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Higher education

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

Original poster

Medicine 2019

999 replies

kaykay72 · 05/06/2018 16:32

Hi,

Does anyone here have a DC applying for medicine to start in 2019? It would be nice to meet others as we embark on uni visits, predicted grades, UKCAT etc

We’re in Kent, d is planning to visit kings, UCL, Nottingham, Sheffield and Newcastle at the moment. She really wanted to go look at Belfast but they want three A’s plus an A at AS level but won’t accept her additional qualification in place of this (despite it having a higher UCAS tarriff). We went to an open afternoon at BSMS which she liked more than she thought she would, so is pondering the BMAT.

I have two older kids (well, adults now), one of whom has just finished his masters, the other just completed his first year elsewhere, but medical applications are just so complicated in comparison to their experiences at this stage.

Hope to hear from others in the same boat :-)

OP posts:
Tinkobell · 08/12/2018 19:24

It would be really interesting to gain input from the posters whose DC's are now undergraduates re: intercalation. My impression was that the intercalation specialisations tended to be more academic than hands on practical. The reason why I'm asking about this is to establish if it's realistic to secure paid and relevant work as part of your intercalation year or if maintenance costs still need to forked out for by parents / guardians / loans to support that extra year?

HarryTheSteppenwolf · 09/12/2018 00:18

Quite a lot of intercalating students get part-time healthcare assistant jobs during their intercalation year. It doesn't pay very much unless you do a lot of hours but it certainly keeps your skills up to date. Some choose to intercalate at a different university from the one where they are studying medicine, and some of these choose somewhere close to home to cut down living costs.

Decorhate · 09/12/2018 08:35

My dd is intercalating this year. Dd has found more ad-hoc work this term in comparison to previous years, helping at open days, bits of bar work.
But although she has no placements this year, there is a lot of work to cover in a short period of time. I am not expecting to have to have to subsidise her any less than previous years!

Tinkobell · 09/12/2018 09:53

Thanks @Harry and @Decorhate....I wondered if I might be being a bit overly optimistic there! Sounds like prudent to bank for maintenance costs for intercalation year. Thanks for clarifying this!

alreadytaken · 09/12/2018 12:43

NHS bursary is means tested and a lot of grumbling from students that they get less cash than they had in earlier years, they may be looking for more parental support rather than less in years 4+. In year 5 or 6 they will have an elective and while it can be done in this country most go abroad and it's not usually cheap. You need to book well in advance for some popular destinations. In years 4+ they may also have friends who have started work and want to do things with them. For all these reasons I encourage potential medics to work as much as possible when they can, they will enjoy themselves more with some savings in hand.

Intercalating is intended to be about seeing if research is for you. I doubt you would get an interview for a London Academic Foundation Programme position without intercalating but I havent done the calculation and it is probably less important elsewhere. The points tend to cluster for the SJT and sometimes a couple of points can make a difference to where you get a job afterwards but it true that the SJT does matter a lot and it's another of those unpredictable tests potential medics can face. It's also another time when you have a long wait to find out the outcome.

My child was on a course where intercalation was compulsory - and an opportunity to leave medicine if you had found by then it wasnt really for you. The workload that year was generally considered to be lighter so more potential for paid work if you are permitted to take it.

mumsneedwine · 09/12/2018 13:15

And bear it mind it might all change by the time your kids are applying for F1. There is talk of a national final exam which will change the points system.

HarryTheSteppenwolf · 09/12/2018 13:27

. There is talk of a national final exam which will change the points system.

It's more than just talk. The GMC is committed to having some kind of national medical licensing assessment in place in 2022, and wants it fully established by 2023 (i.e. for students who started this year, or who started last year and are on a six-year programme or intending to intercalate).

For now they are saying that it will be purely an indicator of competence and won't be used for ranking for FY applications, but I don't know whether anybody believes them.

Baytreemum · 09/12/2018 15:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mumsneedwine · 09/12/2018 16:42

No one knows !! Nottingham intercalate degree between 3rd and 4th years so no summer break. Maybe others will do this too ? To be honest I'd just be glad they get in and manage the work load. Work hard, play hard seems to be v true.

Monkey2001 · 09/12/2018 16:49

DS also looks on intercalation as an opportunity to start building up a specialism. He currently wants to be a neurosurgeon and would choose to intercalate in an area which would get him really good experience for that path.

However, it is YEARS away for now, so unless DC is choosing between courses which offer intercalation or have a compulsory year of intercalation (I think all at least offer it, though I could be wrong), not something to worry about now when there are so many other things to worry about!!

Tinkobell · 09/12/2018 17:13

Thanks @alreadytaken....handy insight!

mimiasovitch · 10/12/2018 22:53

So we heard from Bristol today. Not a rejection, but not an immediate offer either. She son hold until all the interviews have taken place. As she expected really, but still a bit disappointing.

medicmomma · 10/12/2018 23:42

with regard to intercalation and opportunity to do other (paid) work DD certainly had a chance to get a part time job, and also take the lead role in a musical (which was one of the main reasons for doing the intercalation!!). She reports it was a different sort of pressure, but found it reasonably easy to manage all the demands after 3 years med school, but it was hard work. (and yes, you do then get NHS bursary for the final 2 years of med school) - however, as others have said this is less than they have been used to. We are certainly having to increase our contributions, as it doesn't even cover the years rent (and DD is in Leicester, so not expensive rent!!!) DD now in Yr 4, and very pleased to be back in clinical work!

hoodiemum · 11/12/2018 10:06

Mimiasovitch: Sorry that wasn't the news you were hoping for, but fingers crossed there'll be good news, either from Bristol or elsewhere, in the new year. One of DD's friends got a holding email from Bristol and then later got an interview, so things may still work out there. And if not, there are lots of other lovely places to study.

mimiasovitch · 11/12/2018 13:21

Thanks hoodiemum. At least it wasn't an outright rejection. She's got Sheffield tomorrow and that would have affected her confidence I think.

HostessTrolley · 11/12/2018 17:28

Good luck to your dd for Sheffield @Mimiasovitch - my dd found the interviewers to be friendly and relaxed which helped her to talk

medicmom · 11/12/2018 17:53

Good luck @mimiasovitch to your dd. We will be there tomorrow with ds as well.

Tinkobell · 11/12/2018 19:33

BEst of luck @mimia and @medicmom for tomorrow, hope they go well! We've had a mixed bag experience last 2 days at Notts and Birmingham ....one challenging but positive, one at bit shambolic - it's how it is. At least it's Christmas soon and a few lie ins might help!

HostessTrolley · 11/12/2018 21:01

We’re up to Notts on Sunday ready for monday morning - she’s planning ice skating and cocktails on Sunday evening

Monkey2001 · 11/12/2018 22:11

Good luck to the Sheffield crew tomorrow. A neighbour of ours is there too, a full day.

Cambridge for DS tomorrow, everything crossed here!

Weaverspin · 11/12/2018 22:24

Well, we've had Sheffield and Nottingham interviews so far. Both apparently had one especially challenging booth out of the eight! Still, a relief to have them out of the way. Anyone heard from Newcastle or Liverpool re. interviews yet?

mamamedic · 16/12/2018 16:57

Lovely to read the progress of all your DCs. I've been lurking over on TSR and much talk of people being On Hold for Bristol @mimiasovitch but I can see that it's a delay they don't need.
We've had a busy 10 days at HYMS, Sheffield and Birmingham. All v welcoming. Sheffield the hardest apparently which is surprising considering they ha e all the questions in advance. Still no word from UEA.
To anyone who has no interviews yet, my DD is a resit and this time last year had NOT ONE interview lined up. She ended up with 3 offers so keep the faith! Wine

sergeantmajormum · 17/12/2018 12:40

Thank you Mamamedic that’s a little reassuring. We are getting a bit despondent here with ongoing radio silence on DD application. 1 rejection, on hold for Bristol but UKCAT probably not going to be competitive given their new selection process, and no word from other two at all. TSR and Mumsnet suggest everyone is getting loads of interviews! DD ignoring it all, getting her head down for mocks revision and flippantly planning a gap year. Trying to hide my stress from her. It is such a horrible process.

Monkey2001 · 17/12/2018 14:29

@sergeantmajormum which are the 2 you are waiting for? There is a lot of info on TSR about who is and is not sending invitations through.

Bristol seem to have sent out a lot of "on holds" and some of those will definitely be called in. Last year Bristol were still sending invitations in March, so they are probably feeling well ahead.

We are waiting to hear from Newcastle and Leeds.

alreadytaken · 17/12/2018 18:05

it's a horrible process. People dont tend to post on TSR when they are still waiting buts lots of people will be waiting. Interviews always go on through March and sometimes even take place in August.

It's always wise to have a plan B. Ideally this is thought through before they apply or at least just after the form goes away so that it doesnt seem like you are doubtful. It's far too early to be despairing.

We're now waiting to see where our final year student will have a job next year - and looking forward to what may be their last Christmas at home. Junior doctors often have to work at Christmas, some have to work Christmas and New Year and by the time they are senior enough not to work Christmas they may be spending Christmas with their partner. Try to enjoy them while you can.