Download 20 Free Successful Medical Personal Statements from:

http://www.acemedicine.com/guide.html

Most personal statements for medicine work in the following order:

• Your first paragraph should explain why you have chosen to apply to medicine. There may be a number of reasons but stick to the strongest so you don’t waffle on. Although it is difficult to do this, try and word it personally. Many personal statements will start with ‘From a young age I have been very interested in a career in medicine.’ This isn’t necessarily a bad start but it probably won’t attract the reader’s attention as many people will have started the statement like this.

• Next, list the work experience you have achieved and explain how this helped confirm your choice to study medicine. Mention any skills you have developed/gained whilst attending your work experience.

• Your achievements and skills developed should be written in a clear way so that it is easy to read when marked. Perhaps devote a paragraph to, for example, voluntary work, sports activities, or any specific skills you have achieved.

• Along with an achievement you should write what you have gained from the experience. For example:
‘My voluntary work has also included leading Beavers, working at Cancer Research UK, and working for Ripon Council for Voluntary Service. I feel I have developed the communication skills to work with people of all ages.’

• If you are applying for a deferred entry, mention what you plan to do in your gap year.

Try show why you want to do medicine and what would make you a good medical student with each point you make. When showcasing yourself to universities demonstrate how you are an eclectic individual who would bring a lot to the University by studying there.

Try to make yourself stand out on paper. Make the opening and ending of your personal statement very strong – this may mean changing, tweaking, redrafting or even revamping these many times over. When it’s done show it to as many people as possible, including different types of teachers, doctors, medical students and make any alterations you think necessary while keeping the essence of your personality within it.

Let us know if you have any questions about your personal statement.