So what are the medical schools looking for?
Tomorrow's doctors is a document that explains what the General Medical Council (GMC) thinks future doctors should be like; so this is a really good place to start. Most medical schools will be likely to be carefully comparing your personal statement to this checklist, so it would be highly recommended to read it!
Can I accomplish this?
There's no easy way. It isn't advisable to lie for starters. The story of the boy who wrote about his passion for rock climbing (after one session on the fun-wall at his local leisure centre) is regularly passed around. When he got to his interview he was horrified that the interviewer was an enthusiastic rock climber who proceeded to quiz him in detail. Needless to say, he was caught out, and generally lying is not thought to be an amazing quality in a doctor.
So let's go through the checklist.
1. Why you want to be a doctor
This is not as easy a question to answer as you would think. Most people would automatically say 'because I want to help people' but that is considered by most medical schools as a weak answer which requires little/no thought. They know that's why you want to do medicine. You need to find a more interesting idea of telling them why.
This exercise also gives you a chance to work out if you really want to be a doctor or if it's just what is expected of you by your parents or school? Have you had a profound experience which sparked your desire to be a doctor? A lot of my friends did and wrote about them and are now studying alongside me.
2. Work Experience
Really you need to go out and find the experiences to talk about on your personal statement. Work experience is something most people struggle to find. Don't worry so much if you can't find that coveted position working in a General Practice or your local hospital. I know my local hospital trust were very hostile towards students wanting work experience. What about volunteering in an elderly people's home? Or helping out at a youth centre? I worked in a respite care home for disabled children, and although it was challenging, it gave me a lot to reflect on in my personal statement, and the most important thing, I enjoyed myself.
The main thing though in your personal statement is not just to list all of these experiences. Reflect on them (and trust me, if you get into medical school, 'reflect' is one word you will hear plenty about)! What did you learn about medicine by shadowing that doctor? Did you learn about the importance of teamwork? Did you realise that being a doctor isn't as glamorous as on the television?
3. About you
This part is where the people reading your personal statement really get to know about you. Don't bother wasting valuable words on saying what subjects you're taking - they can find that out from other parts of your application. How about letting them know what makes you stand out. Perhaps you're a sporting star? Or maybe you take centre stage in all your school plays?
Remember, don't lie! I realise that a few hours on the hockey pitch a month can quickly be spun into being a crucial part of your school team but please think if that’s the sort of doctor you would want looking after you. I'm quite convinced that there are plenty of things that make you special. And if you still haven't after hours of wracking your brain found things to talk about, go out there and make them happen.
On my personal statement I remember writing about playing the piano, school plays that I participated in, how I was involved in my school community, about sports I enjoyed. You can also talk about books you enjoy, perhaps your artistic side. There are lots if you think about it!
Another thing which you may not have considered is paid work. Since I was 16 I have always worked as a part-time waitress. Originally you may have thought of it as just a bit of extra cash, but really it has given you lots of skills like how to work in a team, how to work to a deadline, and importantly time management.
Louise Hopkins, second year medical student, Newcastle
Received May 2008