Medical School Personal Statement Examples – With Writing Guide 2023
Are you a med-school aspirant seeking a perfect statement?
Fed up of searching for the dos and don’ts?
Need to know the step-by-step process of writing an approval worth statement?
This blog will get you covered!
Let us dive into:
- Approved statement format with samples
- Tips and important content that is a must in your statement.
What is a Medical School Personal Statement Meant for?
Medical School Personal Statement is a 4,000-character document to express your motivations, suitability, and targets for joining the particular course.
A medical school personal statement is important for the following reasons.
- You can stand out from your peers
- Positively impact admission committee
- Convince about your academic objectives
- Prove that your background matches your intention
- Convince that your future depends on this course
How Long Should Your Personal Statement Be?
● Word count
– Only include 500 words
● Character limit
– Must be 4,000 characters
● No.of pages
– Do not exceed a page
● Margin
– Should be 1.5 single-spaced
● Font size
– 12-pt size catches eyes
● Font style
– Times New Roman is ‘the most readable’
When Should I Start Writing My Personal Statement?
Leaving everything to the last minute is foolishness.
Start working on it before the UCAS deadline, preferably during the summer break.
If 2023 batch is the target, do not wait till October 2022, as it will clash with your A-level and BMAT revision.
Before Writing…Always Keep This in Mind
A med-school always prefers statements that comprise:
● Perfect insight into the professional phase. Achieve this by explaining your work experience or independent research. In their absence, you can rely partially on med-books or podcasts
● Deep inner reflection into your strengths and weaknesses. Explain through experiences and see the effect!
● Your extracurriculars, pointing your non-scholastic side
● Clear and interesting narrative of your academic experiences, interests and achievements
Making a difference for real in society through human beings is the crux behind my decision to opt for medicine. This interest got cemented as I started adoring Biology during my school years. Even in pressurizing situations, my dreams to become a doctor fueled me and navigated me through. Altogether, the thought of achieving this degree and how much I could contribute to a society literally became the reason for my existence.
Introduction Paragraph Explained with Example
To make a compelling introduction paragraph:
● Start your introduction with an interesting selection of words. Do not beat around the bush and put it out creatively, so that your intro compels and conveys simultaneously.
● Like the sample given, express simple and impactful justification to establish your reason to select medicine. It can be a subject or a person, jump straight to it creatively.
● Expressing pressurizing situations without the way you overcome them is a red flag. The sample conveys the existence of pressurizing situations but ‘did you successfully cross it?’ wins the race.
● Try not to exceed 4-5 lines
Summary of key points
- Attract the reader
- Use anecdotes
- Express everything creatively
Read more here on personal statement:
Main Body Explained with Example
After getting attracted to the field, I decided to research more ending with an internship opportunity at XXXX hospital. Here, gaining insights from medical professionals, and conducting XYZ tasks helped me develop XYZ skills, enhancing my interests more. Gaining guidance under _____, I realized the true meaning of being a medical professional. The tenure was altogether a true reflection of the reality, and outlook on the healthcare sector, further inspiring me more to pursue medicine.
Make a compelling main body paragraph by:
● Mention your work experience/internship experience in a medical environment like a narrative. Instead of mentioning just places and tasks, convey everything like a story. Show what you truly saw and experienced and you can ace it here!
● Instead of explaining the entire list of work experiences, concentrate on 1 or 2 and make it specific.
● As a part that can easily bore the reader to the core, ensure you are not putting out your resume here. Making it interesting and engaging is the key.
Summary of key points
- Mention real-life experiences
- Keep it specific
- Don’t list out everything
- ‘Show’ your experiences
Conclusion Paragraph Explained with Example
Due to my previous experiences mentioned so far, I have gained XYZ capabilities that match my eligibility to attend the course and the university. Witnessing the support and facilities extended by the university, I feel my dream shall receive the boost it deserves.
The conclusion paragraph should:
● Be brief and striking like the one above. Highlighting the skills gained from your past experiences is a plus point. Try to match it with the course and university expectations and you are ready to go!
● Include that you acknowledge the university’s expectations and seeking. Giving a brief mention about the facilities is favorable. Radiate a positive expectation or hope that you have from the university as well.
Summary of key points
- Only summarize
- Do not over-explain and complicate
- Specific and impactful
Read more here on personal statement:
| Anesthesiology | Emergency Medicine | Neurology | Radiology |
| Dental School | Family Medicine | Internal Medicine | Urology |
| Dermatology | General Surgery | Psychiatry | Pediatrics |
| Ophthalmology | Residency | Nursing Job | Pathology |
Sample – Medical School Personal Statement
The probability of making societal development a living breathing reality is much greater in the field of medicine. This is why I didn’t have to think twice while deciding to opt for the medical program offered by ____ University. Starting from my passion for Biology subject, medicine made its way to my aspirations within a matter of time. In short, I am sure this decision will help me reach my ultimate aim, which is ‘progress in my surroundings’.
After finding my ambitions resting in the medical field, I decided to strengthen my profile to support my studies. Thereafter, I joined for a ___ month internship at _____ hospital. XYZ activities made me comprehend the role played by healthcare in common lives. The way each department influenced patient care and the need for them to co-operate with each other for smooth functioning. Earning the guidance of eminent doctors on the essentiality to focus on the quality of the program and university, in my future, was the starting point of my journey to your esteemed med school. Going for external reading as per the senior doctors’ suggestions, visiting care homes and researching further on the medical sector, inspired me to go ahead with my decision. At present, with XYZ skills and accolades, I feel that I am ready to indulge myself in a well-structured program like the prospective one.
Since the time I decided to invest my entire lifetime in medicine, I have been giving prime focus to community and volunteering work as well. My tenure at ______ helped me see the other side of the medical field. I understood that besides technical knowledge, empathy, patience, care and compassion are also essential to be a medical professional. The way doctors and other medical staff cared for the patients, convince the ones refusing to take medications and stood like a family for the needy, moved mountains within me. The amount of inspiration I received from this community healthcare centre experience was endless. Similarly, I cherish the time I spent volunteering at ______, especially the endeavours during the campaign _____. Besides being a mere presence, getting in, taking the lead and working as a volunteer felt different and satisfying. I was an active member of the general health awareness team. Along with the doctors, I took the initiative to help the underprivileged from rural areas to understand the importance of ‘healthcare’ in their lives. Free eye checkup, overall checkup and similar sessions conducted as part of the campaign ____ was an eye-opener to me. I comprehended the absence of monetary benefit, surplus amount of satisfaction and a feeling of fulfilling duty as medicos. I must say that it was a good decision from my side to work on my practical side through such internships and community/volunteering experiences, as it showed me the true definition of a medical professional.
Besides the intense love I have for the medical field, I am interested in sports. Volleyball and basketball are my favourites and have won several championships during my school days. Being active in sports, helped me gain a sportsman spirit towards failures. I believe, failures are necessary to make one taste the real flavour of success. This mentality helped me tremendously in sports and academics. I have also been active in hosting events, conducting club activities and every other team activity. This way, I successfully drove my stage fright and cultivated the confidence to come forward and take the lead as per the situation. Being an active team member helped me build team player skills, which are again essential for my future in the healthcare field. In short, I received numerous platforms to develop miscellaneous skills falling under different categories, making me a holistically trained individual.
My __________ skills further make me suitable to take up such a prestigious position offered at your university. I am sure the eminent facilities XYZ offered here shall help me reach my goals. At present, I am determined about my goals revolving in the medical field and hope the university shall meet my seeking. As a field that has influenced me to the core, I am excited to start my journey to become a dedicated medico through this program offered by the university.
Writing Tips from Experts
- Write your statement like a story without using poetic style.
- Show your experiences through your words
- Explain how your motivations, choices and decisions revolve around medicine
- Do not over-explain. Be specific and up to the point.
- Stick to the word limit and make it readable
Top Ranked Medical Schools That You Shouldn’t Miss!
● Harvard University
● New York University
● Columbia University
● Johns Hopkins University
● University of California–San Francisco
● Anglia Ruskin University
● University of Nottingham
● University of Lincoln
● University of Sunderland
● Edge Hill University
● University of Kent
Top Specialities
● Anaesthesia
● Clinical Oncology
● Clinical radiology
● Community sexual health and reproductive health
● Emergency medicine
● General practice
● Intensive Care Medicine
● Family Medicine
● Obstetrics and gynecology
● Occupational medicine
● Ophthalmology
● Urology
● Paediatrics
● Pathology
● Psychiatry
● Public health
● Surgery
● Neurology
● Internal Medicine
Have I Missed Anything?
If you have reached this far, you are all good to go to write a scoring personal statement!
We believe this blog solved your doubts and shall help you chase your med-dreams.
Comment down your suggestions about this blog, your thoughts, and your concerns.
Share your doubts about writing your personal statement for medical schools.
