What is important to consider when applying for Medical School?

When applying for any medical school, it is important to consider what makes you stand out as an individual. Of course, your personal statement, UKCAT/BMAT, A-Levels and often your GCSE grades are important components of your application and need to be completed to a high standard for your application to be considered, but when looking for potential students, Medical Schools are much more likely to consider somebody who has gone above and beyond to take part in extra curricular activities and experience, than somebody who relies solely on their academia, without any external factors on top.
Many medical schools require you to have exposure in the medical/caring field. This can be anything from part-taking in work experience in a hospital (shadowing doctors/consultants or helping on the wards) to volunteering in a local care home as a demonstration of experience in a caring role. This is looked upon highly as part of your application as it shows your passion towards the course if you are actively gaining experience in a healthcare setting. Not only does it show devotion to Medicine, but it also shows that you are motivated enough to actively seek work experience roles, which may sometimes be time consuming. It shows the Medical School that you are a competent individual and gives them an indication of how passionate you are going to be as a student.
Furthermore, it is important for you to also have extra-curricular hobbies that you enclose in your personal statement. This can be anything from playing a sport to playing a musical instrument, taking part in the DofE award or even anything from walking your dog to reading books. This is a vital part of your application because it shows the University that you are 'human'. Medicine is a very challenging career and it all begins with you as a medical student, having long hours and lots of work and learning that you are expected to complete. This can sometimes be challenging and draining so it is important as a Medical Student that you have some way to switch off and relax (which for me was playing Netball), to give you a break from the demanding expectations of your course. It is important that the University knows that you understand the importance of a work-life balance and that you as an individual have something to allow you to relax whilst on the course. Moreover, these extra-curricular hobbies also demonstrate a range of competencies that are vital for being a medical student and it is important that you relate these to your chosen hobby in your personal statement, because it helps to develop the University's understanding of you as an individual, as well as an academic student.