My daughter wants to study medicine at Uni next year

[mumof2girls2000]

My 17 year old would love to be better prepared for a medical degree at university. I know there are plenty of summer schools for pre uni medical students but they are so expensive. I was wondering if anyone knew of any lower cost summer courses or workshops etc for medicine? many thanks.

Your local hospital might run one. Ours does a course of day events for sixth form students.

Thanks, they ran one last year which was great but unfortunately they don't seem to be repeating it this year, but I will re check with them. many thanks

If she's applying this October she's going to need to get a shift on. She needs to do the UCAT and/or BMAT exams and have some work experience. Eton run a one day course which used to cost £10 which is great for going through the application process. But can help if you need anything. My DD is a first year.

This is £20

www.themedicportal.com/event/the-medic-portal-aspire/

Ask the hospital if any work experience is possible. it’s one thing my sister wanted to do (never did) but she managed to get a few days week working at the local hospital on the children’s ward

If you fall into a lower income bracket then your local university med school may have a free summer school for local students.

My nephew is volunteering in a oap home and helps out in the summer at a children's hospice. He has been told he needs more than just grades needs volunteer work and another interest.

www.lancaster.ac.uk/summer-schools/ not sure if this is any use?

My daughter had extensive work experience - none paid for. Most of her cohort were dismissive of commercial summer schools.
She needs volunteer and work experience prior to her UCAS statement.
She could try local GP practices. Most medical students become GPs an understanding of how GP services fit into wider picture is needed.
She should write to the senior partner in several practices.

Consider volunteering with vulnerable people- cooking in a homeless hostel, a service for people with learning difficulties or a care home.

Write to local trusts, private hospitals or hospices and ask to shadow. Or try a funeral directors.

Start practicing for UKCat and BMAT. I thInk it’s KAPLAN that do online tutored courses. Get interview practice from a friendly local GP too.

You might like to look at the Medicine 2019 thread - www.mumsnet.com/Talk/higher_education/3269466-Medicine-2019 . Lots of information in there from those of us who had DCs going through this for entry this year!

Thanks everyone for your advice. She has done some volunteering which is all great, but I think she needs a bit more real medical exposure, so I will knock on a few gp and hospital doors. She is preparing for the UCAT as it seems to be available soon.

the lancaster uni summer option is free and looks great! Sadly it is not during the summer holidays.....and I also dont think we would meet the criteria, but it is an amazing opportunity for a lot of people. Thanks!

When DD was considering medicine, she volunteered at the local hospice as a ward clerk, and also spent a week on a stroke ward. She did a week in an Opthomology clinic, our lovely optician sorted that out for her. Some of her friends did stints at care homes. It doesn't have to be cutting edge, but seeing a range of healthcare settings is useful. She also had a long chat with our GP who very kindly came to our house and had a long chat with her. As it turned out, she decided against, which is really what admissions want to know, as in, why do you really want to do medicine, what have you done and seen which supports your application. She did a BioMed course, and her opening line on the UCAS was that she had decided against medicine and for BioMed because......

I second the summer schools at hospitals. DD1 has applied and will know if she has been successful in June so we have had to block out three weeks of the summer just in case!

Try and join St Johns Ambulance. Volunteer in a care home. Paying isn’t necessary. She should contact people, not you!

My daughter wants to study medicine as well and I've signed her up for the medical school summer course by howtoib.com. The girl running it has tutored my daughter for a while and she's excellent.

I can't offer any links, but friends dd was refused at every place she applied.
Any work experience is essential, be prepared to take a gap year to gain experience.
Friends dd went to a grammar and got 8's and 9's and predicted highest in A levels too, had DofE, and some volunteering on her cv.
I'm not saying you will experience this, but thought I should post about one person's realism
Good luck to your dd.

Please don't pay for any courses - it's not necessary and admissions tutors make it very clear they don't rate them. Same as a month working in some far flung place. They know only the wealthy can afford to do this.
Google work experience and your nearest hospitals will pop up with links. Lots of GPS take students. And volunteering can be anything remotely caring - my daughter taught riding & stable management to kids. Had 1 week GP and 3 days at hospital experience only. Got 4 offers. It's quality reflection that counts, not quantity.

DofE is worthless I’m afraid. Medical experience with St Johns is so much better. Care home work and hospice work is also
good. She’s left it late though! I would take a gap year!