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

Original poster

Medicine 2020

990 replies

EightToSixer · 30/09/2018 20:53

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.

OP posts:
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HostessTrolley · 04/11/2019 17:56

@speedyhedgehog she’s loving life. She had a major wobble at the announcement three weeks in that ICL had decided to take dissection out of anatomy teaching for year one, many students are very unhappy/cross about this and I understand that faculty are not altogether happy either. However this is being taken on by the course reps and many complaints have gone in. Dd decided on balance that there are just so many things that are good and that she’s enjoying, that she far better to focus on those and get her head down and work than to stress about it. She’s enjoying the course, from talking to her schoolfriends at other med schools ICL appear to throw them straight in. She loves her accommodation, gets on well with her flatmates, has made friends on her course, has joined a couple of sports clubs and - well medics seem to party hard! She likes the ‘mums and dads’ scheme and the cross-year support that’s available, literally the only blot is the dissection which was an important factor for her when shortlisting unis a year ago. Her boyf is an hour by train or two hours by bus away (oxford) and things seem to be holding up there- many pre-existing relationships don’t get through the first term with all the changes of starting uni, but early signs are positive. I’m really pleased to not be a year 13 parent this year as it was stressful! Good luck to all of you DC xxxx

speedyhedgehog · 04/11/2019 18:49

Hostess that is a lovely update - thanks for taking the time to write that. It feels like another round of madness is about to start here so it was nice to live vicariously for a minute or so thinking that could be our dc this time next year.

HostessTrolley · 04/11/2019 20:18

I said to her ‘is it all that you thought it would be, and is it worth last years stress?’ She said it’s different to how she thought it would be, but it’s so much better x

Original poster
EightToSixer · 04/11/2019 20:28

@hostesstrolley thank you for the update. It is much needed at the moment while we eagerly await interview decisions.

DD is off to a free MMI interview session tomorrow which was offered through the Seren Network. I will report back once she has done it. She has used a lot of online free resources as well as they are excellent.

OP posts:
PiggyPokkyFool · 05/11/2019 18:34

Yes please to tips @EightToSixer
Just had a very happy DD on the phone - interview at UEA in 3 weeks. She is so pleased - I wasn't expecting anything until after Christmas so this came as a bolt out of the blue.
This is a very intense experience - hand hold @mumsneedwine and @MedSchoolRat and any other very knowledgeable(any knowledge at all would be welcome frankly)posters.

mumsneedwine · 05/11/2019 18:45

Huge congratulations on interview !! UEA is fab. MMIs seem to be a varied beast but be prepared for why a doctor (& not a nurse) and why UEA. And listen. It's not always about talking all the time. Be professional but kind. And stick to your guns. And maybe practise a few drug calculations (Nottingham nurses have a helpful booklet). But mostly be you and smile. Good luck !!! First of many on here I'm sure. To make you all feel a bit sick my DD was cutting into a skull this week.

PiggyPokkyFool · 05/11/2019 19:03

Thank you @mumsneedwine - I have seen your name on threads for a long time as DD has her heart set on medicine for years.
She has coped so well with the death of her special 'one to one lady' at the care home a week ago, showing a level of maturity and positivity that pleased me. She is quiet but if she gets the chance I think she will be a very good doctor - just need to convince them. I'll take your advice on board. Thank you.

mumsneedwine · 05/11/2019 19:32

Ah I know how you are feeling. My DD is just a normal comp kid and none of us are remotely medical so was a real voyage of discovery for her. I just got dragged along for the (bumpy) ride. This was so supportive when waiting and going through the torture of interviews. Just spoke to her and she does recommend the 1001 interview questions book - said it covers ideas to have in your head. But as at one station she chatted about cheese for 7 minutes she does say be flexible ! So exciting for you.

speedyhedgehog · 05/11/2019 20:15

Huge congrats piggy's dd! That is great! Setting the ball rolling - now hope for more of the same for all the dc. How exciting!Smile

PiggyPokkyFool · 05/11/2019 20:43

Is it this one @mumsneedwine? :
www.amazon.co.uk/Managers-Book-Questions-Interview-Hiring/dp/0071470433?tag=mumsnetforu03-21
It is a form of torture - though when she sent off her application/PS she relaxed and said I'll forget about things until Christmas but every week somewhere has wanted something.
This is the start of good things for all the DCs on here - I'm willing them all on. We need doctors in this country.
She knows there will be downs as well as the ups as I try to make sure we are realistic - hard to get the balance right - don't want to be too optimistic and leave her feeling disappointed if things don't work out or too pessimistic so she feels beaten before she starts.
Thank God for you all on here.

emummy · 05/11/2019 20:58

Congratulations to your DD Piggy, and good luck!

mumsneedwine · 05/11/2019 21:11

This one piggy. So not 1001 at all (that was the UCAT book apparently !). I'm going through it again with DD2 for vet med and it's just as horrible 2nd time round. It's the waiting that's the killer !

Medicine 2020
PiggyPokkyFool · 05/11/2019 22:09

Thank you - we have ordered it. DD has accepted the interview and looked at what she needs to bring with her and the forms she needs to fill in as well.
After the R and R for Keele most other forms are a doddle.
She is halfway between delighted and terrified.
Must buy her a suit or something suitable....

HostessTrolley · 06/11/2019 00:53

My d mostly wore her school clothes - jacket (business blazer type, she liked the fit of the Next tailored ones which we mostly got ‘as new’ on eBay) with a skirt/tights or trousers with a blouse and a light jumper (as interviews were mostly on cold days). She didn’t wear a suit but didn’t look out of place either. Neat hair, clean groomed nails. Not heels as some interview days included a tour and there’s a lot of moving between stations etc

Monkey2001 · 06/11/2019 01:37

Piggy - it is all happening for your DD with the Global Health offer and first interview on this thread! Good luck to her as she prepares for that and good luck to everyone else as the interviews start pouring in (hopefully)!

PiggyPokkyFool · 06/11/2019 09:11

@HostessTrolley - DDs 6th firm is very informal so she lives in black jeans - a suit or skirt and jacket with flat shoes is all I am thinking.
@Monkey2001 - it is all a bit crazy and very unexpected. We cursed that request for the Global Health PS over half term but when she got the offer she looked so relieved and relaxed and she thought it would be a long wait until anything medicine related. We keep saying little steps and we'll take the rough with the smooth.
This thread will be the lucky charm for all the DDsGrin

ladsmum · 06/11/2019 10:44

Well done Piggy junior. DS resitting and reapplying this year but had an offer last year for UEA. Of his 3 interviews he found the interview at UEA the most relaxed, they seemed genuinely interested in getting to know him. Last year they interviewed over a long period and so they were later than the other two to send his offer (so she may have a long wait). He wore tie and jacket but was probably one of the more dressed up of the candidates (helped him with his confidence). Good luck

Monkey2001 · 06/11/2019 18:22

St Andrew's interview here. Great news of course, but the timing is not good for us - it is a 3:50 which means he can't get a train from Bristol either way on the day (takes 8 hours). We are trying to take a year off flying and don't really want to have to stay 2 nights, so considering asking whether they could give him an earlier interview on that day or another.

Do people think that is a reasonable request?

PiggyPokkyFool · 06/11/2019 18:55

Thank you @ladsmum - that's good to know as it will be her first MMI and she could do with all the confidence building she can get .
Great news @Monkey2001 - I think it would be a reasonable request given he is travelling so far and as it is so early in the interview season they could accommodate him surely,
It is both exciting and stomach churning.Well done Mini Monkey.

speedyhedgehog · 06/11/2019 19:05

Well done monkey's DS! No idea re moving it hopefully someone knowledgeable will be along soon. Congratulations!

ladsmum · 06/11/2019 20:51

@Monkey2001 - Great news for your DS. Don't think it is an unreasonable request , St A's seem to interview over a long period so I would think they will have some flexibility. Is flying a complete no-no, such a long way on the train (and costly), maybe worth looking at other travel options in case they aren't able to offer another time? On a positive Edinburgh is fab in the run up to Christmas maybe 1 of your overnights could be there?

PiggyPokkyFool · 07/11/2019 22:08

@mumsneedwine - Thanks for the recommendation - DD says the book is great - she wishes she had started it 6 months agoGrin

mumsneedwine · 07/11/2019 22:24

Glad it's useful. DD said it really helped - was the only interview practice she did ! DD2 got a vet med interview today but there don't seem to be any books for those so going in a bit blind.

PiggyPokkyFool · 07/11/2019 23:38

Gosh that is great news - well done to your DD2. You are a very successful family!

mumsneedwine · 08/11/2019 09:30

Thank you. Just an interview but you all appreciate how hard this waiting to hear anything is ! Best wishes to everyone waiting for their first interview and remember, you only need one offer. Good luck all.