Dubai 2016 wwwthemedicportalcom The Journey into Medicine The 4 key check points 16 year old Insight development 17 year old UCAS Application 17 year old Final Interviews 17 year old ID: 626293
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Slide1
Applying to UK Medical School
Dubai 2016
www.themedicportal.comSlide2
The Journey into Medicine
The 4 key check points:
16 year oldInsight development17 year oldUCAS Application17 year oldFinal Interviews
17 year old
BMAT Examination
17 year old
UKCAT Examination
14/5 year old
Is medicine for me?
18-24 years old
Medical SchoolSlide3
The Journey into Medicine
The 4 key check points:UCAS Application
16 year oldInsight development17 year oldUCAS Application17 year oldFinal Interviews
17 year old
BMAT Examination
17 year old
UKCAT Examination
14/5 year old
Is medicine for me?
18-24 years old
Medical SchoolSlide4
The Journey into Medicine
The 4 key check points:UCAS Application
UKCAT16 year oldInsight development17 year oldUCAS Application17 year oldFinal Interviews
17 year old
BMAT Examination
17 year old
UKCAT Examination
14/5 year old
Is medicine for me?
18-24 years old
Medical SchoolSlide5
The Journey into Medicine
The 4 key check points:UCAS Application
UKCATBMAT16 year oldInsight development17 year oldUCAS Application17 year oldFinal Interviews
17 year old
BMAT Examination
17 year old
UKCAT Examination
14/5 year old
Is medicine for me?
18-24 years old
Medical SchoolSlide6
The Journey into Medicine
The 4 key check points:UCAS Application
UKCATBMATInterview16 year oldInsight development17 year oldUCAS Application17 year old
Final Interviews
17 year old
BMAT Examination
17 year old
UKCAT Examination
14/5 year old
Is medicine for me?
18-24 years old
Medical SchoolSlide7
UCAS Application
A competitive process20,100 1st
time applicants to medicine for 2016Location20122013201420152016DifferenceUK16,73017,00017,14015,22014,820-3%EU1,9601,990
2,110
1,940
2,050
+6%
Non-EU
2,950
3,130
3,490
3,230
3,240
0%
Total
21,650
22,130
22,740
20,390
20,100
-1%
Application ratio varies
from 3:1 up
to 15:1!Slide8
UCAS Application
Three key questions:How to choose a medical school?
How to write an excellent personal statement?How important is your reference?Slide9
Choosing a Medical School
Select up to 4 medical schools
Oxford or Cambridge (not both)Use your UKCAT score to your favour – you will get your UKCAT score before you apply, so be tactical.One ‘alternative’ courseMedicine or science related – it is inadvisable to apply to the same university for a very different course e.g. economics, as the medical admissions staff will be aware of this. Some allow you to submit a separate personal statement . Slide10
Choosing a Medical School
Avoid choosing more than 2 BMAT universities as you won’t know your score when you applyAvoid applying to medical schools that offer different course structures e.g. PBL and traditional
Don’t just apply to all the popular medical schoolsSlide11
Course Considerations
Location Course structure
Course lengthSlide12
Location: 32
Medical Schools+ University of Warwick Postgraduate Medicine only.
University of Buckingham is the only UK Independent Medical school with no cap on international students and UCLAN – take only international students. Slide13
Location
University Setting – Things to Consider:City
where you could be travelling an hour to your lectures, halls etc.Campus where everything is easy to accessCollegiate where you could be living closely with students studying many different disciplinesProximity to home – transport linksCost of living - London is very expensive Slide14
Course Structure
Three types of course structure
:TraditionalIntegratedProblem Based Learning (PBL)Slide15
Course Structure - Traditional
Traditional - Lectures and tutorials make up the bulk of
the first two or three years of study. These are purely science-based and not focused on individual cases. You will learn about the scientific theory of Medicine, and be taught modules in distinct scientific fields such as Physiology, Biochemistry and AnatomySlide16
Course Structure - Integrated
Integrated - With an integrated course, scientific knowledge is delivered
alongside clinical training. The material is taught by topic, rather than by discipline.The material is covered by looking at body systems or topics e.g. when learning about the digestive system, you learn all the physiology, biochemistry, anatomy, clinical skills etc. relevant to that system.Slide17
Course Structure -Problem
Based Learning
PBL courses focus on small group work and peer-to-peer teaching:Slide18
Intercalated BSc
Opportunity to gain Bachelor of Sciences
All 3 types of course offer an intercalated year This means you get a BSc (or a near equivalent), usually between your third and fifth year. This can be in a scientific subject, or at some universities, in a subject such as philosophy or the History of Medicine. Varies between universities:It is compulsory at some universities including UCL and ImperialSome universities will only offer it to their top cohort of students Some universities do not offer thisVaried opportunitiesAdds an extra year to trainingSlide19
Course Length
Undergraduate MBBS5 yearsUndergraduate MBBS with intercalated BSc
6 yearsPostgraduate MBBS4 yearsSlide20
Comparison Tool
Choose up to 4 medical schools:
www.themedicportal.com/application-guide/choosing-a-medical-school/comparisontoolSlide21
The Personal Statement
Your first point of interaction with the admissions team4000 characters Often a core component of interviews
Must stand outSpelling and grammar must be perfect!Slide22
The Personal Statement
Structure is key:Writing about the course – why PBL or traditional /integrated?
Work experience – reflect on what you learnedSkills and achievements – how do these relate to being an excellent medical student?Hobbies and interests – evidence of skills gainedFuture plans – what area of medicine interests you? Slide23
Writing about the Course
Two essential areas to cover include:
Why are you applying for medicine?Why are you suitable to study medicine?Slide24
Skills and Achievements
Ensure you demonstrate you possess the key skills required to be a doctor:
KEY SKILLSCommunication skillsLeadershipEmpathyTeamworkOrganisationPrioritisationWorking under pressureKnow when to ask for help
EXAMPLES
Duke of Edinburgh Award
Young Enterprise Schemes
P
roud achievements
Positions of responsibility
First aid courses
Prizes and awards
Extra curricular activities
Always think – what is your USP?Slide25
How to Phrase Your Examples
'The strongest applicants are those who can link their extra-curricular activities to their proposed course of study.'
Warwick Medical School Admissions TutorI captained my school first XI football team in my final year at school.Vs.Whilst captaining my school first XI football team, I developed my communication skills with my team mates and teachers from other schools, and organised our international tour to France. I enhanced my ability to work within a team and prioritise my blend of school work and sports practice – demonstrated by the fact that in the run up to my examinations we won the regional cup.Slide26
Work Experience
Essential component Various settings:Hospital setting
GPInternationalFirst aid VolunteeringCharity workStart a portfolioReflect on cases you saw – what did you learn?Slide27
Future Plans
The start and end of your personal statement is crucialDemonstrate enthusiasm and how you look forward to a career in medicine
Medicine is a lifelong learning experience – only once you qualify do you truly begin learning the job!Slide28
The Reference
Many universities place significant weight on your referenceIt is
your responsibility to tell your teacher everything you have done to ensure they know what to write! Be proactive!Slide29
The UKCAT
UK Clinical Aptitude TestRuns between 1
st July and 5th October 2016Required by 27 medical schools2 hour computerised testTests aptitude in 5 sections:Verbal reasoningQuantitative reasoningAbstract reasoningDecision makingSituational judgement testSlide30
Uses of the UKCAT
Different medical schools have different policies, including:Students ranked by UKCAT
scoreMinimum cut-offOnly used in borderline casesNot at allLow emphasisHigh emphasisSlide31
Abstract Reasoning
- 55 questions in 14 minutes
Set ASet BSlide32
The BMAT
Bio-Medical Admissions Test
– includes GCSE level physics but a higher level understanding and application. If you have not taken physics at A level, extra preparation will be needed Sat on 2nd November 2016 at Jumeirah College – registration required.Required by 7 medical schools:OxfordCambridgeUCLImperialBrighton & SussexLeedsLancaster2 hour pen and paper testCombines aptitude with knowledge:Section 1: AptitudeSection 2: Scientific knowledgeSection 3: EssaySlide33
Physics Question
Below are three statements regarding the decay of an element, X:
The velocity of the radiation particle that is produced is 300,000 kms-1 in a vacuum.The production of this radiation by smoke particles allows ionizing smoke detectors to functionA negatively-charged particle is produced that is equivalent to the nucleus of a Group 8 elementWhich of the statements concerning the radiation that is produced are true?1 Only2 Only3 Only1 & 22 & 3NoneSlide34
Previous Essay Question
The scientist is not someone who gives the right answers but one who asks the right questions
Explain what this statement means. Argue to the contrary that the right answers are more important than the right questions. To what extent do you agree that the right questions must be asked before science can progress? Slide35
The Interview
The final hurdleYour only opportunity to meet first face to face
Preparation and practice are essentialSlide36
Types of Interview
There are three styles of interview:Traditional InterviewsMultiple Mini Interviews (MMI)
Oxbridge Slide37
Traditional Interviews
Used by approximately half of universities although many are moving to the MMI
Panels range from 2 to 5 membersAdmissions tutorDoctors / lecturersMedical studentObserver / lay personTopics assessed vary between universitiesPart of the interview likely to focus on personal statementSlide38
Common Interview Topics
Background and motivation for studying medicineKnowledge of the medical school
Depth and breadth of interest in medicineEmpathyTeam workingPersonal insightHot topicsWork experienceEthicsCreativity and imaginationSlide39
MMIs
Used by more than half of medical schools:
Universities Using MMIsAberdeenExeterKing’sLiverpoolQueensBirminghamGlasgowLancasterManchesterSheffieldBristolHull-YorkLeedsNorwich (UEA)St Andrews
Dundee
Keele
Leicester
Nottingham
St George’sSlide40
Format of MMIs
Similar to speed dating!Typically 5 to 10
stations3 to 10 minutes longFormat of each station variesEach station tests different skill(s)MMI specific skills:Communication skillsProfessional JudgementEmpathyData interpretation NumeracySlide41
Oxbridge Interviews
Variation on traditional interviewsCarried out at individual colleges
In addition to common topics, focus heavily on:Science based questionsKnowledge of research and trialsLinking scientific knowledge to abstract questionsLateral thinkingSlide42
Discriminator Topics
EthicsIncreasingly common in traditional and MMIAssess your ability to approach issues with an open mind, considering all sides
Demonstrate reaching balanced conclusionsNHS ‘Hot Topics’Assesses your interest and commitment to medicineAre you aware of current issues in medicine?Slide43
Preparing for Interviews
Showcase longstanding commitment to medicineKeep a portfolio of activitiesReflect on all activities and relate to medicine
Ensure wide range of interesting examples displaying all core skillsStay up to date with current affairsHave a comprehensive understanding of current NHS issues and have an opinionSlide44
Interview
SupportSlide45
The Road Ahead
The 4 key check points:UCAS
UKCATBMATInterview16 year oldInsight development17 year oldUCAS Application17 year oldFinal Interviews
17 year old
BMAT Examination
17 year old
UKCAT Examination
14/5 year old
Is medicine for me?
18-24 years old
Medical SchoolSlide46
Start Preparing Early
UCASPlan a wide range of work experienceKeep a portfolio and reflect
Ensure a wide range of extra-curricular activitiesUKCATStart revision 6 weeks before the examPractice, practice, practice!BMATRequires at least 8 weeks of revisionAll past papers available on the BMAT websiteInterviewHaving a wide range of work experience and extra-curricular activities generates many unique talking pointsPractice with different peopleSlide47
Key Timelines
Key timelines for 2016/17:June: Register for UKCAT
1st July to 5th October: Sit UKCAT exam15th October: UCAS submissionSeptember: Register for BMAT2nd November: Sit BMAT examNovember to March: InterviewsSlide48
Always ask yourself…
How Can I Really Stand Out?Slide49
Free Medic Portal Resources
WebsiteGeneral information about all aspects of the application processOver
50 free practice UKCAT questionsLarge free information bank Online UKCAT and BMAT traininghttps://www.themedicportal.com/community/ BlogWeekly blog on what you need to be doing to succeed in your applicationYouTube VideosBite-sized animated videos on current Hot TopicsTwitter Latest medical news and events keeping you up to dateSlide50
Thank You
Website: www.themedicportal.comBlog: www.themedicportal.com/blog
YouTube: www.youtube.com/themedicportalTwitter: @themedicportalEmail: info@themedicportal.com