GETTING INTO MEDICAL SCHOOL

HOLLAND PARK SCHOOL

Presented by: Anita Iyer, MBBS student

Holland Park School Alumna

17 June 2015

MEDICINE

5 year course

PBL vs Lecture based

Traditional vs Systems based

Pre-clinical- 2 years

Clinical- 3 years

Intercalated degree

WHAT IS LIFE LIKE AS A MEDICAL

STUDENT?

FUN!

A lot of work!!

Being organised is most important

Find something to relieve stress

A full timetable except Wednesday

afternoons off

WHAT IS IT LIKE TO BE A DOCTOR?

Advantages

Incredibly interesting

Lifelong learning

Personal satisfaction

Wide spectrum of

specialities

Altruism

Having a direct impact

on human lives

Disadvantages

Time consuming

Training is long

Job related stress

a great deal of

responsibility

Lack of social life/

unsociable hours

PROGRESSION IN A MEDICAL CAREER

SPECIALITIES IN MEDICINE

Various types of surgeons

GP

Anaesthetics

Paediatrics

Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Cardiology

Gastroenterology

Dermatology

Neurology

Radiology

Pathology

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

GCSE’s

Places for medicine are competitive so ideally

mainly As and A*s

Predicted A levels of AAA- Some universities have

higher offers

A2 Chemistry is a must for Medicine

Usually want Biology but it varies between

universities

ADMISSIONS TESTS

UKCAT- Various Universities

2 hour Computer based test

Taken between May and September before you

apply

5 sections

1. Verbal Reasoning

2. Quantative Reasoning

3. Abstract Reasoning

4. Decision Analysis

5. Situational Judgement

ADMISSIONS TESTS

BMAT- Oxbridge, UCL, Imperial, BSMS, Leeds

2 hour pen and paper test

Sat in November

3 sections

1. Aptitude and skills- problem solving

2. Scientific knowledge- science and maths

3. Writing Task- develop an argument in essay

form

NON ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

THE IMPORTANCE OF WORK EXPERIENCE

It is expected that applicants will have

undertaken some voluntary work experience in a

caring/health environment and/or observation in

a medical clinical setting.

It is important for applicants to have a realistic

appreciation of what a career as a health

professional involves.

SOME EXAMPLES

Hospitals

GP surgeries

Volunteer work

Hospices

Overseas work

Pharmacy

Charity shop

HOW TO OBTAIN WORK EXPERIENCE

The NHS is made up of over 300 NHS organisations

across England - each is responsible for arranging work

experience.

Need to contact the NHS trusts in your area direct.

Ask to speak to the human resources, voluntary

services or education and training departments,

and they'll be able to give you some guidance.

You might also want to speak to the careers adviser

at your school or college who might be able to help. He

or she might already have agreements with the local

NHS around work experience placements.

LETTER FOR WORK EXPERIENCE

You may be need to write a letter or email

with some more details about who you are and

what you want from the opportunity.

Keep this brief and to the point - Who are you?

What do you want? Why? What can you

offer them in terms of your skills, other

experience - or just your commitment?

Follow up with a phone call, email- Be

persistent!

SOME IMPORTANT POINTS

Experience is essential – shows commitment, a well

thought out decision and a realistic view of medicine as

a career

Helps to demonstrate an understanding of the role

of a (junior) doctor in modern medicine in both a

primary and secondary care settings.

Helps to demonstrate an understanding of caring

for people and the harsh realities of illness.

Helps to develop skills that would be applicable to

medicine, including but not limited to; communication,

patience, responsibility, accuracy, punctuality,

reliability, team work, individual work, leadership,

teaching, learning, etc.

QUALITIES OF A GOOD DOCTOR

Think about what makes a good doctor

Think about a doctor you admire and what you

like about them

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

UKCAT Testing Days- 1st July- 6th October

AS Results Day- 13th August

UCAS Application Deadline- 15th October

BMAT Testing Day- 4th November

THANK YOU