personal statement about cancer

• Residency Application

Oncology Personal Statement Examples

Why look at oncology personal statement examples? Perhaps you are tired of looking for tips, tricks, or how-to writing guides. Perhaps you just know you learn better this way. Expertly written residency personal statement examples can give you great ideas. Reading over the examples included here will show you what to include, how to strike the right tone, and how to avoid red flags in residency personal statements . Between these examples and a residency prep course , you’ll see what a difference this can make in your own writing.

This article provides examples and specific tips for what to include in an oncology residency personal statement.

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Article Contents 8 min read

Oncology residency personal statement examples, oncology residency personal statement #1.

When I was a boy, I always knew what I was going to be when I grew up, and although it was a lofty goal, I pursued it with gusto throughout my young life and teenage years. Of course, I’m not talking about being a doctor. I was going to be a Major League baseball player. So, what am I doing writing a letter for a residency as an oncologist?

It’s the result of a bout with cancer that claimed my lower leg, forcing me to adopt, first, crutches, and then a prosthesis. I also realized that part of my recovery plan would necessarily include the psychological adjustment to knowing that I would never play in the Major Leagues. No matter how fast my fastball was, it wouldn’t really matter if I couldn’t take a base without hobbling around on crutches to get there.

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This was the catalyst which led me to pursue a career as a physician, and specifically one who would beat cancer in all its forms. My journey to med school was a tricky one. I had been a bit of a brash athlete – so single-minded in my devotion to sports that I had let my grades slip. However, although my goal had changed, my determination remained strong. I worked a part-time job to earn money for a tutor, got my grades back up, and made my way to medical school.

I had selected a program which put students into internal medicine quickly, knowing that I would need an intimate knowledge of the workings of the human body to hunt down cancerous elements and fight them. The institution I studied at placed internal medicine front and center and gave me the solid foundation I needed for my studies.

Lab work became my true passion, however, and I spent many extra hours working in the lab, assisting with research. While I studied, I learned a greater patience than I had known before, as experiments – done right – take time. The lab also fueled my natural curiosity and opened up new ideas. While experimenting with lipids and how they are released into the blood stream and trying out faster or slower methods, we were frustrated by numerous setbacks and problems. However, with perseverance, meticulous note-keeping – more patience – and careful adjustment of our methods, we arrived at our goal: almost completely inconclusive results. I laughed. The work was fascinating, the drive was still there, and we could try again tomorrow. Inconclusive results still tell us something, even if it is not what we are hoping for. The lab fires my curiosity, tests my patience, and might be frustrating sometimes, but it always provides the opportunity to press on. If quitting were something I was interested in, I’d be sitting in a wheelchair somewhere, just being gloomy about not playing baseball.

There are days I’m convinced that I was grown in a laboratory, or at least born in one. I’m a lab rat. I have always been very comfortable around all the Bunsen burners and Erlenmeyer flasks. There’s something just so cozy about a lab coat, so comforting about an eye wash station. Maybe that’s just me, but my love of the lab led me to my interest in medicine and oncology.

My program in medical school was an MD-PhD, which I think I selected so that I could spend more time in the lab than ever. The latest research has been investigating cancer’s relationship to diet, obesity, and other health issues. European studies have found connections between cancer and certain fat molecules. I wanted to explore this, and so I oriented my PhD toward verifying findings and building on those experiments. I am conducting experiments to investigate how I can use reduction of fat cells to slow down or halt cancerous growth. So far, we are making good progress, particularly with fat cells related to certain oils and internal cancers. There is still a long way to go, but I believe we are getting there.

Knowing that I am contributing – if only in a small way – to such a milestone in humanity’s medical achievements is satisfying when I hang up my lab coat at the end of a long day. Cancer is still one of the worst afflictions we face and being able to take it down a notch is extremely satisfying and rewarding.

My dream and goal are therefore to continue to work in a laboratory in addition to my work as a physician. I always want to be helping to combat cancer on multiple fronts, in the clinic and in the lab, and I believe that my dual experiences in both fields will greatly enhance the efficacy of my efforts in the other area.

During medical school, I had the opportunity to work with several oncologists by shadowing and assisting on their rounds. This brought me face-to-face with the world in which oncologists live. I will be completely honest: parts of it are scary, and I continue to admire the fortitude of doctors who must look patients in the eye and deliver a number like “seven months” in a compassionate yet direct way. I also gained practical knowledge in terms of treatments for cancer and the various options available to oncologists. Finally, as part of my clinical experiences, I have sat with families and held their hands, literally and figuratively, and been shown that treatment involves medicine but also emotional support.

I also came to understand the importance of the subtle variations of oncology used to combat cancer. Radiation oncology, hematology, surgery, and urology – just to name a few – all contribute to diagnosis and care. This is a large field where there is always something new to learn. That is both humbling and exciting for me.

While working with these oncologists, I learned how to proceed through treatment methods, how to guide patients to the best option for their personal treatment, and how to act quickly by prioritizing and managing patients’ needs and one’s time. Radiation oncology has captured my attention as one of the most effective methods of cancer treatment. I also think that my laboratory research can, and will, ultimately make radiation treatment more efficient by increasing its efficacy against cancer while simultaneously reducing its negative effects on patients. Balancing life expectancy and quality of life is a daily dilemma of oncologists. We need to develop better methods, and I would like to contribute to the research that achieves success in that regard.

Ultimately, your program will prove to be the best place to do that. With your state-of-the-art technology and laboratories, I will have the necessary facilities to work at maximum efficiency, which will also propel my learning. Your program is heavily focused on research and development, and my goals and temperament are perfectly aligned with this reality.

I believe that I can make a strong contribution to the world of oncology and that my contribution will be all the stronger for being in your program. Likewise, I believe that given my curiosity, exploration, and scientific approach to medicine, I will be an ideal candidate for your program, which puts a premium on all those qualities.

In the lab or in the clinic, with patients emotionally, or fighting to find treatments, I believe I will be a dedicated learner and make a fine member of your team.

The first thing to remember when writing a personal statement is that the main goal is to present yourself as the perfect match for the residency to which you are applying. That should always be your ultimate aim. Use aspects of your history, experience, and studies that best show your compatibility with the residency.

What are the specific qualities of an oncology residency that you will need to highlight?

Oncologists need to know oncology, hematology, and internal medicine very well. Laboratory skills, particularly pertaining to chemistry, are recommended as well. ","label":"Medical Skillset","title":"Medical Skillset"}]' code='tab1' template='BlogArticle'>

There are many different kinds of oncologists, too. Know your career goals before applying to residency. Highlight these goals and especially how the program you are applying to will help you. Depending on the type of oncologist you wish to become, you might want to highlight different skills.

Using these expert tips, as well as the examples presented, you should find yourself in a prime position to write your own oncology residency personal statement. Keep focused on your ambitions and goals and grab on to those dreams.

You should set aside a little time each day for two to six weeks. Give yourself time to write, re-write, edit, and proofread, as well as time to get feedback from fresh eyes.

Around 750–900 words, based on the ERAS application, although this might change from residency to residency. Be sure to check whether your particular program has any specific guidelines or word limits.

Your understanding of oncology, lab experience, a strong knowledge of internal medicine, any experiences you have with cancer, and how well you handle speaking to a patient and their friends and family are the best experiences, skills, and background that you can put to the forefront in your personal statement. Oncology – dealing with cancer – can be very personal, and if you feel comfortable sharing a personal connection, that can be very compelling.

Always focus on the residency you want, who you are, and how you can match the two. This is the point of “matching”: finding a residency that you’re perfect for, and vice versa. Give the reader the best reasons for why you are the best candidate for their program, specifically. It must be individualized. Show-don’t-tell with experiences related to your residency; include at least a brief mention of career goals and ambitions, too.

Avoid generalizing – the opposite of matching yourself to the program – as well as any arrogance or other unappealing qualities – particularly regarding tone. Ensure that you are not repeating content from other parts of your application. If you have red flags in your residency CV , you need to address those in your personal statement.

They are important. Although not of paramount importance, every aspect of your application should be impeccable, so have no grammar or spelling issues. If this is so important to you – and it is – send that message by caring for all aspects of the personal statement – like spelling and grammar.

Don’t think of it in terms of the “best” program. Think of it in terms of the best program for you . This is knowing how you learn, what your goals are, and how you might go about optimizing your experiences for the future you want. You might not thrive in a big school, for instance, so if the “best” oncology program is too big, you won’t get as much out of it as a school that didn’t get the top ranking in a respected periodical, but which has a more intimate learning environment.

While not matching is rare, it does happen. If it happens to you, you need to think about how to improve residency application after going unmatched . Mostly you will be preparing for a second attempt, which might include boosting your resume or taking extra courses.

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Cancer Personal Statements Samples For Students

9 samples of this type

During studying in college, you will inevitably need to craft a bunch of Personal Statements on Cancer. Lucky you if linking words together and turning them into relevant content comes easy to you; if it's not the case, you can save the day by finding a previously written Cancer Personal Statement example and using it as a model to follow.

This is when you will definitely find WowEssays' free samples collection extremely useful as it includes numerous skillfully written works on most various Cancer Personal Statements topics. Ideally, you should be able to find a piece that meets your criteria and use it as a template to develop your own Personal Statement. Alternatively, our skilled essay writers can deliver you an original Cancer Personal Statement model written from scratch according to your personal instructions.

Masters In Public Health (Mph): Personal Statements Examples

Personal statement on narrative: a brief essay about my desire and motivation to become a physician assistant, social work personal narrative personal statement example.

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Good Example Of Personal Statement On Science and Knowledge of Physics

Career in medicine personal statement example, why i want to pursue a career in medicine, why i will be an asset to the college, and further information including my previous accomplishments, discovery of chemistry personal statement.

Chemistry taught me the importance of perseverance and hard work. When I first started studying chemistry in High School, I thought it was difficult and incomprehensible. I was fortunate enough to have an excellent teacher who made me want to work hard at chemistry and showed me that once you had a good introduction to a field, everything was possible.

The discovery of chemistry taught me patience and discipline and the importance of hard work to accomplish a goal and it changed my life.

Free Personal Statement On Development in Medicine

Free why do you want to study biological sciences personal statement example, personal statement on internal medicine residency program, personal statement.

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• Oncology Personal Statement Examples

Oncology is a taught medical discipline. Becoming a doctor or nurse with an Oncology specialisation requires further studies in the UK. If you plan to apply to university you will need to submit your Oncology personal statement . 

A personal statement in oncology is required by admission tutors since they will you this type of essay to evaluate your application. 

Writing a good personal statement is not an easy task. So, we are presenting two Oncology personal statement examples from successful applicants . You can use it as a guide when writing your application. 

Oncology personal statement

I have been driven by a desire to help others and make a positive impact through medicine. This passion led me to pursue anaesthesiology , allowing me to support patients through surgery and relieve their suffering . My decade of experience has equipped me with a diverse skill set across specialities including thoracic and upper GI procedures. However, a defining moment reshaped my career aspirations – losing my mother to cancer in her 30s. Witnessing her battle sparked my interest in oncology and deepened my determination to fight this devastating disease.

As an anaesthesiologist, I gained significant exposure to cancer patients and participated in their care plans. My haematology and oncology electives at Saint Vincent Hospital and the University of Massachusetts Medical School during residency training further reinforced my desire to specialise in this field. I was inspired by the opportunity to directly care for patients, appreciating how invested I was in improving their prognosis. I worked with a range of cancers and management approaches from curative and palliative treatment to symptom control and surveillance. Throughout, I was fortunate to collaborate with dedicated oncologists who fuelled my passion.

Expanding my research at St. Elsewhere allowed me to work closely with clinicians across cancer treatment. Participating in Heme/Onc, BMT and Gyn-Onc teams underscored the importance of a multidisciplinary approach. I particularly valued my time with pain management and hospice organisations. Caring for paediatric and adult patients at the end of life developed my respect for palliative care and my ability to discuss sensitive topics with compassion.

My goal is to build the academic and clinical skills to advance cancer care through research and practice. With my background, I am confident I can contribute to this field. Most of all, I want to make a difference for patients and families by improving treatment and quality of life. I am inspired to follow the example of the remarkable people I have worked with – from patients facing diagnosis with courage to specialists committed to progress.

This programme offers an ideal opportunity to fulfil my aspirations through excellent oncology training, research and mentoring. I am drawn to the department’s values of compassion, innovation and leadership. By combining my existing expertise with new specialised knowledge, I will be well-equipped to pursue my aim of tackling cancer. Your approach aligns perfectly with my vision to deliver patient-centred care, advance treatments and expand support services. I am excited by the prospect of learning from expert clinicians while collaborating with peers to drive change. If selected for your prestigious programme, I am confident my experience, dedication and determination will enable me to become a leader in oncology and make a meaningful impact.

Oncology personal statement example

My fascination with the intricate workings of the human body. This interest grew as I studied biology and chemistry at school, learning about the molecular basis of life. However, it was a close family member’s cancer diagnosis that inspired me to pursue a career in oncology . Witnessing their brave struggle and all they endured during treatment opened my eyes to the vital role oncologists play in easing suffering and saving lives. Though difficult at times, I found comfort in supporting them through their treatment journey and saw first-hand the impact an empathetic, skilled oncologist can have. This experience fuelled my passion for oncology and strengthened my determination to be part of this challenging yet rewarding field.

At university, I have sought every opportunity to expand my oncology knowledge . During my medical sciences module , I completed an in-depth study into targeted cancer therapies , gaining insight into the extensive research underpinning modern treatments. I also attended guest lectures by oncologists, learning about diverse specialities and the latest innovations in the field. A particular highlight was shadowing in an oncology ward, where I observed patient consultations and multidisciplinary team meetings. This consolidated my understanding of the varied responsibilities of an oncologist, from diagnosis and treatment planning to patient communication and holistic care. Discussing cases with clinicians, I developed my clinical reasoning skills and appreciated the meticulous precision oncology demands.

Beyond my studies, I serve as a cancer care volunteer at a local hospice. Supporting patients and families during palliative care, I provide a compassionate presence in extremely difficult times. This emotionally challenging yet highly rewarding role has significantly improved my ability to connect with people on a human level – a skill I know is fundamental to good oncological practice. I am also an active member of my university’s oncology society, engaging in fundraising, awareness campaigns and the organisation of guest lectures. This has allowed me to demonstrate my dedication to the field whilst honing essential skills like leadership, communication and teamwork.

With my academic knowledge and practical experiences, I possess the qualities and values needed to excel on an oncology degree programme. I am particularly drawn to your research specialisms in targeted therapies and immunotherapy, which align closely with my interests. As an ambitious and conscientious student with a genuine desire to pursue a career improving cancer outcomes, I would cherish the opportunity to develop into an effective oncologist at your esteemed institution. I very much hope you will consider me for a place on your course.

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Cancer Biology Postgraduate Personal Statement

Sample Cancer Biology Postgraduate Personal Statement

It is perhaps not unusual for individuals who wish to be involved in cancer research to have a personal connection to cancer, usually in the form of a relative or loved one suffering the illness. In my particular case, the death of my grandfather when I was ten years old from a disease that I could not even begin to comprehend was the event that, once I had matured a little, stimulated my wish to make a contribution to human wellbeing. As I grew older and became increasingly interested in biology, I reached the conclusion that, based on my academic and personal skills, the best contribution that I could personally make to saving lives would take the form of a career in scientific research that sought to unlock the mysteries of cancers and work towards creating new treatments for the different forms of the disease. Consequently, I chose to study Cell Biology at the University of East Anglia, with the intention of subsequently undertaking postgraduate research. Now, in the final year of my BSc, my motivation to continue down this path remains as strong as ever.

I have enjoyed the full range of courses that I have taken in my undergraduate degree, something which I think is reflected in the excellent marks that I have received. I believe the BSc has served as an excellent and thorough foundation on which to build a research specialisation. Throughout my time as an undergraduate I have maintained my interest in cancer, and where possible I have selected courses related to this field. In preparation for undertaking postgraduate research in this area, I have chosen cancer as the focus of my final-year research project. Carrying out preparatory research into the area has been highly rewarding, and I am looking forward to the challenge of carrying out laboratory work and writing up the findings of the project.

Studying Cell Biology and carrying out research for my final-year project has helped me to develop a much greater understanding of the current state of cancer research. Over the past few years, for example, I have gained a much fuller understanding of the ways in which cancer cells develop multi-drug resistance, something which explains why in the past so many cancer drugs and therapies have been unsuccessful. This aspect of the fight against cancer captures my interest because it presents the possibility that, if researchers are able to develop methods of counteracting that resistance, previously unsuccessful treatments could become effective. This is just one of the strands of cancer research in which I would be interested to be involved. I have found that studying cancer as part of my degree has generated a wide range of areas that I am motivated to study in greater depth and, I would enter the MRes with an enthusiastic and open mind regarding the available research project options.

Whilst I see the MRes as an opportunity to specialise in cancer research, I am equally looking forward to the taught aspects of the course. I recognise that being a research scientist requires far more than a simple desire to contribute to scientific knowledge and an undergraduate science degree. My commitment to cancer research is a deep-rooted and long-term one, and as a consequence I am looking forward to the opportunity to gain a rigorous grounding in the biology of cancer and research methods and skills in preparation for being involved with a research project. I believe that the courses offered as part of the MRes and the world-class facilities of the University of London will provide me with the best possible training for a career in scientific research, and I hope to be able to progress from the MRes to undertaking doctoral research in the field.

I believe that I have developed the skills and attributes that are necessary for the demands of scientific research work. I have greatly enjoyedthe laboratory work that I have carried out to date, both during the course of my BSc and whilst carrying out a three-month work placement at a hospital in Cyprus. I believe that the results I have achieved so far in my BSc so far demonstrate my aptitude for advanced study. I am equally comfortable working on my own or as part of a team, something of which I have ample experience through both extracurricular activities such as my period of national service in the Cypriot military and through university work. Above all, however, I have an unwavering motivation to pursue a career in the field of cancer research, based around the desire to make a meaningful contribution to helping people that I have developed not just through the passing of my grandfather, but also through carrying out voluntary work and hospital work experience in Cyprus.

We hope that this sample Cancer Biology postgraduate personal statement will be a useful guide for those looking for help with writing a personal statement of their own.

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PERSONAL STATEMENT EXAMPLE Medicine Personal Statement

Submitted by Martha

Medicine Personal Statement

Through my mother’s recent diagnosis and treatment of stage 3 metastatic melanoma, I have experienced the journey of a person with cancer. It has become clear to me the importance of effective and timely healthcare in improving and extending the quality of a patient’s life. The empathy and respect my mother has been shown has ensured her trust in those caring for her, highlighting to me the need to treat every patient as an individual. To offer focussed and prompt care is difficult for the NHS given the immense strain it is under faced with an aging and increasing population alongside an epidemic of preventable illnesses. I am keen to become a part of this despite the burden of responsibility, the long hours, and the financial limitations NHS trusts are facing.

Throughout my work experience on an elective orthopaedics ward, I saw every healthcare professional working above and beyond what was expected, ensuring patient satisfaction. This was in spite of the struggle to find enough beds, changing demographics of our society, and short-staffing. When observing the discharge discussions, I saw the multidisciplinary team making a difficult decision when deciding which patient had the greatest medical need for a bed. Patient A was waiting to be discharged but the hospice she was due to enter had no bed available. By considering the patients’ waiting times, necessity and urgency of surgery, and living conditions, the MDT decided to postpone patient B’s surgery until patient A could leave safely.

On this placement, I met a patient due to be fitted with an Ilizarov frame. The physiotherapists emphasised that this treatment comes with an increased risk of infection at the pin-sites. However, in this instance, an external fixation was chosen for the non-union fracture as it ensured the patient was fully weight-bearing immediately after surgery. Comparing this post-operative care to that of a patient with a bilateral knee replacement highlighted how, as a doctor, there is a constant need to balance the advantages and disadvantages of any treatment according to individual circumstances.

During my year volunteering at a Sue Ryder Hospice, I have worked with a long-term resident. I saw how appreciative she was of the work the ward teams put in to organise her Glastonbury festival experience along with transport to, and care at, her son’s wedding. Although doctors are not able to cure everyone, care like this has shown me what a difference fulfilling a patient’s wishes can make for all involved, before and after they are gone.

As a learning mentor and GCSE tutor, I have learnt to adapt my explanations of fairly complex subjects to different levels of understanding. In my spare time I am a keen netball player, playing for a local team as well as spending time as part of the North Cambridgeshire academy. Having captained my team for the last season, I have improved my teamwork and leadership skills, organising other people as well as myself. I am currently practising for my grade 8 piano and have used these skills when accompanying an elderly person’s choir for over two years. Furthermore, through performing regularly in theatre performances in and outside of school, my confidence has grown. Finally, through my role as a retail assistant, I have shown dedication to work as well as developing my interactions with different members of society.

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Radiation Oncology Residency Personal Statement Example

The Radiation Oncology Example Personal Statement Library is now open!

These sample Radiation Oncology residency personal statement examples are here for your viewing pleasure (fully anonymous). We’re hoping to add more Radiation Oncology residency personal statements in the future, including Pre-Med personal statements. If you’ve got one to add to the free library, don’t forget to  contribute yours .

RADIATION ONCOLOGY RESIDENCY PERSONAL STATEMENT My decision to pursue a specialty in the field of oncology was based on my academic pursuits and personal desire to contribute and make a difference in the lives of cancer patients. My first inclination towards oncology stemmed from my experiences during my graduate year in biomedical ethics. During three months of a clinical rotation in the hospice setting I gained an appreciation for the issues and ethics pertaining to death and dying that so often confront patients with cancer. This experience, along with advice from residents, faculty, and friends persuaded me to consider taking electives in radiation oncology and ultimately solidified my resolve.  Before my decision to pursue radiation oncology was concrete, I explored my interest in oncology by seeking a research opportunity at Big University Cancer Center during my first year of medical school. After attending a talk by Dr. BA on the molecular mechanisms of TNF signal transduction, I became motivated to get involved. The next week, I began work with Dr. BA in the cytokine research laboratory and was introduced to cancer molecular biology by studying the background and current literature of nuclear transcription factor kappaB (NF-kB). The completion of my first project provided a strong sense of personal satisfaction, and I realized that the challenge of research was a means for me to express my creative energy. Dr. BA continued to support my budding interest in cancer research and I continued to “moonlight” in the lab during the following three years of medical school.  I took several electives in radiation oncology at My Univerisity and Big University during my third year. My interest peaked and never diminished. I spent most of my clinical experience following GU and Breast cases, and was able to observe and participate in a variety of treatment planning and delivery sessions. I was gratified to be part of a modality that often combines the efficacy of surgery with the opportunity for prolonged patient interaction. I was also attracted by the diversity of cases that radiotherapy offers and the technical nature of the planning process. Finally, in addition to clinical exposure, radiation oncology introduced a wide variety of both clinical and basic science research opportunities. I was excited to contribute to studies that could eventually have a tangible impact on patient care. During these months, I got involved in several research projects related to prostate and breast radiotherapy, including a review paper, chart reviews, and a grant proposal involving NF-kB and radioresistance in prostate cancer.  Over the past two years on the wards, I’ve learned that my biggest strengths are my ability to adapt to challenging situations and maintain a positive attitude. Clinically, I easily establish rapport with patients and others around me. I have strived to maintain a high energy level through self-motivation, diligence, and a sincere desire to contribute to my field. As a physician and trainee, I will have no reservation about seeking help when needed, and look forward to a role that involves teaching and mentoring. With an emphasis on translational research and patient care, I believe I can do this best in the field of radiation oncology. During my residency I hope to obtain excellent clinical training and academic opportunities that will help to build a foundation for a fulfilling career in the academic and community setting. Most importantly, I hope to contribute ultimately to the lives of my patients and their families through service and commitment to the advancement of medicine. As I recall the events that led me towards a career in oncology, I remember the cancer patients that inspired me the most, and a statement by a hospice nurse during my graduate experience that continues to resonate with me: “there is something about cancer, in all of its tragedy, that brings out the best in people.” 

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Medical School Personal Statement Examples and Analysis

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A strong medical school personal statement can take many forms, but the most impressive ones share several features. A winning statement obviously needs to be well written with perfect grammar and an engaging style. Also, a standout personal statement needs to be personal . The AMCAS application used by nearly all United States medical schools provides a simple prompt: "Use the space provided to explain why you want to go to medical school." The personal statement clearly needs to be about your motivation. How did you become interested in medicine? What experiences have affirmed that interest? How does medical school fit into your career goals?

The structure and precise content of the statement, however, can vary greatly. Below are two sample statements to illustrate some possibilities. Each is followed by an analysis of the statement's strengths and weaknesses.

Medical School Personal Statement Example #1

The walk across campus was excruciating. During my first year of college, I had gotten strep throat for the second time in a month. When antibiotics didn’t seem to be working, my doctor found that strep had led to mono. Worst of all, I had developed hiccups. Yes, hiccups. But these weren’t just any hiccups. Every time my diaphragm spasmed, I had such a stab of severe pain in my shoulder that I nearly blacked out. Needless to say, this was strange. The fatigue and sore throat made sense, but torturous knife-in-the-shoulder hiccups? I immediately headed for the urgent care facility at my university’s medical center. The walk seemed like miles, and every hiccup brought a stifled scream and a stop to my progress.

I grew up in rural New York, so I had never been to a teaching hospital before. All of my childhood doctors, in fact, had moved to my area to get their medical school loans repaid by agreeing to practice in an underserved community. I had four different doctors growing up, all of them perfectly competent, but all of them overworked and eager to do their time so they could move on to a “better” job.

I’m not sure what I expected when I set foot in the university’s medical center, but I had certainly never been in a massive medical complex that employs over 1,000 physicians. What mattered to me, of course, was my doctor and how she would fix my demonic death hiccups. At the time, I was thinking an epidural followed by a shoulder amputation would be a good solution. When Dr. Bennett arrived in my examining room, she immediately sent me to x-ray and told me to bring the films back to her. I thought it was odd that the patient would do this ferrying, and I found it even more strange when she put the images up on the illuminator and viewed them for the first time with me by her side.

This was the moment when I realized that Dr. Bennett was much more than a physician. She was a teacher, and at that moment, she was not teaching her medical students, but me. She showed me the outlines of the organs in my abdomen, and pointed to my spleen that was enlarged from mono. The spleen, she explained, was pushing on a nerve to my shoulder. Each hiccup dramatically increased that pressure, thus causing the shoulder pain. Apparently I wouldn’t need my shoulder amputated after all, and Dr. Bennett’s explanation was so wonderfully simple and comforting. Sometime during my visit to the hospital my hiccups had stopped, and as I walked back across campus, I couldn’t help marveling at how strange the human body is, but also what a pleasure it is to have a doctor who took the time to teach me about my own physiology.

As my interest in medicine grew and I added biology and chemistry minors to my communication studies major, I started looking for shadowing opportunities. Over winter break of my junior year, a dermatologist from a nearby town agreed to let me shadow him full time for a week. He was a family acquaintance who, unlike my childhood doctors, had been working out of the same office for over 30 years. Until that January, however, I really had no idea what his job was actually like. My first impression was one of disbelief. He began seeing patients at 6 a.m. for 5-minute consultations during which he would look at a single area of concern for the patient—a rash, a suspicious mole, an open sore. Around 7:00 a.m., regularly scheduled appointments began, and even here, he rarely spent more than 10 minutes with a patient. His workday was over by midafternoon in time to get in some skiing (golf in warmer months), but he would still see upwards of 50 patients in a day.

One would think with that kind of volume, the patient experience would be impersonal and rushed. But Dr. Lowry knew his patients. He greeted them by name, asked about their kids and grandkids, and laughed at his own bad jokes. He was deceptively quick and efficient, but he made patients comfortable. And when he discussed their medical issues, he pulled out a remarkably battered and dog-eared copy of Fitzpatrick’s Clinical Dermatology to show color photos of their condition and explain what next steps, if any, were needed. Whether a patient had a benign seborrheic keratosis or melanoma that had gone untreated for far too long, he compassionately and clearly explained the situation. He was, in short, an excellent teacher.

I love biology and medicine. I also love writing and teaching, and I plan to use all of these skills in my future medical career. I’ve been a lab TA for Human Anatomy and Physiology, and I wrote articles for the university newspaper on flu prevention and a recent outbreak of whooping cough. My experiences with Dr. Bennett and Dr. Lowry have made clear to me that the best doctors are also excellent teachers and communicators. Dr. Lowry taught me not just about dermatology, but the realities of rural medicine. He is the only dermatologist in a 40-mile radius. He is such a valuable and integral part of the community, yet he will be retiring soon. It isn’t clear who will replace him, but perhaps it will be me.

Analysis of Personal Statement Example #1

With its focus on rural medicine and the importance of good communication in health professions, the statement's topic is promising. Here's a discussion of what works well and what could use a little improvement.

There is much in this personal statement that the admissions committee will find appealing. Most obviously, the applicant has an interesting background as a communication studies major, and the statement successfully shows how important good communication is to being a good physician. Medical school applicants certainly don't need to major in the sciences , and they need not be apologetic or defensive when they have a major in the humanities or social sciences. This applicant clearly has taken the required biology and chemistry classes , and the additional skills in writing, speaking, and teaching will be an added bonus. Indeed, the statement's emphasis on doctors as teachers is compelling and speaks well to the applicant's understanding of effective patient treatment.

The readers of this statement are also likely to admire the applicant's understanding of the challenges rural communities face when it comes to health care, and the end of the statement makes clear that the applicant is interested in helping address this challenge by working in a rural area. Finally, the author comes across as a thoughtful and at times humorous person. The "demonic death hiccups" are likely to draw a smile, and the understanding of Dr. Lowry's contributions to the community reveals the author's ability to analyze and understand some of the challenges of rural medical practices.

On the whole, this is a strong personal statement. As with any piece of writing, however, it is not without some shortcomings. By telling two stories—the experiences with Dr. Bennett and Dr. Lowry—there is little room left to explain the applicant's motivation for studying medicine. The statement never gets very specific about what the applicant wants to study in medical school. The final paragraph suggests it could be dermatology, but that certainly doesn't seem definitive and there's no indication of a passion for dermatology. Many MD students, of course, don't know what their specialty will be when they begin medical school, but a good statement should address why the applicant is driven to study medicine. This statement tells a couple of good stories, but the discussion of motivation is a little thin.

Medical School Personal Statement Example #2

My paternal grandfather died of rectal cancer when I was 10 and my grandmother died of colon cancer two years later. Indeed, numerous family members on my father’s side of the family have died of colorectal cancer, and these are not beautiful and peaceful deaths. No dosage of opioids seemed to alleviate the pain caused by tumors that had spread to my grandfather’s spine, and the numerous rounds of chemotherapy and radiation were their own form of torture. My father gets frequent colonoscopies in an effort to avoid the same fate, and I will soon be doing the same. The family curse isn’t likely to skip a generation.

Five years ago, my favorite uncle on my mother’s side of the family was diagnosed with triple hit lymphoma. Doctors gave him, at best, a few months to live. He was an avid reader and researcher who learned everything he could about his disease. Walking with a cane because of tumors in his leg, he attended a medical conference, inserted himself into a conversation with a top cancer researcher, and managed to get enrolled in a clinical trial for CAR T-cell therapy. Because of his inquisitiveness and assertiveness, he is still alive today with no signs of cancer. This type of happy outcome, however, is more the exception than the rule, and in an ideal world, a cancer patient should not have to reject his doctor's diagnosis to seek his own cure.

My interest in oncology certainly stems from my family history and the ticking time bomb within my own genes, as well as my general fascination with understanding how living things work. The field also appeals to my love of challenges and puzzles. My early childhood was one big blur of giant jigsaw puzzles, scouring the countryside with a magnifying glass, and bringing home every newt, salamander, and snake I could find. Today, those interests manifest themselves in my fondness for mathematics, cellular biology, and anatomy.

In contemporary medicine, there is perhaps no greater living puzzle than cancer. Ken Burns’ film Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies really brings home how little we understand the disease. At the same time, it’s encouraging that this 2015 film is already out-of-date as new and promising treatments continue to emerge. Indeed, it’s an exciting time for the field as researchers make some of the most significant advancements in cancer treatment in decades. That said, some cancers remain remarkably elusive, and so much more progress is needed. My volunteer work at the university’s Cancer Center has made this need clear. So many patients I’ve met are suffering through chemotherapy not with a hope of beating cancer, but with the modest hope of living just a little longer. They often aren’t wrong to have such modest expectations.

My interest in oncology isn’t limited to treating patients—I also want to be a researcher. During the past year and a half, I’ve been a research assistant in Dr. Chiang’s laboratory. I’ve gained extensive experience conducting literature reviews, handling rodents, measuring tumors, genotyping, and creating genetic samples using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Some of my fellow lab assistants find the work tedious and repetitive, but I view each piece of data as part of the bigger puzzle. Progress may be slow and even halting at times, but it is still progress, and I find it exciting.

I’m applying to your joint MD/PhD program because I firmly believe that research will make me a better doctor, and working directly with patients will make me a better researcher. My ultimate goal is to become a cancer research professor at an R1 university’s medical school where I will treat patients, educate the next generation of doctors and researchers, and make headway in defeating this terrible disease.

Analysis of Personal Statement Example #2

With its laser-sharp focus on oncology, this statement stands in sharp contrast to the first example. Here's what works well and what doesn't.

Unlike the first writer, this applicant does an excellent job revealing the motivation behind attending medical school. The opening paragraphs bring to life the damage cancer has done to the applicant's family, and the statement as a whole convincingly shows that oncology is an area of interest for both personal and intellectual reasons. The applicant's volunteer work and research experiences all center on cancer, and the reader has no doubt about the applicant's passion for the field. The applicant also has remarkably clear and specific career goals. On the whole, the reader gets the sense that this applicant will be an ambitious, focused, motivated, and passionate medical student.

Like the first example, this personal statement is generally quite strong. If it has one significant weakness, it is on the patient care side of medicine. In the first example, the applicant's admiration for and understanding of good patient care stands at the forefront. In this second statement, we don't have much evidence of the applicant's actual interest in working directly with patients. This shortcoming could be addressed by going into more detail about the volunteer work at the university Cancer Center, but as is, the statement seems to present more interest in research than patient care. Given the interest in research, the applicant's interest in an MD/PhD program makes sense, but the MD side of that equation could use more attention in the statement.

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What else can you find in this article?

What is a medicine personal statement, how do i write a medicine personal statement, what should i include in my medicine personal statement, how do i structure my medicine personal statement, how do i write an introduction for my medicine personal statement, how do i write a conclusion for my medicine personal statement, how do i write an effective medicine personal statement.

• What can I do with a medicine degree?

Your medicine personal statement should tell the university all about your strengths, skills, experience and ambitions, as well as your personal traits that will help you become a great doctor.

It should also convey your enthusiasm for medicine and what aspects of the subject you enjoy and why.  

Your medicine personal statement will be used by universities to decide whether you are a good candidate to study medicine, and whether they want to offer you a place.

One way is to start your statement with why you want to study medicine at university. Try to pick one or two specific aspects that you like in particular and why they appeal to you.

Make sure you back up everything with examples (always show, don’t tell). You need to convince the admissions tutors that you they should offer you a place on their medicine course over anyone else.

A successful medicine personal statement should be written clearly and concisely, with a good introduction, middle, and conclusion. Remember, medicine is a highly competitive subject, so your personal statement needs to be as polished as possible.

Our personal statement template can help guide you through writing your first draft.

For inspiration on how to write your own unique statement, take a look at some of our medicine personal statement examples above.

It’s important to include skills and experience from all areas of your life and try to relate them to hobbies or extracurricular activities if they helped you to build on certain strengths.

Think about how any work experience has benefitted you, and how it might be useful in your degree.

University admissions tutors want to know what you can bring to their department and what value you can add.

Think about how and why you might treat patients the way you do, and what skills such as empathy, compassion and communication, are important for becoming a doctor. How might you demonstrate this?

Mention your personal traits and how they make you suited to a career in medicine.

You need to be a well-rounded individual in terms of academic talent, people skills and practical experience in order to have a chance of being successful with your medicine UCAS application.

For more help and advice on what to write in your medicine personal statement, please see:

• Personal Statement Editing Services
• Personal Statement Tips From A Teacher
• Analysis Of A Personal Statement
• The 15th January UCAS Deadline: 4 Ways To Avoid Missing It
• Personal Statement FAQs
• Personal Statement Timeline
• 10 Top Personal Statement Writing Tips
• What To Do If You Miss The 15th January UCAS Deadline.

A good medicine personal statement should start off with an engaging introduction that tells an anecdote or picks out a specific aspect of the subject that explains why you are passionate about medicine, and why you wish to study it further.

For the middle sections, focus on your work experience and any extracurricular activities, hobbies or clubs you take part in outside of school/college, and how these have helped you develop skills that are important for medicine. For example, you might talk about how shadowing a doctor on a ward taught you about how to relate to patients and their problems, and how to empthasis with their situation.

Your conclusion should round off your statement in a memorable way that will confirm to the admissions tutors that you are a student that they want on their course, and make them offer you a place.

This might include reiterating your enthusiasm for the subject and why you think you would make a good student, or mentioning your future plans and ambitions, and how you hope your medical degree will help you achieve these.

To craft a memorable introduction to your statement, you should focus on:

• Grabbing the reader’s attention with an interesting and relevant anecdote.
• Avoiding cliches, such as "I've always wanted to study medicine from a young age..." or "Since primary school I've always been interested in the human body..."
• Conveying personal qualities that show you willl be able to cope with the demands of medical school and a career as a medical doctor.
• Not repeating information that is already in another part of the application form, such as academic achievements.
• Keeping it to an appropriate length (usually no more than 4-6 lines in total). Remeber, you have the main body and conclusion to write as well.
• Demonstrating their enthusiasm and passion for certain subjects relevant to medicine, such as biology and chemistry.
• Showing personal traits that are important for a career in medicine such as empathy, communication and respectfulness.
• Relating relevant experiences, what you learned from them and how they demonstrate you are suitable for a career in medicine.
• Crafting a succinct summary of why you're keen to study medicine at university.

As much as the first impression is crucial, the last impression is very important as well. You need to make sure the admission officers that will read your personal statement are left feeling like you are the right candidate. And that’s why you need to sum up or all the facts that make you a great doctor!

The best way to conclude your personal statement is to loop back to what you were writing about in the introduction. Do not just rewrite it, but reinforce why you think you are a good candidate based on your qualities and your deep interest in Medicine.

Think about what personally motivates you, and why you want to be a doctor. You may have already expressed this in your personal statement, but now is the time to make sure the examiner know this.

You should also consider what has sparked your interest and what you have already spoken about in your personal statement. You may also want to think about some of the challenges that the NHS is facing.

The conclusion should include the following:

•     A list of your attributes and qualities that will help you in your medical career
•     Your views on medicine and motivation based on your past experiences
•     What you hope to achieive once you've completed your medical degree.

Try and keep the conclusion to 3 or 4 lines, you shouldn’t be introducing too much new information at this point. Remember – use the conclusion as an opportunity to remind the admissions tutors why everything you’ve written about makes you so fantastic and worthy of a place at their Medical School!

To write a medicine personal statement that stands out, we recommend you follow these top tips:

• Structure is essential - this is because it can make or break your personal statement. We recommend dedicating one or two paragraphs to each part of your personal statement.
• Plan ahead - we suggest getting down some notes during the summer holidays and putting together a first draft before you go back to school/college for your final year
• Be original - this means picking an aspect of the course you enjoy and explaining why in a way that doesn't include cliches, or any over-used words or phrases
• Explain why you're right for the course, including any relevant skills, work experience and hobbies/extracurricular activities
• Think about what you want to gain from your course and how this will help you with your future career plans
• Include a balance of academic and extracurricular content - admissions tutors want to see that you are a well-rounded individual
• Be positive and enthusiastic about the subject
• Revise and edit thoroughly by asking friends, family and teachers for feedback and incorporating their suggestions to try and improve it
• Proofread carefully (don't just rely on a Spellchecker!)

Further resources

For more information about applying for a medicine degree and careers in medicine, please see the following:

• Medicine Courses & Undergraduate Degrees - The Uni Guide
• Becoming a doctor in the UK - GMC
• What can I do with a medical degree?
• Medical School Finance - BMA
• Careers in Medicine - RSM
• Healthcare Careers

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