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Medicine 2015 Entry Thread!

I am stressing out about my lack of experience!

I do an hour a week in a nursing home, two hours a week with disabled children, a programme helping older people with technology and help coach children sailing.

I have done a week in a ward, a day with a gp, I will have a week in February with a surgeon and two weeks next summer in hospital wards.

As far as extra cirriculars go....I'm screwed! I sail...and bake....but that's pretty much it! I do take leading roles in community groups, youth groups and my local ppg but I don't think that is enough.

Posted from TSR Mobile

What you do is actually really good. As far as my personal statement was concerned they only knew I was a cyclist that volunteered in mental health long term with about 2 weeks of WE elsewhere. It does depend on each uni as to what they are looking for but the most important part is what you gain from what you do not just how much you do

Reply 781

Pastaferian

17

Original post by Freypops

I am stressing out about my lack of experience!
I do an hour a week in a nursing home, two hours a week with disabled children, a programme helping older people with technology and help coach children sailing.
I have done a week in a ward, a day with a gp, I will have a week in February with a surgeon and two weeks next summer in hospital wards.
As far as extra cirriculars go....I'm screwed! I sail...and bake....but that's pretty much it! I do take leading roles in community groups, youth groups and my local ppg but I don't think that is enough.

Stop stressing - you have (or rather will have) more experience than I did, and I got 3 offers. ECs are useful to show that you are a rounded person, and that you have time for a social life while volunteering and managing to handle your academic work. Good luck!

Reply 782

DrumChops

2

Original post by Freypops

I am stressing out about my lack of experience!

I do an hour a week in a nursing home, two hours a week with disabled children, a programme helping older people with technology and help coach children sailing.

I have done a week in a ward, a day with a gp, I will have a week in February with a surgeon and two weeks next summer in hospital wards.

As far as extra cirriculars go....I'm screwed! I sail...and bake....but that's pretty much it! I do take leading roles in community groups, youth groups and my local ppg but I don't think that is enough.

Posted from TSR Mobile

Not about the quantity; I can't stress this enough as cliched as it sounds. I'm sure you know the qualities you need to develop i.e. teamwork, leadership, a realistic insight into medicine, care, communication/interpersonal skills, perseverance/commitment ability to handle stress (through EXCs) etc... so all you need to do is go about whatever means you have to develop these ATTRIBUTES and not to lengthen a superficial list of 'stuff' you've done.

I know someone who did probably five different hospital work experience placements, and currently has two rejections, because quite simply, he had so much to mention on his PS that there was hardly enough space to write about the skills he gained, which is what they look for. I only had 2 hospital shadowing placements, not because they were particularly hard to find/organize, but because that was enough or me to learn quite a great deal, and from that begin volunteering at a local care home... as far as 'insight' work experiences are concerned that's all I did, but being able to reflect well on these experiences is what's enabled me to achieve two interviews for 2014 entry.

'So far you're actually doing really well, just stay committed to what you've mentioned/started; that's what will add weight to your experiences and actually allow you to develop the right qualities. Good luck :smile:

(edited 10 years ago)

Reply 783

Freypops

Original post by DrumChops

'So far you're actually doing really well, just stay committed to what you've mentioned/started; that's what will add weight to your experiences and actually allow you to develop the right qualities. Good luck :smile:

Thank you so much! My life at the moment is basically my school telling me I am not doing enough, my family telling me how difficult it is to get in and my friends saying 'achhh you will get straight As it will be easy'. It's so reassuring to have someone tell you that you are doing the right sort of thing.

Thanks.

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 784

Squshy_Olorin

13

Original post by Freypops

Thank you so much! My life at the moment is basically my school telling me I am not doing enough, my family telling me how difficult it is to get in and my friends saying 'achhh you will get straight As it will be easy'. It's so reassuring to have someone tell you that you are doing the right sort of thing.

Thanks.

Posted from TSR Mobile

It's quite normal to feel quite stressed ^.^ And my experience with teachers is that they like to remind you on how hard it is to get in but just remember if medicine really is your passion then I'm sure you'll get in :smile:

Also as people have mentioned it's about how you reflect in your PS not how much you've done. It's sometimes helpful to read some Medicine personal statements just so you get an idea what other people have done.

Reply 785

Squshy_Olorin

13

Original post by MissC123

Hi everyone. So happy to have found this thread :biggrin:

I'll be applying for the 2015 entry as well, already made some work experience arrangement. Should have 2 weeks during the Christmas holidays and a week during the February half term.
What unis does everyone wanna go to? Really would love to go UCL, don't know if I would get in, depends on the BMAT I guess. How's everyone doing on regards to ECs , work experience and voluntary work? Don't think I have enough of those yet

Woooo go UCL! :biggrin:

(Sorry couldn't help myself)

Reply 786

pri_97

1

Does anyone have any suggestions for courses or work experience that would look good on a personal statement? I've done a fair bit - worked in an elderly care home for 2 years and been offered an NVQ from the staff, shadowed a cardiologist in London for the day, been on a few courses and going on a hospital placement in Tanzania in February. What else could I organise that would be good for a personal statement? Struggling for ideas, thanks :smile:

Reply 787

Lucy_95

7

Original post by Freypops

I am stressing out about my lack of experience!

I do an hour a week in a nursing home, two hours a week with disabled children, a programme helping older people with technology and help coach children sailing.

I have done a week in a ward, a day with a gp, I will have a week in February with a surgeon and two weeks next summer in hospital wards.

As far as extra cirriculars go....I'm screwed! I sail...and bake....but that's pretty much it! I do take leading roles in community groups, youth groups and my local ppg but I don't think that is enough.

Posted from TSR Mobile

You have so much experience, don't worry. This time last year (I am a 2014 applicant) I had a few bits of volunteering but that was it. You still have 10 months before you apply, but you don't need anymore. :tongue:

Sailing and community groups suffice for extra curriculars - if you can get teamwork, communication, leadership, etc, out of these, you're fine :smile:

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 788

Aniaa

13

I applied to Notts, HYMS 9interviw this wednesday :s-smilie:

), BSMS and Aberdeen for 2014 entry. If you have any questions- don't hesitate to ask me either here or via PM :smile:

Reply 789

username974975

11

I'm a fourth year and even though I spend many a day slating the course for many justifiable reasons, you will be learning a subject that has kept me interested for 5 years. I do not regret doing it. Hopefully you .

That said,studying Medicine is awesome but working in it....now that, that doesn't look so fun.....

(edited 10 years ago)

Reply 790

Pastaferian

17

Original post by pri_97

Does anyone have any suggestions for courses or work experience that would look good on a personal statement? I've done a fair bit - worked in an elderly care home for 2 years and been offered an NVQ from the staff, shadowed a cardiologist in London for the day, been on a few courses and going on a hospital placement in Tanzania in February. What else could I organise that would be good for a personal statement? Struggling for ideas, thanks :smile:

Hi, and welcome to TSR.
I'd recommend that you should look at the advice on how to write a PS, and look at a few sample PS's - both are in the medicine wiki (see link in top right of this page). You shouldn't be thinking of listing the places you worked or the things you did. Rather, you should be highlighting insights and experiences that might persuade them to give you an interview. The experience you've done so far seems fine, and the only thing I'd suggest is seeing if you can get more clinical experience in the UK (but don't worry if you can't). Ultimately, it's about the quality of your experiences during your placements, not the quantity. Good luck!

Reply 791

Sycopation

6

How do you guys balance school, socialising, ECs and voluntary and work experience?

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 792

DCMed96

16

Original post by Sycopation

How do you guys balance school, socialising, ECs and voluntary and work experience?

Posted from TSR Mobile

Just balance it. You will know what to do if you have a list of what you can do.

Reply 793

Squshy_Olorin

13

Original post by Sycopation

How do you guys balance school, socialising, ECs and voluntary and work experience?

Posted from TSR Mobile

Well I found that you had to sacrifice a bit of socialising to fit everything in! Try not to overload yourself with ECs and voluntary work. I think maximum you should be doing 2 voluntary placements a week. But overall it'll require you to organise everything very well and plan your time well. It's good to list everything you need to get done and allocate times of the week to do certain things!

Reply 794

Hero-H

9

Hello everyone!

I'm looking to apply for 2015 entry too (grades permitting :smile:

)

I'm currently in Year 13 and will be taking a gap year next year - will hopefully get more experience in a voluntary capacity or a paid capacity if I'm lucky!

How's everyone finding the christmas period so far? I've had my few days of rest and now need to focus on building my revision notes!

:biggrin:

Reply 795

DCMed96

16

Original post by Hero-H

Hello everyone!

I'm looking to apply for 2015 entry too (grades permitting :smile:

)

I'm currently in Year 13 and will be taking a gap year next year - will hopefully get more experience in a voluntary capacity or a paid capacity if I'm lucky!

How's everyone finding the christmas period so far? I've had my few days of rest and now need to focus on building my revision notes!

:biggrin:

Why gap year? What subjects did you choose?
The christmas is boring.Besides sleep, nothing more.

Reply 796

Hero-H

9

Original post by JackTeh96

Why gap year? What subjects did you choose?
The christmas is boring.Besides sleep, nothing more.

I do Biology, Chemistry, History and Sociology :smile:

Gap year for two reasons, firstly because I wouldn't have been able to make a competitive application with my AS grades and secondly I intended to take a gap year anyway because I wasn't entirely certain whether I wanted to study Medicine or not - as you can see I'm now decided and ready to make it happen :smile:

Haha I guess the weather doesn't help at all - I've had plenty of sleep though, now time to get some work done!

Reply 797

Dr. Django

12

Original post by Freypops

I am stressing out about my lack of experience!

I do an hour a week in a nursing home, two hours a week with disabled children, a programme helping older people with technology and help coach children sailing.

I have done a week in a ward, a day with a gp, I will have a week in February with a surgeon and two weeks next summer in hospital wards.

As far as extra cirriculars go....I'm screwed! I sail...and bake....but that's pretty much it! I do take leading roles in community groups, youth groups and my local ppg but I don't think that is enough.

Posted from TSR Mobile

Don't worry about it, you have more than enough providing you reflect on it well :smile:

I have about a third of this yet I've got all my interviews (I'm a year 13)! Just apply smart and reflect well and you will be fine!

Reply 798

rhirhi96

Hey, I'm in year 13 and have applied for medicine this year so if any of you want any advice on work experience, personal statements etc then feel free to ask :smile:

Reply 799

confusedstudnt96

Original post by rhirhi96

Hey, I'm in year 13 and have applied for medicine this year so if any of you want any advice on work experience, personal statements etc then feel free to ask :smile:

Hi, I'm thinking of applying to medicine in 2015 but so far I haven't organised much in terms of work experience or voluntary work!
For work experience so far I have applied for a place shadowing doctors in a hospital for a week in the summer, any ideas on how much work experience I will need?
Also I was wondering what you did for voluntary work, I'm volunteering in my local charity shop and was thinking about helping out in a nursing home :smile:

have you you had any offers yet? :smile:

(edited 10 years ago)

Medicine 2015 Entry Thread!

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