APPLYING FOR MEDICINE JFS Year 12 Parents Progression

APPLYING FOR MEDICINE JFS Year 12 Parents’ Progression Evening February 2020 Tim Miller & Barbara Hamnett

FIVE Key Elements in all successful applications: • Grades • Work Experience • Interview • Subject interest and personal qualities (shown in personal statement and reference) • Test result

Grades • Check details on medical school websites of exact GCSE and A Level requirements • GCSE grades often scored • Very specific A level subject requirements • UCL- GCSE language requirement Tip : Use the Medic Portal: https: //www. themedicportal. com/applicationguide/choosing-a-medical-school/comparisontool/

Pre- admissions Tests • BMAT – taken at school (4 November 2020). Register with Exams Officer ( also a BMAT sitting in August – taken externally) • UCAT – register independently; taken outside school after 1 July. • All 36 UK Medical Schools use one of the above Main advice: • Don’t put all eggs in same basket! • Check websites for how each medical school uses test results • Prepare …. prepare

Work Experience ‘While it may be difficult to obtain clinical work experience, we encourage applicants to seek out opportunities to work with the public in a customer service role, or volunteer in a care or health environment (nursing home, local hospice, shelter for the homeless, or facility supporting people with disabilities or special needs), or a youth group’. University of Bristol Quality of reflection Keep records- verification sometimes required Observe teamwork of (medical) staff Do work experience over a period of time to demonstrate commitment and stamina for hard work • Work experience can tell students if medicine is right for them. • •

Interviews : MMI or Panel? Prepare thoroughly: • Know personal statement • Reflect on work experiences • Read all available websites, articles and literature on medicine ( eg BMJ; New Scientist; BBC website; newspaper articles on ethical issues) • For MMI think through some of the scenarios which are commonly set. • JFS has bank of sample questions and some MMI scenarios. MMI: 8 stations. Each station will last seven minutes and you will have one minute to move between stations and read the next task. The format varies; some will ask you to discuss information on your UCAS form, or discuss a scenario or question that you will be presented with. Most involve discussion…. the station may require you to write down information or interact with an actor who will be playing a role. The skills being assessed will include ethical reasoning, selfevaluation, communication skills and problem solving. King’s College London

Subject interest and suitability : demonstrate through the Personal Statement • Motivation • Understanding role of a doctor/wider context / NHS • Examples of regular hands-on caring work experience • Reflection on what was learnt from such experiences • Evidence of initiative/enterprise • Work/life balance • Evidence of working successfully in teams • Ability to Communicate

NHS Constitution- Values • Working together for patients • Respect and dignity • Commitment to quality of care • Compassion • Improving lives • Everyone counts

Choosing the right four medical schools Teaching and Learning- type of course: Ø Traditional ( eg Oxford, Cambridge) Ø Integrated Ø Problem-based learning ( sometimes called ‘case based learning’) *Differences are less clear cut these days Other factors: ØLocation , Jewish community and life ØBalance of choices – BMAT/UCAT tactics again! ØDon’t rule out the lesser known or new medical schools – eg Keele, Anglia Ruskin (new medical school based at Chelmsford), Edge Hill ( new – Lancashire)

School Process and Support JFS provides: • Pre- application experiences, talks and visits • Alumni Day • June : ‘Futures Week’ session on interviews and BMAT/UCAT prep with medical students + St Paul’s Medicine Conference • BMAT/UCAT preparation (September) • Interview practice - individual mock interviews with feedback (November) IMMEDIATE PRIORITIES FOR APPLICANTS: • Get the best end of year grades and predictions • Sort out work experience for Spring/Summer 2020 • Research choices and identify Open Days to attend • Practice Tests – start now!

Other recommended resources https: //www. medschools. ac. uk/studying-medicine/applications/entryrequirements? type=standard-entry-medicine Medical Schools Council guide to all UK Medical Schools https: //www. bma. org. uk/advice/career/studying-medicine/becominga-doctor/application-process British Medical Association www. healthcareers. nhs. uk NHS Careers site- for all careers in medical professions, resources, advice etc https: //www. themedicportal. com/application-guide/choosing-amedical-school/comparisontool/