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NHS Scientist Training Programme 2016 applicants!

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Reply 840
I haven't been asked any location preferences yet (genomic counselling). If you are successful after interview, does anyone know how students will be placed?
Hi all,

Firstly, I would like to congratulate all those who have been successful in gaining an interview. I have been following this forum incognito with interest to everyone’s experience for a while now.

My status is “shortlist reserve” for Clinical Immunology. Understandably, this particular stream is small in comparison to others making it very competitive. I was therefore hoping anyone successful in gaining an interview would be kind enough to share their academic background and experiences.

I myself, have an undergrad in Immunology and Pharmacology. Currently, I’m midway through my Master of Research (MRes) specializing in Immunology, of which, I will complete before the STP commences. My topics classes are all Clinical Immunology and I have gained a lot of lab experience. My commitment to Clinical Immunology is very high otherwise I’m not sure I would have self-funded my MRes.

If I was to speculate, I would say it’s possible I fell short on hospital experience? Or possibly some other form of experience like the private sector? I feel I did well at the online testing stage and my competency questions were meticulously written.
Any information would be fantastic as I think it will prove crucial in sculpting a better application next year should I not get an interview.

Thanks,
Darren.
Original post by -judi-
Not really too much, tidied my supporting information a bit, and changed jobs since (but still not repro related!). I was surprised I even got longlisted as I found the tests pretty difficult. Not complaining though!

Yeah there's definitely always more chances, seems like a lot of people have applied more than once, and each year you'll always get more experience and more to talk about and to support your application :smile:


yes to be honest i thought i had done terribly in tests so was pleased to be long listed. shortlist reserve seems so cruel haha. I suspected i might have to apply more than once, just hope next year goes in the right direction and not the other way.
Original post by LJ4
I haven't been asked any location preferences yet (genomic counselling). If you are successful after interview, does anyone know how students will be placed?


Hi I read somewhere that location preferences are open from the 28th of March (there is a chance that date could be a little wrong, but it is definitely before the interviews start).
Original post by Nightwing_
Hi,

I have no hospital experience whatsoever and got shortlisted, so I wouldn't worry about that aspect too much if I was you. Although saying that my specialisms had quite a few places, if you're going for one of the more competitive ones maybe every little thing is taken into account. Unfortunately once passed the tests have no further weighting on your application so doing really well in them wouldn't actually help. Do you mind me asking how you know for definite that your competency answers are meticulously written? It's just that my work experience in all honesty isn't really that relevant, so I kind of assume they must strongly base the overall shortlisting marks on the competency questions.


Congratulations Nightwing_ on your success! I've seen some of your previous posts, well deserved. Your research also sounds interesting.

Yes, unfortunately there are only 5 places this year. That was my understanding too until I read the email I received detailing:

“...should there be any applicants that are offered an interview place and subsequently withdraws from the application process for a specialism, and dependent on the ranking of your shortlisting and online test scores, you could be offered an interview place later on in the process and this could be at short notice”

Besides spending weeks writing, researching and ensuring every point was addressed I also had advice on what to include and proofreading from a registered Clinical Scientist, Biochemist, Pharmacist and my Thesis advisor. A lot of work did go into perfecting them.

I know that in a sense "experience" is gathered from the competency questions. There is a mixed bunch of successful candidates every year, all of whom have different levels of qualifications so I'm hoping it's not my academia.

There is definitely no way I could be 100% sure my competency questions are effective, after all I don't have an interview :/
So I'm curious what qualified others who applied for an interview in the Clinical Immunology stream and therefore I might be able to pinpoint where I went wrong.
Original post by tsvety
Reserve for Genomics, unsuccessful for Genomic counselling :frown:

People from last year, has any of you been invited to an interview after being in the reserve list?


Yes, I got an invite to genetics last year through reserve list. I got an ivite 2 days before the interview
Has anyone else got shortlisted for cardiac science and respiratory? And if so what kind of experience do you have? Congrats everyone with the interview invites
I wonder how many people applied this year. Seems like quite a few people got shortlisted on here. Makes me feel my status is a bit **** if it was indeed easier than last year but it's not all bad with being on at least one reserve list.
I got an interview for genomics (genetics), I went straight to masters after undergrad so I don't have any real experience. Anyone else who got a interview, what experience do you have?
Reply 849
Original post by Chem_Angel
Yes, I got an invite to genetics last year through reserve list. I got an ivite 2 days before the interview


Thank you! I'm trying really really hard to accept the rejections and focus on getting another job and reapplying next year...but a small part of me is still hoping that at least one other person has found something else to do and won't go to the interview. Of course I have no idea whether I'm first or 24th on the reserve list *sigh*...was only my first time applying and I'm yet to graduate so hopefully next year I'll manage to get the extra points needed to actually get shortlisted.
Original post by tsvety
Thank you! I'm trying really really hard to accept the rejections and focus on getting another job and reapplying next year...but a small part of me is still hoping that at least one other person has found something else to do and won't go to the interview. Of course I have no idea whether I'm first or 24th on the reserve list *sigh*...was only my first time applying and I'm yet to graduate so hopefully next year I'll manage to get the extra points needed to actually get shortlisted.


You can easily learn your place on reserve list. Just e-mail them and they are happy to tell you that.
Reply 851
Original post by majagaja
You can easily learn your place on reserve list. Just e-mail them and they are happy to tell you that.

Oh, I had no idea that's possible. Thank you! I'll email them right now (of course don't expect a reply tonight)
Sorry to repeat my question, but it is very important to me.

Any INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS here?
Anyone successful?

Have some questions for you, guys.
Original post by majagaja
Sorry to repeat my question, but it is very important to me.

Any INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS here?
Anyone successful?

Have some questions for you, guys.



Hi,
Yes, I've been shortlisted for medical physics with a degree from Germany. Just send me a pm and I'll try my best to answer your questions.
International from the US - unsuccessful though :frown: Currently doing MSc Clinical Neurology in the UK following BS in Biology-biomedical sciences (Hons) completed at home; applied for Neurophys and Genomic counselling. Really wondering what went wrong or if being non-UK/EEA played a part... Any other internationals (esp. from outside the EU) have any information on how they tailored their applications/what kind of experience they have, etc. xx
Original post by Lschue11
Really wondering what went wrong or if being non-UK/EEA played a part...


My thought exactly... How can we know if our degree from abroad is just 'not good enough' for them and no matter how we tailor our application it does not change anything?
There was no possibility/space to describe our university modules even...
And also NARIC does not specify if our degree is 1st or 2:1 or 2:2....They just say 'Hons' or not and that's it. So how they know if we are eligible really?
Original post by SB_MedPhys
Hi,
Yes, I've been shortlisted for medical physics with a degree from Germany. Just send me a pm and I'll try my best to answer your questions.


Sent. Thank you!
Reply 857
Did you guys book your interview slots yet? Morning or afternoon?
Anyone staying in a hotel overnight before the interview?

I'm super excited (read:stressed!)
Original post by Janu_55
Did you guys book your interview slots yet? Morning or afternoon?
Anyone staying in a hotel overnight before the interview?

I'm super excited (read:stressed!)


I booked mine straight away but couldn't decide when would be best. Settled for the middle slot in the end. And I will be staying in a hotel the night before, it's just easier I think.
I'm sorry for those who haven't got shortlisted this year, I didn't last year. It's such a tough process and I know how terrible it feels to be rejected. Best of luck in the coming year and reapply!
(edited 8 years ago)
Reply 859
Just emailed them and they said they cannot release any information regarding your position on the reserve list, and keep an eye on Oriel basically :frown:

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