Over the last few weeks I have been helping some people with their personal statements and I've read a fair few now so I thought I'd compile a list of the top tips for your statement because lots of people are making simple mistakes.

1. Write it in a logical order - After your opening paragraph write about the most important piece of work experience that you did. Don't save the best until last...they may get bored and not read the rest! Hit them with it from the start. Then follow with the next important and then the next and then any other activities that you participate in. The majority of your statement should be about your work experience as this is the most relevant part of your application.

2. Don't mention the same point twice - Keep certain points together so that you are not repeating yourself and you save space. For example, only mention teamwork once...if you have done something else that involves teamwork then put them in the same paragraph or if they cannot go together pick a different point about the second thing such as communication or leadership.

3. Always back-up statements or comments with something you learned or an example...E.g. I learnt about the different ways dementia affects the elderly. Don't just leave it at that, give an example...needing full time care or the effect on the family. Don't write a list of things you have done. If you have done a lot of different things then pick the most relevant. Detail on two points is better than a list of 5 points.

4. Make sure your grammer, spelling and general sentence structure is correct, particularly if English is not your first language because often it is easy to tell.

5. Relate everything to Medicine - all your extra activities should be related to Medicine in some way otherwise they are irrelevant to your application. Hobbies help you relax, sports develop teamwork, leadership and commitment, things like D of E improve problem solving skills as well as the above but don't mention the same point twice as mentioned in Tip 2.

6. Avoid cliches.

7. Be realistic - Don't make comments like 'Medicine is my dream' because it is dramatic and hints that you don't really have a realistic idea of the profession.

8. Mention A-levels but only briefly - they know what A-levels consist of and how they prepare you for Medicine and your grades so you don't need to talk about it.

9. Keep things simple - Fancy language is not necessary although it should sound vaguely sophisticated. Don't use words you wouldn't use in conversation or don't really understand or looked up in the thesaurus.

10. Get some enthusiasm in there - the reason many doctors work such long hours is because they are passionate about what they do. This is a key way to cope with the stress of the job and you need to be enthusiastic to be as committed as you need to be. Don't go over the top but make it clear that you are genuinely excited about the prospect of being a medic.

Ok well those are my top tips for the moment. If I think of anymore I'll add them on. If you don't agree with any of them then feel free to say and if anyone wants to add anymore then thats great.

Good luck!