Wordcloud.

This is a word-map of all the traits I've found, from speaking to doctors, med students, and through my own research, that are vital in any doctor's skillset.

Now back to Geography revision.

Will post later on a few things that I've got coming up next week!

motivation, dedication, self-dedication, stamina, intelligence, inquisition, perception, deducing, analysis, diagnosis, knowledge, scientific-soundness, academic, well-informed, realistic, community-orientation, caring, empathetic, communicator, compassionate, open, honest, ethics, morals, responsibility, leadership, common-sense, problem-solving, creativity, flexibility, rounded, resilient, friendly, fitness, healthy, teaching, learning, teamwork, independence, reliability, punctuality, accuracy, patience, interpersonal, calmness, organisation, practicality, time-management, confidence, stress-coping, social, trusted, good-natured, benevolent, respected, wise, patient, mature

Why I want to study Medicine

Why I want to study Medicine...

1. Societal contribution and eminent form of public service - strong community orientation and the ability to enrich souls. You help people and care for others; community comes first.
2. Respectable and revered occupation. The fact that it's so competitive really adds to its eminence. And I'm a competitive person. I've been inspired by the Doctors I have been with on work experience. I would love Dr. next to my name.
3. Allows me to be the best I can be, stretching myself to the fullest capacity emotionally and intellectually. 
4. Dynamism - I will enjoy being a Doctor
5. Extremely emotionally rewarding. 
6. Will allow me to apply the maxims of my Christian faith, through the principles of the career such as benevolence, the need to be caring and compassionate. 
7. I enjoy solving problems and applying principles to problems
8. With my love for God, comes my love for People
9. I am motivated and spurred on by Maths and Science - particularly Human Physiology and Neuroscience.
10. It's an ancient Art, which I want to participate in and address in my own personal, unique and creative way, in the light of Hippocrates' unique and historical contribution to the vocation. It is also a Science that is progressing at an incredible rate (technologically etc.) - a simple walk into BBC New Health will find you no short-comings to exemplify this. In future, more innovative tech will be used by Doctors - that sounds like an exciting prospect!
11. The fact that I've always wanted to work in the NHS (probably because my Mum's a nurse), a desire reinvigorated by the birth of my younger brother in 2011, where there were problems leading up to the pregnancy, such as a miscarriage* of a twin, and his heart rate accelerating abnormally right before birth. This nevertheless did not hinder the existence of the healthy two year old he is today. I was inspired by the ability of advanced Medicine to bring about a successful birth and the astuteness and caring nature of the health-professionals in place to make decisive decisions and conduct a successful Cesarean Section. My younger brother is the testimony of that.
12. My own intrinsic and carefully developed attributes apply to Medicine (developed through all my experiences over the past few months), e.g. community orientation, care for others, commitment to society and helping others, my interpersonal and communication skills, preparing to deal with inevitable "stress" and "pressure" mentioned before, academic ability, team work, independence, compassion and prospect to be a medical leader.
13. Job security and immediate employment
14. Decent graduate pay, and a clear-cut career ladder that enhances motivation 

*attributed to mild Protein S deficiency in my Mum, a genetic condition which increases risk of venous thrombosis (blood clots)

Hello

Hi! I'm DrumChops; I live in South East England. Currently I'm at the rounding down stage of Lower Sixth Form, and, as you've guessed rightly, I'll be applying to study Medicine A100 this year for entry in 2014. Right now you're being thrown right into the middle of my quest (or road/journey/mission, whatever you like) to get into Medicine, which started last year midway through year 11 :). Between then and now, I have remained steadfast in my journey; being a Doctor is absolutely what I want to do. The whole air of competition is stirring me on, and I'm enjoying the journey.

So why am I writing a blog? Other blogs I've come across on the Internet with a similar theme encouraged me to do the same. I will update later on some of my relevant experiences as of yet that have contributed towards my application, in a later post. The general purpose of this blog is for me to track my own progress, and also to give any advice/information to those applying/hoping to apply for medicine, as well as inspire people to believe that it can be done!

Only 40% of those who apply earn a place at medical school each year, which is a minority, so the process is all about making yourself stand out from the rest - it's a competitive vocation even from the early days. In an ideal world (not firmly established) I'd likely be applying to Imperial College, Birmingham, Queen Mary and St George's, with a currently undecided uni for the fifth choice (the course likely to be Biochemistry or Neuroscience). Imperial College is my dream university, however. I'm praying to receive an offer for Medicine before my 18th birthday (24th Decemeber!).

Good luck to all budding aspiring Medics.