Briefly summarise the overall process in applying for Medicine?

In a summary:

Lots of extra-curricular activities, volunteering throughout

UKCAT exam After AS/ start of A2.

UCAS application A2

Interview A2

Hardcore studying throughout

If you want the points above filled out a bit, keep reading.

Let's say you just finished your GCSE's.

People applying for Medicine needs to be very competitive and enduring because I will say from personal experience it is not easy.

It depends on your personality, your qualities and your skills that you have and that you gain over time. I am not saying this to put anyone off but I would like to give you the honest truth from my point of view. In my opinion there are 3 outcomes.

For people who are successful, the sprint and marathon ( I would call it both) is worth it.

For those who are not you can either be disappointed and disheartened or you can be determined and keep running the marathon until you reach that finishing line.

Or you can accept the journey as a very insightful experience and keep moving forward even though it’s a different direction.

So if you are in the summer of your GCSE’s yes you can chill and relax but as soon as possible, I would apply for volunteering positions, extra-curricular activities, maybe a job (but it must never interfere with your school work- it should be the very minimum. I would say that even once a week might be too much). Your aim is to get the maximum experience as much medical as possible so you can plenty to write about in your personal statement and plenty to talk about in interviews. This means that keeping a diary of all your experiences as you go along is very good as well as keeping up with the latest medical news and issues.

   For example Hospital, nursing homes, pharmacy, shops, Duke of Ed, John Paul 2, Millennium volunteer, playing and instrument, interview courses etc. I can describe any of the above in detail if you need. There are inevitably much more opportunities like Habitat, Safari where you can do charity work in another country, any medical talks, and open days. Always have your eyes and ears open for opportunities you can involve yourself with.

  On top of all this you need to make sure you are continually studying. Especially Chemistry. You need an A in Chemistry (and keep in mind Chemistry said to be the most difficult A-Level) if not all medical schools- however please always refer to the most current prospectuses of universities. Make sure you are continually doing notes and past papers throughout the year for all subjects to secure the As’ you need to get into Medicine.

 Next comes let’s say spring time- I would start thinking and researching about the UKCAT (United Kingdom Clinical Aptitude Test). You do this online test over the summer after AS. It is a very difficult exam so remember to prepare as much as possible.

Next comes the UCAS (The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service ) application and your personal statement at the start of A2. You start writing drafts a soon as the first week of September depending on your school. The deadline is usually in October but again please always refer to the most current source which would be your teacher or the UCAS website.

Next would be the wait for interviews. Always check your email regularly after your application. Interviews can be as early as November and as late as March or April.

There are two types of interviews. The standard one to one or two to one interviews where you just answer questions. The second is station-type interviews. Some universities call it different names eg. MMI (Multi mini interviews) in Queens University Belfast. In these you go through a circuit of different stations. Each station assesses a particular skill or quality. Some are role plays testing your ethical values. Others can test your logical skills, experience, personal statement, medical or subject knowledge, ability to respond to new situations, decision-making skills and many more.

Then you attend any interviews you get accepted for confidently and with preparation. Sometimes you get offers, sometimes you don’t.

Then you keep studying hard until your exams are over.

The person who really desires this will not stop no matter what obstacle will come in the way.