Personal statements

[emily_1978]

How important is it for mature students to write about their 'hobbies' etc etc to prove they have a life outside of work and study? UCAS doesn't allow much room - and i am having difficulty explaining all that i've done towards med school dream in so few words. It's harder when you have so many more years behind you, than writing one straight out of school :-) Any advice?

[Leo2004]

Hey Emily,

My 2 cents.

What you've done towards your dream should be the mainstay of the PS.

Extra hobbies etc to show you as a person tend to get crammed into a small
paragraph at the bottom of the form.

You can use the main part to construct an interesting narrative as to why you are an intriguing person to interview for medicine ... i.e. of what you've done since school that's relevant to med and to you as a person...

Best of luck!

[BGG]

IMHO: it depends how relevant you really think they are to studying/practicing medicine in the broadest sense and whether you believe them to say something relevant and impressive about you.