Too early for a Medicine 2027 thread?

[SuperSue77]

Just wondered if there was any interest in a medicine 2027 thread for those of us with YP going into year 12 who plan to apply for medicine? I've seen one or two lurking previously and will try to tag if I can find their user names. Just conscious that I am always posting on the 2026 thread, yet DD is a year behind them and so my comments aren't so relevant.

Please come and join me here if you are interested.

@transient nice strategic choices. If has good VR then Notts a good shout, Cardiff good but less England places as prioritise Welsh candidates (use GCSE score and only UCAT as tie break), Southampton, Bham ok last year. Exeter depends on predicted grades as well . Leeds who knows, but they only took pretty high UCAT scores this year, but perfect GCSEs will help especially if A star predictions. . Newcastle looks ok (can score on their web page). So easily 4.

@mumsneedwineWhat was the cutoff for Southampton? Do you have any info on this? DD has the same UCAT score 2050.

@Peachy80was 2030 🤞

Thanks

Evening everyone - does anyone have any advice about helpful books or ways to get support for preparing for personal statements and medicine interviews please? I know this might sound premature given they have yet to apply but my Ds’s school has neither the expertise or capacity to offer him support in this journey. Today they asked him what he got for UCAT and then said he needed to apply for a foundation year - because they aren’t even aware in the change in the test and how the scores have changed.
The absence of knowledge and support is adding to what is already a stressful process. All suggestions much appreciated.

It is worth looking around at medical schools, especially your local one if there is one close to you; they often offer advice for applicants, including for interviews. I remember last year there were a few in London that had advice days (sorry I don’t remember the details or how to register - hopefully someone else will be able to advise). They also often offer more specific support for widening access students. I would definitely email the admissions office of your local medical school and ask if they offer anything.

Thank you @mumsneedwine . Do you know the UCAT ranking cut-off for Leeds?

He doesn't have to read every book out there. Because of the short time I would say maybe one. But he can read medical journals eg the BMJ journals.

The important thing is his ability to reflect on what he's read.

Books that are out there include

• the man that mistook his wife for a hat
• This is going to hurt
• Trust me, I'm a junior doctor
• Do no harm
• Being mortal

There are loads more.

Podcasts are also good. He can listen to it over breakfast or on the go once in a while.
Podcasts :

• Sharp scratch
• Zero to finals
• The common rounds

Has he done volunteering or work experience? There are online work experience opportunities if he needs one.

Check rcgp.org.uk/observegp (free online work experience from the royal college of GPs) this also has a widening participating program

Regarding work experience - any public facing experience is good. If you can get a day or two shadowing in hospital or clinic that would be helpful. A long list of a week here, days there in hospitals doesn’t impress as it just shows you have contacts. What they are looking for is for you to have reflected on the experience. They want to know if you have really considered what you experienced and whether you would fit into that role and would enjoy it as a career, rather than just ticked a box. The whole point of work experience is to make sure you understand what you are getting yourself into and confirm it is what you want.

The BSMS MOOC is brilliant. Counts as work experience and is free. @transient if you send me an email I'll send you my spreadsheet

On average 35% of medical students intend to leave the NHS within two years of graduating, rising to nearly 50% at some medical schools.

It would be fair to say that work experience is utterly useless when it comes to "understanding what you are getting yourself into". If it were otherwise, applicants would bail at this point in large numbers.

It is a box ticking exercise.

I know a good number who decided against medicine due to work experience. They were never applicants because they chose other courses to apply for. Loads of bright students ‘bail’ aka ‘choose other courses’ because they look at medicine and decide it isn’t for them. Of the ones I know they are now studying pharmacy, engineering, zoology, immunology, biology, accounting….

Of your stats; leaving the nhs is not the same as leaving medicine.

Most places do not need medical work experience. They like volunteering and a real customer facing job.