Studying Medicine Parthivi Gambhir Applying for medicine Step

Studying Medicine Parthivi Gambhir

Applying for medicine Step 1) Identify med schools and entry requirements

Identifying med schools Factors you might consider: - Do you want: - A traditional med school - 2 -3 years pre clinical, 3 years clinical - Problem based learning - Lecture are supplementary - Integrated - Lectures + clinical training from the start - Is full body dissection important to you? - What facilities do you want/are important to you? - Is location a factor for you? - Visiting the med school if possible will be extremely helpful in choosing your university

Entry requirements University of Birmingham

University of Leicester

Step 2 - Book the medical entrance exam you need UKCAT or BMAT

UKCAT - - - 26 medical schools require UKCAT You can sit the exam all around the world - in Dubai you can sit it at the Society of Engineers - Al Mamzar area, Diera Two hours to complete five sections The UKCAT is an aptitude test - consists of Verbal, Quantitative, and Abstract Reasoning, Decision Making and Situational Judgement Questions. Each section is scored out of 900, apart from situational judgement which is given in bands (bands 1 -4).

Resources for UKCAT

BMAT - 8 Medical schools require the BMAT The BMAT is also an aptitude test More content based than the UKCAT BMAT is a written exam, UKCAT is a computer exam

Resources for the BMAT

Step 3 - Preparing for Interviews - MMI or Panel Interviews

MMI - Multiple Mini Interviews - - A multiple mini interview consists of a series of short, structured interview stations used to assess non-cognitive which can include communication, team-working, ethics, empathy, current knowledge and personality attributes Usually 7 -8 stations in each interview 6 -7 minutes per station with a 1 minute break between each station - total interview is about 1 hour At each station you are given a different question that relates to theme of that station

Panel Interview - Less common than the MMI - as opposed to the MMI a panel interview is one long interview with no rotation. The interview consists of one to four panelists per candidate. The panelists will most often represent medical school faculty and current students or residents. Crucial to go over and learn your personal statement will be asked questions on it May also be asked questions on ethics, empathy, teamwork etc.

Resources for interview prep - The medic portal Have 100 s of practice questions with answers online for all topics Can also do interview tutoring - run by students (can also do Skype tutoring)

Step 4 - firm your universities and get into med school!

What is it like to study medicine?

What classes do I have - Lectures - Tutorials - Practicals - Online Lessons - Workshops - Dissections

The week of a first year med student

What I had in that week - 8 Lectures 2 tutorials 1 dissection session 10 Online lectures 3 workshops

Highs and Lows of medicine Lows: - INTENSE work load - You might need to prioritize work when others don’t - A lot of contact hours

Highs - Medicine is one of the most social courses Everyone is always in your position You can already start to feel that you’re making a difference We have fewer assignments during the year Regardless of work, you still have a good social life

Why should you study medicine?

My email: vpgambhir@hotmail. co. uk