Wow! Thank you soo much for this thread it is invaluable to me as I'm just beginning to think about my personal statement. I went to an open day at the stafford uni last week and the lady was really impressing the importance of the personal statement. I was feeling quite unconfident about my life experience as i havent worked for a long time while I've been raising my young children.
I think I have a lot of interesting life experience and skills but whether or not this is what they are looking for I dont know- unlike a lot of you I have never really worked in the 'official' health care system although I have worked as a health physics supervisor which entailed monitoring radiation levels for the health and safety of personnel - so I'm hoping that will sound interesting and i can prove that they are appropriate.
Thnaks once again everyone
x
Yana

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Here is mine, I have had to edit it as there are bits in it that are confidential. Hope it helps.


I am very keen to get onto the midwifery course at the University of Brighton, and have a career providing care and support to a wide range of people, however I have only realised within the last year that this is what I would like to do. Ever since I remember, I have always enjoyed performing and have had a real passion for Musical Theatre. When I was making my choices for A-Levels, I never really thought about what I would do if I decided that performing wasn't for me. So I took A-Levels relevant to a Musical Theatre Career.
Having studied a Foundation Degree in Musical Theatre, I realised as much as I loved the performing, I didn't really feel cut out for teaching in a primary or secondary school. So after thinking about where I want to go in life, I realised that I don't want to study Musical Theatre anymore and want to go down a completely different path.
Having always had an interest in and being fascinated by the way a baby is brought into the world, I decided that I would like to go on to a career in Midwifery. Having a Godmother who was a midwife and who was also my Mothers midwife when I was born, I have always thought what a rewarding job it must be.
Although I can understand it can be deeply upsetting too. I realise that, although for many women child birth is an amazing, happy event, there are some ladies and young girls who are venturing into parenthood in less than positive circumstances, and a small but significant minority that will not continue to parent their child once they have given birth. I can understand how upsetting and emotional this time can be for them and having had to deal with certain circumstances myself, although I cannot fully understand what they will be going through, I can at least offer support and understanding. I was very involved in helping........................ who came to us straight from a large teaching hospital as an extreme case of pre-natal drug abuse. ...................................medical and social needs were such that ...........................needed a specialist foster care placement, and although still young myself, ...........................was able to guide me into helping overcome many difficulties. We subsequently ................, which I felt very positive about. ....................involved in fostering (short breaks/respite care) a number of other children over the years who had extreme special needs. Through fostering, I was able to further develop my natural skills of caring and calming upset babies and children, and learned a lot about non verbal communication, including becoming quite proficient at BSL (British Sign Language), and hope eventually to take some qualifications in this. As I got older, I was not just helping care for a variety of children at home, but I took on teaching responsibilities within a local stage school. I have worked with a wide range of young children and their parents, some having additional needs, and am used to being alongside children and adults from a wide section of the community ( including from differing ethnic backgrounds). This and other part time jobs have given me plenty experience of team work, and I do enjoy getting to meet a wide range of people, and I get on well with most people even when I have only just met them.
I studied Child Development at GCSE level and whilst only a section of the course concentrated on child birth, I believe it has given me a good base knowledge of some of the things I will need to know and develop whilst studying Midwifery.
Having become settled in the Worthing area I decided that I would like to stay here to continue my studies. As it was too late for me to apply for the Midwifery course for September 2007 I decided I would work within the NHS to gain some experience before I embark on training and a career through the NHS. I am currently working for the NHS as the Stop Smoking Helpline Administrator for West Sussex. Although this is a new venture for me I am enjoying it thoroughly and am pleased that I am getting experience in dealing with pregnant ladies, as well as other member of the public, to offer our Stop Smoking facilities to them.
I believe myself to be a very hard-working individual and always eager to learn new things and to be efficient in everything I do. Having lived away from my family home for three years whilst studying, I have had to become self-sufficient. I therefore feel that I present myself in a mature way and am good at supporting others as well as supporting myself.


Hope that is of some help to people. Sorry for the blanks, I realise it makes it very confusing but I am sure you can understand that it is confidential and I cannot leave it in.
X

Probably surplus to requirements as there are many outstanding examples far better than mine but I would have liked to see as many examples as I could have wehn doing mine so here goes.

I got 3 interviews out of 3 unis applied to, and 1 offer.

Midwifery is a dynamic and varied profession with many aspects. It appeals to me as it is challenging, offers the opportunity for life long self development and has a positive impact on people's lives. I am a caring person and have always been interested in the human body and particularly pregnancy. I have talked to midwives and student midwives about the course and career and all are unanimous in stating that it can be very stressful, includes unsociable hours and can be physically and emotionally draining but is also extremely rewarding. I am aware of the major lifestyle changes that both the course and the career involve and am prepared to work shifts and to be on call as required. I feel I am capable of the demands of the course, I understand it is practical, involving clinical placements but is also academic, with self reflection, assignments and exams as with any degree course. I am excited about learning all the biological and psychological issues involved in pregnancy and being trained to give the best care and support to women and their families, through such an emotionally turbulent event.
Having worked since I was 16, I have developed a number of relevant skills. Whilst at college, keen to establish independence and take responsibility for myself, I worked part time as a catering assistant where I learnt hygiene protocols and team work. I continued to support myself at university where I learnt organisation, self discipline, effective time management and to work to deadlines. I also became familiar with scientific and medical literature and to communicate scientific information through a variety of media including essays, posters and presentations.
I have worked in customer service and administration where I further developed organisation, interpersonal and communication skills and learned to deal with irate customers calmly and to turn a negative situation into a positive one. I have also enjoyed being a vital part of a team and developed self confidence and the ability to liaise with people at all levels from support staff to managing director. Whilst at Bovis Homes, I received fire safety training as deputy fire warden for my department. I was also a member of the Bovis Charity Committee which involved organising fundraising events and collecting and banking donations.
As the birth of my second son coincided with moving to Wales, I chose to stay at home to help my eldest son through a potentially difficult transition and I have further developed my skills in coping calmly under pressure, multi-tasking and organisation. I also help my grandparents out with housework as both have been ill although they are recovering well and now require less help. I also hand knit baby clothes to order, often working to tight deadlines.
Now that my sons are both settled, rather than returning to an unfulfilling job, I have chosen to realise my ambition to have a worthwhile and satisfying career as a midwife. I am currently a full time student on Access to Health Professions Diploma at the Afan campus of Neath Port Talbot College. I am enjoying my return to education, particularly the aspects of the course which are new to me and therefore challenging.
In my spare time, I like to read or do jigsaw puzzles. I enjoy long country walks with my family and catching up with friends. I seem to be the person that people come to for advice or cheering up and I enjoy that I am considered approachable and dependable. For example, after the birth of her baby, my sister-in-law confided in me that she was having what I recognised to be symptoms of postnatal depression, I helped her to realise her feelings were not uncommon and that there was no shame in seeking medical help, which she did and has now recovered.
Having explored the many aspects of midwifery, I am convinced it is the career for me and that I have the skills, qualities and drive to succeed and am committed to lifelong learning in order to be the best midwife that I can be.

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Mum to two beautiful boys.
Student Midwife Cardiff 2008!!
Student Midwife University Representative

Hi everyone,
I applied for 3 uni's this year and was not offered a place by any of them. I aim to reapply next year or do a degree in adult nursing first. I think my personal statement let me down, it doesnt sound anything like everyone elses. Am I at a disadvantage of being young and just finishing my A levels? Most people seem to have their own children so more life experience. Here it is; i welcome and appreciate any comments for improvement;

Personal Statement
The miracles of the human body in particular the conception, development and birth of a human life has stimulated me to pursue a career in midwifery. I feel that I have the personal qualities important for midwifery. I am a highly conscientious, motivated individual who takes pride in all the work I do. Explicit communication skills characterises me as a person making me a reliable and trustworthy person to talk to. I am sensitive towards peoples needs and emotional state and have also helped many close and distant friends in the past with my natural counselling skills. I am confident that my experience, skills and natural ability equips me well for a midwifery degree. A degree in midwifery will provide me with the perfect opportunity to expand on and learn new skills enabling me to begin a rewarding and challenging career as a midwife.

The human body and health has always interested me. I am currently studying double Health and Social Care and Biology at A2. I am thoroughly enjoying every aspect of Biology and find it an exciting, fascinating and challenging subject. This together with studying Health and Social Care, I feel I have a good understanding of the physical, psychological and emotional stages of pregnancy and birth. At AS level I studied Sociology and am currently studying AS French which has given me an insight into the cultural and social perceptions of people.

Whilst being in sixth form I have become actively involved in many aspects of the extra curricular life of the school. I took the role of a curriculum assistant, which involved supporting younger students in modern foreign languages. This was a gratifying task which gave me the opportunity to share knowledge and boost my confidence. I feel I am a positive role model around college and have always helped at college open evenings and events.

Outside of education I have a part time job at Mothercare, this is advantageous as I have an depth knowledge of the products available for new mothers, young children and families. My main responsibility is demonstrating pushchairs and fitting car seats, this requires exploring customers’ needs therefore good communication skills are paramount. People and communication skills, effective time management and organisation are all part of the rich set of skills that my employment has provided me with.

In my spare time I enjoy and regularly care for young family members. This hands-on experience has taught me so much about the expertise required for a young baby’s care in order for them to succeed in developing physically, intellectually, emotionally and socially. Additionally I regularly go swimming and enjoy socialising with old and new friends.

Midwifery offers great variety, giving me crucial opportunities to learn, develop and share skills, making the experience so fulfilling. I want to share my ’gift’ by helping others and making a difference in the community and I know that I would be an invaluable member of the midwifery profession.

Becky xx

Hi there, I am by no means an expert on this matter but I think it is a good statement, half the time people are just unlucky not to get to interview because of the numbers game.

Just one point, I would (and this is just my opinion) in this part I feel you are repeating yourself slightly, the first sentence is similar to your opening sentence, so perhaps merge these two at the beggining? Also, you've mentioned your current A2 subjects twice. Perhaps something like:

I am currently enjoying every aspect of A2 Biology and find it an exciting, fascinating and challenging subject. I feel that this, together with A2 Health and Social Care, has given me a basic understanding of the physical, psychological and emotional stages of pregnancy and birth.

I would say basic not good because IMO you don't want to sound like you think you know it all.

Also, at all the university open days I attended, (though they may have different opinions at your chosen unis) they stressed that midwifery is NOT about looking after babies, it is primarily about caring for women so they were looking for people who want to care for women so maybe less about your experince with babies? The mothercare bit is good though but maybe stress the aspect of helping new parents rather than your knowledge of the products available?

As I have said, this is just my opinion and I am not an expert. I hope this helps though x

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Mum to two beautiful boys.
Student Midwife Cardiff 2008!!
Student Midwife University Representative

Thank you Rachael, It is great to have some structured criticism. I agree with everything you have said. I could never find any examples of statements when writing mine, shame I didnt find this site earlier! I shall keep your comments in mind when re-writing my statement.

Thanks
Becky xx

I changed mine so many times I have absolutely no idea which version this one is - they all sound like they were written when I was about 10!

It's very basic - but got me in to the only uni I applied to first go!



The role of a midwife is a privileged one. To be part of somebody’s life at the most intense and important time is something that should never be taken for granted. I am completely absorbed and fascinated by the subject and will relish the opportunity to prove myself a keen and capable trainee. I now realise how important the care – physical and psychological is, both during and after pregnancy. I feel that I can offer empathy to mothers and families and deal with problems in a professional and capable manner.

I have life experience which has taught me to be grounded and deal with stressful situations well. I am able to work as a team member and by myself and I feel have good communication skills.

I have thoroughly enjoyed being back at college, although it was quite a daunting prospect at first. I have never felt so sure and positive about anything before in my life as I did about coming back to college to enable me to apply to go onto midwifery. Currently, I am studying Access to Health and Science which includes biology, sociology and psychology. This is helping me learn to organise my time effectively between my studies and the demands of a young family whilst emphasising my personal feelings toward becoming a midwife.

Having identical twins has reaffirmed my understanding of how care needs can greatly differ between individuals. Over the past year I have been setting up a charity SNICUP’s – Supporting NICU Parent’s which has brought me together with health professionals and parents. Currently, this is in a research state, but once we are up and running it will be a professional group supporting vulnerable families in partnership with others. I am also in the process of being trained for Twinline, which is a telephone support line for families of multiple births, and I am also a registered childminder although I don’t currently mind any children regularly as I’m full time at college.

I feel I would like to contribute my skills and knowledge into a rewarding career working with families/people from a huge and diverse range of backgrounds and supporting them professionally through a range of experiences. Therefore, I feel I make an excellent candidate for your course for a number of reasons.


Hope it helps!

I agree with rachel p is isnt always about your ps , it comes down to numbers.

My college tutor said that they will look at your ps to decide whether or not to interview so it should be abrief description of you as a whole person not just your academia.

But me personally cant see any problem with the ps !!

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This is too technical ......

should that have been acadamia???

Thats what i get for trying to use long and impressive words !!

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This is too technical ......