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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

Medicine Applications 2017

539 replies

adski · 08/08/2016 14:11

As UKCAT season is in full swing and I can't find a thread anywhere else I thought I'd start this off. This is for parents of children looking to apply for Medicine at University with courses starting in 2017. UCAS application is only a couple of months away. It is hard to watch our kids put themselves through so much to work in the hardest profession imaginable and I thought it might be useful to start some sort of discussion here.

OP posts:
skyfall2016 · 30/09/2016 19:42

thanks soapybox

Chuckie88 · 30/09/2016 21:15

I would echo what soapy said about the school maybe helping out. Can she approach the head of sixth form to see if school has any contacts with local GPs or hospitals where a doctor could come in and conduct mock interviews? My DD did that and got really useful practice plus a whole load of feedback from someone independent.

Powergower · 07/10/2016 21:33

It's really shocking how little support some schools offer.

Kr1stina · 07/10/2016 22:15

YY! My kids school ( local comp ) had someone in YESTERDAY to talk to the medicine / dentistry applicants about their personal statements Shock

Apparently he asked the kids if they wanted him to go over what they should be putting in their PS and they all looked at him like Hmm . Eventually some of them told him that they were all on their final drafts. Except for those who have already summitted theirs of course.

Sigh

Moonpuddle · 07/10/2016 22:38

Kr1stina. That's so depressing.

Babbas · 07/10/2016 23:05

My neices head of 6th form told the 4 med applicants that no one ever really got in first time around and even reapplying was hard. No words of encouragement, just total negativity. I felt really angry. Its a poor inner city school who offer no help bar adding a reference to ucas applications. Bastards. My neice came away feeling that it was worth pursuing but she didn't stand a chance.

Imo if you have supportive knowledgeable parents and teachers, money to attend the ukcat bmat courses and access to work experience you have a good chance of getting a place at uni. Otherwise it is one massive slog.

Powergower · 13/10/2016 14:34

My mentee finally got his PS finished and will submit ucas application today. He's exhausted and glad it's over. On to bmat revision for him now. I can't venues how arduous the whole process is. Another young person I'm mentoring hasn't even began her ps as it's not due in until Xmas time.

Chuckie88 · 13/10/2016 18:13

Totally agree power. It's never ending. PS? Tick. BMAT? Soon. Interview? Maybe. Another interview? Maybe. Offers? Mocks? Exams? Results?

Kr1stina · 15/10/2016 00:23

That's good news power , I hope he's successful .

Powergower · 19/10/2016 21:11

Ooh we've had a reply from one of the unis saying he's been flagged up as as a qualifying applicant and to take the application further they would like some contextual data (re widening access scheme). Didn't expect any responses or queries so quickly. Hope everyone is doing ok.

Kr1stina · 19/10/2016 21:35

Oh that's excellent news. I assume his school referee will provide this, ( although it's the kind of thing that should have been put in his refence in the first place) .

He must be encouraged to know that the UCAS forms have been checked already .

Powergower · 19/10/2016 22:37

Yes school are happy to confirm his status re income etc. It is encouraging to get a response as he was told he wouldn't hear anything until after bmat results.

Kr1stina · 19/10/2016 22:47

It's good to know that they are so thorough . Maybe the want to be in a position to score students and invite to interview as soon as they get they BMAT results.

Chuckie88 · 20/10/2016 19:43

Really good news power. Good to see that the uni is on the ball about the possibility of a contextual offer. Do you mind saying which university this it? There may be someone who can offer more advice.

Powergower · 20/10/2016 23:16

Brighton chuckie. Yes it is impressive that the uni have picked up from application alone that this candidate may be eligible widening access.

We are not sure if it is a generic response based on address or whether they've read the ps and liked it and therefore probed further into contextual data. Either way it's encouraging. Its such a long drawn out process and it seems impossible to second guess what the unis think.

Kr1stina · 21/10/2016 13:29

They may have noted his school ( if it's low performing ) or home postcode ( if it's in the most deprived 25%)

Original poster
adski · 22/10/2016 18:25

We went to see Brighton and it felt like a really nurturing place compared to most medical schools. There was a wide mix of students and they all seemed a little quirky and engaging. It seemed that the Uni took a slightly different view on who they take from most medical schools.

OP posts:
swingofthings · 24/10/2016 07:45

DD is doing their BrightMed programme, aimed at Y9-Y12 pupils from lower backgrounds (ie. comprehensive schools/parents who haven't gone to uni) interested in a career in Medicine and they've been fantastic. DD loves it and it has really cemented her determination to go to Med School. It is mainly run by current Med School students and DD says they are great fun, very enthusiastic and friendly. It does indeed come across like a very nurturing place.

Powergower · 25/10/2016 10:13

That's good to know. My mentee was unable to attend the open day due to the cost of travel. They do seem very in the ball and prompt with replies.

Kr1stina · 25/10/2016 11:12

Information for your mentee , from Brighton

FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Eligible UK undergraduate BSMS students starting in September 2016 will benefit from the University of Sussex First-Generation Scholars Scheme. BSMS students are not eligible for the University of Brighton scheme. Eligible students whose household income is up to £42,620 per year, or are leaving the care system to start the degree in September 2016 will be entitled to the following financial support in addition to any UK Government support:

Year 1 - a £1000 cash bursary plus a £2000 rent reduction if you live in University-managed accommodation (Brighton or Sussex Universities) or a £2000 fee waiver if you are not living in University-managed accommodation;
Years 2, 3 and 4 - a £1000 cash bursary in each year
Year 5 of medical study - NHS bursary scheme applies.
The University of Brighton Registry will contact eligible BSMS students by August 2016.
Students studying for a second undergraduate degree are also eligible for the University of Sussex First-Generation Scholars
Scheme, provided that their household income is below £42,620.

Powergower · 25/10/2016 18:40

Very useful thank you!

Babbas · 29/10/2016 08:55

No bmat revision going on here. Just occasional glances at the bmat book. And no responses or queries to ucas application. Such a long drawn out process.

Kr1stina · 29/10/2016 11:58

My child has had one query ( request for further information ) , two acknowledgements( just standard emails ) and one invitation to a visit ( NOT an interview, sent to all applicants for a very niche course, which is the 5th option ) .

We have heard from one university that they are NOT giving much notice for interviews , maybe just two weeks, so they should be preparing now .

Another has emailed to say that applicants will hear in December for interviews in late January .

One has given interview dates ( in February and March ) but not said when you will be notified if you have an interview .

So a very mixed bag. And still everything to play for.

Good luck to those sitting the BMAT

Ness1234 · 10/11/2016 19:31

Anyone hearing about interviews, two from my dds school have been asked for interviews at Bristol.