IMPORTANT ISSUE THE OTHER REVIEWS DID NOT BRING UP: Never say you want "to help people" (How to get into Medical School...)

Member Name: Loz6DN

Product:	How to get into Medical School...
Date:	05/06/03 (1702 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great room to expand knowledge, Many different fields to specialise in, Respect can be earnt

Disadvantages: Long, long journey, Can be expensive, Pay isn't terrific

One thing in the interview:

If they ask you

"Why do you want to go to medical school/be a doctor?"

DO NOT SAY "To help people."

1/ It's very unoriginal
2/ It's what LOTS AND LOTS of people say

You may be someone that actually means it but try to say beforehand that you are

a) Interested in science
b) See at as a great opportunity to develop knowledge
c) See at as a path to a variet of careers

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!

Anyway, here is the review:
Getting into Medical School is said to be one of the hardest things for a Student: IT IS. This guide will help you make the right impression.

FINDING A UNIVERSITY

You should look at two things: UCAS and The Times league tables

You can use UCAS to find contact details and information about Universities that provide the courses you desire. With the contact details you can request a prospectus, for what year it doesn?t really matter as this is just to give you and idea of what the University is like to create a short-list.

Once you have a shortlist, which could take up to a year to produce, so think ahead, you can take the next step. You can go to the University open days and take a look around the place and see what you think.

You need to consider:
- The Reputation of the area and University
- The quality of teaching
-The size of the University and lecture classes
- The cost of accommodation and availability of jobs in the area
- The support available, both financial and Student Union
- Travelling distances to home, the town/city and campus


APPLICATION PROCESS

*Your first application should be your best application*

You should apply as soon as you possibly can because if you miss the deadline you?ll have to wait a whole year. If that is after 6th form or A-Levels it could seriously damage your chances of getting in
. Unless of course you take a gap year to do something constructive, e.g. travel the world, voluntary medical related work.

The application should be typed as it is reduced to A5 size, which could mean the difference in someone reading your application or merely discarding it if it illegible. DON?T LET POOR SPELLING AND GRAMMAR LET YOU DOWN. Get your peers and mentors to check it over and over till it is perfect, especially your personal statement, which should be creative. You should show:
- Why you want to do medicine
- Your extra-curricula activities
- Volunteer work and work experience you have done


AT THE INTERVIEW

You got an Interview?your half way there. Two words: BE PREPARED
You also need to be dressed to impress (smart), confident and outgoing and honest. Never be late and always be polite.

You should also have been reading medical journals so that you are up-to-date with current news in the industry.

Think about, before you are in the Interview, why you want to do medicine. Remember this very important point:

If they, and they probably will, ask you ?Why do you want to study medicine/become a doctor?? DO NOT reply:

?I want to help people.?

You may genuinely mean it, but 99% of the time candidates will use this line as they don?t know what else to say. THEREFORE, the interviewer will instantly see you as McDonald?s material, not medical school material. Instead go for original points such as your fascination in science or how the University can offer you a chance for a career not a job and how medicine is a growing industry where there is much to specialise in.

THE COSTS

Congratualtions! You got in! So what will the costs be like. Well you?ll have to account for:
Text Books
Equipment
Tuition Fees
Living Expenses
Registration Fees
Professional Exams

You may need at least £10,000 a year to survive. So the next big
thing: LOANS

Many people that I have spoken to have been swayed away from loans by their parents, some of whom are still in debt. IGNORE THEM: TIMES HAVE CHANGED.

You can find loans now that are:
*INTEREST FREE*
*YOU DON?T HAVE TO PAY THEM BACK UNTIL YOU ARE EARNING A CERTAIN AMOUNT*

So even if you have the money I would advise you to take the privilege of having this loan as it is Interest free.

BUT?

Makes sure you get one of these loans and not be swayed into getting one that will leave you in serious debt if you are made to pay Interest.

Well that?s it! May I recommend that you read:

THE INSIDERS GUIDE TO MEDICAL SCHOOL, Lizz Corps

LEARNING MEDICINE, James Burnett

GETTING INTO MEDICAL SCHOOL, 15th Edition

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