Medicine 2022 entry

[Monkey2001]

Support thread for aspiring medics.

We want all our DCs to succeed, whatever their school type. We share knowledge to help them to achieve their goals, celebrate success and support if things don't go well.

As we press the "send and pay" buttons on UCAS, we wish all our DC the best of luck in this tough year with so much uncertainty.

I'm back again with my last minute questions. What's everyone chosen for their 5th choice? I'm guessing there's a lot of Biomedical Degree choices?

If your DC wants to do medicine and nothing else, there is no point in having a 5th choice. If you do have a 5th choice, ensure that it leads to an alternative career which the DC would like. Applying as a graduate is much more expensive, takes longer and is a lot more competitive. Most will not get into medicine.

Does anyone have any inside info on Buckingham? My guess is that it mostly attracts very capable (and affluent) international students rather than (equally affluent) UK students who didn't make the cut at other med schools.

There are over 20 medicine applicants at DD's school this year (c 10% of the cohort)! A fair few will have international fee status for whom the bar will be very high indeed.

@Monkey2001 - I agree with you entirely re fifth choices. I think it's really important that students don't get distracted by the word "medical" hidden in biomedical sciences.

Biomedical sciences courses fall broadly into two groups, with some overlap. First, there are IBMS-accredited courses that were developed to allow people to qualify for the role of NHS biomedical scientist without undertaking a compulsory post-graduation placement year. Very few students who aspire to be doctors will be happy as biomedical scientists (see www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/healthcare-science/roles-healthcare-science/life-sciences/biomedical-science). The other courses might not be IBMS-accredited, as most students are taking them as a route into research careers, out of general interest as they plan on working in an unrelated field after graduation, or as an alternative to medicine with a view to applying for graduate-entry. The latter is a high-risk approach.

As you say, if a student is going to use the fifth choice at all it should be something that will be useful if they don't succeed in getting into medicine as a graduate (or realise they can't afford it). Many medicine programmes don't require graduates to have a degree related to medical science; quite a lot require a science, but certainly not all. Options like medicinal chemistry or other subjects that are applicable to a wide range of high-tech industries are worth considering. Otherwise, it is possible - although not common - to start a pharmacy course and take a bachelor's degree after three years if you can get a place for medicine rather than completing the MPharm. Once you have an MPharm it makes sense to do the pre-registration year, too, so if you do go on to study medicine you can do locum work at weekends. There might be similar options for other healthcare professions.

The number of medical schools that allow transfers from biomedical sciences to medicine is tiny. Where the option does exist it is usually extremely competitive and the great majority of people who attempt it are unsuccessful. Cardiff has a graduate-entry route that is only open to graduates from four specific degrees from Welsh universities (www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/2022/medicine-graduate-entry-mbbch). This probably has a higher success rate but I don't know how many places are available.

You don’t need to add a fifth choice until early January, unless you are opting for something like human sciences at Oxford. Plenty of time to think about it and research.

The list of intercalation degrees available to medics might provide a starting point to consider what medicine related degrees are out there.

www.intercalate.co.uk/

DD took biomedical engineering as an intercalation which she really enjoyed, and which is available as a four year Masters degree. They are doing some cool stuff and research engineers can get to work closely with patients.

DD isn't adding a 5th. She has considered Durham NatSci but will press 'send' today with just 4.

Final agonising over the PS last night. I know it doesn't matter very much but for DD (who is a bit of a perfectionist) it's very important to get it right. Her perfectionist tendencies are a bit if a worry to me at times, I'm hoping this last year of extreme busyness (IB coursework and EE) will knock the edge off it.

Only reason to add a 5th ? Just to get an offer, for something, which is psychologically nice as everyone else will get some v quickly. Might have no intention of taking it, but it's nice to know someone wants you. Doesn't apply to everyone but for some it gives reassurance that they can go to Uni. I've never known anyone take it first time round - all go on to reapply.

Has anyone paid for 1-1 interview courses? My DD, if she gets an interview offer, would probably benefit from that but I don't know which are the best ones, and how much they are...

@ClarasZoo have you got The book? Really shouldn't need anything else.

Ah thank you - no I don't think so but I will check with DD - it may be one I bought and threw into her room for her to lose!

It's a great book 😊.

@ClarasZoo see if anyone you know will interview her. Why Medicine (not to care as they'll ask why not a nurse), why that Uni, strengths and weaknesses, why you'll make a good doctor, explain the NHS (😳), who is important in a hospital (porters and cleaners !).
And if MMIs be prepared for anything ! And listen. If patient educators are used they will want to know you can hear what they say.
Loads of info in that book - got my DD 4 interviews (was 5 years ago which seems a different world now).

Thank you so much - that is very useful! Its for dentistry but presume its the same sort of stuff?

@ClarasZoo 😊 I knew that. Pretty much the same.

Know how NHS dentists are funded and be prepared to discuss private vs nhs.

Also for dentistry, practice doing something requiring dexterity (origami type exercise) at the same time as explaining an unrelated concept. I've heard of that as an MMI station.

Yes - thank you - she (we) need to get to grips with that. I don't know whether to pay for the 1-1 courses because she won't take any direction from me!!!

@opoponax

Also for dentistry, practice doing something requiring dexterity (origami type exercise) at the same time as explaining an unrelated concept. I've heard of that as an MMI station.

Gosh - I would never have thought of that. Sounds tricky! Like pat your head and rub your tummy !!

For dentistry, bear in mind that she will also have to demonstrate appropriate psychomotor skills - dexterity, hand-eye co-ordination, etc. - either by undertaking a task or by providing a verifiable example. This isn't done for medics, as these skills are only needed in certain specialities.

Sorry @opoponax - I was typing while you were posting.

I did a mock interview for a prospective dentist last year whose views on private vs NHS were horrifying.

Medics are asked to do dexterity tasks too. And also do one thing while speaking about something else. For MMIs be prepared for anything !

@NoNotHimTheOtherOne did they get an offer 😳

Worth finding out whether Interviews will be F2F or online. If online it is worth searching the internet for tips on lighting, background, etc and perhaps practice with a helpful adult. And find out whether it will be Teams, Zoom or whatever. The last thing you need is a last minute technology panic. Plus Plan B's: is there scope to dial in, is there a friendly neighbour with a different provider, who would share their password. (Our Virgin broadband was down for a week during lockdown and DD ended up sitting in her car outside our neighbour's house to sit an exam and attend a couple of seminars.)

V good point. We have a room at school for their interviews - IT on hand for support. Might be worth asking when know needed.