Medicine Personal Statement

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

It is the degree of uncertainty that brings excitement and interest into the field which I desire to study, that field being medicine; new discoveries are constantly being made in regards to different diseases, treatment methods and human anatomy. I believe medicine is focused heavily on patient-doctor relationships, and especially with the rise of mental health, the role of the doctor is ever growing in our society. Another factor was my fascination with human anatomy and immunology, which was sparked during my time studying biology at secondary school. It was these lessons that laid the foundation for my now prominent captivation with human anatomy, immunology and pathology. Due to this, it is my desire to capitalise on this passion by studying medicine at university. The countless controversies surrounding how healthcare systems are run and the treatments given within the UK have caught my attention and have become the focus of my Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), which is on the use of chemotherapy on terminal cancer patients. This is in an effort to gain a greater understanding of the thought process of doctors and pain management specialists and learn more about the treatment of diseases from both patients and doctors perspectives. It is my desire to continue my passion for biology and pursue a career in medicine, which will enable me to make a positive contribution to the world.

How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?

Studying biology has allowed me to develop my accuracy skills through the medium of conducting practical experiments, many areas of which are relevant to medicine such as dissection and microscopy. This subject has broadened my knowledge of the basic processes within humans allowing life to occur and many of the behavioural traits we possess. Chemistry has ensured that I have acquired analytical skills from procedures such as chromatography and purification. I have also chosen to study geography at A-level as it has provided me with skills in data manipulation and evaluation which will be of importance when studying medicine.

What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

In an effort to gain more experience within the medical field, I arranged a week-long placement at James Cook Hospital (in Middlesbrough) which allowed me to shadow a variety of healthcare professionals, including doctors and nurse practitioners, within the Acute Assessment Unit (AAU). I was fortunate enough to spend time in the clinic where I was able to see patients and gain hands-on experience, whilst also seeing the interactions between patients and doctors. I was fortunate enough to take part in numerous ward rounds with one of the registrar doctors along with watching many blood samples being taken, allowing me to experience what a doctor does on a day-to-day basis. Prior to this, I spent a week in a GP surgery which involved patient contact with people of all ages and I was able to talk to many doctors including some third-year medical students. My time in the GP allowed me to see an alternative side to medicine and realise that it involves much more than just seeing patients: administration and prescribing drugs are also heavily involved. Between October and April, I also volunteered in a care home every Wednesday afternoon and this gave me my first insight into the challenges faced by healthcare professionals. Outside of school, I have been involved in many extra-curricular activities, such as coaching gymnastics for children between the ages of 5-11 which I have done for the past three years after attending the gymnastics club myself. This role has allowed me to acquire many skills such as leadership, which is vital for being a doctor. In college, I mentor younger students who struggle with maths, which allowed me to develop my empathy and interpersonal skills. During my time at Conyers, I have been privileged to represent the school both through the Student Leadership programme and the Rights Respecting schools movement which further allowed me to develop my communication skills.