Personal Statement
Both YLL and LKC requires a personal statement to be submitted along with your application amongst other things. They are slightly different in terms of the number of words and the opening question but most people write one essay and edit it to meet the requirements.
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Once again, feel free to click on the highlighted words which are linked to videos you may find relevant
What does YLL say about the Personal Statment
On the right is YLL's official description of Personal Statement
This is an introduction of yourself to the admissions committee and the interviewer, we will like to learn about experiences that have shaped your desire to study medicine.
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Word Limit: 500 words
What does LKC say about the Personal Statment
On the right is LKC's official description of Personal Statement
Applicants to the MBBS programme will have to submit a personal statement as part of the application process.
The personal statement is an essay of not more than 300 words, introducing the applicant including, but not limited to, the reasons for wishing to study medicine and of any experience that may have driven the desire to become a doctor. Leadership experience and teamwork ability should be highlighted. The personal statement must be furnished in the application form, and it may be followed up at the interview stage.
A story,
not a laundry list
Set aside some time for reflection and writing
Some key considerations:
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Why Medicine?
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What have you done to explore Medicine?
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Why are you a good fit for Medicine?
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How will you sustain yourself in Medicine?
Reflections
Is it really what you want?
Why Medicine? The cliche but ever-so-important question to ask yourself. It is easy to search online and find many "model" personal statements and stories about why someone started preparing for medicine. Parents, relatives and friends may all be the loudest supporters for you to study medicine. However, choosing to study medicine should be your own decision after deliberation and not others' decision. You must have your own fundamental reasons as to "Why medicine?". One good exercise is to keep asking yourself "Why?" until you eventually can't. Similarly, you may ask yourself what is it about medicine that you would miss if you do not go through this journey.
PREPARATIONS
I'm sure I want to study Medicine!
It is best to start early. Exploration is essential to ensure you truly understand healthcare in Singapore and challenge your motivations. It can come in the form of clinical attachments, volunteering and working in a healthcare role (such as a translator, biomedical department...). Exploration can be in any way or form as long as you set your intentions and learning objectives right.
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Some possible objectives:
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Understand the life of a healthcare professional on the ground
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Understand the healthcare system
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Understand what is it like to be a patient
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Reality check your expectations of a doctor
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To see if you fit well into the healthcare environment
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Clinical attachments are a great portfolio booster but definitely not a deal breaker. Some general advice on clinical shadowing:
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Email hospitals to ask if clinical shadowing is available. NUHS has a well-established clinical shadowing programme but other hospitals such as Alexandra Hospital have such opportunities too.
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Email GPs and Polyclinics for opportunities to shadow a doctor, if not a chance to volunteer and observe is great too.
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Follow your grandparents, parents, and relatives for their appointments. Keep a look out for learning points throughout the visit.
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Seek volunteering opportunities beyond hospital settings such as nursing homes, hospices etc.
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Intern/work/volunteer in a related healthcare field such as biomedical technology, pharmaceutical and research labs. These can deepen your understanding of Medicine beyond the hospitals but also the Allied Healthcare Professionals and related industries.
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There are Healthcare Requirements to be eligible for hospital clinical shadowing. These include vaccination records and blood test results. Special note on Hepatitis B: you need to take a blood test to prove active immunity. If you don't have sufficient antibodies, you need to get vaccinated again and retake the blood test, which can take up to months. Plan ahead of time!
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Take the initiative to source for your own opportunities!
If you can link your experiences back to how they deepened your understanding of Medicine - they are invaluable experiences.
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Some Useful Links
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Senior's Resources
General Resources
These sites below caters to applicants applying mostly to UK based schools. Not all of the tips are relevant to the Singapore context but the rest is good advice regardless. Take it with a pinch of salt
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