Help with Personal Statements

**Rippy** · 10-03-2010, 09:47 PM

Originally Posted by fizz30

Anyone pleaseeeeeeee.....tell me how I should start my personal statement....can I use famous quotes? etc....everyone here has said to PM them if i want them to check my PS>...but i dont even know what PM means! so please help....im new to this and im also new to applying to medicine....this will be my 1st time in applying for medicine.....and by reading every1's statements on here....I cant help but think that all medical school will reject me just coz it's my first time applying.....trying to get into graduate entry medicine....

I wouldn't start it with a quote to be honest. I just wrote a pretty unmemorable statement about "why medicine". In my opinion, it's best to keep it clear and honest, as opposed to writing an "impressive" sentence, if you know what I mean.

**bright_lights** · 27-03-2010, 05:25 AM

Just to say I'm happy to look at personal statements, just PM. Got a lot of help from this site when writing mine and managed to get a clean sweep of interviews so feel like I owe you guys! I'm probably of most use to anyone at Uni applying in their final year. I know how hard it was to find PS examples etc when ur in that sort of position! BL x

**vertigo.0012** · 27-03-2010, 02:17 PM

I'm also more than happy to look at personal statements - again, just PM me. Mine got me interviewed (and offers) at all of my choices that invited people for interview. I'm a school leaver so am probably best suited to school leaver statements.

**conorcd** · 27-03-2010, 06:55 PM

happy to help once a levels over in June. I spent a long time reading every eg could find on internet/ went thru several books about it/ got egs thru family friends etc . am most help for those still at school who need ideas about experiences that will help them with ps and to be a better dr. have 3 offers and my as levels were terrible so my ps must have been ok.

**conorcd** · 27-03-2010, 06:59 PM

Originally Posted by vertigo.0012

I'm also more than happy to look at personal statements - again, just PM me. Mine got me interviewed (and offers) at all of my choices that invited people for interview. I'm a school leaver so am probably best suited to school leaver statements.

I have 3 offers and a rejection from soton too! they said I should have applied to BM6 after telling me to go for BM5. apparently they weren't expecting so many high standard applicants

**Big_hitter_andy** · 27-03-2010, 08:45 PM

Still a way off this stage yet. I'm a teacher who has just quit to change to medicine. I don't want to sound big headed but I have a wealth of voluntary experience, 5 years teaching experience in a very challenging environment, I have travelled extensively and volunteered abroad several times. I will be starting a level chemistry and biology in september. My questions are how do you write a
decent personal statement without sounding arrogant or overly self assured and (for mature applicants like myself) how do you select to most relevant information to include? I've read lots of example statements on the Internet and even the ones classed as "good ones" sometimes sound contrived and like they are just ticking boxes (albeit in an erudite and convincing way). Another question would be is this the case? Is the personal statement an exercise in elaborate hoop jumping? Not sure how to proceed? Dazzle with poignant quotes, go for an emotional angle? It seems
that this is a field where genuine honesty is not the best policy? Thoughts?

**conorcd** · 27-03-2010, 11:54 PM

Originally Posted by Big_hitter_andy

Still a way off this stage yet. I'm a teacher who has just quit to change to medicine. I don't want to sound big headed but I have a wealth of voluntary experience, 5 years teaching experience in a very challenging environment, I have travelled extensively and volunteered abroad several times. I will be starting a level chemistry and biology in september. My questions are how do you write a
decent personal statement without sounding arrogant or overly self assured and (for mature applicants like myself) how do you select to most relevant information to include? I've read lots of example statements on the Internet and even the ones classed as "good ones" sometimes sound contrived and like they are just ticking boxes (albeit in an erudite and convincing way). Another question would be is this the case? Is the personal statement an exercise in elaborate hoop jumping? Not sure how to proceed? Dazzle with poignant quotes, go for an emotional angle? It seems
that this is a field where genuine honesty is not the best policy? Thoughts?

my mum-a teacher-bought me several books to help. some had sections aimed at mature applicants/graduates as obviously you have more experiences to choose from. we went thru the websites of the unis I was interested in (and others) as many give you guidance on writing your ps. there are often set points for each area so eg it is no good showing everything you have done to find out if medicine is the right career for you if you don't show your community involvement/ ways you cope with stress etc.
there are some points for how well written it is but mainly it does have to tick the relevant boxes and it does have to be genuine (your interviews will be based on it) AND it must stand out from hundreds of others to often time-poor admissions officers.
can let you know the books/sites I used if you want

**conorcd** · 28-03-2010, 12:05 AM

Originally Posted by fizz30

Anyone pleaseeeeeeee.....tell me how I should start my personal statement....can I use famous quotes? etc....everyone here has said to PM them if i want them to check my PS>...but i dont even know what PM means! so please help....im new to this and im also new to applying to medicine....this will be my 1st time in applying for medicine.....and by reading every1's statements on here....I cant help but think that all medical school will reject me just coz it's my first time applying.....trying to get into graduate entry medicine....

have read of cases where numerous people began ps with same sentence and it is hard to be totally original. wsas warned against saying either had always wanted to be dr or want to be dr as love science and want to help people as there are other careers where can do both those things. I explained I had wanted a career where could help people then why medicine in particular (in my case watched an embalming as was into egyptology then got chance to go to physiology sessions at local uni. )it was all true and so honest but a little out of ordinary and great experience. you will have your reasons and they can be the same as everyone elses just don't put it in a cliched way or exaggerate.they read the whole ps and mark you on it so don't worry about not having the best opener

**bright_lights** · 28-03-2010, 02:30 AM

Originally Posted by Big_hitter_andy

how do you write a
decent personal statement without sounding arrogant or overly self assured and (for mature applicants like myself) how do you select to most relevant information to include? Is the personal statement an exercise in elaborate hoop jumping? Not sure how to proceed? Dazzle with poignant quotes, go for an emotional angle? It seems
that this is a field where genuine honesty is not the best policy? Thoughts?

yeah its difficult, it really is. My general advice would be to try and show through your personal statement how much you want to do medicine. Your obviously dedicated if you've left your job and you need to make them see that. I would say honesty is the best option and will come across as genuine, attractive and will make your statement "personal". Its not like a CV were you just want to list your experience, you need to show them your dedicated, committed and suitable. If you can get this your long list of achievements will hopefully come across as enthusiasm ,not arrogance. And in terms of choosing what to add, get rid of anything you cant relate back to medicine, get rid of anything you did at school and keep your details short and punchy. Hope that helps a little. Good luck.

**sara7000** · 30-03-2010, 12:46 AM

Hey guys,

I am also a school leaver, hopefully starting Medicine in September 2010. I got all interviews possible and 3 offers. Rejected from oxford (no surprises, the competition IS ridiculous for Medicine all over the place). I panicked alot over my personal statement and did like 22 drafts (all saved on my pen drive in the *Personal Statements* folder lolzzz) I still felt my ps was the worst when I sent it away. But, it must have had something that they liked. So, I will be more than happy to check personal statements for school leavers AFTER MY EXAMS IN MAY.

I am 100% sure all you keen applicants will start firing away private messages with personal statements soon......................how do I know this? Well I did the same lolzzz

Don't worry guys alot of people will be more than happy to offer advice, because it is a very stressful applications process, but remember to enjoy it. When I got my last offer from Glasgow I just went to my mom and was like "I got one from Glasgow too",without any enthusiasm because somewhere I was quite sad the waiting was over. No more checking the mail daily. No more waking up at 3 am to check UCAS tracking. lolzzz

SUMMARY: Help is here and just enjoy.