been fortunate to have completed/spent (just over) 5 weeks/' (in the last 3 years) (doing)/work experience (during school holidays.) [1: O.D] (For example,) I spent a week (in November) observing consultations in various clinics of an Outpatient department. The doctors whose clinics I observed were exceptionally accommodating and were happy to answer my many questions, which served to increase my interest and enjoyment of the week further/ (I really appreciated). Dermatology was a particularly appealing clinic; I was able to observe skin allergy testing which, on this occasion, produced some conclusive results

[2:MR MITCHELL] I spent time observing a consultant cardiovascular surgeon on his ward rounds. (At his suggestion) I spent time talking to a patient who had recently had a double above knee amputation as a result of diabetes

She amazed me with her positive attitude towards her situation, and I was immensely grateful to her for giving me a small idea of what it must be like to face such a crisis. I also learnt a great deal from Mr. Mitchell's helpful PRHO, who gave me an insight into the challenges she faced when beginning her first job after graduation

[3:BRI-COLORECTAL] My time spent on a colorectal ward involved working with the nurses and HCAs. This gave me the opportunity to talk to patients at length, and to see their progress over the time I spent on the ward. I was able to help give bed baths, take observations, change sheets and learn the best way of putting on pressure stockings! I was particularly lucky in gaining an insight into general practice

I was able to make comparisons between a Bristol inner city and a rural practice on the Isles of Scilly, which I visited while on a family holiday. As in any isolated practice, Another challenge faced on the I.O.S is the huge influx of visitors during the summer, causing a trebling of appointment requests! INTERPERSONAL QUALITIES I love being part of a team with a common aim; (for instance,) last summer I spent two weeks on an Outward Bound trek to the Isle of Skye

There was an intense sense of camaraderie prevalent within the group

The adventure taught me that it is possible to achieve anything with determination and support from other people - I am aware of my own limitations and the importance of being able to ask for help

As part of the celebration of 50 years of Outward Bound, I met Prince Andrew to tell him of my experience of the organisation, and will appear on Radio Bristol to discuss the funding available, from which I benefited. These are great opportunities to use my communication skills effectively, which I developed through representing my school in debating competitions

MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY It is important to me to make a contribution to my community. On two occasions I have run in Bristol's 3km Imperial Cancer Research Race for Life. Since my 17th birthday, I have donated blood every 3 months

I spent 6 months last year volunteering every week at a St. Peter's Hospice Shop, as part of my Bronze Duke of Edinburgh's Award. I chose to volunteer for St. Peter's Hospice because my grandmother received palliative care there during the final months of her life. Since September I have been volunteering at Bristol's Riding Centre for the Disabled, where I work with a severely autistic child every Monday evening; I love it because it lets me do something of benefit to someone else

SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING/STUDY SKILLS I want to study a medical degree that will equip me both intellectually and emotionally for my career ahead. I believe that I am well equipped with self-motivation and organisational skills to be extremely successful at medical school because I have faced the challenges brought by independent learning while at sixth form and have developed an effective strategy to cope with self-directed learning. In preparation for my application to medical school I have completed a course of immunisation against Hepatitis B

INVOLVEMENT IN EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES I intend to play an active role in University life. (I have represented my school in hockey and debating competitions); I was leader of the orchestra for the Sixthform musical in July, and have played in Bristol Schools' orchestras for the past 9 years, involving a 3-hour rehearsal every Saturday morning during term time. This is an important social activity because it brings together like-minded people on a regular basis to work towards a high quality concert at the end of each term. I was an elected school council representative in upper school which I enjoyed immensely because I was able to be involved in the making of school policy (e.g. regarding school uniform, drugs issues, and bullying)

EMPLOYMENT (evidence of dealing with a range of people) I regularly baby-sit for four families in my area; I really enjoy it because it gives me the chance to develop a relationship with both parents and children, with whom I get on with really well. It also places me in a position of responsibility and requires a balance between entertaining the children and being concerned for their safety and wellbeing. I have also worked at Next Plc over Christmas and New Year where I dealt with a variety of people and enjoyed being friendly and helping people with problems

INTELLECTUAL ABILITY I love to be challenged about my ideas and opinions. I have relished the intellectual challenge offered by Chemistry and learnt how to develop arguments and clarity of expression in History. In particular, I have enjoyed exploring the history of medicine, which has enhanced my understanding of the ancient profession I would so love to be a part of

CONCLUSION I intend to make medicine my life's work. I think medicine is the most fundamental of professions; without doctors society would surely collapse given that one's health is a prerequisite to doing almost anything in life. I would be privileged to spend the rest of my working life practising medicine. I am acutely aware of the difficulties and challenges I am signing up for, but am confident that I will meet them with (enthusiasm) gusto and commitment.

Universities Applied to:

• Oxford Medical School (Mansfield College)
• St. Andrew's Medical School
• Nottingham Medical School
• Edinburgh Medical School

Comments

General Comments:

At 7,000+ characters this is well over the 4,000 character limit allowed by UCAS, although it does look like there are many "extra" comments throughout the personal statement which are designed to explain why the statement is written in this style.

Comments on the statement: