How to Succeed in Your Medical School Application 4 Key Checkpoints • UCAS • UKCAT • BMAT • Interview UCAS – Key Questions • How to choose your Medical Schools? • How to write an excellent Personal Statement? • How important is your Reference? Some General Points • Select 4 Universities • Oxford or Cambridge, NOT both • One space left to choose an alternative degree • Avoid more than 2 “BMAT” schools Important Considerations • Course Structure • Location • Length of Course Location • University Settings: – City – Campus – Collegiate • Proximity to home • Accommodation Length of course • Typically five to six years of study • Intercalated degrees (BSc or MA) • Graduate entry - usually four years in length Personal Statement • Jump off page • Often a core component of the interview • Up to 4,000 characters or 47 lines of text • ENSURE grammar, spelling and punctuation are perfect! Personal Statement – Focus Areas  Writing about the course  Skills & Achievements  Hobbies & interests  Work experience  Future plans Writing About the Course Two of the most important things to include are: 1. Why you're applying for Medicine 2. Why you're suitable for the course Skills & achievements/Hobbies Demonstrate the required skills to be an excellent doctor. Don’t be afraid to talk about anything that is relevant! KEY SKILLS • • • • • • • • Communication skills Leadership Empathy Teamwork Organisation Prioritisation Working under pressure Know when to ask for support • • • • • • EXAMPLES Duke of Edinburgh Award Young Enterprise Any proud achievements Positions of responsibility First aid courses Your USPs Work experience • VITAL SECTION – sets you apart from the crowd! • Displays commitment and an informed decision in applying to medicine • Include details of anything relevant • Try and get a variety in your portfolio • In the interview and on paper discuss real life examples • ALWAYS Reflect Future plans • Medicine is a life long learning experience! • State at some point your passion to develop your knowledge throughout your medical career. • Once you qualify as a doctor, only then do you really begin to learn the job! Your referee • Reference should come from your school – a teacher that knows you well and who will write you an excellent reference! • Don’t underestimate the importance of this • NB – Be proactive and outline all the activities/extra areas you have developed to your teacher, so they are included UKCAT • Preparation is KEY • We run expert 1 day courses in the UKCAT • Start in June BMAT • Required by      Oxford Cambridge UCL Imperial Leeds • Key to securing interview place • November 2013 Three Main Styles of Interview 1. Traditional Interview 2. New Multi Mini Interviews (MMI’s) 3. Oxbridge Interviews How Can I Really Stand Out? MSAS Conference – April 2014 • • • Medical Ethics NHS Hot Topics Insight into the career Application Process Key Topics • • • Real medical skills Differentiate yourself Prepare for Med School ENHANCING YOUR APPLICATION Clinical Skills Teaching • • • • UCAS UKCAT & BMAT The Interview How to choose your medical school Guest Speakers • • • Admissions Tutors University Lecturers Medics from a range of specialties Thank You & Good Luck www.mjcourses.com