<removed random banter>
but for generic 'what should be in a PS' type stuff i thought i'd post here so everyone can see.. (as ever, with the standard disclaimer, i'm obviously not actually an admissions tutor! but i'm going into my 3rd year now & have been involved with various uni access & admissions-y stuff, got 3 offers my time round coming from a school pretty switched on with medicine apps., have now observed 3 online forum intakes & been critiquing PS since last year. although all this is just my opinion.)so - firstly.. it's a
personal statement. by all means use templates etc. to guide you & perhaps listen to advice, but ultimately it's you it's selling.. & your name on the ap. so don't be pressured into things & perhaps don't take too many opinions all pulling you in a different direction.
might be handy to start off making a list of all the things you've done in terms of work experience/voluntary work. even if you didn't expressly do them with medicine in mind (good, good, that's what i like to see

) things you've been involved in - school community service, charity projects, volunteer work etc. are all highly relevant.
secondly the
'selling yourself' part - that's what it is, the chance to have your say on the ap. & is basically designed to get you to interview. as we all probably know medicine is fairly tough to even get an interview for, especially at some unis - so definitely worth time crafting your PS.
lying is very bad. & highly likely you'll get caught out either at interview or some point in your career which can void any offers/places etc. presenting yourself in a light that looks uber fantastic, yet true, is not bad & is necessary. avoid faux modesty or underplaying your suitability for medicine... but similarly - you want the AT to think you'd be a nice student to have around & ultimately a good Dr, not recoil in horror at your arrogance.
in terms of language - it's my thoughts that a medicine PS should be of the ilk of 'clear concise effective communication' not 'verbose highly sophisticated rhetoric masterpiece' that might be better suited to a less vocational, more academic & wordy degree. someone to check for grammar, spelling, punctuation is handy. remember - ATs have plenty to read & not much time to devote to all - don't be remembered for the wrong reasons or let silly avoidable mistakes over shadow the content.
on this note - they don't have long -
don't waffle on or make vague grand statements about saving the world & helping people.. keep it foccused, concise & realistic/evidenced. & as a stylistic point i'd try & avoid potentially patronising overtly must-tick-boxes statements like 'team work is very important for good doctors & effective hospitals. i have shown my teamwork in..' they know what qualities they're looking for & why they're releveant!
so content..
WHY MEDICINE is the vital question. be honest, really think. our med. co-ordinator just kept asking 'why' to all my 'i like science & people' type offerings.. until i got at what i think is the real reason. assuming this isn't entirely offputting 'i like dead bodies' then honesty is a good thing. being more unique & refreshing is also good.
but you need to elaborate on this & say HOW you know medicine is right for you.. ah yes, the all important
work experience. should be at least a significant paragraph. & remember to focuss on what you learnt, not a list of what you saw.
other content you may want to include - any
unusual subjects - how would they help you study medicine?
voluntary activities? emphasise these, especially if they show sustained commitment etc. what did you learn again?
then
extra curriculars - what do you gain from these. leadership, teamwork, relaxation all relevant here
perhaps check the
uni prospectuses to see what qualities/skills they mention as important.particularly emphasise & make sure you cover them? especially for non interviewing unis!
you might want to make your PS more
academic - have you read any popular science books? read any journals? etc. BUT prepare to be grilled on them at interviews.. & remember - while this may turn on some schools, it may turn of others so to speak..
a note on academics - i would avoid any mention of your UMS results/school prizes etc. have your
referee deal with this (make sure they KNOW - we filled in forms to remind them..) - firstly it makes it look more official & secondly - saves value PS space for the important personal qualities.
future ambitions? controversy over this - read the other thread.
& finally - a
conclusion - don't just stop!
the intro & conclusion are VITAL. i personally think the conclusion is the hardest.. perhaps what you're especially looking forward to at med school, why you could be a good dr etc?
Hope this may help.
