Successful Personal Statement Example 1

I have wanted to be a doctor after the NHS' huge support for my xxx with xxx and living in India, constantly wishing I could be of some help to those on the streets without any healthcare. But also because of how fulfilling it feels seeing the emotional and physical benefits this duty of care can bring.

During work experience in an Indian charity hospital it was inspiring watching doctors teamwork to compensate their staff shortage. There I also saw a psychiatrist help street children, by being compassionate she made them more trusting and willing to delve deeper into what was really bothering them, letting them better come to terms with their issues and progress. This was heart warming and demonstrated the importance of trust and empathy in medicine. I also loved the variety of patients and their histories a NHS GP had; being able to follow a patient's improvements over time and the problem solving used in differential diagnosis also drew me to medicine. However seeing DNACPRs applied during a Medic Insight placement and the breaking of bad news showed the reality that not every life will be saved but also highlighted the resilience of medics' beneficence in the face of this. I am attracted to medicine by this determination which I saw shadowing a consultant on a ward round 2-3 hours over time with her working with wider social services to improve the quality of care for the patients outside the hospital. In terms of quality of life, I have read in Dr Atul Gawande's Being Mortal that more can be done for end of life patients through providing more options and a greater sense of purpose, which enthuses me to try enact this. I also found Dr Michael Mosley's neurology documentary intriguing. Reading into it through The Idiot Brain and Admissions, revealed surprising phenomena like cognitive dissonance and Placebo effect that have huge impacts on health away from just neurology which I would love to specialise in. Through Advanced Biology and a 2nd year university physiology course I enjoy exploring the body's wonders and learning more about diabetes especially as I want to add to the constantly evolving research of it. At a smaller scale I've researched and debated AMR, euthanasia and parental choice over doctors involving medical ethics. I look forward to the lifelong learning in medicine.

I have developed my teamwork skills through team competitions, Duke of Edinburgh, and house captaincy- where I also used leadership skills to organise events for students with higher authorities and peers. Doing cryptography and chess- where I memorise and test for patterns, anticipate responses and look for deeper problems causing surface ones- has improved my problem solving. By operating the till and communicating with customers at Oxfam, I've been given the trust and built the professionalism required to represent an organisation that needs the faith of people. Teaching a lower ability maths class and a student with an attention disorder, as well as debating internationally has increased my confidence, communication and critical thinking skills. In playing with and teaching children at an orphanage, assisted needs school, and with a particular disabled student as well as helping at a care home and raising money for charity; I've had lots of fun offering support and any work is made up with a smile from them. I can also be calm and focused under pressure like when I helped my xxxx from being unresponsive in a severe hypo and in retaining fine motor skills during a concert guitar solo. As a buddy I have the responsibility of regularly checking up on my buddy and keeping sensitive discussions confidential, unless doing so would harm the buddy. By dedicating to swimming club training for over 7 years, whilst remaining committed to other activities and responsibilities, I have a hobby that refreshes me and have developed my multitasking and prioritisation skills which will help me learn effectively in your course.