I was able to employ some outside knowledge gained from studying a MOOC in palliative care which gave me more of an idea as to what the medical staff at the care home were aiming to achieve with their patients, and allowed me to understand the more complex procedures they were performing. Besides the advice given on this and the next page, Medify offers more extensive guidance on completing your personal statement. If you need a hand with anything, feel free to give me a shout! Finish with a short statement, showing your desire to study the subject. 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Be sure to use medical terms correctly. No other career would allow me to combine my love of science with an inherently caring nature, while making a profound difference in people’s lives. Consider the aims of your personal statement before you begin writing. Could we work with our bacteria to stop infection? Secondly, it’s generally a good idea to mention a specific patient/student, rather than making solely general comments about the experience of working with the patients/students as a whole. The relatively detailed account of the infant's check-up conveys the impression of engagement during the placement and suggests an intellectual curiosity to understand the infant's condition and its treatment. It is included as standard for Unifrog partner schools. Research Spotlight for Black History Month: Pavandeep Rai, First participant arrives for screening as part of Deep and Frequent Phenotyping study, NIH-OxCam: a graduate student's journey to Oxford, Oxford-led doctoral training partnership to offer over 175 graduate scholarships in the biosciences, Plant-based foods are good for both health and the environment, Antibiotics: even low use in children can have a negative impact on health – new research, International neglect of typhoid outside rich countries threatens a new global health emergency, Study decodes gene function that protects against type 2 diabetes. It is very important to talk about your medical work experience placements. Are patients suffering with shoulder dislocations best treated with shoulder surgery or physiotherapy? Personal statements can be hard to write, we have all experienced writer’s block, so start by listing all the things you want to mention and work from there. Invest in explaining the relevance and the value of the skills and activities you have undertaken and your understanding of what medicine entails. Not reinventing the wheel, just drawing it together in a nice, somewhat cliched fashion. This shows you understand what you are applying for. Bacteria passed between generations benefit you more than others, New theory revolutionises understanding of autism, Professor Powrie to become new Wellcome Governor, OMC awarded major Wellcome Trust public engagement grant, OxAAA Study receives Heart Research UK award, New York Times on Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust IAPT service. Access to Biochemical Society Transactions and Essays in Biochemistry Now Available, Warning of interruption to MSD IT Services - 20th April, Spring into action - Monday 27 March - Friday 7 April, Help us nominate a Keynote Speaker for the 2017 DPhil Day, TORCH Management Committee - new members wanted. It is about compiling the skills, experiences and achievements you have gained over the last few years and relating them to your aims, giving solid evidence and justification to your statements. Others say you should write the personal statement and then construct an awe-inspiring introduction at the end. Reminder of Science Transit Shuttle Changes from Tue 29 May, Focus: simplifying the delivery of support services, IT Innovation Challenges Showcase Event – A unique opportunity to explore innovative digital projects at Oxford, Welcome from Professor Gavin Screaton, Head of Division, Update on Biochemistry Building Completion, Updates to CUREC forms to reflect requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Data protection and research: updated guidance, Open Access Oxford Week, 11-15 June 2018 - Programme of events now open for booking, Funding available for Equality and Diversity projects, Access to Headington Roadworks - Latest Updates, May 2018, The Inaugural Vice-Chancellor’s Innovation Awards – deadline Tuesday 29 May. Medicine Answered exists to do everything we can to help you in becoming a doctor. Progression-related teaching materials, and insight from the Unifrog platform, emailed to you once a month. Knowledge Exchange Fellowships 2019-2020 Trinity Call, Call for participation in research project: Career Crafting among Under-represented Academics at the University of Oxford, Policy placement opportunity at the Royal Society. You won't prove that you have the motivation for medicine by simply saying that you do: it is what you have done to inform yourself about the career - and the views that you have formed - that will convince us that you really know what being a doctor is like and that this is what you want to do. Various periods of work experience have taught me much about the career. An applicant's personal statement is likely to be discussed by tutors during interview. Others say you should write the personal statement and then construct an awe-inspiring introduction at the end. Watching the crew deal with a cardiac arrest, the importance of teamwork was obvious as each member carried out their roles instinctively, communicating effectively when required. There is no denying that first impressions count, and when writing your medicine personal statement, this is most definitely the case. Can you please read my personal statement? Should flu symptoms be treated with antivirals in primary care? The first paragraph of your work must be catchy, inspiring and interesting, motivating the audience to go on reading. Registration open for the 2017 Medical Science DPhil Day! We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. It may take several drafts to refine your statement, and the earlier you start, the more time you will have to make improvements. "I'd be nervous about someone who wanted to go into medicine for personal reasons, because they could be a nurse rather than a doctor. Medicine Interview Tips: Should I Memorise Answers to Questions? With applications for medicine being due in October, you should start drafting your personal statement in the summer before Year 13, perhaps after your UCAT exam. A well-written statement will not in isolation gain you an interview or a place. Can psychological therapies help people who self-harm? You won't prove that you have the motivation for medicine by simply saying that you do. How has COVID-19 Impacted on People's Vulnerability to Mental Illness and Depression? The most important thing is to start with why you want to study medicine. Be original and honest. I enjoy my A-level subjects and have taken part in Biology and Physics Olympiads in which I gained gold and silver, and am a member of the Science society. I don't mind if they say they want to change the world because, frankly, if you can't say that at 18, I don't know when you can. Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Physiology (CCMP), The Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Oxford Branch (LICR), NDM Strategic (Offices of the Nuffield Professor of Medicine), Tropical Medicine and Global Health (TROPMED), Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics (WTCHG), Cancer Research UK and Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, NIHR Oxford Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Unit, Oxford Centre for Functional MRI of the Brain, British Heart Foundation Centre on Population Approaches for Non-Communicable Disease Prevention, Clinical Trial Service Unit & Epidemiological Studies Unit (CTSU), National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit (NPEU), Oxford Centre for Evidence Based Medicine, NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Oxford and Thames Valley, NIHR Community Healthcare MedTech and IVD Cooperative, Centre for Health Service Economics and Organisation, Oxford Cardiovascular Clinical Research Facility (CCRF), Oxford Centre for Clinical Magnetic Resonance Research (OCMR), Nuffield Division of Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NDCLS), Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolism (OCDEM), Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine (WIMM), Oxford Centre for Human Brain Activity (OHBA), Worldwide Antimalarial Resistance Network (WWARN), Oxford Dementia and Ageing Research (OxDARE), Arthritis Research UK Centre for Osteoarthritis Pathogenesis, Primary Care and Vaccines Collaborative Clinical Trials Unit (PCVC-CTU), The Oxford Rare Disease Initiative (ORDI), Wellcome Centre for Ethics and Humanities, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, The Oxford Centre for Translational Myeloma Research, Oxford Medical Statistics Network (OxStat), National Consortium of Intelligent Medical Imaging (NCIMI), Support for Researchers (Mid-Career onwards), Support for Strategic Projects and Innovation. In all honesty, I don’t particularly like this paragraph. I understand the hours are long and potentially antisocial and that the career can be physically exhausting and emotionally draining. When the reader has this unique point in their head at the start, they may be more likely to judge your application more optimistically. I have seen the importance of a calm, scientific approach, relying on knowledge of clinical skills and trauma management, as well as learning from advice from my seniors. Please check your email and try again. Cancer survivors who quit smoking sooner can live longer. There is no single template for success in terms of an application to Oxford. Other activities I enjoy include drama - I was a member of a local group for 6 years - cycling and playing the guitar and piano which allow me to relax. New Oxford Sparks podcast launched: Can computers predict crime? In the concluding paragraphs, the statement is emphasising that, although aware of the negative aspects associated with the practice of medicine, fact-finding placements have given the applicant the insight and motivation to be certain that it is the right career for them. "We'd like to hear about a patient a student has come into contact with, or an experience they've had. If you have done research or training in the field it is good to talk about it to show your dedication to long term learning. Scientists break blood-brain barrier to allow cancer drugs in, CNCB's Gero Miesenböck receives Gabbay Award for optogenetics, Simulations contribute to study on critical bacterial outer membrane protein, Whooping cough found in fifth of UK school children who visit their doctor with a persistent cough, Computer-aided diagnosis of rare genetic disorders from family snaps, New school food standards to reduce saturated fat, sugar and salt, MRI brain scans detect people with early Parkinson's, Biochemistry lecturers excel in teaching awards, Psychological medicine at the Oxford Cancer Centre, Dr Bejon appointed as Director KEMRI-Wellcome Trust research programme, Oxford's part in a new multiple sclerosis drug, Mental illness reduces life expectancy more than heavy smoking, Academic’s poem commended in major international poetry competition, CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology Features on BBC Radio 4, Genetic tracking identifies cancer stem cells in patients, 'Good' CQC report for Oxford University Hospitals, Professor Peter O'Neill Receives 2014 Failla Award, New programme to investigate the workings of the mind, Academy of Medical Sciences honours six Oxford researchers, Duchess of Cornwall opens new building at the Botnar Research Centre, Antipsychotic drugs see drop in violent crime, Four Medical Sciences professors elected to European Molecular Biology Organisation, Get hands-on with new technology at research open day, Oxford academics honoured by Royal Society, Medical Sciences Division receives seven Athena SWAN awards, Babies born to healthy mums are strikingly similar in size worldwide, Stem cells look promising for treating heart disease, Biochemistry student takes runner up prize in FameLab UK Final, Professor Grossman awarded prestigious Geoffrey Harris Prize Lecture, Department of Experimental Psychology videos now live, Get on up: What the Godfather of Soul knew about rhythm. I was wondering what would be the best way to incorporate my plans for the gap yea when writing my personal statement to show that even though the rejections were a slight setback, they’ve only worked to strengthen my resolve to study the subject? We run one-day courses for the UKCAT, BMAT and Interviews. Whilst assisting a paramedic move a patient with an incomplete lesion of the lumbar spine, it became apparent to me just how important teamwork is, having to communicate every action to each other to properly use a spinal scoop. BBC World Service: Why does funk music make us want to dance? Podcast: Can you stop Alzheimer’s before it even starts? Interested in taking part in 2017 Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition? International research collaborations: how can we shift the power towards Africa? The level of focus and adrenaline flowing through the room was tangible, as the surgical team worked calmly through every complication that arose, stopping only when the final stitch was sewn. I am excited by the prospect of studying a field of science which offers so much to people while allowing for continual learning. As well as helping students succeed in their Medicine applications by providing medical school interview courses, medicine interview coaching & medicine application review services. One way to show tutors that you are committed is through your work experience. Not sure whether to take the ACT or the SAT? A placement shadowing a clinic staff was hugely informative regarding daily life as a doctor. Don’t spend weeks fretting over your introduction. Use it to prove that you have a realistic view of the profession. Medicine Personal Statement Inspiration – Ali (Cambridge). Coronavirus: is it safe for children to return to school? If you have done research or training in the field it is good to talk about it to show your dedication to long term learning. Is Oxbridge really the best university education you can get in the UK? You should give specific examples to back up your points. I want to be a medic because my passion and aptitude is foremost scientific and to me 5 or 6 years more of formal education followed by a lifetime of further learning sounds like a stimulating career option and, thankfully, a far cry from the monotony some jobs pose. Selection for interview: The personal statement is used to rank students prior to being selected for interview. Give a specific example using technical terms to show a little of what you learnt. Medicine Personal Statement Inspiration – Ali (Cambridge) This is the part of a series of blog posts where members of the 6med team attach and comment on their own medicine personal statements. Oxford-Burma visiting funds (deadline: noon, 21 May 2018), 3D video tour of the Radcliffe Science Library, Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) and the Structural Genomics Consortium exhibition at the Radcliffe Science Library – Diffraction, Attention Academic, Research Staff: Your views on the University's website requested, Share your views on students taking part in sport at Oxford, Access to Headington Roadworks - Latest Updates, Bodleian Libraries Easter Vacation Opening Hours and Loans, New Online Journal Subscriptions and Top Titles, Register for the Oxford Immunology Symposium, Funding Opportunity for Oxford Staff - IT Innovation Challenges, Book your free place at the DPUK annual conference – 23 April 2018, Overcoming a sense of academic failure: Resources now online, Peter Beaconsfield Prize in Physiological Sciences 2018 (deadline Monday 30 April 2018), Artificial Intelligence @Oxford: Call for Stewards, Funding your post-doctoral research: clinical academic opportunities, Oxford BioEscalator inviting applications for space, Novo Nordisk – Oxford Fellowship Programme in Diabetes and Metabolism, Calling all Post-Docs and DPhil students: Survey about tools to support researchers during their career, Something to sell? Interested in new network "Life Itself in Theory and Practice"? Draw the reader in with something interesting, relevant and specific in your opening line. You can unsubscribe at any time. It isn't a career I have wanted to do since a particularly young age, nor did a life changing event prompt my choice. "Don't write your personal statement and then use a thesaurus to make it sound more grandiose," Paul Teulon says. Oxford leads on UK trial sites testing potential COVID-19 preventatives, High COVID-19 mortality rates among those with liver disease, study finds, Oxford COVID-19 vaccine to begin phase II/III human trials, Conspiracy beliefs reduces the following of government coronavirus guidance. Oxford Sparks success for Medical Sciences researchers, First in a new series of interdepartmental MedSci Graduate events, NHS mental health services to offer virtual reality treatment, Persistent, severe postnatal depression impacts children’s development, It’s time to make genetic surveillance part of regional malaria elimination policies, Home-based treatment for postnatal depression helps child development, Viewing ourselves and others through ‘rose-tinted glasses’, Settlers Exhibition launches at the Oxford Museum of Natural History, Oxford named as one of six sites to receive funding to transform health through data science, Nicola Blackwood and Jonathan Flint join OUI, Gaming addiction as a mental disorder: it’s premature to pathologise players, Five surprising things DNA has revealed about our ancestors, To inspire more young people to pursue science careers, representation is key, 'Antidepressants are more effective than placebo at treating acute depression', Oxford medical researchers win prestigious national awards, People with hidden, deadly heart conditions to be detected as charitable trust funds services across the UK, ‘Apple shape’ more strongly linked to risk of heart attack in women. With this Personal Statement, the writer received interview offers from St George’s University of London, Keele, Hull and York Medical School and Exeter. Finally, I have recently discovered the world of magic and hypnosis, the psychology behind which I find incredibly fascinating. A local hospital placement gave me the opportunity to visit A&E, Radiology and Obstetrics and Gynaecology. In spite of this, I genuinely enjoy my time there; giving residents, some of whom go months without visitors, 10 minutes of my time to chat can be very rewarding in the obvious enjoyment they get from it. Gene therapy trial for Huntington’s disease under way in Oxford, Research Spotlight: ‘I want to get high enough up the chain to pull others over the wall with me’, Pharmacology seeks applications for two new career development positions, Oxford named best for medicine for ninth consecutive year, Oxford joins forces with the Palix Foundation to share knowledge about the brain and psychological science. Highlights from Medical Sciences Board Meetings, March 2017, Your help required identifying new Head of Division, New Information Security Online Training Module Available, AIMdays: Save the date Sat 3 July and Sat 17 July, Expert in Residence Scheme – workshop announcement, Changes to Pre-clinical Medicine and Biomedical Sciences courses (starting Trinity Term 2017), Career development – it’s never too early, or too late…, Health Care Libraries Easter staffing arrangements. World immunisation week: Why should we vaccinate? New Oxford Sparks podcast launched: Can we diagnose heart attacks faster? For an example of a successful medicine personal statement have a look at our analysis blog which will guide you step by step why that particular medicine personal statement was successful. What the science says, Biochemistry researcher awarded Women in Cell Biology Early Career Award Medal, Oxford graduates take honours at this year’s Royal College of Psychiatrists Awards, Pancreatic Cancer UK funds new Oxford researcher in the fight against pancreatic cancer, Best Dementia Nurse Specialist / Dementia Lead awarded, CRIS technology to transform dementia and health research, Using 'mood maths' to understand more about bipolar disorder. You can then relate these to medicine e.g. Preparing a good personal statement takes time and repeated re-drafts. Although this was a challenge at times, I learnt valuable lessons in patience and empathy, and the experience was immensely rewarding. Want to find out more about our COVID-19 plan? New Oxford Sparks animation launched: Bacteria Safari: The Forest on your Fingernail, Gently stroking babies before medical procedures may reduce pain, MSD projects awarded Public Engagement Seed Funding, 2018 - A landmark year for the Business Development & Partnering Team, Science and Art Partnership Showcased at Exciting New Exhibition, Concerns raised as opioid prescriptions rise across UK, New Oxford Sparks podcast launched "Should I be a vegan? Talk about your outside interests and hobbies. Nevertheless, as an intrinsically social person, I would relish a career requiring the development of strong empathic relationships with patients too. Science Transit Shuttle - Use it or lose it! You’re not the only one. It’s designed to help universities select students who possess the qualities needed to become a doctor – so they’ll be looking for things like teamwork skills, great communication, and commitment. The experience has shown me very clearly the importance of caring for the emotional as well as the physical needs of patients. AIMday in Antimicrobial Resistance – academic registration now open, MSD DPhil Day 2019 - Registration now open, Library bank holiday opening hours - Monday 27 May, Register now for the Induction for Professional Services Staff, Changes to the Official Submission Method for Research Degree Theses for Examination, Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN) service available to all Oxford researchers, Skilling Training - Changes to booking process | Course variations | Lunch no longer provided on full day courses, Internal Funding Opportunities - April 2019, University Administration and Services (UAS) websites migration. https://www.ucas.com/ucas/undergraduate/apply-and-track/filling-your-application/fraud-and-similarity, 6med Personal Statement Success Guide [Part 3], 6med Personal Statement Success Guide [Part 1]. "The first paragraph is often the weakest, so start with the second – a sentence about your experience might stand out and you can reorganise it afterwards. Choosing to study medicine is not a decision I have taken lightly. Treating children with depression: how will history judge us? Medicine Personal Statement: The Definitive Guide, Graduate Entry Medicine Personal Statement – Samah (Cambridge University). This student describes their experiences of healthcare that have helped them decide that they want to study and practise medicine. Medical School Profiles: Applying To Brighton & Sussex Medical School. Get ready for the new-style interview. ", The difficulty is in trying to tell everyone how fantastic you are, without being boastful, says Murphy. 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Getting to know you: Admissions tutors want to know why you want to become a doctor and why you think they should select you. What are the consequences of severe anaemia for mothers and babies? You should demonstrate your skills in self-directed learning. Talk about the skills necessary for medicine and why you have them. So long as it is not peppered in slang, you need not be too fluffy with the language. Whilst your medicine personal statement is formal, it doesn’t need to be filled with academic terminology. If you would like us to review your whole application as well as the medicine personal statement, our 360-degree application review is also available. I enjoy sports; swimming and playing rugby, having represented Devon at U16 level. Humanities Innovation Challenge Competition, deadline 8 May. Although there was a huge disparity in facilities, I could see that doctors everywhere work towards a common goal, doing everything they can for the patient, with teamwork and communication playing a vital part in that process. Apply Now! Inspiring Open Day on medical research by the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Electrical brain stimulation could support stroke recovery, The Radcliffe Infirmary Outpatients’ Building: restored for a new era of healthcare innovation, Scientists pinpoint molecular signal that drives and enables spinal cord repair, New tool to improve blood pressure measurement, Three new Zika research projects to start, Global team aim for faster, more effective TB diagnosis, Vietnamese honour for two Oxford professors, Antimatter changed physics, and the discovery of antimemories could revolutionise neuroscience, Oxford University Press offering free access to resources on Zika virus research, Researchers target intensive care's intensive noise problem, Biochemical Society recognise work of Prof Keith Gull, Public missing out on a night’s worth of sleep every week, Clinical workload for general practice in England rises 16% in seven years, Fresh fruit associated with lower risk of heart attack and stroke, Study helps explain why we favour a black and white approach to morality, Prof Geddes wins the 2016 ECNP Neuropsychopharmacology Award, Academic foundation posts record year for Oxford, The science of hugs and why they (mostly) feel so good, Biomarker discovery offers hope for new TB vaccine, How Africa can close its continent-wide science funding gap, Oxford scientists involved in world’s biggest body scanning project, New website explores women’s experiences of science careers, Clinical trial for experimental Ebola drug publishes results, Oxford team shortlisted for Cancer Research UK’s Grand Challenge award, Space Invaders science workshop wows primary school children, Partnership announces publication of positive phase 1 data for Ebola vaccine regimen, School affects girls' chances of being diagnosed with an eating disorder, Study examines factors affecting whether women choose a medical research career. Ali (one of our co-founders) applied to study Medicine at Cambridge, Imperial, UCL and Kings, and received offers from Cambridge, Imperial and Kings. Finding the Balance. Whilst you may be interested in this field, you are not yet a doctor, so don’t overestimate your knowledge. There is no denying that first impressions count, and when writing your medicine personal statement, this is most definitely the case. This doesn’t mean you should mention popular culture; it is more if there is something relevant relating to medicine in the news or up for debate, and it feels right to mention it, feel free.