The Personal Statement
Your story, your chance to stand out
The Personal Statement: Your Opportunity to Stand Out
The personal statement is one of the most crucial elements of your medical school application. With a strict limit of 4,000 characters—roughly the equivalent of one side of A4 paper—you need to be precise, compelling, and authentic. Every single character counts, and you’ll find yourself writing draft after draft to refine your message until it’s clear, impactful, and truly represents who you are.
There is no single “right” way to write a personal statement. It should be unique to you—reflecting your individual experiences, motivations, and personality. What matters most is that it stands out from the many other applicants vying for the same limited places. The personal statement offers you a chance to show medical schools what sets you apart as an individual beyond just your academic achievements and UCAT score.
UCAS Personal Statement Changes for 2026 Entry
From September 2025, students applying to start university in 2026 will face a major change to the UCAS personal statement. The traditional free-form essay is being replaced with a structured format of three questions.
This shift is designed to make the process fairer, clearer, and less stressful for applicants—while still giving you the chance to showcase your motivation, preparation, and experiences.
What’s Changing?
Old format: One continuous essay (up to 4,000 characters, including spaces).
New format (2026 entry):
Still 4,000 characters in total.
You must answer three specific questions.
Each answer must be at least 350 characters long.
The Three New Questions
Why do you want to study this course or subject?
Share your passion and motivation—what inspired you to choose medicine (or your chosen subject)?How have your qualifications and studies prepared you for this course?
Talk about the skills and knowledge you’ve gained from school or college that make you ready for university-level study.What else have you done outside of education to prepare, and why are these experiences useful?
Highlight relevant work experience, volunteering, extracurriculars, or personal experiences—and explain what you learned from them.
Why Has UCAS Made This Change?
Fairness: The free essay format often favoured students with access to extra tutoring. Structured questions level the playing field.
Clarity: Clear prompts reduce the stress of “not knowing what to write.”
Consistency: Admissions tutors can more easily compare applicants when everyone answers the same three questions.
What Does This Mean for Medicine Applicants?
The content medical schools expect hasn’t really changed. You still need to demonstrate:
Motivation – a genuine passion for medicine.
Academic readiness – how your studies have prepared you.
Work experience and extracurriculars – insights gained from volunteering, shadowing, or other experiences.
The key difference is that now, you’ll need to fit your evidence into the three questions rather than weaving it into one long essay.
Quick Tips for 2026 Applicants
Plan your answers early: Don’t just recycle your old personal statement—map your ideas to the three questions.
Be specific: Use clear examples of experiences, not vague statements.
Balance your word count: Don’t spend too much on one section—spread your characters wisely.
Reflect: Admissions tutors want to see what you learned, not just what you did.
The Challenge and Reward of Crafting Your Statement
Given the high stakes and limited space, writing a strong personal statement is often a demanding process. You will almost certainly go through many drafts, each time refining your wording, improving flow, and cutting out unnecessary phrases. It’s important that every sentence justifies its place on the page—avoid filler and clichés. Authenticity is key; admissions tutors want to hear your genuine voice and story.
Remember, medical schools receive thousands of applications from candidates who all have excellent grades. Your personal statement is your chance to go beyond the numbers and show the person behind the application. It’s one of the biggest factors in whether you are invited to interview.
How We Can Help
Writing a personal statement can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. We offer tailored tutoring sessions to help you plan your statement, structure your ideas logically, and highlight your unique qualities effectively. We’ll provide constructive feedback and help you polish each draft to ensure clarity, impact, and professionalism.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or want detailed proofreading of your final version, our experienced tutors will work with you to craft a statement that truly represents your journey and aspirations.