Medicine 2021 - Part 3

[SATSmadness]

Hoping for interviews and offers all round, now and well into next year !

I love St Andrews. It's a wonderful place to study. I had an unconditional offer to study there at my DS's age and rejected it on some spurious whim and even years later wished I had taken it. DS wasn't interested in applying there but I still secretly hope that my DD might.

@opoponax maybe it will be a good excuse for a little trip there with your DD later in the year to see what she thinks!

My stepson has absolutely adored his time at St Andrews and it’s a really quirky, special uni. He’s more than likely going to stay on there for another 4 years.

I know many people love it so phrased carefully as 'not my cup of tea'

No, you’re not wrong to not like it. Each to his own. They’ve got to choose the right place for them..

@WithIcePlease absolutely - everyone likes different places for different reasons

Hi all- just seen this thread from @WithIcePlease ‘s recommendation and am hoping for some responses on this
Ds is extremely lucky in having received offers for these three medical schools but is now in the unexpected predicament of having to choose between them. He’s pretty sure Manchester is out of the running and so it’s mainly between Bristol and Leeds. He’s a bit unsure on what Leeds’ course style really is despite hours of internet digging- so far he’s worked out it’s quite traditional but with a lot of clinical experience but some internet sources contradict this. Does anyone have any experience of these medical schools or opinions on the preparedness of the doctors they produce?

Oops these three medical schools is Manchester, Leeds and Bristol

Hi, my DD is a first year at Bristol. Not much F2F due to Covid but a really integrated course from the off. They do case based learning in small groups, lots of scope to pursue particular interests, not too exam heavy ( least not yet), she loves it.

@Howdyc here's the Leeds info my DD is basing her decision on. I'm sure Bristol must be on the same site too if you search?

My Dd likes Leeds for the style of teaching and the anatomy.

lifeofamedic.com/2020/06/08/whats-it-really-like-to-study-medicine-at-leeds-medical-school/

re St Andrews remember they are lucky in that they have 3 years in Scotland and then either Manchester or Barts/London for three further years (if on English route.) Gives them the chance to experience the chance of a being a normal student for first degree and then 3 years of clinical .

Sorry for butting in. DD is hoping to apply to med school for 2022 entry and is on the look out for relevant work experience.

She's been offered 3 days lambing work this week. Would that be considered relevant?

Hi @MidLifeCrisis007 I don't think really relevant for medical work experience. My DD is at vet school and is lambing next week she really enjoyed it a couple of years ago so for life experience it may be worthwhile. It's hard for medical work experience at the moment. My DS a few years ago contacted the learning and development department of 3 hospitals in the local area and managed to get work experience that way. He also contacted the nuclear medicine department of a London teaching hospital and had a really interesting day there. Are you near any vaccination centres that may let your DD observe or volunteer?

Thanks @Lovecatsanddogs

She was lucky to get a spot as a Volunteer at Kings but sadly none of the spots that she's eligible for are available on Saturdays at the moment. You need to be 18 to work on the vaccine programme apparently and she's only just turned 17.

Hopefully the Kings Volunteers will be allowed back on the wards soon so she'll be able to deliver food trays and chat with the patients over meal times. She's done 8 or so on line courses to be eligible to volunteer on the wards so is really keen to be allowed in when covid restrictions are lifted a little!

PS That was the wrong answer btw as she's going to be doing the lambing work anyway. But she did question the relevance of it for her med school applications!

Good luck to your DD @MidLifeCrisis007 lambing will be enjoyable anyway and hope the Kings Volunteers get up and running soon.

DD delivered 5 lambs today. She was totally on her own for the delivery of one this afternoon- whose legs were all tangled... but she safely pulled the lamb out without panicking.

I'm so proud of her! And she's learnt so much in 24 hours! I know hospital work might be more relevant but she's grown in confidence so much today!

How lovely @MidLifeCrisis007 that sounds amazing!

While it’s not hospital work experience, it’s still a pretty unique life experience which I am sure she will be able to draw upon - perhaps even in her interviews

Lambing sounds fab @MidLifeCrisis007 - we had several 'rescue' lambs when I was growing up and they were great. Spent many an hour bottle feeding hungry little ones.

DD has an offer from Keele so relieved after 2 reserve lists and still waiting to hear from Manc

Great news @IsThisNameTaken

DD has received all decisions now and has just firmed and insured. Phew!

Now just got to hope there is any decent accommodation left. 🤯

Congratulations @IsThisNameTaken, brilliant news.

@MaddieElla that must be a great relief having all decisions in and finally being able to firm and insure. We are still waiting to hear from one, seems to have been fairly quiet this week.

@MidLifeCrisis007 I think your daughter will be able to show and talk about lots of relevant skills from her work experience. Tr work, decision making etc sounds like it was an amazing experience for her.

Fantastic @IsThisNameTaken, congratulations to your Dd.

Congrats to your DD @IsThisNameTaken

i think you previously mentioned that she was joint first on a reserve list somewhere too. My DD can't currently face getting in touch with the relevant Uni to find out where she is on the one reserve list she has been placed on. She said she'll do it after the funeral.

Would it make her look "not keen" if she actually leaves it until after all firms/insurances have been notified by medicine applicants who do get offers ? Given that some wait listed applicants do get offers from elsewhere, positions on reserve lists must surely go up after the firming/insuring deadline, assuming that firming anywhere, even if it is their only offer.

If a candidate just received one offer (so they have no insurance) but they are waitlisted/reserve-listed else where, when they firm on their only offer do they automatically come off the reserve list meaning that others find they have risen up the list ?

There needs to be an emoticon for "clutching at straws" for me (on behalf of DD) '' doesn't really cover it fully.

It really is the not knowing isn't it. I would come to the same conclusion as you once everyone has firmed/insured/discounted Unis, things will look different.

To firm, you have to have received all decisions, so I actually have no idea what that means to people on reserve lists. Can you even firm if you're on a reserve list?

I would want to know where I was on that list, assuming all Unis tell applicants that info. But I'm as impatient as they come.