Is EPQ needed for Medicine?

I'm currently in year 12 I've started going to open days at different universities which offer Medicine. I've signed up for the EPQ at my school and my question involves Schizophrenia, as I'm interested in mental health. I went to Edinburgh university and Manchester a few days ago and both universities said they didn't regard the EPQ as part of the application process. Therefor I'm unsure whether I should do the EPQ or not as I could spend my summer practicing the UKCAT and focus my attention on wider reading around medicine.

It's definitely not needed for Medicine. The only real advantage of it is that you can put it on your PS and talk about it at interviews, although you'll need to decide whether it'd be more worthwhile to do other stuff.

Yeah I've got a lot to put on my personal statement I've done two weeks experience in a hospital shadowing a consultant, I volunteer every week in a care home, I'm prefect at school I do loads of extra curricular like netball jujitsu and I sing and write songs and play guitar. I'm also applying for charity rep at my school. I'm applying for a summer school for a few days to help children with disabilities. I'm also going to try and get involved in more volunteering things like on a organic farm . But will the EPQ make me a much stronger candidate? Or should I just focus on my UKCAT to get a good score? Also is my topic relevant to medicine.

Yeah I've got a lot to put on my personal statement I've done two weeks experience in a hospital shadowing a consultant, I volunteer every week in a care home, I'm prefect at school I do loads of extra curricular like netball jujitsu and I sing and write songs and play guitar. I'm also applying for charity rep at my school. I'm applying for a summer school for a few days to help children with disabilities. I'm also going to try and get involved in more volunteering things like on a organic farm . But will the EPQ make me a much stronger candidate? Or should I just focus on my UKCAT to get a good score? Also is my topic relevant to medicine.

Don't waste space on these.

Is it not important to mention in my Personal statement that I take part in extra curricular activities, for instance I'm on the netball team therefor this involves me working in a team and cooperating with others. Because I sing and play guitar I am able to perform which builds my confidence which would prove important as a doctor because you need confidence in order to speak to new people.

Is it not important to mention in my Personal statement that I take part in extra curricular activities, for instance I'm on the netball team therefor this involves me working in a team and cooperating with others. Because I sing and play guitar I am able to perform which builds my confidence which would prove important as a doctor because you need confidence in order to speak to new people.

Is it not important to mention in my Personal statement that I take part in extra curricular activities, for instance I'm on the netball team therefor this involves me working in a team and cooperating with others. Because I sing and play guitar I am able to perform which builds my confidence which would prove important as a doctor because you need confidence in order to speak to new people.

As not all colleges offer the EPQ, it is often just seen as an extra. It is something to talk about in your PS and interview. However, it seems you have much better things to talk about. In my opinion, having one or two decent pieces of work experience is the most valuable thing.

I would concentrate on getting good grades and doing well in the UKCAT. A strong UKCAT can make a HUGE difference.

In regards to the netball and singing etc. remember that the personal statement isn't very long. Lots of people play sport or a musical instrument, for medicine they care more about your work experience and whether you are a caring and compassionate person. Concentrate on your work experience, your reasons for wanting to do medicine, etc.

Once you begin to write your personal statement you will realise how little 4000 characters really is. This is nearly 300 characters: 'I'm on the netball team therefore this involves me working in a team and cooperating with others. Because I sing and play guitar I am able to perform which builds my confidence which would prove important as a doctor because you need confidence in order to speak to new people.'

If you want to mention skills such as team work and communication then link it into your more medically related stuff. Or you can just save it for interview, e.g. they ask about times you have displayed good communication skills and you can talk about your work experience and your extracurricular activities.

I've got an offer to do medicine this autumn, if you want any tips or anything feel free to message me.

Lauren xx

Thanks ! I was wondering what books and articles are good to read ? Which are focused around applicants trying to get into medical school. Also how much work experience and voluntary work do I need? 😊

So if i dont do it and i get interviewed i can show interest by doing an online course and attending lectures etc? Just conscious of them asking me why i didnt do it

Thanks ! I was wondering what books and articles are good to read ? Which are focused around applicants trying to get into medical school. Also how much work experience and voluntary work do I need? 😊

Don't waste space on these.

No. These are cliched and irrelevant additions to a medicine ps. Focus on your medicine related activities. You have surprisingly little space to sell yourself, and nobody makes an offer for medicine to someone on the basis of their playing the guitar.

I disagree with this. There is a big emphasis within medical school on having a balanced life, stress-relieving activities, hobbies etc.

Furthermore, the skills from extracurricular activities such as teamwork, organisation etc, are undoubtedly relevant for a medical degree and career.

Is it not important to mention in my Personal statement that I take part in extra curricular activities, for instance I'm on the netball team therefor this involves me working in a team and cooperating with others. Because I sing and play guitar I am able to perform which builds my confidence which would prove important as a doctor because you need confidence in order to speak to new people.

Feel free to disagree.