Medicine 2018?

[Katisha]

Is there already a thread for medicine applications for 2018 entry?
If not can I start one?
Wondered if anyone knew about the Birmingham GCSE situation as DS has A stars and As at GCSE and likely to be predicted A stars at A level but is coming up on their offers calculator as unlikely to get an interview.
Is it pointless to apply to Birmingham if not all stars at GCSE? Didn't get a star in biology.

I know. My DD ended up choosing somewhere we hadn't been for her 4th. It came down to: somewhere I've been and didn't like, or somewhere that's too close, or somewhere really far. She went for somewhere really far as she liked the sound of it from what she had read and it is (hopefully) a safe-ish choice for interview.

Now that it's all done and sent, she is fine about it. I find myself still wondering about the choices though!

I know what your mean Somerset. DD went with the one she liked the best amongst those she didn't care as much for, but considering it is the one she is also the least likely to get an interview at she's almost discounted it anyway. Who knows though, life is full of unexpected outcomes!

Let's hope all surprises are good!

I've set her a 12 o'clock deadline for discussion - she's just been rummaging for prospectuses in the box (we seem to have a library)

Lornicera - let me tell you what I did, re care home work. I went to the home and asked to speak to the Matron (she told me that she had dreadful experiences with 16 year olds) I told her that my daughter was special, that she was mature and I urged her to give my daughter a chance. I gave her my telephone number and said I would take personal responsibility for her. She gave her that chance and 3 years later, my daughter is still there. Sometimes we have to be that pushy Mom that we all strive not to be 😁. Good luck.

Decision made. Over to the school to submit in the morning. (Does a little dance - only a little wiggle - still holding in the stress!)

4th choice is oddly probably the safest!

Hurray, Somerset!

Another thing crossed off the list.

Mommymoomitzi thank you.

DD emailed the care home and received an email back asking her to come and pick up an application form and have a look round. I was with DD because we were on our way back from a visit to the dentist.

The care home manager was happy to see me with DD (and just as well as DD does not know how to sell herself). What they want is someone who can hep keep the residents occupied with things like arts and crafts, scrabble, jigsaw puzzles etc. All things that DD is good at and happy to do.

She returned the application form about an hour after receiving it so hopefully they will realise that she is keen.

Fingers crossed.

Another option is to ask at your local leisure centre. They will know of disabled groups, who often welcome helpers. One sixth former we knew got involed with a group for teenagers. They loved having able bodied teenagers around. Dd helped with a swimming group. It was 1:1, sometimes using hoists, or helping with anxiety, then socialising over a Ribena afterwards. She was a young 16 year old when she started.

Lonicera - Fantastic!!!!! Once she has her foot in the door, they will love her. It's really given my DD a lot of confidence that medicine is right for her! Let me know. x

We're pretty rural Needmore and DD doesn't drive. (she only turned 17 in July). Our "local" leisure centre isn't convenient to get to without a car, but thank you for the suggestion.

Spent all night with DD reveiwing PS. Got it to 4000! Just hope it fits on UCAS! Finally decided on the magic 4 - all of them miles away, she wants to get away from our home town (don't blame her!) I had a little sob last night, just thinking of her growing up. Luckily, Bailey's have launched Pumpkin Spiced, so consumed more than is reasonable. Anyone else had premature empty nest?

Lonicera - I spent a year driving DS to the next town every Saturday afternoon for his shift at the hospice. It needed to be done and I just counted it as my own contribution to the hospice's work. Totally worth it though.
Good luck all

If you're rural and she likes animals, Lonicera, Riding for the Disabled was useful for my daughter. Children with many kinds of disability. My daughter likes ponies so that suited her and I liked her being out of doors, too. Sometimes she was poo picking and sometimes she was assisting in the lessons, supporting the children or leading the ponies.

She is allergic to horses Abra, but thank you anyway.

Ahh a problem!

That said reading through various websites it was clear that some Universities are very keen to recruit kids from rural areas who might be interested in returning to those same areas as (hard to recruit) GPs. Is there nothing she could do locally (disabled neighbour?) which would enable her to talk about the difficulties those in remote areas have in accessing social or health services (neatly adding her own problems accessing more formal shadowing.)

Not really Needmore. She is hopeful about the care home though. Just waiting to hear.

A bit of a turn up - DD emailed Newcastle and asked whether it was worth applying there given that her UKCAT score is in the 7th decile and they said with her grades it was. So she has finalised her list to Nottingham, Leicester, Newcastle and Edinburgh, with Leeds for a her 5th non med school choice.

Ahhh. 5th choice offer today. DD happy to be loved by someone even if she is 99% sure she won't accept it.

That was quick! Brilliant!

Does anyone know what the cut off for Sheffield is likely to be?

Last year Sheffield was 'just into the 7th decile'. So assuming the same ish I'd say about 2700 (675) - but no one will know until November as it depends who has applied. Could be higher, could be lower. It's not fun thus medicine lark !!

Thanks Mumsneedwine! Roll on 15th!!!

We've had a cheeky 🥂tonight to celebrate her 'offer'. Might not be medicine but it's an offer & she feels loved. Fingers crossed for one, just one, offer for medicine. Pleeaaaassseeee

for those struggling to find work experience there is some excellent advice on the Student Room website. For young people who are determined and creative there are opportunities. Being able to find work experience is one indication that you have the determination and stamina to be a good doctor.

Still how you spin what you have done is more important than what you have done. However it's said that you should choose a specialty in medicine but which bodily fluids you are prepared to deal with. A young person who doesnt want to be hands on with the elderly should perhaps to be encouraged to think of another career. There are some medical roles with little patient contact but there is a long training before you get to them and you will be seeing lots of elderly patients.

Ageee about creativity. When my daughter was younger she took part in a trial for new polio and diphtheria vaccines. My father had polio and still suffers from the long-term effects so it is something I feel strongly about-- vaccination.

She was in the trial for some years. So a year or so ago we contacted the team and told them about her interest in medicine and they very kindly let her do some shadowing as they continued with another trial.

Occasionally cancer research charities have open days and they are worth considering to show you are really interested.

crukcambridgecentre.org.uk/news/open-day-cruk-cambridge-institute-cambridge-science-festival