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Bristol Medicine - Access to HE Science

Anyone can answer but I once had a conversation with someone who is currently a medical student at Bristol and did an Access to HE Science course so I'm really hoping this finds him lol. Anyway,

I start my access course in September and I'm trying to write a personal statement (ps) for now. However, this year the ps has changed and are 3 questions. What would I write for Q2? I haven't started my access course yet and even when I do, medicine's deadline is around 15th of October so I would've only studied my access course for about a month before I apply so what else could I say for Q2? What exactly would Bristol be looking for? What can I say for each question that will impress them?

Please, can any Bristol med student tell me what they look for in an applicant? I know high UCAT but aside from that what else? A lot of work experience? Please help.

Thank you.

Reply 1

I can't remember what I wrote in my personal statement so I have no idea. But what questions do they ask?

More recent applicants may be better placed to answer but they have had a long standing emphasis on the GMC document for medical students regarding good medical practice so you need to read and understand that document.

Work experience, though not strictly essential is always useful.

Reply 2

Original post
by ErasistratusV
I can't remember what I wrote in my personal statement so I have no idea. But what questions do they ask?
More recent applicants may be better placed to answer but they have had a long standing emphasis on the GMC document for medical students regarding good medical practice so you need to read and understand that document.
Work experience, though not strictly essential is always useful.

Thanks for your advice! I'll surely read the good medical practice.
The new ps format is 3 questions:

Q1) why do you want to study this course/subject?

Q2) how have your qualifications and studies helped you prepare for this course/subject?

Q3) what have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

Reply 3

Original post
by An0nym0us12
Thanks for your advice! I'll surely read the good medical practice.
The new ps format is 3 questions:
Q1) why do you want to study this course/subject?
Q2) how have your qualifications and studies helped you prepare for this course/subject?
Q3) what have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

Ahh those are all pretty standard questions with reasonably standard answers. Formulate answers to these now and it will be useful in interview later on.

List some factoids about yourself or your current position and maybe some of us can pick some and show how to integrate them into your answer.

Be wary mind: anything written in your personal statement may well be asked about in any admissions interview. I say this to highlight that a lot of people write a lot of things about their earlier studies or work experience or their A level project thing and these are prime areas that will be fruitful for interviews. If you include something as innocent as 'I really enjoyed learning about blood cell metabolism in my biology EPQ' then don't be surprised if they ask detailed questions on it.

Whilst you are on the Access course your tutor or another designated person will be able to help you with it, too. The whole course is designed to get you into University.

Reply 4

Original post
by ErasistratusV
Ahh those are all pretty standard questions with reasonably standard answers. Formulate answers to these now and it will be useful in interview later on.
List some factoids about yourself or your current position and maybe some of us can pick some and show how to integrate them into your answer.
Be wary mind: anything written in your personal statement may well be asked about in any admissions interview. I say this to highlight that a lot of people write a lot of things about their earlier studies or work experience or their A level project thing and these are prime areas that will be fruitful for interviews. If you include something as innocent as 'I really enjoyed learning about blood cell metabolism in my biology EPQ' then don't be surprised if they ask detailed questions on it.
Whilst you are on the Access course your tutor or another designated person will be able to help you with it, too. The whole course is designed to get you into University.

Alright thanks. And yes, I've been trying to write up my answers but Q2 has left me stumped as I haven't started my access course yet so idk what to write. However, I will ask someone when I have enrolment :smile:. Thanks for your advice!

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