Hi Guys! :)
I hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine now that it has
finallllyyyyyy arrived... (I know I am!!!)
Last Thursday, I attended a GET Workshop at our university about
entering Graduate Medicine and thought I'd share some of the important information
that was given to us with all you budding Medics like me!
Graduate Medicine,
I'm sure you all know, is a four year course which is open to students who wish
to study medicine after completing an undergraduate degree. It is a very competitive
course to get into ( if Undergraduate Medicine is very hard to get into, there
are much fewer Medical Schools around the UK who actually do Graduate Medicine
and the number of places that are available at each of these schools is much
fewer than for Undergraduate Medicine); and so a lot of preparation is required
to ensure we have done all we can to guarantee
the best chance of gaining a place at our desired medical school.
Here are just a few things you should be aware of when
applying for Graduate Medicine:
1. Research! Each
medical school has a slightly different entry criteria, so it is important that
you do a lot of research about each medical school in order to find the medical
school which best suits you. Some medical schools require certain medical entrance
tests, whereas others may not require any. Some medical schools may focus more on your undergraduate degree
and your medical entrance test scores,
whereas others may focus on GCSEs,
A-Levels and other similar qualifications, alongside your undergraduate degree.
Most Medical Schools carry out interviews, however a few schools make their
decisions by looking at your qualifications, the scores you obtained in the medical
entrance tests and your personal statement. So with all these different
selection processes, you have plenty to think about! Attend university open
days, read through the university's' prospectus and visit the university's
website to gain as much information about the university, the course and the selection
process before making your decision.
REMEMBER: there are only four choices you can put on your UCAS form so it is
really important to make the best four choices for you.
2. Medical Entrance
Tests. There are three main medical entrance tests, the UKCAT, GAMSAT and
BMAT, which may be required by the medical school you are applying to. Each of
these three tests differ in their assessment methods and test applicants on
their Science knowledge, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, Mathematics
and English (depending on which of the three tests you sit). All the important information
that you need to know about these exams are on the UKCAT, GAMSAT and BMAT
websites so it is well worth visiting! A wide range of books and special
courses are also available to help you prepare for these tests as best as you
can.
3. The Personal Statement.
This is the place where you can really shine and sell yourself! As you have a
limited number of words in which you can do this, make sure you emphasise your
reasons for wanting to study medicine,
what you have learnt from any relevant work experience such as the work
you have done in hospitals, GP surgeries etc. / voluntary work you have done in
places such as charity shops, nursing
homes etc, any other outstanding achievements that you have done and your
hobbies/interests. It is very important
that your personal statement shows that you are academically able as well as
showing that you are a well rounded person!
4. Deadlines! This
may be very obvious...but make sure you meet deadlines!!! It is important you register for
UCAS and submit your UCAS application by
the 15th of October 2013 ( yes applications for Medicine is much earlier than
the deadline for other applications). And if the Medical School you have chosen
requires a medical entrance test, make sure you apply for these before the
deadline, prepare for the exams in
advance and sit the exam on time on the appropriate day.
5. The Interview
Process. If you are fortunate enough to be offered an interview, make sure you
go well -prepared, dress smartly, adopt
the correct body language and answer all the questions confidently, to the best
of your ability. ( I previously attended an interview for Undergraduate Medicine
and unfortunately wasn't offered a place at the medical school after my
interview . I feel that the main reason for this outcome was the fact that I
started to panic after being thrown off by one particular question which I
didn't expect to be asked and so didn't answer most of the questions after this
properly. So what did I learn from this??? Be prepared for the unexpected and
never panic under any circumstance!!!)
6. An Alternative
Choice. Choose the fifth choice on
your UCAS form wisely so that you have a back-up plan if you unfortunately
don't get a place onto the Graduate Medicine Course. Alternatively, you may
want to think about searching for a job in the field you have obtained your
degree in ( in my case, as I am studying
Biomedical Science, I may want to think about finding a job in a research lab).
So all what's left for me to say is...GOOD LUCK!!!
Applications for the 2014 cycle is just round the corner now! If you continue to work hard, gain as much
experience as possible and be well prepared, your DREAM of studying Medicine can become a REALITY.
