Medicine Personal Statement
My desire to study medicine is based on a variety of different factors. One of the main factors which drives me to study medicine is how challenging it is as a subject, and also as a career. The challenge in particular that appeals to me is the vast amounts of knowledge required and also being able to use and adapt that knowledge to unfamiliar situations. Another factor is that medicine is always changing and progressing. This gives me the prospect of being able to further my knowledge throughout my entire life that, for me, is an enjoyable prospect.
To get an insight into the medical profession and to better my understanding of the interactions between doctors and patients, I arranged ongoing work experience with a podiatrist. The reason why I chose to arrange work experience at a podiatric surgery is that there is a great opportunity for me to be able to observe the patient-doctor relationship since, for the majority of the appointment time, the patient is having a conversation with the podiatrist. This has allowed me to see how a medical professional is able to develop a relationship with the patient, how this relaxes the patient, allowing the procedure to run more smoothly. After contacting another podiatric surgeon I was able to arrange a placement in order for me to be able to observe joint reconstruction surgery. From this I was able to see how medicine is not made up of clear-cut methods and that problems can arise and that part of being a medical professional is dealing with these problems and overcoming them. I also arranged a week observing a chiropractor so that I could observe how chronic ailments can be treated without the use of drugs. Over the week, I was able to discuss with the patients how the treatment had helped them improve over time and how they were able to manage pain through exercises and treatments, rather than through the use of drugs. I also discussed the possible use of the placebo effect, and whether this could be a benefit worth harnessing and the ethics behind this. One ethical implication would be that for the placebo effect to work, the patient would not be able to have informed consent. I am a qualified first aider with St John Ambulance and regularly volunteer to go out on duties with them. Over my time so far I have seen many different scenarios and have been able to develop the way I deal with these situations. For example using my experience gained in order to deal with scenarios more efficiently or by having a conversation with the patient to make the situation less stressful for the patient and also more enjoyable for myself.
I am fully aware of how competitive medicine can be due to the fact I applied during last year’s cycle and was unsuccessful. As a result of this I have been able to reflect on my application and learn from the mistakes I made and have also been able to gain a lot more experience working in the medical profession and will continue to gain even more experience throughout my gap year. For example I am currently looking forward to starting work as a volunteer porter at a local hospital with the intention of learning what it means to work as a member of a busy hospital team. I will also be using this year to raise money to help fund possible university expenses and also to gain more experience of what it means to work in the medical profession. During my free time, I enjoy playing the viola and play as a member of the Lincolnshire Philarmonia Orchestra since I find this a good way to socialise and hope to continue playing music at university if possible. I also enjoy going to the gym after a long day at work since I find the exercise relaxes me and helps me to reduce my stress levels.
I look forward to a possible career in medicine and the challenges that it entails and hope that through a lot of hard work, stress and determination, my enthusiasm to study medicine and to continually improve myself will allow me to become a successful doctor.
Universities Applied to:
- Barts and The London SMD, QMUL, UoL (Medicine) - Unconditional Offer (grades already acheived) Firm
- Sheffield University (Medicine) - Rejection without interview
- Keele University (Medicine) - Rejection without interview
- Hull-York Medical School (Medicine) Rejection without interview - alt. course offered (Biochemistry) - Unconditional Offer
- Sheffield University (Biomedical Science) - Unconditional Offer
Grades Achieved:
- Maths (A2) - A*
- Further Maths (A2) - A
- Biology (A2) - A
- Chemistry (A2) - A
- General Studies (AS) - A
- Critical Thinking (AS) - C
GCSEs: 9A 1B (long course) 2A 1B 1C (short course)
Comments
My desire to study medicine is based on a variety of different factors. One of the main factors which drives me to study medicine is how challenging it is as a subject, and also as a career. The challenge in particular that appeals to me is the vast amounts of knowledge required and also being able to use and adapt that knowledge to unfamiliar situations. Another factor is that medicine is always changing and progressing. This gives me the prospect of being able to further my knowledge throughout my entire life that, for me, is an enjoyable prospect.
This is all a bit vague and rather informal for an opening paragraph. You need to just be 'bam bam bam' with the reasons, grab their attention and make them remember you rather than 'reason 1, reason 2'
To get an insight into the medical profession and to better my understanding of the interactions between doctors and patients, I arranged ongoing work experience with a podiatrist good. The reason why I chose to arrange work experience at a podiatric surgery is that there is a great opportunity for me to be able to observe the patient-doctor relationship since, for the majority of the appointment time, the patient is having a conversation with the podiatrist This all can go really, it doesn't add anything. Generally in a consultation there will be a conversation going on - not just in podiatry!. This has allowed me to see how a medical professional is able to develop a relationship with the patient, how this relaxes the patient, allowing the procedureconsultation to run more smoothly. Good After contacting another podiatric surgeon I was able to arrange a placement in order for me to be able to observe joint reconstruction surgery. From this I was able to see how medicine is not made up of clear-cut methods and that problems can arise and that part of being a medical professional is dealing with these problems and overcoming them. Ok, so give an example - did a problem arise during surgery? You need to explain the points you make. I also arranged a week observing a chiropractor so that I could observe how chronic ailments can be treated without the use of drugs. Over the week, I was able to discuss with the patients how the treatment had helped them improve over time and how they were able to manage pain through exercises and treatments, rather than through the use of drugs. I also discussed the possible use of the placebo effect, and whether this could be a benefit worth harnessing and the ethics behind this. One ethical implication would be that for the placebo effect to work, the patient would not be able to have informed consent Ok yes, but this ethical bit you could cut - otherwise you might end up with a minefield on interview day!.
I am a qualified first aider with St John Ambulance and regularly volunteer for duties to go out on duties with them. Over my time so far Bit too informal I have seen many different scenarios and have been able to develop the way I deal with these situations. For example using my experience gained in order to deal with scenarios more efficiently or by having a conversation with the patient to make the situation less stressful for the patient and also more enjoyable for myself Give a specific example though - e.g. a pregnant casualty was very distressed but I was able to calm her - something like that.
I am fully aware of how competitive medicine can be You need to make this less informal and also make it clear that it's 'applying for medical school' which is competitive, not just 'medicine' due to the fact I applied during last year’s cycle and was unsuccessful. As a result, of this I have been able to reflect on my application and learn from the mistakes I made and have also been able to gain a lot more experience working in the medical profession and will continue to gain even more experience throughout my gap year Hmmm.... Not 100% - jury's out on whether it's a good idea or not to mention you're a reapplicant. However, as you've phrased this in a way that does show you've made progress, I'll let you keep it . For example I am currently looking forward to starting work as a volunteer porter at a local hospital with the intention of learning what it means to work as a member of a busy hospital team. I will also be using this year to raise money to help fund possible university expenses and also to gain more experience of what it means to work in the medical profession. Bit unneccessary really, from what you've said they know you're doing x,y,z to get a better understanding of medicine.
During my free time, I enjoy playing the viola and play as a member of the Lincolnshire Philarmonia Orchestra. since I find this a good way to socialise and hope to continue playing music at university if possible. I also enjoy going to the gym after a long day at work since as I find the exercise relaxes me and helps me to reduce my stress levels.
I look forward to a possible career in medicine and the challenges that it entails. and I hope that through a lot of hard work, stress bit negative for a closing paragraph determination, my enthusiasm to study Medicine and to continually improve myself will allow me to become a successful doctor.
Whilst your closing paragraph is OK, it's a bit average and doesn't really stand out. You really need to sell yourself here and leave a lasting impression
