Access to Medicine

Just wanted to hear people's experiences applying for Access to Medicine courses and what success rates they had then getting onto A100 5 year courses afterwards.

I have had and interview & assessment at MANCAT and am going for an assessment at City and Islington next week. If anyone who has been through the process could give advice, it would be much appreciated. :smile:

Scroll to see replies

Reply 1

SarahGummer

Original post by she-theFaceICan'tForget

Hey

Sorry I sent you a DM back. I got into MANCAT and City and Islington and am on the City and Islington course. I got offers for A100 5 years at Southampton, Glasgow and Brighton and Sussex.

As long as you work hard, get some relevant experience, do well in the UKCAT/BMAT and work hard on your personal statement you will have a chance :smile:

Reply 2

Mel1982

Original post by she-theFaceICan'tForget

Hiya, just saw this and I am going to City and Islington next week too on Wednesday for the assessment for the same course! May even see you there.....

Best Wishes,

Mel.

Reply 3

SarahGummer

Also if given the choice pick Imran for your tutor! He is mine and is lovely!

Reply 4

she-theFaceICan'tForget

Original post by Mel1982

Hiya, just saw this and I am going to City and Islington next week too on Wednesday for the assessment for the same course! May even see you there.....

Best Wishes,

Mel.

I'm going on the same day -are you having an interview too or just the assessment?

Best of luck!

Reply 5

Mel1982

Original post by she-theFaceICan'tForget

I'm going on the same day -are you having an interview too or just the assessment?

Best of luck!

Hiya,

Oh will prob see you there and I am having an assessment. What about you?....

Mel..

Reply 6

Mel1982

Hey all,

Just wondering, I know the City and Islington Access to Medicine and Medical Biosciences course is 14hrs per week plus 1hr personal tutor time over 3days a week, so in total 15 hours per week.

I wanted to know if anyone knows what will be written on the learner agreement for the course hours? The reason I ask is because I am a mature, single parent currently claiming JSA. In order to continue claiming it you are able to study under 16hrs. I am just hoping that the learner contract/agreement will have 15hrs written on it or I am in trouble as I will have to drop JSA! I am hoping to find part-time work for the other two days that I won't be studying but I can't start work yet until I know the days of study!....Oh what a dilemma!....I really can't afford to drop the JSA at the moment. Can anyone help with advice?

Best wishes,

Mel.

Reply 7

SarahGummer

Original post by Mel1982

Hey Mel

The course is classes as full time, as self study is also required (i'd say 14-20 hrs per week on top of class time). There are people in my year group that are parents, living away etc, so it may be possible still to claim. A woman in my group definitely claims but keeps being sent for interviews and courses which has really interrupted her studying, i'd say just be really careful and double check!

Sarah

Reply 8

Mel1982

Hi Sarah,

Thanks for the reply. Yes I am aware that it's full time being that you need to self study as well as class hours but as long as it says under 16 hours on my learner agreement, the jobcentre won't bother me!

I am really hoping that it will be the case. I need to study in order to better myself in life and especially for my son aswell....

What did your learner agreement say?.....

I will ask if I can at the college on Wednesday..

Thanks again.

Mel.

Reply 9

Rachelrhubarb

I have the assessment on Wednesday too :smile:

Does anyone know if previous gcse's matter on med school applications ?

Reply 10

Mel1982

Hi Rachel,

Great, I will see you on Wednesday!.....Not sure what to expect to be honest and the letter I received states to just bring along photo i.d and the letter itself. I assume we will be tested in Maths and English so we will obviously have to bring at least a pen and pencil with us.....anyone had an assessment for City and Islington for the Access to Medicine and Medical Biosciences?....

Also wanted to know, out of interest..If I am lucky enough to get an interview, how long in advance will I be notified of the interview? Is there a time frame?....

Hope someone can help!....

Thanks,

Mel...

Reply 11

Mel1982

Original post by SarahGummer

Hey

Hi Sarah,

I wanted to ask you what is involved in the City and Islington Access to Medicine and Medical Bioscience assessment? I assume I will have to a short Maths and English test?....Is there anything else that I should be aware of?...

Also how long did you know about your interview before attending?....

Hope you can help,

Many Thanks,

Mel...

Reply 12

SarahGummer

Original post by Mel1982

Hi

It sounds like your assessment is slightly different to mine. I was originally going to attend MANCAT, just a week before the course was due to start my personal circumstances changed, myself and my husband were going to move to manchester, and unfortunately this fell through. I contacted CANDI and luckily they had a spot on the course they hadn't filled (I don't think it was through lack of applicants, I think they are quite specific about the type of students they want).

I went in, sat a maths and english test, which I would say is GCSE level, nothing too scary and then once that was marked I had an interview straight after which was fairly informal.

My tips are, revise GCSE level english and maths
Prepare for interview questions such as what you want to study at university, why, what qualities you feel you have which make you stand out, why you feel you can cope with the course, what preparation have you already undertaken to pursue this career (such as work experience). Take copies of all relevant certificates, you need to understand if you need to sit any GCSE's at the same time as the course.

We had no science questions on the test, but this may have changed, the staff are all very friendly

Hope this helps!

Reply 13

Mel1982

Heya Sarah,

Cheers for the reply....In terms of being specific of what they want, what would you say it is they are looking for?...I am hoping they will take in to account my academic study as well as having valuable experience and skills gained through work and study and being a mature student and single parent I have plenty!

I have tried my best at the moment to revise GCSE Maths and English, practice BMAT questions online and also emailed places to find relevant work experience. I have in the past worked as a volunteer for St John's Ambulance for 2 years, so hopefully that will be of use.

Hoping my assessment goes well Wednesday, Fingers crossed!

Best Wishes,

Mel.

Reply 14

SarahGummer

Original post by Mel1982

Hi Mel

I am sure you will do fantastic. I mean they want students with direction, who know where they want to go and have done some research, I think they get plenty of students who just turn up a bit clueless... you would be amazed! Are you planning on sitting the BMAT and UKCAT or just BMAT?

3 people from my year are going on to medicine, but I don't think there were many of us realistically applying, so it's been a very good success rate this year.

Good luck!

Sarah

Reply 15

Mel1982

Hiya Sarah,

Awww thanks for the compliment and I will try to the very best of my potential as I know it is very competitive at times! In regards to the UKCAT and BMAT I am not sure at the moment, as this is all new to me and I was just hoping to do the BMAT! To be honest I know I want to do the Biomedical degree after the Access course but unsure what direction I will head in respects of area of interest as that will be subject to change once I am on the course! I may develop an interest to specialise in a certain area along the way!....

I will want to go to uni in London as I am a single mum to my 11yr old son so will make applications dependant on results etc....also some unis will require that you have the BMAT/UKCAT. I also would like to do the accredited course to enable me better chances of employment once qualified!....What are your plans after uni?....

Best Wishes,

Mel.

Reply 16

she-theFaceICan'tForget

Hey Mel,

How did it go yesterday?

I was pretty happy with everything apart from the last essay question whichI think I messed up!

Can you remember when they said they would ring us by with the results?

Hope you did really well!

Original post by Mel1982

Reply 17

Mel1982

Heya Sarah,

I found the assessment alright, just praying I get in! I didn't hear when they said anything about the results!....

You probably would have noticed me, I was the shortest, chubby person waiting in the foyet!......ha ha...

Did they say they will call us?...I thought they would write with their decision!...the waiting is nerve racking!...

Anyway, best of luck to you aswell....hopefully we both get good news soon!....

Regards,

Mel....

Reply 18

Rachelrhubarb

I didn't find it too difficult , luckily the end exam was the MMR vaccine :smile:

I thought the female examiner said you'll hear by Friday any news but I could be wrong as have no call yet. Still soooo nervous!

Reply 19

Mel1982

Heya Rachel ,

Oh that's good, I was sat right at the front and don't recall her saying anything about when we find out! Well it's 6.30pm now and I haven't had any call so it it's most likely looking like we will receive a call on Monday! Let's pray that it's good news!...

Keep in touch...

Mel.