The purpose of a personal statement is to differentiate yourself from other students in the highly competitive cohort of applicants for medicine or other healthcare related subjects.
Of course, it will primarily show that you are suitable to be part of the course, but so will most of the other applicants’ statements. So, you must write a stand-out statement, which distinguishes you.
It should contain a maximum number of 4000 characters.
You could begin your statement by explaining why you want to study Medicine and if you think you know what branch of Medicine you are drawn to, you could explain what has inspired you to make a career of it.
So, now you have created a link between what you are currently studying and where you want to reach in Medicine.
Now would be an appropriate time to discuss your studies. Tell the reader about your achievements in the subject and the skills which you have developed, above and beyond the expected level, which are supportive of a career in Medicine.
The work experience opportunities that you have completed up to the point of application will almost certainly have allowed you to develop new skills and to raise the level of skills, which you had at the start of the internship period. This is an excellent time for you to openly discuss your achievements and skills in a mature and appropriate way which will draw a clear picture of you and your abilities and differentiate you from the other applicants.
Lastly, you should now discuss your extra-curricular studies and activities which you pursue in any free time which you may have. The purpose of this is to expose elements of your personality, which simply answering questions the application form will not. Explain why you enjoy these ways of spending your time and how these activities challenge you and contribute to your personal growth. Make use of this opportunity to show a personality suited to be a professional in Medicine.
This is only one approach, but one which has a logical flow to it. If it is talking about you and you are freely showing who you are, not saying what you think the admissions tutors want to hear, it should be interesting, energetic and cliché free.
You will probably write several drafts before you sit back and read it with complete satisfaction and pride. It is our remit to ease the flow, advise and polish as you go and spur you on to the best statement you can produce.