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Health Sciences Personal Statement Examples

Public health is a purposeful, challenging and rewarding career and I experienced it whenIstarted working as a community vaccinator in the health department (Preventive Services). So, I’m writing this letter to apply to Debrecen’s university bachelor's programme in public health...

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Although most applicants focus on GPA and test-scores, the personal statement is a very important component of your application and should be carefully composed. This is your opportunity to highlight things about yourself that may not be mentioned in other sections of your application and to distinguish yourself from other applicants.

You should have several different people objectively read your personal statement and provide constructive feedback. In addition to the Health Professions Advisory Committee (HPAC) , your letter writers are often a great option. There are also resources on campus that can assist you, such as the UH Writing Center , University Career Services , and your major advisor. Consider the feedback you receive carefully, but be sure that the personal statement is still written in your voice!

Below we have outlined some advice and general guidelines to consider while writing your personal statement. Keep in mind that these recommendations are not restricted to medical/dental applications, but can be applied while writing essays for any healthcare professional program.

• See also UH University Career Services Personal Statement Tips
• Sign up for the UH Writing Center Personal Statement Workshops

Types of Prompts

Before beginning your personal statement, it is important you carefully review the specific question (or prompt) that is being asked and the character-limit, as there can be distinct differences between the application services.

TMDSAS ( 5000 characters ):

• Explain your motivation to seek a career in medicine. You are asked to include the value of your experiences that prepare you to be a physician.
• Explain your motivation to seek a career in dentistry. You are asked to discuss your philosophy of the dental profession and indicate your goals relevant to the profession.
• Personal Characteristics Essay - Learning from others is enhanced in educational settings that include individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Please describe your personal characteristics (background, talents, skills, etc.) or experiences that would add to the educational experience of others. The personal characteristics essay is required to all applicants and limited to 2500 characters, including spaces.
• Optional Essay – The optional essay is an opportunity to provide the admissions committee(s) with a broader picture of who you are as an applicant. The essay is optional, however, you are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity. Consider briefly discussing any unique circumstances or life experiences that are relevant to your application which have not previously been presented. Optional Essay is limited to 2500 characters, including spaces.

AMCAS ( 5300 characters ):

• Why have you selected the field of medicine?
• What motivates you to learn more about medicine?
• What do you want medical schools to know about you that has not been disclosed in other sections of the application?

AACOMAS ( 5300 characters ):

• What motivates you to learn more about osteopathic medicine?

AADSAS ( 4500 characters ):

• Explain a defining moment that helped steer you toward a career in dentistry. Consider using that moment as the focal point of your essay.
• Be colorful, positive, imaginative and personal when discussing why you are a good candidate for dental school. Ask yourself—in a pile of 100 applications, would I enjoy reading my statement? Be sure to convey your passion for dentistry in your statement.
• Be yourself.  Don’t use jargon, clichés or big phrases that you would not use in daily conversation. Remember, dental schools want to know about the real you.
• Be original and thoughtful: Discuss how you would contribute to the profession and patient care, all of which will help you stand out from other applicants.

AACPMAS (4500 characters):

• State below why you are interested in becoming a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine. Provide information about your development for a career in Podiatric Medicine

CASPA (5000 characters):

• In the space provided write a brief statement expressing your motivation or desire to become a physician assistant.

OptomCAS (4500 characters) :

Essays can be customized for each individual Optometry program.  Most Optometry schools include this as their main essay question:

• Please describe what inspires your decision for becoming an optometrist, including your preparation for training in this profession, your aptitude and motivation, the basis for your interest in optometry, and your future career.

OTCAS (no character limit):

• Your Personal Statement should address why you selected OT as a career and how an Occupational Therapy degree relates to your immediate and long-term professional goals. Describe how your personal, educational, and professional background will help you achieve your goals.

PTCAS (4500 characters):

• Prompt: Every person has a story that has led them to a career. Since there are a variety of health professions that "help" others, please go beyond your initial interaction or experiences with physical therapy and share the deeper story that has confirmed your decision to specifically pursue physical therapy as your career.

PharmCAS (4500 characters):

• Your Personal Essay should address why you selected pharmacy as a career. How the Doctor of Pharmacy degree relates to your immediate and long-term professional goals. You should describe how your personal, educational, and professional background will help you achieve your goals.

VMCAS (1000 characters):

• There are many career choices within the veterinary What are your future career goals and why?
• In what ways do veterinarians contribute to society and what do you hope to contribute?
• Consider the breadth of society which veterinarians What attributes do you believe are essential to be successful within the veterinary profession? Of these attributes, which do you possess and how have you demonstrated these in the past?

When should I start writing?

You should begin working on your personal statement early in the spring semester prior to your intended application year and submitting your application materials to HPAC (if applicable).  Remember that the people who are helping you with your statement will need time to review it and you will need time to work through multiple drafts before submission.  In addition, some of your letter writers may want to see a copy of your personal statement before they write your letter, so you should strive to have a competent draft by mid-March.

What should be included?

It is important to treat the personal statement as an answer to a question (i.e., the prompt), rather than the opportunity to flex your creative writing muscles. Indeed, most applicants are STEM majors without much experience in creative writing; therefore, it is recommended that you avoid using the essay to practice your creative writing skills and stick to simply addressing the prompt in a direct, concise way. Some questions you may want to consider while planning your essay are:

• Why have you selected the field of medicine, dentistry, or other health profession?
• What motivates you to learn more about medicine, dentistry, or other health profession?
• How have you demonstrated your interest and commitment to your decision?
• What experiences have allowed you to develop the skills necessary to be successful in this program and to become an effective physician, dentist, PA, etc.?
• Did you have any exposure to role models who influenced your decision? Which of their attributes inspired you?
• Are your perceptions of this profession realistic?
• What are your professional goals?
• Is there anything you wish for your chosen health professional schools to know about you that has not been disclosed in other sections of the application?

Depending on the nature of the prompt, you may also wish to include information such as:

• Unique hardships, challenges, or obstacles that may have influenced your educational pursuits.
• Commentary on significant fluctuations in your academic record that are not explained elsewhere in your application.

What should NOT be included?

• Avoid clichés and over-using/mis-using terms : How many times do you think admissions committees have read the phrase, “I want to become a physician because I like science and I want to help people”? Similarly, words like empathy and passion are, while applicable, can become empty in meaning when overused or misused. Consider exemplifying these terms, rather than simply stating them.
• Avoid unnecessary drama: While you may feel compelled to "hook" the reader with a dramatic opening to your statement, doing so may detract from the overall purpose (i.e., describing your decision to pursue medicine/dentistry) and may induce many an eye-roll by committee members.
• Avoid being vague : "[Insert experience] was challenging and rewarding." What does that mean? Be specific about what was impactful and how it affected you.
• Avoid brash decision-making :  Your decision to become a doctor/dentist should be the result of a series of thoughtful, conscious, and reflective decisions. NOT an instantaneous realization or epiphany. Similarly, you have not “always known” that you want to be a physician/dentist. No one is "born to be a doctor." Nothing is innate, you have to work for it.
• Avoid excuses :  In general, there are better uses for your personal statement than explaining away and justifying poor grades, incidents of misconduct, etc. Indeed, TMDSAS offers additional essays and opportunities to discuss these issues. However, if you choose to address these subjects, be sure to focus on what you have learned from those incidents and how your experiences have made you a stronger person.  Always accept responsibility and avoid blaming anyone else for your decisions or mistakes.
• Avoid restating your resume or activities section :  Choose ONE or TWO significant and distinguishing experiences to elaborate upon when outline the reasons behind your decision to pursue a career in healthcare. There is no need to narrate completely your 4+ years of college or carefully detail your activities from year to year; indeed, there are other sections in the application where you can detail your experiences and what you learned from each.
• Avoid grandiosity :  Claiming that you plan to cure cancer (or HIV, or healthcare disparities, or anything else) shows a grave lack of understanding of whatever problem you are planning to solve. Similarly, avoid “I know what it is like to be a physician/dentist from [shadowing/clinical volunteer experience].”  No, you do not.  That is precisely why you are hoping to go to medical/dental school.
• Avoid inflammatory or controversial topics :  You do not know the values, beliefs, and background of the committee member reading your essay.  For these reasons, you are advised to avoid making any strong statements regarding politics, religion, and other polarizing topics.  Be extremely cautious to avoid expressing any views that could be construed as derogatory to any group.  Additionally, your beliefs are not the only “correct” beliefs. 
• Do not lie :  Honesty and ethical behavior are the hallmarks of being a healthcare professional. Do not include details anywhere in your application or essay that you are not prepared to talk about or that are simply untrue.

Additional Recommendations

• Use simple formatting : Avoid the use of bullet-points, italics, and symbols.
• Read your statement aloud : As you draft your statement, reading what you have written aloud can help you determine whether your writing "flows" well and is an easy read for a reviewer.

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Drafting a Strong Personal Statement

(Adapted from Dr. James Woodruff's Personal Statement Workshop; University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine)

Reflection and Gaining Perspective

A personal statement for application to a professional health school (or graduate program) is more than just a document for review by an admissions committee -- it is an opportunity for you to engage in meaningful introspection on your experiences with health care professions that have made you want to take the next step.

Drafting a personal statement provides you a valuable opportunity to use the writing process to reflect reflect and gain perspective on any of the activities that you have engaged in during your education, including research projects, clinical experience, patient interaction, and your coursework. This process of reflection and contextualization is an important one that is important as you continue your education and move into professional practice or whatever career you pursue -- enabling personal and professional growth by critical self-analyis and self-awareness.

By reflecting upon your experiences and putting them in the appropriate perspective, you will find yourself better able to answer the important questions that admissions committees will want to have answered:  Why do I want to pursue a career in a health field?  What is important to me in the work that I do?  How do I handle the interactions (e.g.: patient / doctor; stakeholder / service-provider) that I will encounter as a professional? How do I handle difficulties and adversity both professionally and personally?

Contextualizing Your Personal Statement

A personal statement for application to a program is not a document with a single purpose. While it is being read and evaluated by an admissions committee, it is also helping you give form to the ideas -- and questions, perhaps -- that you seek to address.

From the perspective of an admissions committee, it is a vital part of your application -- it provides an insight to your level of commitment, your career aspirations, and your ability to manifest your education and experience in a coherent and meaningful manner. While it is true that a personal statement might "weed out" undesireable candidates that are not a good fit for a particular program, it is better to view this as your opportunity to make a great first impression that helps set you apart from other candidates. With hundreds of applicants, programs need a way to put a face to the individuals they are selecting. A well-crafted and truly insightful personal statement not only give a program a chance to learn more about you as a candidate, but also provide an inroad to the meaningful dialgoues that will take place during your interview process.

For you, the applicant, the personal statement is a document to help you summarize and clarify your personal approach to a health career. In gathering your thoughts and reflecting upon your experiences, you may determine a specialty that you would like to pursue within the practice that you have chosen. In the event that you have already chosen one, the statement will give you a chance to refine your ideas about taking on a career in this field. In writing about what you have done and what you hope to do during your continuing education and career, you may gain more clarity on what you might need from a training program. Remember: a lot has changed in your life over the past few years -- solidifying your expectations and aspirations into a written statement is a chance for you to bring the next steps of your life into sharp focus.

The Nuts and Bolts of Your Personal Statement

For all our talk, to this point, of the nature of the personal statement, it's important to remember that it's not just abstraction and thought -- there are very specific expectations and guidelines for the writing that you will be doing. Here, we'll discuss a few of those.

For everything that a personal statement needs to be, there are some things that it shouldn't be. While you are using this statement to help set yourself apart from other candidates, it should not be a way to brag about your accomplishments or to leverage any connections that you might have made during your volunteer, clinical, or research experiences. It goes without saying that your pesonal statement should have a positive focus, and as such, any references to your experiences should be focused on what you learned and how it is informing your decision to pursue a health-related career, and not on any complaints or negative interactions that you may have had with patients or other care providers. Most importantly though, your personal statement is a crucial part of your presentation to an admissions committee -- so it is not something to be rushed, or completed without allowing the proper time for reflection, revision, and feedback from others.

As we've discussed, there are several key questions to be answered by your personal statement: who you are as an individual, why you have chosen the specialty that you want to pursue (if you have selected one at this point), what your career goals are, and what you need to succeed. Here are some questions that you might ask yourself, in reflecting on your answers to these questions:

Who are you? ⦁    What experiences made you want to pursue a health-related profession? ⦁    What about these experiences -- and the people that you encountered during them -- made a difference to you, and how? ⦁    How has this affected your future plans (i.e.: not just your choice of program, but your long-term career goals)?

Why this specialty / discipline? ⦁    Was there a specific event or events that triggered your decision to pursue a particular specialty? ⦁    Are there powerful role models for you in your chosen specialty? ⦁    Is there something specifically that attracts you to the area in which you want to specialize? Patient population? Research, teaching, or leadership opportunities? A way to make a meaningful contribution in an area of interest?

What are your career goals? ⦁    In what venue do you plan to apply your education? ⦁    Do you plan to pursue activities beyond professional practice (e.g.: mentorship, teaching, etc.)? ⦁    What are your personal motives for these choices?

What do you need to succeed? ⦁    What would maximize your learning? ⦁    What would maximize your professional and personal happiness?

These questions will give you a starting point for mapping out your personal statement. As you work through these, you may identify a way to structure these responses in ways that present natural transitions or in a complementary manner. Outlining your thoughts and planning what you will write can be every bit as important as the writing itself -- as this process allows you to identify those points that are most important to you and merit strong emphasis, as well as those thoughts that may need further development or that can be omitted.

You will need to be mindful of any restrictions that you may have for your personal statement, particularly with regard to word or page count. Using the questions above as a guideline, you would probably want to keep your statement focused largely (~80 percent) on the "Who" and "Why" of what you have to say, and streamline the "What" portion of your response to the remainder. It is important to remember that if your application and statement are well-received, you will probably have a chance to explore the specifics of those "What" questions during your interview -- so structure your statement accordingly.

As you write, remember the conventions for personal statements. They are biographic, by nature, and should thus be written in first-person style. It needs to be expository about you as a person, but focused and concrete when discussing the specifics of your experiences. Above all, you need to ensure that your tone does not come across as arrogant, brash, or in any way that suggests you might be difficult to work with.

As an example of how tone can make a large difference in how your message is received, compare the following sets of statements:

⦁    Performing this procedure was very easy for me. versus ⦁    Performing this procedure affirmed my understanding of the process.

⦁    My time as a hospice volunteer has made me sure that I want to be a doctor. versus ⦁    My experiences as a hospice volunteer have given me valuable perspective on the challenges of patient-caregiver interactions.

⦁    I know that medical school can be difficult, but I am prepared for the struggles that come with it versus ⦁    To me, the challenges of medical school represent an opportunity for growth as a person and as a professional.

Once you have a draft, and you have reviewed it for grammar and content, you should ensure that the tone and voice of your writing are what you would like them to be. Reading and re-reading your own writing with a critical eye can help you pick up on things that you might not have noticed when you were initially drafting and were more focused on structuring your ideas and giving them substance. Pay special attention to how each portion of your statement supports the larger presentation of yourself that you are trying to make.

Finally, you will want to make sure that someone else reads and provides response to what you have written. While friends and family members can help with this, it is strongly recommended that you get input from a professional -- whether it be a health professions advisor, academic mentor, or even your university's writing center. Perspective is important when writing, and letting others share their insight can help you refine or improve an area of your statement that you might not have realized was in need of improvement.

In Conclusion

Writing a personal statement for admission to a professional school or graduate program is just one part of a very large and challenging process. Compared to much of the writing you may have done as an undergraduate, it may seem small by comparison. While it alone will not get you into the program of your dreams, it will oftentimes be a deciding factor on whether or not you get an interview with an admissions committee. Keeping a focus on the entire process of drafting a personal statement -- reflection and thought, planning, writing, revision, and incorporating feedback -- can help a program understand why you're the right candidate.

Health Sciences Personal Statement Examples

• 1 Personal Statement Example Links
• 2 Career Opportunities
• 3 UK Admission Requirements
• 4 UK Earnings Potential For Health and Social Care
• 5 Similar Courses in UK
• 6 UK Curriculum
• 7 Alumni Network

Personal Statement Example Links

• Personal Statement Example 1
• Personal Statement Example 2
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• Personal Statement Example 5

Are you fascinated by the multidisciplinary nature of healthcare and the pursuit of well-being for individuals and communities? Eager to explore the intricacies of human health, disease prevention, and healthcare delivery?

Pursuing a course in Health Sciences can provide you with a broad foundation of knowledge, preparing you for diverse careers in healthcare, research, public health, and beyond.

Health social care is a field of study that focuses on the physical, psychological, and social needs of individuals, families, and communities. It encompasses a wide range of topics, including public health, health promotion, health education, and health care delivery. This field of study is important for those who wish to work in the health care industry, as it provides a comprehensive understanding of the various aspects of health care.

This course will also provide students with an overview of the various aspects of health social care, including the roles and responsibilities of health care professionals, the different types of health care services, and the legal and ethical considerations of health care delivery. In addition, students will learn about the different types of health care settings, such as hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. The course will also cover topics such as health promotion, health education, and health care financing.

Apart from the theoretical aspects of health social care, the course will also provide students with the opportunity to develop their skills in the practical application of health care. This will include developing an understanding of the different types of health care services, such as primary care, preventive care, and long-term care. Students will also learn about the different types of health care providers, such as physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals .

The course will also provide students with the opportunity to develop their skills in the areas of communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, research, and teamwork, equipping them for a wide range of professional scenarios.

👍 When writing a personal statement : Highlight your passion for the course, demonstrating your understanding of it. Use relevant personal experiences, coursework, or work history to showcase how these have fostered your interest and readiness for the course.

Career Opportunities

Someone with a degree in health and social care can pursue a variety of career opportunities. These include:

• Social Worker: A social worker provides support and assistance to individuals and families in need. They help clients access resources, provide counseling, and advocate for their rights.
• Health Care Administrator: Health care administrators are responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of a health care facility. They may be responsible for budgeting, staffing, and overseeing patient care.
• Health Educator: Health educators provide information to individuals and communities about health and wellness. They may work in schools, community centers, or health care facilities.
• Mental Health Counselor: Mental health counselors provide counseling and therapy services to individuals with mental health issues. They may work in private practice, hospitals, or community centers.
• Public Health Professional: Public health professionals work to improve the health of the population by developing and implementing health policies, programs, and services.
• Nursing: Nurses provide direct care to patients in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes.
• Physician Assistant: Physician assistants work with physicians to provide patient care. They may assist with exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, and order and interpret tests.
• Health Care Manager: Health care managers are responsible for the overall management of a health care facility. They may be responsible for budgeting, staffing, and overseeing patient care.

UK Admission Requirements

In order to be accepted into a university course in Health and Social Care, applicants must have achieved a minimum of 5 GCSEs at Grade C or above, including Maths and English, and a minimum of 2 A-Levels at Grade C or above.

This entry criteria is similar to many other university courses, as the majority of courses require a minimum of 5 GCSEs at Grade C or above and two A-Levels at Grade C or above. However, some courses may require additional qualifications such as a BTEC or Access to Higher Education Diploma.

In addition to the academic qualifications, applicants may be required to demonstrate their suitability for the course through an interview or written assessment. The university may also consider other factors such as work experience or extracurricular activities.

UK Earnings Potential For Health and Social Care

The average earnings for someone with a degree in health and social care can vary depending on the job role and the sector they work in. Generally, salaries in the health and social care sector are lower than in other sectors, with the median salary for health and social care roles in the UK being around £25,000 per year.

However, there are a number of factors that can affect the salary of a health and social care professional, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, and the type of employer. For example, those working in the public sector may earn more than those working in the private sector, and those with more experience or higher qualifications may be able to command higher salaries.

In terms of trends in the job market, there is currently a high demand for health and social care professionals in the UK, with the sector expected to grow significantly over the next decade. This is due to an ageing population and an increasing need for care services, as well as the introduction of new technologies and treatments. As a result, salaries in the sector are likely to increase in the future, with experienced professionals able to command higher wages.

Similar Courses in UK

Other related university courses in Health and Social Care include:

• Nursing: Nursing is a healthcare profession that focuses on providing care to individuals, families, and communities. Nursing courses focus on the science and practice of caring for patients and their families in a variety of settings. The key difference between Health and Social Care and Nursing is that Nursing focuses more on the science and practice of caring for patients, while Health and Social Care focuses more on the social and psychological aspects of health and well being.
• Social Work: Social work is a profession that focuses on helping individuals, families, and communities to identify and address their needs and challenges. Social work courses focus on the skills and knowledge needed to work with vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, and those with disabilities. The key difference between Health and Social Care and Social Work is that Social Work focuses on helping individuals, families, and communities to identify and address their needs and challenges, while Health and Social Care focuses more on the social and psychological aspects of health and wellbeing.
• Public Health: Public health is a field of study that focuses on the health of populations, rather than individuals. Public health courses focus on the prevention and control of diseases and the promotion of healthy lifestyles. The key difference between Health and Social Care and Public Health is that Public Health focuses on the health of populations, while Health and Social Care focuses more on the social and psychological aspects of health and wellbeing.

UK Curriculum

Key Topics:

– Understanding the role of the health and social care professional – Theories of health and social care – Working with individuals and families – Working in multi-disciplinary teams – Understanding the legal and ethical frameworks of health and social care – Understanding the impact of culture, diversity and inclusion on health and social care – Understanding the impact of health and social care on society

– Introduction to Health and Social Care – Health and Social Care in Practice – Professional Practice in Health and Social Care – Health and Social Care Research – Health Promotion and Education – Health and Social Care Law and Ethics – Mental Health and Wellbeing – Working with People with Complex Needs

Hands-on Experience/Practical Work:

– Observation of health and social care professionals in practice – Participation in simulated activities to develop knowledge and skills – Working with individuals and families in a variety of settings – Participation in research projects related to health and social care – Developing and delivering health promotion and education initiatives – Developing and implementing care plans for individuals and families

Alumni Network

Notable alumni from the University Course in Health and Social Care include Dr. Jane Goodall, who is a world-renowned primatologist and conservationist. She is best known for her long-term field research on the social and family interactions of wild chimpanzees in Tanzania. Dr. Goodall has worked tirelessly to protect the environment and promote animal welfare. She has also been a vocal advocate for the rights of indigenous peoples.

The University Course in Health and Social Care also has several alumni events and networking opportunities available. These include an annual alumni reunion, which brings together former students and faculty to celebrate the accomplishments of their peers.

The university also hosts an annual Health and Social Care Alumni Networking Dinner, which provides a platform for alumni to connect with each other and discuss their professional and personal experiences. Additionally, the university offers an alumni mentorship program, which connects current students with alumni to provide guidance and advice.

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UCAS personal statement examples

Having managed successfully to navigate through the 370,000 courses at over 370 providers across the UK, it is now time to make a start at drafting your personal statement.

Students often find this the most daunting of tasks within the application process. This guide will help you through putting together the statement that is going to help get you a place on your ideal course.

Knowing where to start and what to say to when setting out your reasons for applying and convincing the admissions tutor to offer you a place can be a challenge. Looking at examples of how other students have approached this can sometimes be helpful.

Example one

Things to consider when reading this example.

• Consider the structure – what are your thoughts around this?
• Think about spelling, grammar, and punctuation– how does this fare?
• What course do you think this personal statement may have been for?

“The best way to find yourself, is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Mahatma Ghandi

From a young age this quote has inspired my chosen career path to become a children’s nurse. Being one of many siblings I have the role of supporting my nieces and nephews when they become ill and providing comfort. Working with children in my family has motivated along this career path as it has taught me to take responsibility in life, become more organised and mature.

I am currently undertaking a health and social care course. This course has given me insight into the different aspects of health care and its overarching infra structure. Caring for children and young people helped me gain an understanding of the risk that children and young people may be put in and the exploitative and abusive behaviour that they may encounter. We focused on the tragic case of Victoria Climbie. This brought home the significance of multi agency working.

I am committed to ensuring that children and young people in my care are safe,healthy, enjoying and achieving, economic well being and putting in a positive contribution. A core element of the course has been work placement, working with children. This came in very useful for me because it taught me how to deal with children at different ages and what I need to do in order to meet their needs. During this work experience I was responsible for supporting and maintaining the children’s hygiene needs and encouraging them with their speech. I learnt different approaches to meeting the needs of children; for example I was taught to talk the children in a calm, but stern tone of voice when they misbehaved and to use very positive gestures and praise when children listened and kept to task.

I consider myself as having very good communications skills I am able to reassure people positively in any circumstance, I am the committed to ensuring that children and young people in my care are safe and healthy and I am confident when dealing with both children and parents, For example when a child injured herself in the nursery I shadowed one of the senior staff while they administered first aid, it was then my responsibility to explain to the caregiver exactly what had occurred.

I take part in many activities which are helping me to become independent ad preparing me for my course that I want to take part in, in university; I presently volunteer in a nursery. I take part in planning and creating activities and I have a duty to observe the children throughout the day and then give feedback to the parents and carers.

I have many qualities which will be ideal for my future career path I am honest, patient and a reflective individual, this is something that I feel is most important when dealing with children and adolescents.

I have many hobbies that I carry out in my spare time. I have taken part in being a team leader to raise money for a charity that supports children who have been abused because I believe strongly in the cause. We raised awareness, held a campaign, fundraising and protest.

I also enjoy travel, I have visited countries such as Egypt, Eritrea, Holland, Germany and Italy - this has allowed me to explore the outside world and has given me a taste of different cultures and traditions; and ultimately giving me a better understanding of diversity.

I would like to be given the opportunity to study at university because I believe it will be the perfect platform to launch my career. Having the chance to study Paediatric Nursing at university will allow me to fulfil my career path and make a change to my life as I will feel that I am achieving new things on a day to day basis with what I am able to offer children and young people when it comes to having a positive impact on their health.

Being given the opportunity of Working in an environment with children daily would be my dream goal in life that I wish to achieve.

Example two

• Thinking about the experiences gained from a gap year, how has this applicant drawn on these transferrable skills?
• How does experience both in and outside the classroom environment relate to the chosen subject area?

I am a hardworking, talented and motivated young woman looking forward to studying at degree level and taking an active part in university life.

I have a keen interest in the world around me, and enjoy taking part in a variety of activities for example: volunteering at my local brownies, volunteer marshal at Brighton Marathon; textile and weaving classes; completion of the Trinity Guildhall award at both Bronze and Silver level; and a Stand Up Paddle board instructor. These activities, coupled with part time work whilst at sixth form college, have not only been enjoyable but have also helped me to develop skills in communication, organisational, leadership and interpersonal skills.

Although having been accepted to start university in 2014 (Primary Education) I realised that I was not ready to fully commit to the course and took the decision to gain some real life experience and reflect on what I really want from university and my future career.

Since leaving sixth-form college I have been working full time as a waitress/ bar assistant at a local hotel, which has been hard but interesting work demanding stamina, patience and an open mind. I have also secured 3 weeks work at a trade exhibition in New York, where I will have the chance to attend networking dinner and I plan to go inter-railing across Europe in Summer 2015. As a result of these experiences I am more self-assured and resilient. I am ready to commit to full time study and have much to contribute to university life.

I realise that I am most interested in people, what makes them the people they are and how this manifests in their behaviour and opinions.

I enjoyed studying sociology at A level and gaining an insight into how the study of sociology helps us to understand how society works. This coupled with my recent experience in the hospitality world and observation of the behaviour of those who use and manage the service, has fuelled my desire to study Sociology in depth at degree level. I am completely fascinated by the behaviour of others and why we act the way we do. I believe that studying sociology at degree level will allow me to begin to explore and understand aspects of human social behaviour, including the social dynamics of small groups of people, large organisations, communities, institutions and entire societies.

I believe that the skills and knowledge that I will accrue whilst studying will be applicable to a wide variety of careers and that is why I have chosen to study the topic at degree level.

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How to write a UCAS personal statement

Writing a great personal statement

Read our guide on what it is, what to include, how to start, length and what makes a good personal statement 

Once you've decided which universities and courses to apply for, completing your application is pretty simple – until it comes to how to write your UCAS personal statement.

This guide covers everything you need to know about how to write a personal statement for university. We look at what it is and how you can start your personal statement. We've also got questions to guide you and a suggested personal statement structure you can use so you know what to put in it.

If you'd like even more resources, support and UCAS personal statement examples, you can sign up to access our personal statement hub .

What is the UCAS personal statement?

How universities use your ucas personal statement, how to start a ucas personal statement.

• Get feedback on your UCAS personal statement

The personal statement is part of your UCAS application. It's how you show your chosen universities why you'll make a great student and why they should make you an offer.

Your personal statement also helps you think about your choice of course and your reasons for applying, so you know you’ve made the right decision.

Get feedback on your personal statement

Sign up to our personal statement hub to get feedback on your draft. You'll also get access to videos, help sheets and more tips.

Sign up now

UCAS personal statement word limit

Your personal statement length can be up to 4,000 characters long. 

This may sound a lot, but it's a word limit of around 550–1000 words with spaces and only about 1 side of typed A4 paper.

You need to keep it concise and make sure it's clear and easy to read.

Applying for multiple courses

Although you can apply for up to 5 courses on your UCAS application, you can only submit 1 personal statement. So it needs to cover all your course choices.

If you really want to show your commitment to applying for different courses, we will accept a second personal statement from you to reflect your application e.g. if you are applying for Law elsewhere, but Criminology and Criminal Justice with us.

Lots of students who apply to university have achieved the basic entry requirements and many more students apply than there are places available. Admissions teams can use your UCAS personal statement to get to know you and decide why you're more suitable than other applicants.

Some universities read every personal statement and score them. Then they use them alongside your qualifications and grades to decide whether to offer you a place or interview. Other universities put less emphasis on the personal statement and use it with students who have borderline entry requirements.

Universities might refer to your personal statement again on results day if you don't get the grades you need. So a good personal statement could clinch you a uni place even if your grades aren't what you hoped for.

Starting your personal statement can seem scary when you're staring at a blank screen. But, things will seem less daunting once you start.

• Set aside some time in a place where you're comfortable and won't be disturbed. Grab a notepad or computer.
• Write down anything and everything that's influenced your decision to go to university and study your chosen subject. Jot down your skills and experience too.
• Use the questions below to guide you. Don't worry about the personal statement length at this point – you can cut things out later.

When to start your UCAS personal statement

Ideally, you want to leave yourself plenty of time – a few weeks or even months – to plan and write your personal statement.

Try not to leave it to the last minute, as tempting as this may seem when you've got so many other things to think about.

Questions to guide you

Your motivation.

• Why do you want to study at university?
• Why do you want to study this subject?
• How did you become interested in this subject?
• What career do you have in mind after university?

Academic ability and potential

• How have your current studies affected your choice?
• What do you enjoy about your current studies?
• What skills have you gained from your current studies?
• How can you demonstrate you have the skills and qualities needed for the course?
• What qualities and attributes would you bring to the course and university?

Your experience

• What work experience (including part-time, charity and volunteer work) do you have and what have you learnt from it?
• What positions of responsibility have you held? (For example, prefect, captain of a team or member of a committee)
• What relevant hobbies or interests do you have and what skills have they helped you develop?
• What transferable skills do you have, such as self motivation, team working, public speaking, problem solving and analytical thinking?

Research and reading

• How do you keep up with current affairs or news in your chosen subject?
• What journals or publications relevant to your chosen subject do you read?
• Which people have influenced you, such as artists, authors, philosophers or scientists?

Now it's time to write your personal statement using your notes. It's best to draft it on a computer, and remember to save it regularly.

You can copy and paste it into your UCAS application when you're happy with it.

Personal statement structure

While there's no set template for a personal statement, you may find it useful to follow this personal statement structure when you decide what to put in your statement.

What to include in a personal statement

• Reasons for choosing this subject(s)
• Current studies and how these relate to your chosen subject(s)
• Experiences and how these relate to your chosen subject(s)
• Interests and responsibilities and how these relate to your chosen subject(s)
• Your future after university
• Summary including why you'll make a great student

Further tips for a good UCAS personal statement

• Use information on university websites and the UCAS website. This often includes the skills and qualities universities are looking for in applicants
• Ask friends, family and teachers to remind you of activities you've participated in. They might remember your successes better than you do
• Don’t include lists in your application, like a list of all your hobbies. Focus on 1 or 2 points and talk about them in depth to show their relevance to your application
• Explain and evidence everything. It’s easy to say you have a skill, but it's better to demonstrate it with an example of when and how you’ve used it
• Avoid clichéd lines such as ‘I've always wanted to be a teacher’ as it says nothing about your motivations or experiences
• If you’re applying for a joint degree or different subjects, give equal time to each area and try to find common aspects that show their similarities
• Never lie or plagiarise another statement – you'll be caught and it could result in your application being automatically rejected
• Proofread your personal statement by reading it out loud and ask friends, family or a teacher to check it for you

Sign up to our personal statement hub

Watch videos, get top tips and download our help sheets – that's what our personal statement hub is for. It's for you to write your story, so you can show your strengths, ideas and passion to your chosen universities.

You'll also be able send us your draft, so you can get feedback and feel confident about what you've written.

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PERSONAL STATEMENT EXAMPLE Global Health Personal Statement

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Global Health Personal Statement

Healthcare is a broad field and my interest began when I volunteered at a care home and spoke to doctors who visited patients there. One doctor had been looking after a resident with Downs Syndrome so well for 10 years that he was outliving the average life expectancy for people with that condition. This inspired me, as this doctor had such a positive impact upon his patient's quality of life and his life expectancy.

Since August, I have been volunteering at Stepping Hospital on an orthopaedic and trauma ward, which has given me the opportunity to observe a range of different medical professionals at work. During my second visit, an elderly patient with dementia had forgotten where she was and was starting to get violent. A whole care team helped this patient to calm down without sedating her, including the security guards who helped her back to her room. Then the nurses quickly reassured her, demonstrating that they had a good relationship with the patient. The essential skills I saw in this situation were leadership, empathy, communication and the ability to work in a team. When interacting with the patients, I try to be empathetic as many of them feel lonely and simply want to talk. From this, I learned the importance of being patient and understanding, because patients will not feel comfortable with you, if they feel you are unwilling to give your time to speak and listen to them. This helped to develop my communication skills through small tasks like simply asking how they ended up in hospital and helping them fill in their dinner cards.

Leading the Yearbook Committee in Year 11 allowed me to develop my leadership skills, as I successfully organised subgroups to focus on different elements of the yearbook. Moreover, completing the Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award has allowed me to develop leadership, time management and teamwork skills. For example, on the expedition I lead my team back to the campsite safely all in the set time. For my voluntary work, I work at the British Heart Foundation Charity Shop where I develop my communication skills and also learn to take responsibility. My duties include organising stock and working on the till which enables me to deal with a variety of people. I also developed my communication skills when working for three months with a charitable institution that distributed food to the homeless. This allowed me to see how lifestyle can have a negative impact on health, as several of them had colds due to insufficient clothing and shelter. Alongside this being able to advise children of different ages at Year 6 and Year 10 Open Mornings required me to demonstrate good communication skills.

I have developed initiative by working in the hospitality suite at Manchester United FC. Sometimes problems arise, but I always try to deal with dissatisfied customers politely and courteously. Volunteering at a cultural event in Leicester for a week permitted me to interact with a variety of people, some of whose first language was not English. This helped develop my communication and leadership skills, as I led the under-16 volunteers, ensuring all the required roles were assigned. I also developed my ability to work under stressful conditions, as it was a large event with 8000 people attending every day.

Having been involved in classical Indian dancing for 14 years, dance has become an important part of my routine, helping me to relax. I enjoy performing, as well as learning the dance theory. I also enjoy the gym as this allows me to completely distance myself from any stress of college and relax by working out. This also helps me to keep my motivation up. I am a hard working, dedicated and proactive individual who is willing to work hard to become a doctor, as I believe I can make a difference to people lives this way.

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How to Write a UCAS Personal Statement [With Examples]

James is senior content marketing manager at BridgeU. He writes and directs content for BridgeU's university partners and our community of international schools

What are the big challenges students should be aware of before writing their UCAS Personal Statement?

• The essential ingredients for writing a great Personal Statement
• How to write the UCAS Personal Statement [with examples]

Final hints & tips to help your students

Join 10,000 other counsellors & educators & get exclusive resources delivered straight to your inbox.

The UCAS Personal Statement can sometimes be a student’s only chance to impress a UK university. Read our in-depth guide to helping your students plan & write a winning application.

There are hundreds of articles out there on how to write a UCAS Personal Statement that will grab the attention of a UK university admissions officer.  

But if you’re working with students to help them perfect their Personal Statement in time for the  relevant UCAS deadlines , we can sum up the secret to success in three words.

Planning, structure and story. 

The UCAS Personal Statement is a student’s chance to talk about why they want to study for a particular degree, course or subject discipline at a UK university. 

As they set about writing a personal statement, students need to demonstrate the drive, ambition, relevant skills and notable achievements that make them a  suitable candidate for the universities they have chosen to apply to . 

But the UCAS Personal Statement requires students to write a lot about themselves in a relatively short space of time. That’s why lots of planning, a tight structure and a compelling story are essential if a student’s Personal Statement is to truly excel. 

As important deadlines for UK university applications grow closer, we at BridgeU have put together a guide, outlining some of the strategies and techniques to help your students to write a personal statement which is both engaging and truly individual.

Handpicked Related Content

Discover the simple steps that will boost the confidence of your native English speaking & ESL students alike in  University Application Essays: The 5 Secrets of Successful Writing .

As they begin to plan their Personal Statement, students may feel intimidated. It’s not easy to summarise your academic interests and personal ambitions, especially when you’re competing for a place on a course which is popular or has demanding entry requirements. In particular, students will likely come up against the following challenges.

Time pressure

Unfortunately, the Personal Statement (and other aspects of university preparation) comes during the busiest year of the student’s academic life so far.

Students, and indeed teachers and counsellors, must undertake the planning and writing of the personal statement whilst juggling other commitments, classes and deadlines, not to mention revision and open day visits!

Because there is already a lot of academic pressure on students in their final year of secondary school, finding the time and headspace for the personal statement can be hard, and can mean it gets pushed to the last minute. The risks of leaving it to the last minute are fairly obvious – the application will seem rushed and the necessary thought and planning won’t go into  making the personal statement the best it can be . 

Sticking closely to the Personal Statement format

The character limit which UCAS sets for the personal statement is very strict – up to 4,000 characters of text. This means that students have to express themselves in a clear and concise way; it’s also important that they don’t feel the need to fill the available space needlessly.  Planning and redrafting of a personal statement is essential .

Making it stand out

This is arguably the greatest challenge facing students – making sure that their statement sets them apart from everyone else who is competing for a place on any given course; in 2022 alone, UCAS received applications from 683,650 applicants (+1.6k on 2021) students. In addition, UCAS uses its own dedicated team and purpose built software to check every application for plagiarism, so it’s crucial that students craft a truly  original personal statement which is entirely their own work .

The essential ingredients for writing a great UCAS Personal Statement 

We’ve already mentioned our three watch words for writing a high quality Personal Statement.

Planning. Structure. Story. 

Let’s dig deeper into these three essential components in more detail.

Watch: How to Write a UCAS Personal Statement with University of Essex

Planning a ucas personal statement.

It might sound like a no-brainer, but it’s vital that students plan their Personal Statement before they start writing it. Specifically, the planning phase could include: 

• Students thoroughly researching the UK university courses they plan on applying to. 
• Deciding on what relevant material to include in their Personal Statement (we’ll cover this in more detail later on). 
• Writing an unedited first draft where they just get their thoughts and ideas down on paper. 

Structuring a UCAS Personal Statement

As we’ve discussed, the UCAS Personal Statement requires students to be extremely disciplined – they will be required to condense a lot of information into a relatively short written statement. This means that, after they’ve written a rough first draft, they need to think carefully about how they structure the final statement. 

A stand out Personal Statement will need a tight structure, with an introduction and a conclusion that make an impact and really help to tell a story about who your student is, and why they are drawn to studying this particular degree. 

This brings us nicely to our third and final ingredient…

Telling a story with a Personal Statement

The UCAS Personal Statement is a student’s opportunity to show a university who they are and how their life experiences have shaped their academic interests and goals. 

So a good Personal Statement needs to offer a compelling narrative, and that means making sure that a student’s writing is well-structured, and that every sentence and paragraph is serving the statement’s ultimate purpose –  to convince a university that your student deserves a place on their subject of choice. 

How to help your students start their UCAS Personal Statement

In order to ensure that a personal statement is delivered on time and to an appropriate standard, it’s essential to plan thoroughly before writing it. Here are some questions you can ask your students before they start writing:

How can you demonstrate a formative interest in your subject?

It may sound obvious but, in order for any UCAS personal statement to have the necessary structure and clarity, students need to think hard about why they want to study their chosen subject. Ask them to think about their responses to the following questions:

What inspired you to study your chosen subject?

Example answer:  My desire to understand the nature of reality has inspired me to apply for Physics and Philosophy

Was there a formative moment when your perspective on this subject changed, or when you decided you wanted to study this subject in more detail?

Example answer:  My interest in philosophy was awakened when I questioned my childhood religious beliefs; reading Blackburn’s “Think”, convinced me to scrutinise my assumptions about the world, and to ensure I could justify my beliefs.

Can you point to any role models, leading thinkers, or notable literature which has in turn affected your thinking and/or inspired you?

Example answer :  The search for a theory of everything currently being conducted by physicists is of particular interest to me and in “The Grand Design” Hawking proposes a collection of string theories, dubbed M-theory, as the explanation of why the universe is the way it is.

Asking your students to think about the “why” behind their chosen subject discipline is a useful first step in helping them to organise their overall statement. Next, they need to be able to demonstrate evidence of their suitability for a course or degree. 

How have you demonstrated the skills and aptitudes necessary for your chosen course?

Encourage students to think about times where they have demonstrated the necessary skills to really stand out. It’s helpful to think about times when they have utilised these skills both inside and outside the classroom. Ask students to consider their responses to the following questions. 

Can you demonstrate critical and independent thinking around your chosen subject discipline?

Example answer :  Currently I am studying Maths and Economics in addition to Geography. Economics has been a valuable tool, providing the nuts and bolts to economic processes, and my geography has provided a spatial and temporal element.

Are you able to demonstrate skills and competencies which will be necessary for university study?

These include qualities such as teamwork, time management and the ability to organise workload responsibly.

Example answer:  This year I was selected to be captain of the 1st XV rugby team and Captain of Swimming which will allow me to further develop my leadership, teamwork and organisational skills.

How have your extracurricular activities helped prepare you for university?

Students may believe that their interests outside the classroom aren’t relevant to their university application. So encourage them to think about how their other interests can demonstrate the subject-related skills that universities are looking for in an application. Ask students to think about any of the following activities, and how they might be related back to the subject they are applying for.

• Clubs/societies, or volunteering work which they can use to illustrate attributes such as teamwork, an interest in community service and the ability to manage their time proactively.
• Have they been elected/nominated as a team captain, or the head of a particular club or society, which highlights leadership skills and an ability to project manage?
• Can they point to any awards or prizes they may have won, whether it’s taking up a musical instrument, playing a sport, or participating in theatre/performing arts?
• Have they achieved grades or qualifications as part of their extracurricular activities? These can only help to demonstrate aptitude and hard work. 

How to write the UCAS Personal Statement [with examples] 

If sufficient planning has gone into the personal statement, then your students should be ready to go!

In this next section, we’ll break down the individual components of the UCAS Personal Statement and share some useful examples.

These examples come from a Personal Statement in support of an application to study Environmental Science at a UK university. 

Watch: King’s College London explain what they’re looking for in a UCAS Personal Statement

Introduction.

This is the chance for an applying student to really grab an admission tutor’s attention. Students need to demonstrate both a personal passion for their subject, and explain why they have an aptitude for it .  This section is where students should begin to discuss any major influences or inspirations that have led them to this subject choice. 

Example :  My passion for the environment has perhaps come from the fact that I have lived in five different countries: France, England, Spain, Sweden and Costa Rica. Moving at the age of 15 from Sweden, a calm and organized country, to Costa Rica, a more diverse and slightly chaotic country, was a shock for me at first and took me out of my comfort zone […] Also, living in Costa Rica, one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, definitely helped me realize how vulnerable the world is and how we need to take care of it in a sustainable manner. 

This opening paragraph immediately grabs the reader’s attention by giving the reader an insight into this student’s background and links their academic interests with something specific from the student’s personal backstory. 

Discussing Academic Achievements 

The next paragraph in this Personal Statement discusses the student’s academic achievements. Because this student has had an international education, they frame their academic achievements in the context of their personal background. They also cite useful examples of other curricula they have studied and the grades they have achieved. 

Example : 

Throughout my academic life I have shown myself to be a responsible student as well as a hard working one, despite the fact that I have had to move around a lot. I have achieved several other accomplishments such as a high A (286/300) in AS Spanish at age 15, and also completed a Spanish course of secondary studies for ‘MEP’(Ministerio de Educacion Publica), which is a system from Costa Rica.   

You’ll notice that this student doesn’t just list their achievements – their strong academic performance is always linked back to a wider discussion of their personal experiences. 

Showcasing Extracurricular Activities

As well as discussing academic achievements, a good Personal Statement should also discuss the student’s extracurricular activities, and how they relate back to the student’s overall university aspirations. 

By the third/fourth paragraph of the Personal Statement, students should think about incorporating their extracurricular experiences, 

Another valuable experience was when my class spent a week at a beach called ‘Pacuare’ in order to help prevent the eggs of the endangered leatherback turtle from being stolen by poachers who go on to sell them like chicken eggs. We all gained teamwork experience, which was needed in order to hide the eggs silently without scaring the mother turtles, as well as making it more difficult for the poachers to find them. 

When the poachers set fire to one of the sustainable huts where we were staying, not only did I gain self-awareness about the critical situation of the world and its ecosystems, I also matured and became even more motivated to study environmental sciences at university.

This is a particularly striking example of using extracurricular activities to showcase a student’s wider passion for the degree subject they want to study. 

Not only does this Personal Statement have a story about volunteering to save an endangered species, it also illustrates this applicants’ wider worldview, and helps to explain their motivation for wanting to study Environmental Science. 

Concluding the UCAS Personal Statement

The conclusion to a UCAS Personal Statement will have to be concise, and will need to tie all of a student’s academic and extracurricular achievements. After all, a compelling story will need a great ending. 

Remember that students need to be mindful of the character limit of a Personal Statement, so a conclusion need only be the length of a small paragraph, or even a couple of sentences. 

“ After having many varied experiences, I truly think I can contribute to university in a positive way, and would love to study in England where I believe I would gain more skills and education doing a first degree than in any other country.  “

A good Personal Statement conclusion will end with an affirmation of how the student thinks they can contribute to university life, and why they believe the institution in question should accept them. Because the student in this example has a such a rich and varied international background, they also discuss the appeal of studying at university in England. 

It’s worth taking a quick look at a few other examples of how other students have chosen to conclude their Personal Statement. 

Medicine (Imperial College, London) 

Interest in Medicine aside, other enthusiasms of mine include languages, philosophy, and mythology. It is curiously fitting that in ancient Greek lore, healing was but one of the many arts Apollo presided over, alongside archery and music.   I firmly believe that a doctor should explore the world outside the field of  Medicine, and it is with such experiences that I hope to better empathise and connect with the patients I will care for in my medical career. 

You’ll notice that this example very specifically ties the students’ academic and extracurricular activities together, and ties the Personal Statement back to their values and beliefs. 

Economic History with Economics (London School of Economics)

The highlight of my extra-curricular activities has been my visit to Shanghai with the Lord Mayor’s trade delegation in September 2012. I was selected to give a speech at this world trade conference due to my interest in economic and social history. […] I particularly enjoyed the seminar format, and look forward to experiencing more of this at university. My keen interest and desire to further my knowledge of history and economics, I believe, would make the course ideal for me.

By contrast, this conclusion ties a memorable experience back to the specifics of how the student will be taught at the London School of Economics – specifically, the appeal of learning in seminar format! 

There’s no magic formula for concluding a Personal Statement. But you’ll see that what all of these examples have in common is that they tie a student’s personal and academic experiences together – and tell a university something about their aspirations for the future.

Watch: Bournemouth University explain how to structure a UCAS Personal Statement

Know the audience

It can be easy for students to forget that the person reading a personal statement is invariably an expert in their field. This is why an ability to convey passion and think critically about their chosen subject is essential for a personal statement to stand out. Admissions tutors will also look for students who can structure their writing (more on this below). 

Students should be themselves

Remember that many students are competing for places on a university degree against fierce competition. And don’t forget that UCAS has the means to spot plagiarism. So students need to create a truly honest and individual account of who they are, what they have achieved and, perhaps most importantly, why they are driven to study this particular subject.

Proof-read (then proof-read again!)

Time pressures mean that students can easily make mistakes with their Personal Statements. As the deadline grows closer, it’s vital that they are constantly checking and rechecking their writing and to ensure that shows them in the best possible light. 

Meanwhile, when it comes to giving feedback to students writing their Personal Statements, make sure you’re as honest and positive as possible in the days and weeks leading up to submission day. 

And make sure they remember the three key ingredients of writing a successful Personal Statement. 

Planning, structure and story! 

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Learn how BridgeU can help deliver better outcomes for your students and improved results for your school

School of Dentistry

Continuing dental education, ohsu continuing dental education.

Welcome to the OHSU School of Dentistry Continuing Dental Education Department.  Receive your year-round courses taught by world-renowned researchers and scholars who present on topics that will make an immediate positive impact on your professional practices.

Explore our offerings, including pre-recorded online, live webinars, live lectures, and hands-on participation options. Stay ahead in your field with us. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions. Welcome to OHSU dental education excellence.

Course Listings

General information, privacy statement.

The OHSU School of Dentistry is committed to protecting your privacy. The information you provide when you register for a course on this website is collected for the purpose of correctly processing your payment. The OHSU School of Dentistry does not share, sell or trade information collected on our web site with outside parties.

Security Statement

The OHSU School of Dentistry understands the importance of the security of your personal information. We are committed to protect the confidentiality and integrity of any personal information that is shared with us on the web or offline. The OHSU School of Dentistry may collect your personal information ONLY if you elect to give us that information such as name, address, phone number, and e-mail address. However, the OHSU School of Dentistry will never store any credit card information when you make a gift online. An audited secure third party, such as Authorize.net, is used to process any online credit card transactions.

Registration Information

Upon registration for any activity with the Continuing Dental Education Department, the participant agrees that Oregon Health &Science University School of Dentistry Continuing Dental Education Department, its affiliates and all personnel associated with the courses are not responsible or liable for any injuries or damages sustained by the participant in connection with the scheduled activity and the participant hereby releases each of them from any claims against them arising directly or indirectly from any such injury or damage.

The registered participant grants permission of the Continuing Dental Education Department (and its designees and agents) to use the participant's image, likeness, actions and/or statements in any live recorded audio, video or photographic display or other transmission, exhibition, publications, or reproductions made of, about, or at, the activity without further authorization or compensation.

Participants may not use video or audio recording devices during the course or schedule activities.

Cancellation & Refund Policy

Cancellation Policy:

If you wish to cancel a lecture course, you must notify the CDE office prior to the date of the course for the appropriate refund to be issued. Failure to do so will result in a "No Show". 

For cancellations:

When you need to cancel, you have two options:

1. Receive a full refund, minus a $35 processing fee. 

2. Transfer the full course fee to another CDE course(s) within the same CDE calendar year (Sept-June). 

If the CDE Department needs to cancel the course, you have two options:

1. Receive a full refund*

2. Transfer the full course fee to another CDE course(s) or when the course gets rescheduled*

(*Please keep in mind that the CDE office is not responsible for any travel expenses or penalties incurred by course registrants in case of course cancellation or revision.)

For "No Shows"

No refunds or fund transfers are available for "No Shows"

Participant Courses:

Refunds for CDE participation courses must be requested at least 14 days before the first meeting of the course. These courses have a non-refundable $100, which covers the cost of non-refundable materials. If you cancel less than 14 days before the course, you will receive a monetary refund if the CDE office can fill your spot with another participant. In such cases, funds, minus the $100 deposit, may be transferred to another course within the same CDE calendar year if the request is made 14 days before the course.

Pre-Recorded Online Courses: 

Each course may be a little different as to how long you have to access the course material. Typically course materials need to be viewed within 3 months from the date of registration. No refunds will be given for online courses. 

Refund Exceptions:

No refund penalty will be charged for last-minute emergencies. However, the CDE office must be contacted by noon on the course date to report an emergency. You can receive a full refund or transfer the money to another CDE course within the same course year (September – June).

Acts of Nature:

In the event of snow, earthquakes, or other acts of nature, please check the CDE homepage or call the CDE office for instructions.

Programs Offered in Partnership with Other Organizations:

Cancellation policies for programs offered in partnership with other organizations may vary. Refer to specific course information for details.

Controversial Materials

Dental education institutions have an obligation to disseminate new knowledge related to dental practice. In so doing, some presentations may include controversial materials or commercial references. Sponsorship of a continuing education activity by Oregon Health & Science University School of Dentistry does not necessarily imply endorsement of a particular philosophy, procedure or product by this institution.

Rental Information & Study Clubs

If you are interested in renting space from the SOD, please send an email to [email protected] 

Looking to offer CE for your event?

We would be happy to see if your event qualifies for ADA CERP CE credits. There is a $400 application fee and a $35 fee for every CE verification needed. Please click on the link here to be transferred to our application page. 

Continuing Dental Education Department 2730  S. Moody Ave Portland, OR. 97201 Phone: 503-494-8857 Email: [email protected]

Credentials

OHSU is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider. ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry.

OHSU is a member of the Association for Continuing Dental Education. 

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Pop Culture

Miss usa and miss teen usa resign days apart, casting a spotlight on the organization.

Rachel Treisman

Miss Teen USA, UmaSofia Srivastava, left, and Miss USA, Noelia Voigt pictured at a New York Fashion Week event in February. They both announced their resignations this week. Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Supermodels Unlimited hide caption

Miss Teen USA, UmaSofia Srivastava, left, and Miss USA, Noelia Voigt pictured at a New York Fashion Week event in February. They both announced their resignations this week.

The 2023 Miss USA and Miss Teen USA relinquished their crowns within days of each other this week, leaving their parent organization without its two biggest titleholders — and under mounting scrutiny.

Their departures are the latest in a string of recent controversies at the Miss USA and Miss Universe organizations and have prompted a slew of state titleholders to publicly pressure the pageant for more transparency.

Fallout continues from the Miss USA resignations as a runner-up declines the crown

Miss USA Noelia Voigt announced her resignation in an Instagram post on Monday, citing "the importance of making decisions that feel best for you and your mental health."

The 24-year-old became the first Venezuelan-American woman to win Miss USA in September 2023, representing Utah. In her resignation statement, she expressed her gratitude for the connections and platform from over seven years of competing in pageants and urged others to "never compromise your physical and mental well-being."

A Thai media mogul and transgender activist has bought the Miss Universe competition

"Deep down I know that this is just the beginning of a new chapter for me, and my hope is that I continue to inspire others to remain steadfast, prioritize your mental health, advocate for yourself and others by using your voice, and never be afraid of what the future holds, even if it feels uncertain," Voigt wrote.

Eagle-eyed followers noted in the comments section that the first letters of the first 11 sentences of her statement spell out "I AM SILENCED" (the remaining three spell "HIP").

Concerns and criticisms compounded in the days that followed, especially after Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava, 17, announced her resignation in a similarly-formatted Instagram post on Wednesday.

Srivastava, of New Jersey, was also crowned in September 2023 — and said her resignation comes after "months of grappling with this decision."

The Picture Show

At this international pageant, trans women around the world blend beauty and activism.

"I will always look back on my time as Miss NJ Teen USA fondly, and the experience of representing my state as a first generation, Mexican-Indian American at the national level was fulfilling in itself," she wrote. "After careful consideration, I've decided to resign as I find that my personal values no longer fully align with the direction of the organization."

She didn't elaborate, but added to the intrigue by opening her statement with this quote attributed to German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche: "There are no beautiful surfaces without a terrible depth."

Srivastava said she looks forward to finishing 11th grade and applying to college, as well as continuing her collaborations with education- and literacy-focused nonprofits and promoting her multilingual children's book about acceptance, calling that work "my TRUE purpose."

Cheslie Kryst, former Miss USA, has died at age 30

Voigt was among the many people to leave positive comments on her post, writing in part, "So proud of you my angel."

The organization has not responded to NPR's requests for comment.

But the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA Instagram accounts each acknowledged their titleholders' departures, in near-identical posts, thanking them for their service and wishing them the best.

"The well-being of our titleholders is a top priority, and we understand her need to prioritize herself at this time," wrote the Miss USA account of Voigt. "We are currently reviewing plans for the transition of responsibilities to a successor, and we will soon announce the crowning of the new Miss USA."

The 2024 edition of the Miss USA pageant is scheduled to take place in early August.

A Miss USA employee had resigned days earlier, slamming "workplace toxicity"

Voigt and Srivastava aren't the only recent departures from Miss USA.

Former social media director Claudia Michelle first announced her resignation over the weekend, in an Instagram post that accused the organization of mistreating all three of them.

"Being offered your dream job and seeing that it was anything but is so disheartening," wrote Michelle.

Michelle said she felt compelled to speak out because "this is a women's empowerment organization," noting she had not signed an NDA.

She said she wasn't allowed to bring anyone else onto her social media team of one — something "absolutely necessary" for a "brand of this caliber" — and that she worked without financial compensation for her first two months on the job.

She went on to say that she witnessed "a decline in [Voigt's] mental health since we first met" and "the disrespect toward [Srivastava] and her family," opining that the teen titleholder didn't get enough attention on social media.

Beauty Pageant Economics: The Sash Isn't Cheap

"I've first hand seen Noelia and Uma be unable to share about their personal advocacies on social media and be threatened by [Miss Universe Organization] 'social media rules and guidelines' that I still have yet to see," Michelle wrote. "I feel the way current management speaks about their titleholders is unprofessional and inappropriate; I disavow workplace toxicity and bullying of any kind."

The organization told USA Today in a statement that it is "troubled to hear the false accusations made by a former Miss USA employee."

"Miss USA is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment, and we take these allegations seriously," it added. "Indeed, we have and will continue to prioritize the well-being of all individuals involved with Miss USA."

After a rocky few years, titleholders are calling for "full transparency" from the organization

The Miss USA Organization has had a turbulent few years, as Business Insider reported.

In early 2022, Cheslie Kryst , the 2019 Miss USA winner, died by suicide. Later that fall, days after R'Bonney Gabriel was crowned Miss USA, other contestants publicly accused organizers of rigging the competition in her favor.

The Miss Universe Organization responded by suspending Miss USA President Crystle Stewart and launching a third-party investigation into the allegations.

Around that time, news emerged that Stewart's husband, Max Sebrechts, had stepped down from his role as Miss USA vice president earlier that year after multiple 2021 pageant contestants accused him of sexual harassment.

In January 2023, Gabriel won the Miss Universe title, becoming the first American to do so in a decade and relinquishing her Miss USA crown to runner-up Morgan Romero of North Carolina.

The new Miss USA is Elle Smith, a local TV reporter from Kentucky

In August, the Miss Universe Organization said the investigation had found the allegations of rigging to be false, but was parting ways with Stewart nonetheless. Current Miss USA President and CEO Laylah Rose was announced as her replacement that same day.

Critiques of Miss USA resurfaced since the titleholders' resignations this week.

Several 2023 state titleholders have shared a joint statement on social media, saying the majority of the Miss USA class of 2023 supports Voigt's decision to resign and asking the Miss USA Organization to release her from the confidentiality clause of her contract in perpetuity "so that she is free to speak on her experiences and time as Miss USA."

The statement, which began circulating on Wednesday, requests a response within 24 hours.

"Our goal is to give Noelia her voice back," they wrote. "We are asking for full transparency for contestants in the class of 2024 and beyond."

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AdventHealth University nursing dean faces embezzlement charges

A top nursing educator recently hired by AdventHealth University is accused of embezzling more than $400,000 from her previous employer in Minnesota and siphoning it to her boyfriend’s business.

Laura Jean Fero, 54, joined AdventHealth University as dean of nursing in August of last year, according to a news release. University officials declined to comment on her current employment status.

“AdventHealth University does not comment on private personnel matters or pending legal matters,”

Jennifer Audette, a spokeswoman, said in a prepared statement Tuesday.

Fero, an Apopka resident, faces six counts of theft by swindle stemming from her tenure as dean of nursing at St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minnesota, according to a criminal complaint filed Friday in Ramsey County, Minnesota.

The complaint alleges Fero steered St. Catherine University contracts to her boyfriend Juan Ramon Bruce, 56, and his health care consulting company, JB & Associates LLC, with “little or no services” provided. The contracts from August 2020 to August 2023 totaled $412,644, according to a police review.

“The evidence suggests that Fero and Bruce were explicitly working together to take money from the university by abusing Fero’s position of trust and authority,” the charging document alleges.

St. Catherine University discovered the loss after Fero left her position on Aug. 28, 2023, and moved to Florida, according to the complaint. She was arrested May 8 shortly after she arrived at the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport on a flight from Orlando, court records show.

In an interview with police, Fero initially told investigators she met Bruce from a cold call regarding medical supplies but then said she met him on the dating website “ elitesingles.com ,” the complaint states. Regarding Bruce’s contracts with St. Catherine, she told investigators she thought her employer’s conflict-of-interest policy only applied to married couples.

Her boyfriend is also facing charges for his role in the alleged scheme, court records show. Fero did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. A phone number associated with her name was disconnected.

As dean of nursing for AdventHealth University, Fero was placed in charge of all undergraduate and graduate nursing programs, according to a press release at the time of her hire.

With locations in Orlando, Denver, and Tampa, AdventHealth University offers a wide range of nursing education, and degree programs including an Associate of Science in Nursing, a three-year accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing, an RN-BSN program, a Doctorate in Nurse Anesthesia Practice, and a Doctorate in Nursing Practice.

©2024 Orlando Sentinel. Visit orlandosentinel.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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University Health breaks ground on East Side clinic

Facility expected to open in early 2026.

Mason Hickok , Digital Journalist

SAN ANTONIO – University Health continues its expansion across the city as the hospital district broke ground this week on another clinic.

The University Health Wheatley clinic — a three-story, 60,000-square-foot medical complex named after African American poet Phillis Wheatley — will open on the East Side near the Wheatley Sports Complex in early 2026, a news release said.

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The facility will offer primary care, urgent care and pharmacy services, among other necessities. It will also serve as a secondary location for the University Hospital’s Institute for Public Health.

Construction on both the Wheatley and Vida complexes — the latter broke ground in December 2023 — received support from the Bexar County Commissioners Court, which allocated $40 million from the American Recovery Act Plan to support the expansion, the release said.

“Our vision for this location is to improve access to care, and bring the very latest technologies, specialists and health education resources closer to home for tens of thousands of families,” said George B. Hernández, Jr., president and CEO of University Health.

Precinct 4 County Commissioner Tommy Calvert praised the project for its commitment to a healthy East Side community.

“I would like to thank the Eastern Triangle for advocating for improvements in health care and University Health and Commissioners Court for being responsive to the community needs,” Calvert said.

Related coverage on KSAT:

• University Health breaks ground on Palo Alto Hospital
• University Health breaks ground on Northeast Side hospital
• SA health system launches CEO search amid billion-dollar expansion

Copyright 2024 by KSAT - All rights reserved.

About the Author

Mason hickok.

Mason Hickok is a digital journalist at KSAT. He graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a communication degree and a minor in film studies. He also spent two years working at The Paisano, the independent student newspaper at UTSA. Outside of the newsroom, he enjoys the outdoors, reading and watching movies.

Identifying barriers to genetic testing in subspecialty cardiac care

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Background The utility of genetic testing in cardiovascular medicine is well-established in expert consensus statements for optimizing patient care. However, significant genetic testing care gaps persist for patients with inherited cardiovascular conditions. Objective This study aimed to understand why genetic testing care gaps in cardiovascular medicine exist by evaluating cardiovascular providers' opinions and use of genetic testing. Methods We developed and administered an anonymous survey to cardiovascular providers delivering direct patient care in the United States. Participants were contacted in collaboration with the Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndromes (SADS) Foundation. Results A total of 111 individuals completed the survey representing the following specialties: electrophysiology (55%, n=61), general cardiology (10.8%, n=12), imaging (7.2%, n=8), heart failure/transplant (6.3%, n=7), interventional cardiology (6.3%, n=7), fetal cardiology (5.4%, n=6), and other (9%, n=10). Eighty-six percent of respondents (n=97) stated genetic testing is 'very relevant' in the care of their patients. Eighty percent of electrophysiologists reported ordering genetic testing a few times a month or more. Navigating insurance authorization and billing procedures was an identified area of discomfort by 47.7% of respondents (n=53). Overall, cardiovascular provider specialty was shown to impact how often genetic testing is ordered. Provider work setting was shown to impact opinion of the utility of genetic testing for family screening, opinion of the utility of genetic testing for medication and device management, and how often genetic testing is ordered. Conclusions The results of this study support targeted provider education to increase the uptake of genetic testing for patients with inherited cardiovascular conditions.

Competing Interest Statement

The authors have declared no competing interest.

Funding Statement

This study was funded by the University of Utah's Graduate Program of Genetic Counseling.

Author Declarations

I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained.

The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below:

The study was approved and granted exemption status by the University of Utah Institutional Review Board (00164238).

I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals.

I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance).

I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable.

Data Availability

All data produced in the present study are available upon request to the authors.

View the discussion thread.

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