Medicine 2020

[EightToSixer]

Ok, so I know it's super early, but I've been hovering at the medicine 18 and 19 threads. DD is keen to apply for medicine in 2020. Is anyone else in the same boat?
I thought it would be useful to share info and stories, it's all a very steep learning curve because despite me now having a PhD and working in a RG university I was late to learning and not a patch on my DD who is very driven and organised.
Hopefully people will find this group and we can share the rollercoaster of the next two years.

Also been hovering on 18 and 19 too (lots of useful advice), but my DD will also be applying in 2020.

Thank you for starting the thread!

Hi Oneteen! Glad to have you here. Much of my learning came from the previous threads, so much useful info, hopefully this thread will build as the months go on.
We might go to our first open day on Saturday 😮

We have been to one open day (Imperial), it was really helpful and good to speak to the admissions people.

There are so many factors to take into account (hurdles to jump) and the application selection criteria seems to be forever changing...I was with my niece yesterday who has just finished her degree (Geography) at Bham and she was singing the praise of the Bham medical school because of having the QE Hospital adjacent.

DD just cracking on with A levels at the moment and the mountain of homework (I feel like I have a changed daughter because she has previously been inclined to the minimal homework possible and now she is described as a model homework student (whatever that is!).

Where are you off too on Saturday? I tried to persuade DD to go to a UEA PS writing session at UEA but she feels its too early (probably true).

We are going to Swansea on Saturday. DD isn't keen on Swansea or Cardiff but as our closest I thought it best to see their open days as a comparison for her favourites which are Exeter and Oxford. She definitely wants to stay in the South west quarter and doesn't want London. She's very young in her year (aug 31st!) and not a big city person.

She worked really hard for her GCSEs and did really well and is already studying hard for her AS levels (we are in Wales, so we still do old style GCSEs, and AS levels).

Where is your DD keen to study?

Hi can I join this thread. My DD is looking to study Vet Med in 2020 I set up a thread but no would be vets as yet!
My DS has just started a medicine degree.

Hi, yes of course 3catsandadog. Welcome. Plus, the fact that you already have a medic in the family may well help those of us who are new to this :)

My DS is at Exeter so happy to answer any questions :)

Is Swansea not post grad Medicine only? Also with regards to Oxford I think the course is lecture based with no early patient contact I believe and Exeter is early patient contact and PBL.

Hi 3catsandadog.

eighttosixer Dd would be happy anywhere that offered her a place...GCSE's good but not brilliant for medicine (a* x 4, a x 5 and 1 B (the B was just one mark of an A but it was DT where her coursework was marked down from A to a B). I think this rules her out for both Cardiff and Keele...although admission criteria seem to be changing all the time. She did coast through GCSE's so actually her results were amazing considering the amount of effort she put in - but she is a reformed young adult now .

Exeter seems to give priority to DC who already have A x 3 (tier 1) or predicted A x 3 with high UKCAT (tier 2) score... It's so early days that I am not sure what DD's predictions will be ...first Biology test was last week marked at A Level standard and she got a B which she was pleased with given that she knows where she made mistakes and understands the work. (she got A, A A in her A level subjects).

Hi I think Exeter is achieved two A or predicted 3 A UKCAT cut off was 667 this year for interview. I think Birmingham and Cardiff were the ones who wanted all A* when we were looking.
My DD is only doing 3 A'levels to start with my son started off with 4 but with the application process ended up dropping further maths.
So she is doing chemistry, maths biology.
We are not doing any open days until next year as I need to recover from the Med application first :)

3catsandadog - I clearly need to do some more research before the open day, but she is pretty sure they do UG medicine too at Swansea.

She prefers the idea of Exeter over Oxford because of the early clinical experience (Plymouth seems similar but much lower grades accepted as far as I can tell from their prospectus). What is PBL (all new to me sorry).

She got excellent GCSEs, 8 X a* 3 X A (for her essay subjects, she has dyslexia) she is taking the the sciences and maths at AS level. Her results qualified her for the Seren network (Welsh government initiative to give extra guidance for top state students academically to apply to Oxbridge, RG unis and courses like medicine, dentistry, veterinary.) Which gives opportunities for summer schools, training and application processes, which is very helpful.

Eighttosixer.

Well done to your DD with her GCSE's PBL - Problem Based Learning - I had to look it up a few months ago!

I;ve just enrolled DD for a weekend medic course (Dealing with Patients, Radiology, Haematology, Cardiology, Trauma, and Suturing,) I think all but one of the girls taking Chemistry are looking to go into Medicine/Veterinary/Dentistry - but there are only 6 of them in their block - so a really small class.

DD also doing all science A Levels which she is really enjoying.

Yes Problem Based Learning in small groups
He has his first placement this week also and DC need to be predicted A x 3 but the offers are AAA but lower dependent on school

Oneteen that course sounds really interesting, where did you find it?

3catsandadog - thanks for the heads up on Swansea. We had been confused about it but it definitely is PG only, they have 'pathways to medicine' a choice of science courses and then a guaranteed interview for graduate entry medicine. I'm pretty sure that is not the route DD wants to take, and she definitely doesn't want to go to Swansea so we may pass on that open day.
We are going to the one on Weds 24th Oct in Exeter next, she's very excited by that one as she feels part of her is at home in Devon (lots of holidays there) and she loves the clinical focus of the course.

Yes us too regarding the holidays it’s a great place :)

It's run by the Debate Chamber - I looked at the courses last summer but DD could not make any of the dates because of other commitments so we have opted for the Feb weekender just before HT.

I dare say lots of the summer schools that you can get on free with some school programs are just has good (we don't qualify because DD is at Indie school)....she did the FREE lab day at Warwick Uni last July and loved that - although she was the only Yr11 attending.

DD's plans to apply for medicine in 2020, but with gap year so delayed start (how she'll fund gap year is a puzzle to me).
I will lurk in the shadowy corners of thread...
I wanted to say "Oh we aren't doing any of THAT, yet!".
But I did arrange 2 days WE for DD at a colleague's surgery & got DD to apply for WE in hospital (hopefully Xmas break if not before).
Maybe that's how we'll strategise these things. One set of hurdles at a time.
I suppose next true deadlines are by mid June deciding some Open Days to attend, and then arranging UKCAT date.

Ooh MedSchoolRat welcome.
Were you at med school too? Or does your mnet name refer to your DD (secretly hoping the former for superior inside knowledge) 😁

I am not a medic but do get involved with interviews where I work (medschool) so do have some insider knowledge :).

You guys sound way more clued up than me, though. I also know with DD that she could still change her mind & otherwise it's best if she drives this train, I'll just help navigate some parts.

DD begged to attend public school 6th form & I hope they will do a lot to steer the applic. process so I don't have to. I like to think we're getting some of that for the fees.

ps: DD has been asked to give a speech at Open Evening presentation about being a new student there; she's a good public speaker & does love the school.

ps: Our household is taking turns reading this book & talking about it (Failed to put DD off). DD stalked the writer online she loved it so much. It's very funny read... and tragic in parts. She spends too much time watching medical dramas & then telling me everything that is realistic or not about them. Seems hooked on Grey's Anatomy at moment.

Grey's Anatomy Hmmm I have an inkling that this series also had a large influence in DD's interest in Medicine .

DD also attends an Indie and they run a Medsoc every other week - however, she hasn't been able to attend yet because LS have no choice but to organize the House drama competition which takes up 4 lunchtimes and 1 long after school session. I too hope the school will give lots of guidance but at the moment House Drama takes precedence.

@oneteen - GCSE's good but not brilliant for medicine (a* x 4, a x 5 and 1 B (the B was just one mark of an A but it was DT where her coursework was marked down from A to a B). I think this rules her out for both Cardiff and Keele...although admission criteria seem to be changing all the time.

Doesn't rule out Keele: they only need 5 As.

UselessEustance That's useful to know ... thank you.

The intercalated degree appeals to DD but she's NOT buying into PBL as yet - but I think this is probably maturity that will change as she studies her A-Levels (EPQ).

Grey's anatomy was the reason DD first wanted to study medicine too. I've suggested she comes up with a better response before interview 😁.
We have also read that book, It didn't put her off much, but put me off it out of concern for her having to work under such pressure.