My Personal Statement

The patient I observed, sitting in the antenatal clinic had finally been told the wonderful news that she had conceived after four gruelling months of intensive chemotherapy. At this moment, I could feel her relief and joy, and I could sense the gratitude she felt towards her medical team. I want to be a doctor to care for people like this patient, both to support them through difficult diagnoses when they are at their most vulnerable and also to contribute towards such incredibly positive moments when medicine really can change someone`s life.

Fuelling my passion to study medicine, I have shadowed a GP at the Princess Grace Hospital for four years. I observed a range of different cases and learnt to appreciate the importance of informed consent and thoughtful communication between patient and doctor. In particular, I observed patients with various different neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer`s and dementia. This interested me as we are living in an ageing population, as we will all working with more elderly patients in the future. I also volunteered at the Royal Free Hospital, bringing tea and magazines to patients, and at Rosetrees elderly care home, where I would talk, paint and play guitar with geriatric residents, learning to ask open questions, comfort patients and respond to verbal and non-verbal cues.

During work experience in Guy`s and St Thomas` Hospital, I was privileged to attend several multi-disciplinary team meetings, which highlighted the necessity of teamwork and how the diverse opinions of doctors, nurses, healthcare specialists and social care workers contributed to optimum treatment. Shadowing consultant obstetricians and sonographers at Guy`s and observing two surgical procedures at UCLH excited me to consider a surgical or clinical career and gave me a glimpse of the effectiveness of the NHS.

I have also developed my interests in medicine through my own studies outside the A-level curriculum. At school, I recently received `highly commended` in the Biology Olympiad and `Copper` in the C3L6 Chemistry Challenge. I achieved the `commended award` for my paper in the CCC Oxford Medical Essay competition, on `How Memories are Formed and Lost`. I enjoyed this subject so much that I decided to develop my own understanding for an `Academic Symposium` at school, where I explored the medical and psychological benefits of `memory inception` - the creation of artificial memories. I used practical evidence to draw my own conclusions on the physiology behind Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory Syndrome (HSAM). I look forward to presenting two upcoming talks to the school science societies: on the Chemistry behind antidepressants& and the body`s reaction to nerve agents, particularly atropine`s role as an antidote.

Through my teaching roles as a maths tutor for 11-16-year olds and a religious studies teacher for the past four years, I have developed several new skills: punctuality, attentiveness and the ability to explain information to people younger than me. After passing my Grade 8 drums with distinction, I became head of the percussion section in three school ensembles. As group leader on both Silver and Bronze DofE, and captain of the school swim team, I have learnt to balance taking the initiative and collaborating with my team. Working as a qualified lifeguard for over a year has taught me how to keep a level head, apply First Aid and act quickly under pressure. In 2012, I raised GBP3000 for the Newborn Appeal at Liverpool Women`s Hospital, where I was born very prematurely, through a sponsored walk that I organised, to provide additional blankets for babies in incubation.

I want to make the most of university life by getting involved with music, drama and sport. I look forward to contributing and continuing my passion for jazz, funk and musical theatre alongside my studies as I learn and train to become, I hope, a good doctor.