Medicine 2018 part 3

[SomersetS]

Hope you all find this - didn't realise I took 999! Whoops.

[Movingmountains]

I would encourage her to put insurance as first choice might not take dropped grades but insurance might. That certainly happened last year as one of our girls got AAB and was rejected by firm but accepted by insurance. So I’d say it is worth it. Liverpool was DS’s absolute favourite until we went to Sheffield offer day!

[specialted]

Yes definitely put an insurance down. I think Sheffield took all those with a dropped grade (insurance or firm) last year so worth putting somewhere down, it won't do any harm. I'm sure the medical schools will look to insurance offers to fill places rather than having to interview again etc.

[2B1Gmum]

Thank you ladies I will strongly suggest dd follows your advice👍

[adrinkofwater]

Back from offer holders day at Bristol. DD is now more positive about Bristol as she has seen more of the medical facilities and feels she knows a bit more about how the course works. We had a brief introductory talk, which basically told us they were doing a new course which is amazing (few details given) then a fairly big spiel about pastoral care. The DCs then went off in groups for a tour and activities and parents were told to explore Bristol. So, I didn't feel that I found out much, but enjoyed talking to some other mums. Bristol's attitude was definitely expecting all those who has an offer to firm it (choosing was never mentioned), whereas Cardiff spent more time explaining the course in detail. There weren't many students around as its holidays so not so many opportunities to ask questions. Overall I wasn't so impressed, but DD says it is back in the running as a contender! So, who knows!

[Movingmountains]

That doesn’t sound too impressive Drinkofwater - I have got the impression all the way through that Bristol feel they don’t need to try as much as some of the other medical schools.
On another note how is everyone’s DCs finding revision? My DS seems to be quite stressed - he has been doing lots of past papers but gets really upset if he gets anything but a high A. Today he did the chemistry specimen paper (I think he has been doing the legacy papers before) and said it was ridiculously hard and he says he now thinks he has no chance! I’m trying to be positive - he is putting in lots of hours - but think pressure getting to him (it’s certainly getting to me!)

[2B1Gmum]

Movingmountains, DD is going to school revision session tomorrow so has spent most of the day on chemistry papers, I am not sure how it is going - I calm myself by thinking that if the school have finished teaching then every lesson from now should be revision. Remind your DS that there will be people taking chemistry who are really struggling, about a third of DDs class find it really tough, some don't even turn up for all the lessons.... they will take the pass mark down! Back from yoga where another mother of an 18 year old says her son is using the 'headspace' mindfulness app to help him relax and focus - free trial lasts for several sessions - worth a look. I have recommended DD have a look, if you google there is an article listing the best free mindfulness apps and it comes top.

Drinkofwater Bristol have always had that attitude, they are heavily over subscribed for almost every course - it is a firm favourite with lots of parents I know - I do like the city and the feel but it wasn't on our list because DD wasn't sure how the course was going to work and I was anti Bristol because of the ridiculous offer they made DS2 for Social Policy when he applied for Politics & Phil with the grades already achieved (gap year) and offers from all his other choices. His friends there do love the city and the social life though. It is difficult when they make course changes because asking current students isn't much help - but I am sure they know what they are doing!?

[swingofthings]

Oh no MM, it's horrible when they start to panic about revision. They need to remember that this is why they are revising because if it was easy now, they wouldn't need to do any at all. I think it's important too that they take breaks and still have some fun so that anxiety doesn't take over.

DD is doing about 4/5 hours a day and makes herself go to the public library. She says that she sometimes get stuck on something and gets frustrated so she gives it up and goes back to it later. She is also meeting up with friends. She went to a pub quizz on Monday night and going to see a movie at a friend's house tonight.

Mindfulness is really helpful and I try to apply myself. I'm about to go on a walk to the seafront and will make sure to leave all my thoughts behind and focus on the sounds of the waves and songs of the birds! I always come back feeling more relaxed if only for an hours or so!

2B1Gmum, has DD made her final decision? DD has now officially firmed Manchester!

[Movingmountains]

Thanks for the mindfulness tips. We do a lot of walking and went out a couple of days ago but had to really persuade DS to take time off. He is doing lots of socialising this weekend so hopefully will take his mind off revision for a while. Will look at the app as well.
Swing that’s great news - Manchester is a fab place to study!

[Operamedicinemum]

Decided to firm Leicester as fab course.. was favourite of all seen.. Bristol great place but not as keen on the course and they very cagey about it... also Leicester new medical building amazing.. and son not keen on set up as much in Bristol not having own medical building. Chose Leicester as thought the best course and that the most important thing for choosing.. unimpressed how long Bristol keep people waiting too

[booface]

I have to say, we have not been too impressed with how long Bristol kept people waiting, and in the meantime DS fell in love with Edinborough and subsequently didn't go to the Bristol offer holders day. Shame, he really liked Bristol when he went for open day and offer holders day.

[booface]

Opps not, offer holders day, interview day!

[adrinkofwater]

A question about Leicester - do you know how often they have clinical placements in the first 2 years? Is it every week/ every other week?

[adrinkofwater]

Operamedicinemum can I ask what your son particularly likes about Leicester's course and why he thinks its the best? I only ask as DD feels that she doesn't know so much about it. She also loved the new medical building (and the park across the road!) Thanks.

[Operamedicinemum]

Yes we both were impressed how the course was explained in full on the open day.. went thinking it wouldn’t be on the list..suits his way of working with the iPad- intergrated learning. Wasn’t keen to do Pbl so avoided those courses.. felt the present students the most positive we had seen in their questions and answers about why they had chosen the course and were enjoying it... early clinical exposure but don’t know actual answer to your question which we will find out.. mixture of lectures and group work and patient focused learning from the start. Dissection and prosection ,liked the use of learning with iPads / technology.. just suited him.. so what is right for one not necessarily right for another.. but we decided that we would choose by the course and not be swayed by the place and we saw many.. you are on it for 5 years...loved Liverpool city but not impressed by its course and current students didn’t sell it to impress!did like Nottingham , son not as keen on the course but I think their criteria misleading and risky ... loved Cardiff but a few A stars Gcse short to apply.
Advice to anyone is do your research and apply to your strengths where you have better chance of interview.. it’s hard enough... don’t waste any choices...

[SomersetS]

Operamedicinemum my DD also firming Leicester. It was her favourite course & second favourite campus.
I think the answer is mostly weekly/fortnightly? I'm slightly confused by all that I've seen and heard.
2nd fortnight of Yr1 is all clinical (with a couple of other students in your group - 1 week hospital & 1 week GP or other) and then once a week contact either on site or at a medical unit. Lectures every morning plus one group session each morning eg anatomy& one afternoon a week with your teaching group. Long placements in Yrs 3&4 including district hospital placements (always with at least a friend).

Bristol. It's local. I know a mature student (Mum) who says new course is much better. But New students will be guinea pigs. Bristol have had big problems with student stress (I think self-inflicted pressure due to peer pressure mostly). Know some staff. They have even introduced "mindfulness for medics" specifically.

Apps recommended by professionals - NHS psychologists - Calm & Headspace.

DD literally just back from soggy 4 days in Dartmoor DofE. Cleared her cobwebs though no revision. Suspect it will have done her a world of good to get away, outside, unwind. Now coughing like a banshee though.

[Operamedicinemum]

That sounds great she has firmed Leicester too.. now to get the grades.. think that’s the great thing about the medical courses is that they are very different and so something to suit all types of learning .. but that’s why it’s imprtant to do your research about the courses and don’t be swayed by the town/city. Do individual research and go for your strengths for application and then where you will learn best.. good luck to everyone

[bluehaze]

Thanks to all who replied re the long wait for Bristol. I see that there are many others also enduring being in limbo. The good news is that DD finally got an offer today! It was definitely right to wait (thanks all for advice) as turns out to be a lower offer than UCL. The long wait however has definitely affected how DD sees the university - she was very excited after open day and interview, but that's slowly eroded to a feeling of 'meh to Bristol'. I hope everyone else is starting to get offers now too - good luck and may the wait be over soon.

[specialted]

Exciting that everyone's DC are firming!
DD withdrew her application to Bristol as she had the ones she wanted but definitely the whole process tainted her attitude towards it. She had her interview early december (elated at this point as it was her first interview) but didn't hear a peep after that. She found it frustrating to see those interviewed in march hearing they had offers almost immediately. I guess we'll never know if she would have had an offer but she would never have chosen it if she had. Plus the interview set up was poor - no one to meet and greet or tell you where to go, no refreshments for parents (minor point i know but when you've had a four hour journey, the option to buy some sort of drink would be nice!) and the interview started about an hour late. I know bristol is an amazing city, we used to live there, but I sensed the medical school almost felt like it didn't need to make the effort to attract students. I know it's the most popular one for applications, not sure if that's because of the heavy reliance on PS? Anyway, all irrelevant now, maybe just my sour grapes that DD didn't get an offer before march! I'm sure wherever our DC go, they will have a fab time.

[Jon1970]

Offer came in yesterday from Bristol, so it's now a decision of which to decline from Bristol, Birmingham and Edinburgh (rejected by Nottingham). I think she is leaning towards Edinburgh as first choice, then Bristol as they are both 3 A's whereas Birmingham requires an A*. Backup is Durham for biomed although not much of a backup as also requires 3 A's. heading up to Edinburgh a week on Saturday as we have not visited yet.

[Movingmountains]

It’s interesting that so many of us have same opinion of Bristol - certainly the interview experience was the thing that put my DS off - it was his first but he felt it was very disorganised and unfriendly. He also said it was off putting as you weren’t screened off and could hear everyone else’s interviews. The final straw was his very privileged prep school educated friend getting an offer for AAC as a contextual offer! Based on postcodes apparently although he lives in a gated community!

[SomersetS]

Movingmountains ouch!
We live just outside Bristol so it's "home". I know plenty of people who work there, DH went there (history). Sadly I think for medicine it is "arrogant". Dining out on its 1st choice after Oxbridge reputation.
DD didn't apply as it would mean living at home but I was relieved.

It would be good for them to hear some of your views. I think your DCs opinions are interesting & important. My DH has been very influenced by how the Unis have treated her hence Leicester gaining pole position & HYMS falling by the wayside from absolute favourite.

Uni's should pay someone to trawl these forums and learn.
However I agree, like relationships, there's somewhere for everyone, you just have to find your best fit.

[watfordmummy]

Have to say St Andrews have been very good, and sent lots of information to help make decision. Southampton were fantastic- didn't apply to Leicester but similar - upto offer and have now gone quiet, which I thin is influencing DS decision.

It is interesting, as it's all about customer experience and service.

[2B1Gmum]

I agree it would be useful for medicine admissions to read these threads...

DD got a parcel from UEA this week, I presume they send it to all offer holders for all courses? No letter but a little box with some cool little earphones and a booklet with some sort of link to UEA spotify playlists, including relaxation post revision and some to get into the Norwich vibe. DS2 said 'so you pay £9250 a year and they send you some £5 headphones'... DD hasn't made her final decision yet, this will not sway her - she is sensibly weighing up more important factors .

[sluj]

I just dropped DS back at UEA today, the sun was out, the lake glistening and the baby rabbits frolicking. Is that better than earphones? 😆😆😆

[2B1Gmum]

Sluj absolutely better than earphones! I did point out to DS2 that medicine costs significantly more than a humanities degree to run.. he is a little upset because of lecturers on strike and the lectures and tutorials that have been cancelled at Durham.

Keep your fingers crossed for me that DD chooses UEA. Has your DS sorted accommodation for second year, how did it go, is there much and hopefully reasonably priced?

Do you know how hard it is to get permission to intercalate - they said 50% but seemed to be in part based on exams results.