Wanting to study medicine

[maiacam]

Hi

Please can anyone give any advise please. I didn't go to university so haven't a clue! My son is interested in studying medicine. He is in Year 10 from September and has just chosen his options Maths (waiting result as sat in June), 2 English, Geog, 3 Science, French, Rs and Statistics.

He has also recently joined the St John Ambulance.

Is there anything else he could, should be doing to maximise his chances?

Any advise welcome.

Thank you xx

What grades is he predicted? All the potential medics we know have got/hope to get strings of A*s

Varied work experience helps - esp somewhere like a care home (shows he's not afraid of the less glam aspects of the job)

Seems better and better grades are demanded every year. Agree with doing some voluntary work in a local hospital or care home. Also having a hobby or interest is good. Like playing a musical instrument or sport.

Agree about the extra-curriculars, some unis like to see something outside of the academic and an interest/talent in sport, music, drama etc can show a well-rounded individual with an outlet for stress!

I would say not to panic too much about things like DofE, being prefect/Headboy, but to keep an eye on the next stages so he is prepared. So take a look at science A level results in his current school for example and move to a different school if he has to in the sixth form.

There is a lot of advice on the Student Room on A level choices, personal statements, the BMAT and UKCAT entry exams etc, but for now I would just advise that he concentrates on getting most sterling results he can and maybe do some voluntary work that is age appropriate (can be gold-dust!).

Medicine admissions can be a minefield but if you know what to expect it wont be so daunting. I think potential applicants do need to be on the ball quite early in the process as deadlines can creep up quickly.

My honest advice above all is that he is absolutely sure he wants to be a doctor when it gets closer to the application stage as the admission process is the easy part, and I know people that have got swept up in achieving a place only to find a year or 2 into the course that its not what they want. Probably not a conversation to be had now though as he doesnt need his spirits dampened when he is a keen young boy with aspirations :)

Deffo work experience, the more hands-on the better.
I think that they are quite canny at differentiating between "I sat in the operating theatre on two days and watched the world-renowned surgeon that Daddy plays golf with do brain surgery" and "I have wiped bottoms for five years".
It also looks better if he can start as soon as possible; then it looks like he really does have the 'long-held dream' rather than the last-minute 'oops what can I put on my Personal Statement'. A lot of places will be difficult (for insurance reasons) about having under 16y.o. on the premises so he will have trouble finding placements in the next two years but St John Ambulance is a good start.
I don't think that music or sport is that important unless you can use it as evidence of a transferable skill eg a lot of medicine is about teamwork so an orchestra looks better than a solo instrument.

The advice I was given (I'm not a medic, but wanted to be) was that state school entrants rarely get in first time round. Whether that is true or not, I don't know as I changed career path at A level, so didn't actually try.

A friends daughter is currently trying to get in to medical school. She has spent the last 5 years gearing up for it, with volunteering and other activities (first aid courses, charity fundraising etc) and is also taking IB s rather than A levels.

It's a tough career to get into, so very best of luck to your ds!

I have at least six friends who are doctors who went to (often very average) state comprehensives - I am not sure going to a state school isn't a massive disadvantage. Three of them went to Cambridge, two to Univ London and one to Nottingham.

Solid grades in the right subjects, a well thought out application, some outside interests, some volunteer work relevant to medicine - and a healthy dose of hard work and some good luck should help.

Sorry, I meant "I am not sure going to a state school is a massive disadvantage."

Sorry Julia that is bollocks - there is no bias either way.

What is needed as others have said are pretty stellar gcse and A levels - As and A*s should dominate, the right combination of A levels (chemistry is a must plus at least one other science, preferably two), decent work experience, good bmat or ukcat and something extra-curricular - just so the student can demonstrate an outlet for the high pressure environment they're applying for.

Happy to hear its bollocks!

No real advice but watch with interest. As my dc also said wanting to do medicine . however DC s only just 11 and may change her mind by yr9. Saying that I had a look at some of medical courses entry requirements. They do seem to expect A levels As and A*s but not necessarily in maths. Have you explore the unis entry requirements may even try to visit or talk to the unis he may apply to see which A levels are best suitable. As I said no advice but that s the sort of things I will do. Best of luck for your ds.

All three of my DC are studying medicine and all three went to a state comp that is currently in special measures. They all volunteered in care homes, had lots of interests out of school and were quite 'outgoing'. DD1 said one of the most useful GCSE subjects she studied was Drama, lots of role play involved during her course! Good luck to your son.

Wow thanks for all your responses much appreciated.

I think the care home work is the way to go!

I will take on board all your advice.

Sgggg, if you dont mind my asking how and when did your dcs find volunteering works, also how regular did your dcs help in care homes? My DC is more interested in children so don't if care home will suit DC.

Mine started with helping with bingo evenings, quiz nights etc. most care homes are happy for young people to visit but you will have to pay for a CRB check. DS and DD2 also helped at a youth club for disabled children and did things like sailing instruction. But I think they would have done this regardless of wanting to study medicine, my late DH was a GP and as a family we were very community minded. For example DS used to spend one evening a week with an autistic teen playing Lego purely for his own pleasure!!!

Agggg, thanks

The only thing maybe to add is to have a plan B. Medicine is just about the most competitive course, something like 11 applicants for every place, or put in a more negative way close to 90% of applicants are not going to be successful. In no way is this saying your DS should not go for it, just that he should be under no illusion as to how competitive medicine is. High levels of determination and resilience needed alongside all the practical aspects noted in the many excellent posts already.

I think babasheep that it is a mistake to think that work experience should be related to a medical specialism a doctor does not decide upon until relatively well established in his/her career. I would advocate that any work experience is useful and so is something like sports science.

I am always struck by how many sons/daughters of doctors become doctors. They definitely get ahead in the work experience stakes! Everyone else has to work extra hard but it definitely can be done.

It would be interesting to know if the success rate is more favourable for applicants with one / both parents doctors. Probably not a stat that gets published though.

Not had time to fully read all threads but my step nieces experience may be some help.

She is at UCLH and she got there with a good IB from a very fancy private school, work experience - I think a mixture of UK GP surgery and foreign health clinics (Africa IIRC), Duke if Edinburgh type stuff and a good personal statement. However she was also turned down by a couple of unis, she felt different courses had different ideal candidates and things that stood her in good stead at one place hampered her at another.

So I think do your homework, find a place to fit you.

Good luck

Ooh and she has family members who are GPs - think other posters are right about that helping with work experience.

I think it does help in that it is clear that the DC of doctors have a realistic understanding of the job. My DC all felt that the secret to be successful at interviews was to be less of a scientist and more of a people person IYSWIM. Whilst they all got top grades in science subjects they were able to show other aspects of their personalities. For example DS had been on a tall ship that mixed disabled and able body crew and at his interviews was able to discuss this in detail and DD1 did Graphic Design as an AS level and was asked about this in some detail at interview.

The med students I knew at Uni all got 4 As at A level in maths and the three sciences at first attempt.

At the interview they were asked ethical questions eg about abortion.

" everyone else has to work extra hard" I agree. Like a lot of things including 11+. Ime from dc's school nearly always teachers' children passed 11+ every year. I believe knowing the system and being able to provide the right support definitely help. My network and knowledge to education system are very limit. That s why I am looking around already. Of course I also encourage dcs to have a second and even third plans.

Dd went with a friend to talk to a medicine admissions tutor this week- who was very clear that sustained voluntary work in care homes/ age uk matters much more than a week shadowing a doctor. Knowledge of medical ethics etc key.

I totally agree that a week shadowing a GP will not be good enough when compared to sustained voluntary work. However, knowing people who are already Doctors and having Doctors in the family provides connections and advice regarding the extra experience that is needed. Somehow, a prospective Medic has to stand out from the rest and having a strong portfolio of relevant experience helps immensely.