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Higher education

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

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Original poster

Medicine 2021

999 replies

Millylovespuddles · 28/11/2019 19:46

Hi all
It looks like there’s no medicine 2021 entry thread yet, so it might be an idea to get the ball rolling.
My DD is getting stuck into her A level course, doing well so far, but I’m guessing we parents could do with some mutual support and advice from parents who’ve been here before.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
9
goodbyestranger · 03/03/2020 20:29

Also cheers to those who message to say goodness how rude people are and also to say thanks for stuff I've said along the way which they've found useful.

goodbyestranger · 03/03/2020 20:31

Glad to be of help - and if it's not helpful, happy to be ignored :)

GANFYD · 03/03/2020 20:49

@goodbyestranger
personal insults are actually not allowed over here

Oh, I am so sorry, I had no idea you were such a delicate wallflower! I assumed from the tone and insults in many of your posts, you were not likely to be offended by robust responses.
I guess snowflake is not just a description applicable to the young?

My precis of F1/2 selection was close enough for government work. I left out exact computation which if one wants to be very semantic one could include but it's an accurate broad brush picture

Your "precis" was one third correct. If that is good enough for you, you go girl!

GANFYD · 03/03/2020 20:53

@HostessTrolley

It is so good to hear your daughter is enjoying herself at Imperial. I love hearing the success stories Smile

The best medical students apply to the universities they wish to attend, provided their stats profile makes that sensible. The ones that suit them in terms of teaching style, location, ethos and general "feel" as that is where they are most likely to be happiest and hence thrive. I am glad your daughter has found her niche

GANFYD · 03/03/2020 20:56

@goodbyestranger
but any student worth a med school place can (and arguably should) do the homework for themselves

You are quite right, which is why most of my advice is given on student forums, as the people there are doing the homework for themselves!
Always nice to have a parent you can rely on for encouragment and support though!

GANFYD · 03/03/2020 21:14

@goodbystranger
The problem is that some people get swept away with their internet persona and it makes them very intolerant of alternative views

You do have SOME insight. Well done!

My dh and I are both medics and we give talks annually to several local schools about medical careers in general and our specialties in particular. We do not get further involved due to potential COI given other roles. School are not aware of my role in med school admissions and advised they were happy to continue with our careers advice, but feel the fact they get multiple applicants into Oxbridge medicine each year means they are doing OK - I guess by your standards, they are. I wish them well, they get paid to do it, and I certainly don't need any extra work on my plate.

The lady on TSR is absolutely lovely. So supportive and encouraging of all applicants, whilst using her expertise to help students and parents if they have Oxford specific questions. You should maybe try it sometime?
Have you been on TSR for a read, given you seem to know all about her?

mumsneedwine · 03/03/2020 21:16

I don't only sound like a teacher. I am one, dealing with students every day, some of whom want to be doctors, some vets, plumbers and pop stars. If anyone has ever found me rude I would be very sorry as I would be if anyone has ever called me a bully. Like you, I have been privately messaged but I don't feel the need to tell everyone that (until now 😂). I really think you should just offer support, and up to date advice. Please make sure it's up to date as giving bad advice is not fair on prospective students. It's great your own child is an F2 but lots has changed since then. It's changed since mine started and she's a year 2. I hope no one relies on any of our advice and does their own research. I just think you need to ensure people know your experience is 7 years ago.

GANFYD · 03/03/2020 21:16

And cheers to all those who have messaged me to say they are now following the forum as they are loving the honesty of my posts Smile

mumsneedwine · 03/03/2020 21:19

@GANFYD I'd love it if you'd come into my school ! We have over 20 prospective medics in year 12 and we are doing our best to give everyone as much support as we can, but we never turn down anyone who has any (up to date) advice.

GANFYD · 03/03/2020 21:20

@goodbyestranger

So is it your youngest who is applying this year? Or do you have a resitter?
How many of your other 7 are at med school currently?
Apart from the F2 (who would have applied nearly 9 years ago now, I think, unless he has re-done years?), which other med schools do you have children at?

GANFYD · 03/03/2020 21:21

@mumsneedwine

I would love to, I love encouraging, motivating and supporting prospective medics but I am really not sure when I would fit it in the diary. Your school sounds a lovely place to be a student

GANFYD · 03/03/2020 21:23

@goodbyestranger

I have just had a thought - is English not your first language? I am so sorry if that is the reason you are struggling to follow things and having difficulty with the nuances

goodbyestranger · 03/03/2020 21:25

Love the access of private messages now being declared :) mumsneedwine I can't recall which threads but I think if you go back a shortish while you'll see what I mean. Not important, just saying. I think there was a reference to schoolground, something like that.

I am entirely up to date on higher ed. It's a very false premise to suppose that one can only be current until one's own DC starts their course!

mumsneedwine · 03/03/2020 21:29

@GANFYD doctors are so ridiculously busy and I appreciate everything they do. And DD has just said she read your stuff on TSR too, so thank you.

The awesome consultant who came and sat with me and held my hand for half an hour as I watched my dear daddy pass away was rushed off her feet. But she still found time to just sit with someone who needed care.
I hope my DD becomes a doctor with compassion and never loses her empathy. She knows her science, but being a good doctor involves so much more.

goodbyestranger · 03/03/2020 21:30

Oh my, poor 17yr olds coming over from TSR! Oh dear, if true, that would be sad. Perhaps they're all HeadPeople GANFYD?

A DC told me about the mum I think we're referencing. Not sure why a DC can't say omg there's even this mum, writing a book! It's just normal isn't it, especially given relative stats etc.

goodbyestranger · 03/03/2020 21:33

GANFYD if you asked your own school if you could come in to share wisdom, then surely you'd have room to fit in mumsneedwine's school - I think you're not geographically far apart? (from what you say, unless I've got that wrong - I might have done tbf). I still don't really understand why they'd say no, given your proven track record.

mumsneedwine · 03/03/2020 21:34

@goodbyestranger as you think I'm a bully I will do the best thing and not engage with you any more. I do wonder why you feel the need to constantly resort to name calling and being unpleasant but if it makes you happy, crack on.
To mums on here looking for advice and support I hope you find it. Just check facts before relying on anyone's advice. And good luck with the open days - admissions tutors are lovely people and the advice they give is the stuff to rely on. I'm going to a thing soon for teachers supporting medics and I'll report back anything interesting and new.

GANFYD · 03/03/2020 21:37

@mumsneedwine

The job is an honour and a privilege (and a pain in the rear end and irritating as hell!) and it is being able to make a difference to people at a time of need that makes it so rewarding. I always remind any students we have that they are very lucky to be allowed this sort of access to people's lives and to hopefully make things easier. Luckily, they are generally empathetic, warm and respectful, so fit in well with the team.
I think your daughter will do fine, from what I have heard

goodbyestranger · 03/03/2020 21:39

GANFYD none of my DC have ever needed to reapply, not that there's any shame in it.

You really are displaying very concerning traits in your posts, especially if you are, as you claim, a medical doctor. I think enough is possibly enough.

goodbyestranger · 03/03/2020 21:40

mumsneedwine it certainly wasn't me who called you a bully!

GANFYD · 03/03/2020 21:42

@goodbyestranger

Oh my, poor 17yr olds coming over from TSR! Oh dear, if true, that would be sad. Perhaps they're all HeadPeople GANFYD?

???? where on earth did this come from????

I have no idea where mumsneedwine is based, but if I say yes to one, I would have to say yes to all the requests, and that is just not possible, sadly.

As I said, if you try reading slowly, school are not aware of my role in med school admissions

goodbyestranger · 03/03/2020 21:44

And no GANFYD, DS1 has not had to re-do any of his Oxford years. I don't think that's even possible (well, possibly if you rusticate). Getting your first choice of London deanery and top choice of rotations would be unlikely I think, if you'd failed any set of exams.

GANFYD · 03/03/2020 21:46

@mumsneedwine

It would be a very sad loss to the thread if you were to go as you have lots of relevant experience to share.
As you would tell your pupils, you should only be influenced by opinions of those you either care about or who have any relevant knowledge that would make their opinion worth listening to.
goodbyestranger is demonstrating what is known in the trade as projection!

goodbyestranger · 03/03/2020 21:49

And cheers to all those who have messaged me to say they are now following the forum as they are loving the honesty of my posts

Well the language used means people not currently on this forum/ MN are now following thanks to you. You mentioned that you have a following on TSR. Perhaps you mean a crowd of your personal friends. Frankly God knows! So bizarre I'm not going to exercise my poor foreign brain any more! (half Scottish).

GANFYD · 03/03/2020 21:49

@goodbyestranger

So is your youngest applying this year? Where else are your brood doing medicine?
I am just interested as to why you are on the thread as you seem to have no relevant knowledge and no declared applicants?