5th Year Medic @ Imperial; AMA

A while ago I made one of these threads and got a positive response, so I try to repeat it every year around UCAS application time to help those looking to apply for medicine, or have got their offer to study medicine/medicine in London/medicine at Imperial. Hence I thought it might be worth doing another one since these threads get buried. I am currently in my 5th (out of 6) year at Imperial College London studying the normal Medicine course.

Feel free to ask me any questions about:
- University life in general
- Studying medicine
- Studying at Imperial/London
- The application process
- Anything else that you are worried about!

Scroll to see replies

Reply 1

Cov3rt

When will you realistically be working as a fully paid doctor once you graduate?

Reply 2

Etomidate

Original post by Cov3rt

When will you realistically be working as a fully paid doctor once you graduate?

You answered your own question.

Reply 3

TheProphetsPath

How do you remain motivated and not drop out? When you study your lecture do you find a passionate excitement for it or is it a tedious struggle?

Reply 4

ultimateradman

Hi
A level grades?
How fun has your time been?
Have you had any money issues due to the location?
Did you commute or stay in accomodation?
Thank you for doing this :smile:

Reply 5

unsomberal

Is it super cliquey? Does everyone know each other / get along?

Reply 6

dowsC

Hi! I just want to know what they look for in a personal statement? Do they mainly like it mainly academic?
Also, how did you revise for BMAT?
Thanks for your help, I really appreciate it as I'm currently writing my personal statement and started preparing for BMAT. I also live too far away and couldn't attend the open day :frown:

Reply 7

swallohele

How did you find studying medicine generally? (not just Imperial) Did it match your preconceptions? Any tips for a first year?

Reply 8

username1550751

Once I graduate

Original post by Cov3rt

When will you realistically be working as a fully paid doctor once you graduate?

Reply 9

username1550751

Original post by TheProphetsPath

How do you remain motivated and not drop out? When you study your lecture do you find a passionate excitement for it or is it a tedious struggle?

That's an interesting question. I would say I'm generally naturally just motivated to study the subject in which I want to work in. Obviously every now and then you can feel burnt out, and at those moments it's important to take time for yourself and relax (especially since the degree is so long).

I definitely get passionate about things we are taught. In the beginning when the main focus is on general biochemistry it's difficult to feel motivated as it doesn't seem directly linked to medicine, but as you progress through the course the content becomes more about real life medicine what you would expect to see in hospital and at that point it feels very palpable. Even so, I find that when I am able to full grasp something that I once thought was complex I feel personally satisfied and interested in what I have learnt. Even so, there can be topics which just don't take my fancy and I'm not keen to study, but have to appreciate in the wider sense of the field.

Reply 10

username1550751

Original post by ultimateradman

Hi
A level grades?
How fun has your time been?
Have you had any money issues due to the location?
Did you commute or stay in accomodation?
Thank you for doing this :smile:

FYI I applied in 2015, so A-level examinations may have changed;
Chemistry A
Biology A
Maths A*
Physics A*

University is very fun in many ways. Not only is it lots of fun to experience many new things, as well as having an increased sense of freedom, maturity and responsibility but to be able to learn about something you (hopefully) truly enjoy and meet like-minded people who also enjoy that topic is like nothing else.

I live in London in rented accomodation to attend university. It's definitely on the pricey side as you may expect, but it's definitely manageable and the university is always willing to support students, and I know it does.

Reply 11

username1550751

Original post by unsomberal

Is it super cliquey? Does everyone know each other / get along?

I wouldn't say it particularly cliquey, any more so than you would see in a normal school environment like secondary school etc. Imperial is a bit different because some of the medic lectures are on a separate campus and the medics have their own union and some sports societies so they do feel a bit more separate than what may happen at other unis, but there are defo ways to meet people from other courses and you'd be a fool if you didn't. Everyone definitley gets along, although as you may expect there is a slightly competitive atmosphere especially during exam seasons, especially since Imperial is considered a "top institution".

Reply 12

username1550751

Original post by dowsC

That's a shame to hear you couldn't attend the open day. Obviously I am not part of the admissions team so I can't tell you exactly what they look like, but I think a balanced personal statement which shows your interest in medicine as a profession, your commitment in the pursuit of medicine (work experience) and extracurricular showing generally favorable skills and personal improvement is what most universities are looking for and is the best way to go about approaching it.

BMAT is a bit of a tricky one and obviously I did nearly 5 years ago so I can't really say much, but the content is similar to what you are taught in school so I went about revising it as if it was any other exam. I'm sure there are better resources in books and online nowadays which can prepare you better.

Reply 13

username1550751

Original post by swallohele

How did you find studying medicine generally? (not just Imperial) Did it match your preconceptions? Any tips for a first year?

Medicine is a long and arduous degree and is not just for anyone. If you apply to medicine for any other reason other than you actually are interested in it then you are going to get burnt out and fall by the way-side.

I really enjoy the course. The first couple of years was a bit slow as they have to build a biochemical foundation before linking it to real clinical knowledge but once you learn about real life medicine and get experience in hospital it feels very real and exciting. I simply can't wait to be a doctor and be able to put what I have learnt to use.

In terms of tips for 1st year, I would say firstly enjoy your time at uni before you get bogged down with worrying about the future. Secondly, there is a big shift in the way material is delivered to you and the way you are expected to learn it, so I always say to 1st year students to take the first term to get used to learning at uni.

Reply 14

redvelvet02

Hello, i just finished year 11 and i wanted to ask you is it’s too early to start preparing. At the moment i’m not sure on studying medicine but i am considering doing dentistry (dependant on my gcse grades and how i cope at alevel).
1) Is it a good time looking into the general necessities of med/dentistry (example entrance exams and work experience?)
2) Also is there any good work experience available. it’s hard for me to find some, as i do struggle with socialising and there isn’t a lot of places where i live.
3) and also what did you get at gcses... just wondering?
thanks for reading!! ❤️❤️

(edited 4 years ago)

Reply 15

username3046474

Hi!What GCSE grades do you think would get me into Imperial? Do they heavily look upon these or is it more about your A-levels. I haven't received my GCSE results but I'm hoping they will be A's at least :smile:

Reply 16

AnnaBananana

Universities Forum Helper

Which accommodation did you stay in for year one? I firmed imperial (pending grades) to start this autumn. I just put my halls preferences in but obviously I could be allocated any of my five choices. How did you find the one you were in? From the experiences of your coursemates are there any others you might have preferred?

Reply 17

MedKid1

Hi, thank you so much for doing this :smile:

1. What time do your days start at the earliest? - I'm considering commuting to university as accommodation in London is expensive, but I want to avoid waking up at like 5am to get to the uni for 7:30.
2. Do you have any advice for interviews? - I'm pretty confident with most other aspects of the application but interviews are kinda stressing me out at the moment
3. Which other medical schools did you apply for?

Reply 18

AnnaBananana

Universities Forum Helper

Original post by palmtree29

Hi, thank you so much for doing this :smile:

I don’t know if they’ll change it for this year but my imperial interview was by far the best one. It was a panel interview, whereas the others I had were all MMIs, I was literally in and out in 12 minutes and they seemed friendly and interested.

Reply 19

TheProphetsPath

Original post by fruitshoot

Thank you for the response. How do you manage your time, how do you cover each lecture and all the content and also have time for fun? Do you have a study schedule, if so would you mind sharing it with me? Also, any tips for retaining information and content instead of it going through one ear and out the other?
My whole time in medicine has been stress and zero fun whatsoever. It's impossible to maintain motivation and it has severely overwhelmed me now.
Looking at all these medic youtubers I'm amazed that they're able to do all these activity and fill them in their vlog and then have time to edit and create videos on it. I know it'll be portrayed in an exaggerated fashion but still.