Advice on constructing a Personal Statement and Referee info

**rachelm** · 01-09-2005, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by mysterious

when i viewed it as a printerable version, it says DO NOT SEND THIS PRINTOUT TO UCAS, wat does tht mean? where AM i meant to send it to?
some1 help pleaseee!!

Once you have marked all the sections as "completed" I think an option appears to submit it. At the moment it says that applications can be submitted from mid-September.

**yeliab_cram** · 14-09-2005, 11:09 PM

dandelionfluff, your problem seems to be a common one!

Its great that you have so much to include, but remember that you dont have to say absolutely everything in your personal statement, you can leave room to expand on things like all the orchestras you play in during the interview. As mentioned before lists are dull and waste space. Make sure that every line you write is worthwhile, if its not, cut it, you dont *have* to fill the PS slot of the form!

Secondly you ask about experience and what is relevant, the most important thing to demonstrate is that you have done something that involves commitment in a caring environment - this could be working each week for a year in an old people's home, or disabled school or something. Medlink is worth a mention, it shows that you have looked into what is involved in a medical degree. Hospital experience is also good, if you have got it! but dont labour the point - seeing cardiac or neuro surgery is very cool, but doesnt really add that much to your understanding of medicine as a career path! Having a knowledge of your future employer (ie the NHS) is however important. Just remember to try and say what you gained from all these various activities, and leave yourself space to expand on interview!

best of luck, Marc

**Momo316** · 20-09-2005, 08:32 PM

Just off the topic...slightly....

was wondering...as there are only 47 lines available on the personal statement..do you have to leave line spaces between paragraphs??...or can you just start a new para the line after and gain the extra few lines???

***ElLe*** · 30-09-2005, 09:23 PM

Momo316, i think it would look more accessible and 'reader-friendly' to a selector who has to go thru thousands of applications if u leave spaces btw paras. But doin this counts as using up lines and if u'r pushed for space and really can't fit everything in then u might have to resort to not leaving lines. U could try indenting your lines (but this uses up characters) and i had problems trying to indent my lines, wouldn't let me format it in this way. U could give it a try tho, might just b my crappy IT skills!

**yeliab_cram** · 30-09-2005, 09:28 PM

i would most definately leave lines between paragraphs - a) it will make your statement appear much more structured, and b) it is much much much easier for an applications tutor/interviewer to absorb the information you provide and find it again quickly. It worth sacraficing those lines for a neater, and well structured PS.

All the best,

**S.Rahman** · 04-10-2005, 04:46 AM

Hey, just wondering if it's okay to include a reference from a TA (a lab instructor) or do they prefer professors/teachers?

As well, what do they mean by "character reference"...?

**Thirdfox** · 26-11-2005, 03:46 AM

I used ----- to indicate a new paragraph, still looked alright and allowed me to squeeze that extra tiiiny bit more in...

**FionaBrid** · 11-08-2006, 08:55 PM

does your refs have to be teachers, my principal doesnt really like me and I dont thinks ehd write me a good reference because last year I was stressed out and stuff and shed probably just mention that and make it soud as if I couldnt cope in medicine. also has anybody any advise on how to sell yourself but not sounding to cocky like my school hasnt told us to start our ps yet but Ive been planning mine and I dont really know how I should word it how to say what Ive learnt and stuff without sounding waffly and cocky.
thanks