Tip 1: Reflect, reflect and reflect - do not simply list things
This is possibly the most important piece of advice that we can give. Almost everyone has done some form of work experience, voluntary work or extracurricular work. We are not necessarily interested in what you did - we are far more interested in what you learnt from it. What you learnt from things can give us a better understanding as to whether or not you are suited for medicine or not, so be sure to really reflect on what you learnt.
The activity itself is rarely the most interesting part of an application. What makes an experience useful is what you noticed, what it taught you and how it influenced your understanding of medicine. Two applicants may have done exactly the same work experience but reflect on it very differently.
Tip 2: Do not lie on your personal statement
Look, we get it - there is likely to be some element of exaggeration to make yourself stand out. However, please do not lie by listing any achievements that you have not done.
If you are quizzed about something at the interview which you have not done, it gets awkward very quickly and is a probity issue. There are few things that will instantly ruin your interview, but this is one of them. People are caught out every single year. Don’t be one of them.
Anything you include in your application is something you should be comfortable discussing at interview. A natural follow-up question can become surprisingly difficult if an experience has been exaggerated. Genuine examples are almost always easier to talk about convincingly.
Tip 3: Cut out most (if not, all) adjectives.
When re-reading your personal statement, think to yourself - if I remove this word, will the meaning of the sentence change? If the answer is 'no', then remove the word!
People often feel nervous to cut out such sentences because it doesn't sound as nice without adjectives. However, remember that we are not looking for a literary work - rather, we are looking for something concise and to the point that tells us your suitability for medicine. On the interview panel, we may have seconds to just skim through your personal statement, so we aren't focussing on how nice it sounds - rather, we want to get to the key information quickly. So, don't add unnecessary words or phrases just because it sounds nice.
Tip 4: Brainstorm your achievements before writing it
Applying for Medical School is exciting, and we know that you just want to crack on. However, remember the old cliché - failing to prepare is preparing to fail.
You likely have a lot more achievements than you realise. The best way to make sure you don't miss any is to brainstorm them (for each question) before you begin. This can be on a paper, on your notes app, on your laptop and so on. Your personal statement will be a lot easier to write if you are prepared.
Build your evidence bank
Tip 5: Read your personal statement out loud
It can be awkward to read your own work out loud. However, the best way to see how it sounds is to do just that. That way, you can evaluate it more objectively.
In addition, make sure you ask a trusted teacher, friend or relative to read your personal statement and to give you honest advice. However, do bear in mind that they may not be fully aware of what a 'good' medical personal statement should sound like. Sadly, in our experience, this can sometimes include some teachers - so be sure to ask real doctors and medical students for help as well.
Feedback is valuable, but be careful not to have so many people rewrite your statement that it stops sounding like you. Your application should become clearer and stronger through editing while still retaining your own experiences, reasoning and voice.