Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[donald]

Hi

 

I notice some A level results in, congratulations and if anyone didnt get what they wanted keep at it and look at all your options(one of mine hasnt been to University and has done very well without a degree). One of mine is wanting to go into medicine and being out of the university loop and visiting most of them before the summer holidays a bit confused with do we name places he did work experience? ie the institution. Some of the medics he worked with told him to lay it on about being motivated to become a medic due to witnessing an ill relative etc. But he has always just wanted to be a doctor and is a caring chap, likes sciences, fascinated in trying to keep people healthy but also realistic etc. He has had some really good work experience and I have discussed with him what he learnt from it.

 

I have found a good web site which talks about reflective work experience as thats what its about being reflective.But its still not easy without sounding so gushing.

He has UKCAT entrance test this week and then we are going to re tackle personal statement. It would be easier if he wanted to do a science degree instead but oh no wants medicine.

Also he is going to put down a 5th option of a science degree so we are not sure how to tackle that subject as his whole personal statement is aimed at getting into medicine which is like winning the lottery

I find it very confusing and hope I havent confused you all. Any tips please. We have the UCAS books etc as a guide.

[merlina]

Personal statements are very very important - but the academic looking at them will make a very quick decision.

The most important rule - perfect spelling and punctuation. I discard about 60% of applicants (not for medicine, but any popular subject is looking for reasons to reduce the big pile in front of them) for the oh-so-common howler 'GCSE's'. Write that and it's instant rejection.

Fill the space given but don't waffle

Excellent work experience is exactly what we want to hear about. Talk about what you did/saw and how you found that (interesting, surprising etc). What did you learn (it's ok to say 'this taught me that geriatrics is not for me at this stage of my life as I fear I would be too frustrated with the poor funding', for eg).

Write about personal qualities, but make sure they are evidenced - eg 'I am good at communicating at all levels as evidenced by my experience dealing effectively with customers on the checkout at Asda and speaking to the consultants about career paths during my work experience')

It's fine to talk about why medicine appeals - but, again, it must be realistic and ideally referred back to the work experience

Don't worry about it sounding a *little* sycophantic/cringy - we want to believe you really really want to be there!

[donald]

Thank you I had'nt thought about GCSEs! abbreviated etc. But that is very helpful. Thanks(she checks her punctuation now). But cringe factor was what I think is worrying us, yet its what he thinks etc Why?

[surfer_chicken]

Not much of an insight into medical personal statements, but regarding the 5th science subject- don't worry about it in the personal statement! So long as it it's a biology/chemistry degree (and maybe a few others) they will realise they are a back up, but they will see he is applying to medicine and will realise this is a very bright and motivated student Make sure he puts a back up too, and actually puts a bit of thought and research into what course/university that's going to be! Even if he thinks he'd rather reapply next year if he's unsuccessful, a lot changes in a year

 

Best of luck! I originally applied for veterinary medicine this year and ended up taking my back up, plus I have a few friends who applied to medical degrees, so feel free to PM me with any questions

[chuckmum6]

Best of luck, the advice Merlina gives sounds excellent.

[LisaP]

I applied for medicine last year (for 2011 entry) and the personal statement was definitely the hardest part. It's so difficult to get the balance between selling yourself to them and sounding big headed and gushy. There are a few websites that give examples or ones that have been used before, and a lot of the time they give details about whether or not the applicant got in using the statement, and although obviously a lot of them aren't that high quality, they can give an idea of where to start and what the admissions people are looking for (but it goes without saying that "borrowing" from other people's statements is a big no-no...). Apart from that, I found that just getting as many people as possible to check them over helps, because friends, family and teachers can tell if it's too waffley or not waffley enough (and also spot phantom apostrophes ).

For work experience, it's good to go into the skills learnt and applied- I just handed out tea and lunches at a day centre for the elderly, but I managed to blabber on about how I'd developed my communication skills and learnt how to deal with awkward and disabled people. They expect a certain amount of embellishment, because there are very few real opportunities for 16 year olds to shadow surgeons.

Unless there's enough space left at the end, the 5th subject doesn't really need mentioning. As they'll get the application before the general applications come in, they'll see that it's a potential medic/ OxBridge student, so will already be impressed. As long as the statement seems vaguely relevant, it's normally okay.

The UKCAT is tricky but isn't really revise-able. As it tests skills, the best preparation is to just get familiar with the sorts of questions and tasks, and work on any that are potential weak points. There are a few practice tests provided by UKCAT, which are the best option out there, and there are plenty of books on sale (although most universities say that the books are a waste of time).

 

I hope maybe that helps more than it confuses, and good luck (:

 

Lorna (Lisa P's daughter)

[donald]

Thanks Lisa Ps daughter.

 

We sound like we are pretty much doing what you are suggesting. I think its hard trying to stand out when someone is possibly sifting through the applications and yes gushing cringey is the thing isnt it? UKCAT is on Thursday so I think once that is out the way will sit down and concentrate on the next task to put a Personal statement together properly. We have a draft sort of and lists of what he has done etc. But until the UKCAT results are given ie if they are dire then we will look at other science degrees etc. I suppose being a mum its such a worry.

But thank you very much I didnt expect to get many responses so its very nice of everyone to help.

[chickencam]

Best of luck, personal statements are a nightmare, I dread to think how many times ED changed hers last year, she applied to Oxford and didn't even get to interview stage despite pretty much straight A*s at GCSE so it still must have been less than perfect.

[donald]

Ah I love Cambridge and its historic buildings etc Oxford JR is lovely hospital but I still think PBL learning is the best way to become a doctor.

 

Did ED get an offer in the end? I do know some students that got A*** at A levels and had no offer etc.

 

So difficult. At Guys they showed a graph and in 2002 hardly anyone applied for medicine but the rise upwards rocketed and is still rising. In fact a doctor at the weekend was saying you dont need all these A* for medicine but I was yes you do! He was truely puzzled about it all.

 

Oh good luck too.

[surfer_chicken]

So difficult. At Guys they showed a graph and in 2002 hardly anyone applied for medicine but the rise upwards rocketed and is still rising. In fact a doctor at the weekend was saying you dont need all these A* for medicine but I was yes you do! He was truely puzzled about it all.

 

You can definitely get into medicine with 3 As, but still very high grades! I think work experience is starting to become more important as a lot of applicants have the higher grades.

[craftyhunnypie]

Incase anyone is applying - Liverpool Medical School is fabulous. Not only is the Medical School great, so is the nightlife / social aspect. There is also a School of Tropical Medicine - which I thought was fascinating.

It's a long time ago - so things will be very different now. I think students these days have a much tougher time, trying to get their university places.

Good Luck!

[sadietoo]

So difficult. At Guys they showed a graph and in 2002 hardly anyone applied for medicine but the rise upwards rocketed and is still rising. In fact a doctor at the weekend was saying you dont need all these A* for medicine but I was yes you do! He was truely puzzled about it all.

 

You can definitely get into medicine with 3 As, but still very high grades! I think work experience is starting to become more important as a lot of applicants have the higher grades.

 

A friend's daughter had all As (this was before the A* grade was introduced) and I would have thought the perfect background for Medicine work experience, organising events at school in sixth form etc..a really good all rounder and a lovely girl...however, she had attended a fee paying school, and so was rejected out of hand for every application she made....which begs the question what exactly do they want. ...fortunately she wasn't put off, took a year out to travel and reapplied (being a Doctor was all she had ever wanted to do so a different science degree was just not an option for her). This time she was successful and this year she starts her registrar year.... so I just wanted to say if at first you don't succeed and all that......

Good luck

[donald]

Sat the UKCAT and he got a 697.5 which I think means some of the London ones may have a cut off point so they may be out providing he now does ok in his A2s. Boy I sound like a worried parent as he is so determined and I met another parent yesterday who said they are feeling exactly the same.

 

Personal statement is being tackled today. Step by step. Hopefully we are getting there.

[TAJ]

Medicine is so competitive, our neighbourgh had straight top grades from a top school and didn't get a single offer. Then took a year out, worked in a nursing home and reapplied and got into to an excellent medical school and did really well - a few years on he is now fully qualified and working at a hospital.

 

I have also heard that some Universities get so many applications they employ external companies and unless applicants tick all the boxes they will get rejected before they even get as far as the academics for review.

 

Tracy