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Higher education

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:
Thread gallery
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HostessTrolley · 04/12/2019 22:19

Imperial have changed to MMIs this year. Last year Dd got her invitation to interview around 12th dec, for interview around 12th jan, and got her offer about 11-12 days after the interview. Last year they sent out the interview invitations in batches - there were 2-3 batches sent out in December and a couple more after Christmas I think x

MedSchoolRat · 04/12/2019 22:39

DD hasn't heard from Imperial, either.

Applying for student finance... at what point in the Uni applic process do people usually apply? I imagine May-June next year is a reasonable time to apply (is that right)? Maybe just after A-level exams finish?

Monkey2001 · 05/12/2019 10:45

As a gap year applicant I had completely forgotten about student finance! Your DC's schools should tell you when anything has to be done, but I think you do it once the offers are in.

MarchingFrogs · 05/12/2019 18:08

Student finance applications open around February and the applicant doesn't have to have firmed anywhere to start the process. In order to be guaranteed the first maintenance loan payment on time, the application has to be made by late May, although applying later doesn't necessarily mean that they won't get it at the beginning of term. DS1 was a few days late in making his application for finance (albeit with no application for the means-tested element) for second year and it was authorised within a week.

emummy · 05/12/2019 19:31

We have an interview! Phew! Aberdeen later this month. Very relieved house here.

speedyhedgehog · 05/12/2019 20:12

Yay emummy! So pleased for your dd!!!

strawberryoranges · 05/12/2019 20:12

slight name change but congratulations to your DC emummy. All that’s left is to smash those interviews and get the grades and they will be on their journey to become fully fledged medics !

DD has been preparing for her ox interview and I can tell it’s become quite overwhelming for her which isn’t great.

242Mummy · 05/12/2019 21:08

Great news, emummy! Well done, your DD.

The stress of forthcoming interviews is unbelievable. Poor DS1 is having a major wobble and regular meltdowns as it all becomes too real. I think the interview is the hardest bit for him as he is an introvert and quite quiet around strangers. 2 next week and 1 the week after - hopefully practice makes perfect.

Monkey2001 · 05/12/2019 23:15

@242Mummy empathy across the miles for shy DSs! Have you managed to persuade him to practice answering questions with you?

@emummy - phew! Has she heard from Glasgow yet?

emummy · 06/12/2019 07:53

No word from Glasgow yet, according to the student room they are still sending invites.
@242Mummy good luck to your ds. Dd is similar, it makes the interview process a lot more stressful.

christmaskit · 06/12/2019 17:50

Late I know, but may I join you all please?
My DS 17 has interviews at Cambridge and Nottingham in the next couple of weeks. Just waiting to hear from Newcastle.
He had his Sheffield interview yesterday.

SummerbodyIwish · 06/12/2019 21:44

Hello Christmaskit. Also waiting for Newcastle and Sheffield interview next week. Hope it went well for your ds

242Mummy · 06/12/2019 22:12

monkey2001 and emummy Thanks for the kindness and support! I definitely need a bit of hand holding as it's hard to see DS1 struggle and not be able to help.

He heard from his final uni today so has 4 interviews coming up. Keeping all my fingers and toes crossed that he converts just one to an offer.

christmaskit · 06/12/2019 22:24

DS came home from Sheffield exhausted. Tough day. He said it was "fine". Waiting patiently for more info.

Monkey2001 · 07/12/2019 10:19

"Fine" is such a frustrating response, but typical of teenage boys!

SummerbodyIwish · 07/12/2019 11:24

I agree. My ds says fine when he doesnt want to talk about something

christmaskit · 07/12/2019 18:49

Quite!
Apparently he made the "patient" laugh and there were no long silences. So I'm taking that as a positive.
He normally takes everything in his stride and "doesn't do stress", but I could tell he found it tough.
Cambridge next week. Confused

Original poster
EightToSixer · 08/12/2019 08:51

Welcome new applicants to the thread and pleased to hear interviews are pouring in.
Southampton went well for DD last week but she said it was very hard to get the two interviewers to look at her during panel and they didn't ask about her PS at all. I imagine it was a deliberate tactic to see how they would respond as another applicant experienced the same with her panel.

Nice break now before Exeter in Jan, which I think will be DD's first choice if she receives an offer.
Sympathy for those with quieter DSs. DD was very quiet and shy until this year and says she now fakes being confident and chatty in interviews, she's much more of an introvert at heart. She did say there were a lot of very quiet applicants at both interviews so I'm sure they are well used to bringing people out of their shells.
Good luck to all with interviews coming up this week.

OP posts:
christmaskit · 08/12/2019 12:48

Yes, good luck to all.
They should be so proud of themselves to have even got to this stage.

Monkey2001 · 08/12/2019 12:59

A deliberate tactic to avoid eye contact seems like a bit of a nasty trick in a stressful situation, but it does seem that they have to be prepared to be charming in the face of unfriendly or misleading behaviour at other places too. Glad she thought it went well.

Good luck to all the interviewees next week!

Chickpeamad · 08/12/2019 20:53

Hi monkey2001, interview at 9.00am gonville & caius tomorrow. We're also staying night in advance. traffic around and into Cambridge is always nightmare, so defnitely cant be risked. Good luck all.

Weaverspin · 09/12/2019 09:22

EightToSixer yes, that was something my DD had to learn when she first started having interviews for jobs - we gave it the code name 'sparkle'. I know, it sounds cheesy, but it really did help her to remember to smile and put on a chatty persona in interviews, as she's naturally introvert and can look grumpy if not smiling!

She's now in her first year at Nottingham, and phoned me yesterday in great excitement to tell me she has met - and touched - the cadaver her group will be dissecting next term. It's a whole new world...

I wish all of you the very best. It's a hell of a roller-coaster, but fingers crossed the offers come in for your DSs and DDs Star

Monkey2001 · 09/12/2019 10:34

@Chickpeamad thinking about you as you wait. Hope your DD comes out feeling positive, but I am sure you know that all applicants get pushed out of their comfort zone, so feeling like you struggled does not necessarily mean anything. Fingers crossed!

mumsneedwine · 09/12/2019 13:34

Good luck to everyone. Weaver mine is a year above yours and was at the funeral of her person today. She has learned so so much.
Smile and keep calm.

ladsmum · 09/12/2019 20:01

Just waiting for DS’s train to arrive back from Chelmsford so I can grill him! I got a “it was alright” - think that’s worse than “fine”. 2 down 2 to go!