Can anyone explain the complete basics of applying for medicine/vet med at Uni

[YvonneMyBelle]

Dd has just done her GCSEs. Predicted grades 7-9 in all subjects. She on and off mentions thinking about medicine/vet med (in a typically vague, it will all sort itself out teenage way) - but needs to pin down her subjects for 6th form soon.

How much do Med schools look at GCSE grades?
What subjects should she do for A-level?
Does she need maths A-level?
Is IB or are A-levels preferable to Universities?
Should she be doing relevant work experience already?
What sort of work experience is useful/viewed well.

Thanks!

Thank you for being gracious. Apology accepted.

Time between GCSEs and A levels pass in a blink of an eye. Like whistl has said, if your DD decides on Medicine, she has a year to prep her application (early deadline - 15 Oct). Arranging work experience will take time and then getting CRB checked (takes 4-6 weeks) means she will be taking on an awful lot just as she is starting 6th Form. I was trying to answer your questions as best I could and also giving your DD a pep talk/kick up the bum in the way that I would my own DS1. She needs to quickly decide and take action if necessary.

DBS check nowadays, not CRB. DD may apply for a basic one, this week, awaiting confirmation what care home wants her to get. I believe care home would have to apply for the enhanced one (we can't do it).

Yes - sorry! DBS check now, CRB in my time. DS1's volunteering stints all required enhanced version.

Some medical schools prefer the third A level to be an arts or humanities subject to show a greater breadth of education.

My last DBS (my volunteering role at DS2's school involves being with students without staff supervision) took less than a week to come through, iirc

@TapasForTwo which medical schoools prefer the third A Level to be an arts or humanities subject? Haven't seen that on my current travels through various websites, but might have missed it?

@Bimkom it was at the subject talk at York in June 2017.

Thanks TapasForTwo - there is no mention of this on the current Hull York website - not at:
www.hyms.ac.uk/medicine/applying-to-study-medicine/entry-requirements#alevels

Or anywhere else I could see. Just seemed to require a minimum AAB (unless contextual), and scores via GCSEs and various parts of the UCAT

AAB for medicine seems low. The usual is AAA.

AAB is the contextual offer Blinkom, normally AAA.

Just looking here as my nephew is now going through the process, my own DD as some will know applied last year, was in the amazing position of three offers out of three interviews attended (cancelled the fourth interview as she had an offer from her first choice by then) - however, long story results day didn't go her way. She has choices but decided to go into clearing at the very Uni she had chosen for medicine and is happy with her choice, her student life and will likely now go into drug research rather than medicine. In many ways it is a shame she has the personality for medicine and this clearly came across at interview, but if I am honest she has a couple of health issues herself which i think would have affected her stamina and therefore ability to cope with the long shifts and odd hours. Her work ex was not extensive but it was varied, a week in a dementia day care centre, some regular help in a class of children on autistic spectrum and was lucky to get a whole week working in intensive care at a hectic london hospital (which she loved) and commuted to daily, two trains a bus and a tube. She gained some great insight into the real world and grew up a lot. She thinks she is in the right place now. BUT if I had my time again I would have pushed her more and made up for the issues I realised there were with teaching at school, (loss of a biology teacher, new chemistry teacher, head off ill etc.) and not applied for medicine until she had results and therefore take a gap year with more time to be sure of her choice and look at alternatives. Not having to sit UCAT /BMAT at the same time as taking new A levels, and not having to attend visit days and interviews at the same time as submitting coursework for deadlines etc. would I am sure have helped to gain the results she needed. But no regrets, she is happy. Just waiting to see how my nephew gets on now! He had the UCAT yesterday...

Is your dd quite dexterous? I often wonder whether the academics are emphasised at the cost of other skills doctors need: people skills - both with patients and colleagues - and if you want to be a surgeon, being very practical and good with your hands. And pretty major problem solving skills.

Sorry to hear 281's dd didn't get the grades. Sort of makes my point really, although you say she might not have had the stamina.

I often wonder whether the academics are emphasised at the cost of other skills doctors need

You wouldn't be the only one...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/education-46019429

@probstimeforanewname the professor of surgery at KCL write a rather interesting article about dexterity and surgical skills. He encouraged prospective students to take up crafting in particular crafts that involve handling thread as it improves surgical skills.
Many of the best surgeons I know knit, crochet or sew.