Medicine - 2024 Entry

[LaMereDuChat]

Just thought I'd start a thread for anyone else who feels like me... Dd has just announced that she'd really like to apply for medicine. It seems pretty much impossible to get into and I'm dreading the process as the odds are stacked against her - private schooled, grades a bit iffy as she's chosen a language as an A-Level and it's hard, though she loves it. Anyone want to join the pity party 😬?

My son went to Sussex too! It’s a great university. Very nurturing. He did so well there. And the graduation was fun!

Good luck to all those taking the BMAT today 🙏🤞

Just spoke to DS - paper was hard (his words) - think all his friends found it hard - glad he’s only put one BMAT down. Some of his friends put three. 😬

Just had exactly the same conversation with DD @Mumofboys2006 !! She's very much focussing on interview preparation for her 3 UCAT choices now and relieved that she only had 1 BMAT uni in the mix. She said it was very tough, and she ran out of time and guessed a lot at the end. Very relieved it’s done though. “Just” A level and interview prep to think about now!

Phew - glad dd decided against the BMAT!

Congratulations to all those with 5th offers - definitely good for them to know someone is interested, even if medicine is now a massive waiting game :)

i think the BMAT gets progressively harder each year. We just focused on one BMAT.

@Sybill i think it’s quite common to skip questions - apparently there’s no way you can finish otherwise- just checked and all his really bright friends said the same 🤞🏼🤞🏼

Very reassuring- thanks @Mumofboys2006 !

A little bit of anecdotal comfort - DS's friend said BMAT was really difficult three years ago and thought he may have flunked it. Got a really high score and is now third year Cambridge Med.

That’s all very reassuring @Sybill @opoponax and @Mumofboys2006

My dd also said it was hard and she had to guess some questions. She did lots of past papers and also thought that last year’s test was harder than previous years - so maybe there is a trend!

Just have to wait and see now. It’s bound to be an emotional rollercoaster, particularly given that interviews and offers are given out at different times. It must be so hard for people who have not heard anything if others at school have.

It's the last BMAT so maybe they decided to go out with a bang.
Now comes the waiting game.

Does anyone have any tips for best resources for interview practice - i.e. example questions and areas to focus on?

Now that BMAT is behind her, DD is focusing on interviews - although of course there is no guarantee that she will be invited to any!

This book is really helpful

@Notcontent and practice giving clear instructions for tasks, know a couple of new advances in medicine, issues in the NHS and learn to listen. Know the GMC competencies.

Thank you @mumsneedwine

There are a loads of links to useful stuff on my post here:
https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7390614&page=2

Thank you @GANFYD

DD has got work experience form back from Sunderland to complete - any tips anyone?

I am not sure but everyone says reflections are the most important part.

I remember a post on TSR I think where an offer holder from Keele (similar approach to work experience to Sunderland I expect) said she referred it back to the patient / customer experience (I.e. how she tried to consider that) - have a look on TSR.

Thank you - now got non academic form from Manchester- from my understanding this is more straightforward as they say use PS as starting point. Does anyone think the Sunderland form it would be OK to include house captain as WE - she has had opportunity to organise her own events / fundraising for students and teachers. Otherwise only 9 months paid work and 8 years volunteering in ballet school

As I suspected would happen, dd is a bit unsettled by fact that friends who are applying for other courses already have offers. She knew this is how it works but nonetheless and perhaps irrationally feels a little hard done by the fact that she has worked so hard but may end up with no offers at all!

Just keep offering plenty of reassurance and a listening ear. It's so hard isn't it? We were there a couple of years ago.

She will probably know when the Unis she's applied to are likely to start calling to interview, it won't stop her from worrying though

Thanks @SiouxsieSiouxStiletto Yes, I think my role over the next few months will be to reassure! I know that ultimately things will work out as they are meant to but it’s hard.

@Notcontent did she use her 5th option? When that came back quickly for DD, it was useful to be able to say something along the lines of "see, if you'd done anything but medicine, you'd have offers now". That was a little comfort but agree it's a really tough time. Distinctly remember DD being in tears after a gathering for her 18th birthday where all her friends (and her twin!!) not only had their offers but had firmed and were excitedly chatting about accommodation knowing what the next few years held in store. That uncertainty is so difficult. Hope interviews start coming through soon 🙏

@Africa2go yes, she did use her 5th option but has not heard back yet. That’s exactly it - it’s the uncertainty.