| Applying to Study Medicine,
Dentistry or Veterinary Medicine |
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Students applying to study medicine,
dentistry or veterinary science need to research their courses
carefully. Whilst nearly all universities now require potential
applicants to take the UKCAT or. BMAT entry tests, some place
greater emphasis on the test scores than others.
Other differences between universities
focus on whether AS/A Level Biolo-gy is required and whether
re-sitting a module is acceptable.
Further differences revolve around
whether the course involves problem based learning or is system
based or a combination of both (integrated courses). Some courses
require students to start their clinical experience in their
first year, others (often system based courses) do not start
clinical ex-perience until the fourth year. Courses also differ
in how many years it takes to qualify.
However, whichever university students
apply to, most universities are looking for:
- A Level Chemistry and one other science
- Work experience. This is essential and may
involve working in hosptals, dental surgeries or veterinary
practices.
- Gaining work experience demonstrates both
an understanding of, and commitment to, practising medicine
- Scientific interest Enthusiasm Self motivation
and the ability to organise one's work load
- Good communication skills
- An ability to empathise with others The ability
to stay calm in stressful or difficult circumstances
- An interest in the welfare of others An ability
to work both independently and as part of an interdisci-plinary
team
Most universities will make
offers of three grade As at A Level alongside an AS in another
subject.
All students should expect
to be interviewed.
How BHASVIC helps potential
students of medicine
1. All potential medical applicants
are offered an enrichment course where visiting speakers give
students a greater insight into what is i involved in becoming
a doctor, dentist or vet
2. Advice is given on:
- how to choose an appropriate
course
- how to obtain work experience
- how to write a personal
statement
3. Students are
provided with opportunities for mock interviews
Preparing
for the Interview
Whilst students obviously need to discuss scientific information,
they will al-so need to be prepared to answer open questions
such as:
Why medicine/dentistry/veterinary science?
What did you gain from your work experience?
Tell me something about yourself?
How do you deal with stress?
Students will
often be asked questions involving ethical considerations such
as:
"Should we pay for donor organs?"
"Would you recommend a liver transplant for someone who
was an alcohol-ic?"
"If you had to decide between saving the life of a young
child and that of an
old person, what would you do?"
In some cases
students will be given a scenario to discuss, and they might
be asked to discuss their interests, e.g.
“What is
your favourite play? What was the last novel you read? How
is play-ing the violin relevant to studying medicine?”
Students need
to be aware that the interviewer is not necessarily looking
for a right answer and is definitely not looking for a ‘rehearsed'
answer, but ra-ther looking at how the student thinks through,
and solves problems.
Useful
websites: (these links open a new window)
www.ukcat.ac.uk
www.bmat.org.uk
www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/interviews
September 2011
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