Personal Statement:Medicine 91

 

Medicine Personal Statement

The human body is the greatest machine ever produced by evolution. My keen interest in how it works, and more importantly, how problems with the human body can be diagnosed and treated is the reason why I am applying for medicine. I also care deeply for people and wish to be able to treat them.

Whilst shadowing an anaesthetist, I observed many surgical procedures which were in my opinion technically challenging and impressive. One example was a removal of bladder cancer with a cystoscope which required the surgeon to be dexterous and meticulous about every aspect. I learned that one of the most important skills is patience. A doctor requires patience to deal professionally with demanding people and stressful situations. I also observed the multidisciplinary team in the operating theatre first hand and saw how important it was to have good teamwork skills in a professional environment. Doctors can not do everything on their own and it is sometimes necessary to call for help when unfamiliar and complex situations arise. They must also be prepared to seek a second opinion where necessary because correct diagnosis and treatment of the patient is the priority.

Further work experience observing clinics reinforced my aspiration to study medicine. I was particularly inspired by one specialist's bedside manner. He taught me the importance of clinical skills such as a good listening, taking a history properly and examination techniques. If patients feel at ease and believe in the doctor they are more likely to be cooperative, which may lead to a more accurate diagnosis. I also recognised the pressures and stresses of the job. Dealing with life and death situations, as well as being on-call and having a high workload can stretch doctors to their limits. A doctor must keep a cool head to give every patient the same level of care and attention so nothing serious is overlooked. I believe that I have a calm nature and the skills to cope with a large workload.

While I was volunteering at a care home over a period of the last six months I worked as part of a team that accompanied, served refreshments and entertained residents. As I became more experienced, I also met residents with dementia. I found it was important that I listened and was patient with them so they felt calm and comfortable in my company.

I enjoy studying my subjects at college, particularly chemistry because it explains the fundamental interactions of elements and compounds. I also enjoy working with my lab partners which requires patience and teamwork so that the task is completed successfully and efficiently. Human Biology satisfies my curiosity in how the human body works. The course also introduced me to a wide variety of well known illnesses such as TB, HIV and diabetes. In Mathematics I am equipped with the skills to interpret data and perform complicated calculations. In philosophy I have learned to think critically about arguments and also consider and understand ethics; a thin line which can be breached easily.

In addition to my studies, I have been a part of the Medical Society where I can practice teamwork, for example, in an exercise where we had to make a choice about an ethical dilemma and think critically about the consequences of different courses of action. I have also taught lower sixth students about the importance of work experience. This allowed me to demonstrate effective communication skills. In Philosophy Club debating allows me to listen and respond appropriately, while presenting on the topics such as politics, memetics and chaos theory gives me confidence.

Through my work experiences in two hospitals and a care home and my deep interest in the subject I have concluded that medicine is the course I passionately want to study.

 

Universities Applied to:

  • University of Cambridge (Medicine) - Rejection after interview
  • University of Leeds (Medicine) - Rejection without interview
  • University of Leicester (Medicine) - Offer (AAA) Firm
  • University of Cardiff (Medicine) - Rejection without interview

 

Grades Achieved:

  • Human Biology (A2) - A*
  • Chemistry (A2) - A
  • Mathematics (A2) - A
  • Philosophy (A2) - A

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