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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 · 14/01/2019 18:54

Very best of luck @weaverspin! @proflayton glad your DD's moving on so to speak......there are countless geniuses within the field who have never set foot in Oxbridge.

bengalcat · 14/01/2019 19:24

Proflayton good luck with UCL - the medicportal offers advice re interviews with sample questions www.themedicportal.com

Weaverspin · 15/01/2019 13:03

Quadratilla - ok, multi-storey parking options nearby. No provision at the Core for waiting companions (some sofas).

She’s gone on the 12:00 tour, but her ‘2pm’ interview slot has turned out to be much later - they get them all turn up early, it seems, then allocate them to a circuit. As we have a 5-hour drive home, I’m not thrilled at the hanging about :(.

Quadratilla · 15/01/2019 13:50

Weaverspin sounds grim. Perhaps you should join us at our Travelodge tonight! I shall find myself something to do for several hours tomorrow morning then. Here's hoping you get away before rush hour x

Weaverspin · 15/01/2019 15:17

Quadratilla there’s a Costa and places to eat nearby. All is not lost! (And good luck for tomorrow!)

4catsham · 15/01/2019 16:50

Hi all,lots going on for us all it seems,hope Weaverspin and Quadratilla you D cs survive their interviews and are happy, good to hear that although some rejections coming through there is still hope and possibilities, our Dcs have to process a hell of a lot this year its a crazy year but I m so proud of my Dd for managing to somehow keep on going, not sure I would be as resilient. Somehow she has researched and obtained a prom dress over Christmas with little fuss, all i had to do was go out for the afternoon with her while she tried a couple on and then pay a reasonable amount not crazy money phew!!😉. From previous experience with other Dd ..we ended up in Debenhams ...of course we have a few lovely prom dresses hanging up and left behind after 1 wear...cue the rolling eyes of daughter no.2 at the mere suggestion they could get another wear!!

Trying to sort out trip to Newcastle for early March Bio Med applicant day..frightened by the trainfares and hoping that they will be lower when i check again.I ve driven to so many "NEW" places but just feel like I cant face that one 🤯but we ll see!

Two more interviews to go ..Birmingham abd Liverpool, will be glad when they are done if feels like a lifetime ago since those UCAS forms were sent off.

For now I feel like saying A BIG WELL DONE to us all for just getting to this point in proceedings!!🎉

HostessTrolley · 15/01/2019 18:05

Final interview done today, ICL, she said she was in and out in 15 minutes and it felt positive. It’s been her only panel interview, she said she preferred it to the MMIs as it felt a bit more personal even though it was over in a flash.

She was still cross when she got home as one of the candidates was sitting in the waiting area talking loudly and in detail about each station of the MMI of another Uni who are still holding interviews. This candidate had been offered a place at the uni in question, dd has been interviewed there and is waiting to hear, so she knows there was definitely a non disclosure form involved. It wasn’t Sheffield (who sent the mmi ‘questions’ out anyway).

So ‘just’ waiting now. I think the wine bill will continue to increase over the next few weeks. ICL said 3-4 weeks, Notts said mid to late Feb, sheffield have specified a decision week in February and Kings - who knows? Offer holders day invitation received for her biomed offer, I’m encouraging her to attend as it’s not too far from home anyway

ProfessorLayton1 · 15/01/2019 18:39

What a relief to have finished all the interviews.. we have one on the 30th Jan.
Rejection from Cambridge yesterday, waiting for Birmingham and Cardiff- they don't give out their decisions till March apparently!
I have to negotiate time off at work and drive her to London on the 29th evening.

Need to stay somewhere close to UCL, any recommendations?

bengalcat · 15/01/2019 19:21

Best wishes to all who have had interviews and commiserations to those if there are any less fortunate thus far ( haven’t read the full thread ) . You only need one offer ( although more is nice ) and then to meet it . Good luck .

Quadratilla · 15/01/2019 20:47

4catsham if you're on a budget I can recommend the Quayside Travelodge in Newcastle. It's shiny and new and we got a family room for £30ish. Views are fantastic. Train fare was eye-watering but 30% off with a Two Together Railcard.

ProfessorLayton1 · 16/01/2019 06:54

Bengalcat -thanks for the link.

MarchingFrogs · 16/01/2019 07:03

ProfessorLayton1 There is both a Travelodge and a Premier Inn near to Kings Cross, so walking distance of UCL. Also for work we used to put people into the Euston Square Hotel on N. Gower St, even closer (this was some time ago, though, no idea what it's like now). I wouldn't drive there unless absolutely necessary, though?

abcdema · 16/01/2019 07:10

Hi all, just came across this thread, I qualified from BSMS 3 years ago.

I just wanted to give my honest advice to take any BSMS offers very seriously, it's a truly wonderful medical school and we were looked after far more than any of the south east/London students we ever crossed paths with.

(I have a lot of thoughts about whether medicine is a good career to go into at present 😂 being a junior doctor is a pretty thankless slog. But I have no doubts that BSMS is a great place to study.

Good luck all.

bengalcat · 16/01/2019 10:11

abcdema wise words indeed but it’s still a damn good degree to have and for those with a will and desire has many transferable skills and kudos for other avenues / careers

ProfessorLayton1 · 16/01/2019 10:32

We both are medics and did not encourage our daughter to try for medicine.
It was her decision and once she has made it we have tried to support her.

It is disheartening to hear about your experience and sadly it is not uncommon nowadays. I do try to support junior doctors who work for me but it is a thankless job. It does not get better even when you progress through your career!
My friend who has been a consultant ( a really good caring doctor) was so distressed yesterday after her meeting with her manager.

I am not sure what is the data for newly qualified doctors leaving the profession after the graduation- someone told me it was 15-20%

bengalcat · 16/01/2019 10:53

There is significant attrition yes - I believe single figures at medical school rising to up to only 70% grads moving from F2 to speciality training ( although some come back ) and totally agree it doesn’t get better or rather comes with different challenges as your career progresses .

abcdema · 16/01/2019 10:53

Sorry- had no intention to derail the thread about the cons of medicine, there are of course good things about the job as well- best wishes to all your children with their applications and training :)

bengalcat · 16/01/2019 11:01

As I said before it is a good degree to have and there are many choices about specialties and career pathways once qualified including transferable skills and value to take a completely different direction be that abroad in medicine , the city , media and writing books etc

Quadratilla · 16/01/2019 11:01

Weaverspin thanks for the heads up. Dd also on second circuit. Glad we booked a later train!

Nightowlpossibly · 16/01/2019 11:51

abcdema- my DD has been offered a place at BSMS and she really likes it. She is definitely considering it as one of her choices.
It is nice to read your positive comments about the school.

Best of luck to everyone with interviews. Hope all goes well. Especially interested in the UCL ones. As DD still waiting for an interview from them.

Woodenhillmum · 16/01/2019 17:38

Great to hear from an ex BSMS of their positive experience.My daughter is currently at BSMS ,loves it and chose it over her other three offers .I am sure most people do feel the same which ever medical school they accept a place with . I think her accommodation of mostly medical students together made a huge difference to her as she was able to let her hair down but also get some sleep which in more mixed halls can be hard to achieve.

Monkey2001 · 16/01/2019 23:53

People booking trains to interviews, do you know about the benefits of "split-ticketing"? You can break the tickets down to sections between and stations the train stops at. I found a ticket to Leeds for a third of the full price doing that. It is particularly effective where there is a part of the journey which is at peak time. For example leaving Bristol at 7:30, instead of getting a peak ticket all the way to Newcastle, I would get a ticket to Derby, then an off-peak from Derby to Newcastle. Can work out well breaking it at odd places like Tamworth (apologies to anyone with Tamworth connections, it is not an odd place, just a less busy destination!)

Also, accommodation - it is always worth googling for discounts at Travelodge and Premier Inn, you can usually get 15% off in the winter.

I am a MSE follower!

ProfessorLayton1 · 16/01/2019 23:57

Thanks for advice ... have to get a train to London as have decided not to drive!

What isMSE?

Pumpkintopf · 17/01/2019 08:03

Martin Lewis's money saving expert website. Lots of info on there re split ticketing.

HostessTrolley · 17/01/2019 09:22

Another option is the two together railcard. I just bought one to go on a trip with my ds - it cost £30 but saved £100 on the trip, even if we don’t use it again during the year it’s been worthwhile. Bought online and downloaded onto my phone, didn’t even need to leave the house to buy it or wait for it to come in the post