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UCL CAREERS SERVICE

So – you want to be a doctor

Graduate Entry Medicine

Vinny PotterMedical Careers Adviser

QM Careers

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What I hope to cover today

• Grad Entry – positive and negatives• Which medical school• Entrance Exams• The courses on offer• UCAS Application • Funding• Work experience• Interviews• Further resources• Dentistry• The Personal Statement

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Five or four years?

• Approximately 30 x 5 (6) year courses– take about 12% graduates but this is increasing

• 15 x 4 year courses• All highly competitive• Can be easier getting on 5(6) year course• More 5(6) year courses open to non-UK/EU • Differences in funding

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• The University of Birmingham• University of Bristol• University of Cambridge• Imperial College London• Keele University• University of Leicester• The University of Liverpool• Newcastle University• The University of Nottingham• Oxford University• Queen Mary, University of London• University of Southampton• St George's, University of London• Swansea University• The University of Warwick

Schools Offering 4 yr GEM Courses

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Decide which Medical Schools

• Geographical location

• Structure of the course/your learning style

• Popularity / reputation

• Entry Criteria

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Geographical Location

• Cost of living• Demographics• Campus or scattered

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Structure of the course

• All courses will give you exposure to general practice, hospital and surgical experience.

• Integration with the 5 year course• Length of academic year• Teaching style

– ‘Traditional’ Lecture-based e.g. Oxford– Problem based learning (PBL) e.g. St

Georges– Self-directed learning– Guided learning

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Reputation of the medical school

• Remember all courses are validated by the GMC and will produce doctors capable of practising medicine at the required level

• National recruitment system for jobs as Doctors – no preference given for medical school.

• Large differences in popularity of schools – varies year on year

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Entry Criteria• Almost all require at least 2:1

honours degree• Split regarding degree discipline• Some require specific A-levels &

grades• Entrance exams for majority

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Entrance Exams

• Increasing applicant numbers, age range and academic background

• Test skills & attitudes not tested by A-levels & UG degree

• Exams help to level playing field

• Each school has own cut off points & criteria for interview selection

• Separate to UCAS application

• Set dates for registration & testing

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GAMSAT

• Graduate Australian Medical Schools Admissions Test

• http://www.gamsat.co.uk/

• £192.00 (2009) 5.5 Hours• 3 Sections

– Reasoning in Chemistry, Biology & Physics (MCQs)– Reasoning in Humanities & Social Sciences (MCQs)– Written communication (2 tasks)

– St George’s, University of London– The University of Nottingham at Derby – The University of Wales Swansea – Keele University– Or to the 5-year degree at Peninsula Medical School

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ersUKCAT

• UK Clinical Aptitude Test

• http://www.ukcat.ac.uk/home• £60 (2009) 90 minutes• 4 sections (MCQs):

– Verbal Reasoning– Quantitative Reasoning– Abstract Reasoning– Decision Analysis

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UKCAT Practice

• UKCAT official website• Medicas• On examination• UKPO

• (Some free, some charge)

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ersBMAT

• Usually for the 5 yr course• Cambridge – ? For 4 yr course

ask them for advice.• Imperial 5yr• Oxford 5yr• UCL 5yr

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Choosing the course

• Make sure you fit the entry criteria• Is it in the right area?• Find out about the teaching style

– does it fit your preferred way of learning

• Be aware of entry exam dates and your availability

• Many have open days e.g. Oxford, Nottingham

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Biology / Science Degrees required

School Places App.Ratio

Int.Places

DegreeGrade

Chem.A level

BioA level

EntranceExam

Barts 45 24 10 2.1 no no Ukcat

Birmingham 40 15 - 2.1 yes no No

Bristol 19 - - 2.1 yes no No

Imperial 50 - 10 2.1 yes yes Ukcat

Leicester 64 4.7 - 2.1 no no Ukcat

Liverpool 32 17 - 2.1 yes yes No

Oxford 30 8 - 2.1 yes no Ukcat

Warwick 178 5.6 14 2.1 no no ukcat

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ersAny degree

School Places App.Ratio

Int.Places

DegreeGrade

Chem.A level

BioA level

EntranceExam

Cambs 20 - - 2.1 yes no No

Kings 24 63 - 2.1 no no Ukcat

Newcastle 25 28 - 2.1 no no Ukcat

Nottingham 91 13 - 2.2 No no GAMSAT

Southampton 40 36 2 2.1 yes no No

St Georges 98 - - 2.2 no no GAMSAT

Swansea 70 9.6 - 2.1 no no GAMSAT

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Important Note:

• The two previous slides summarising the entry requirements of the medical schools have been taken from the website medschoolsonline.co.uk – set up and run by current medical students to help those thinking about medical careers

• The information was gathered from medical school admissions offices and from course websites.

• If you wish to apply to one of the medical schools described it is strongly advised that you contact the school's admissions office to get the most up to date and accurate information before submitting your application.

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Applying through UCAS

• All applications now online only• Maximum of 4 courses.• Detailed guidelines and instructions on

www.ucas.ac.uk• Deadline is 15th October 2009• Check entrance exam reg. deadlines• Referees – give advance warning

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• Sections – Personal details, qualifications, employment history, personal statement, reference

• Prepare your statement well in advance• You will need your old UCAS number !• ‘buzzword’ or course code – from your department,

or apply as independent applicant • Find your A & GCSE results in advance• Any queries – try Admissions tutors (avoid near

deadline) or www.ucas.com

Filling in the form

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Convince me –the personal statement

• Convince the reader why you want to be a doctor• Give evidence of you have skills for Medicine• Give evidence you understand what medicine & the

medical degree entails• Explain any poor performances• Allude to your academic progress now• Evidence your hobbies/social activities and link to

your potential contribution to medical school life

• More on this later…

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Provide the Evidence – Work Experience

• Working with people / Working as part of a team- retail / hospitality work, Care assistant, Children with / without special needs, Old peoples homes, Volunteer

• Understanding the NHS, Validation of decision - hospital volunteer, GP receptionist, ward clerk, talking to junior doctors and med students

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Where can I find these jobs?• Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk

– Vacation work booklets– Recruitment Agencies Booklet

• Hospital websites e.g. http://www.uclh.nhs.uk/Job+seekers+volunteers/

• Volunteering: www.doit.org.uk and ‘Provide’ volunteering

• Local Hospital http://www.bartsandthelondon.nhs.uk/workforus

• Hospices http://www.helpthehospices.org.uk

• Care Homes www.csci.org.uk/registeredservicesdirectory/rsquicksearch.asp.

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References

• Choose an academic who knows you and of your aspirations of becoming a doctor.

• It need not be your personal tutor • Give them time to complete the form

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Medical Interviews

• Lot of variation: e.g. one person / panel, 10 min – 1 hr

• Most will probe on:– Why medicine?– What part of course appeals?– How found out is right for you?– What learnt from work exp?– Realistic view of medicine– Other interests– Communication & interpersonal skils– Interest in health & medical stories

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FUNDING• Will all depend on personal circumstances.

– GEM courses; Pay own tuition fees 1st yr, rest get NHS Bursary and fees paid. Eligible for student loans

– 5 year; Own tuition fees for 4 yrs & eligible student loan, 5th year bursary & fees paid.

– Non UK EU residents – funding more limited

– Non-EU – responsible for full cost of degree

• Check with the student Welfare Office or the Admissions at the Medical School.

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In Summary

• Start reviewing what you have to offer NOW

• Get relevant work experience• Work hard on your statement • Keep abreast of medical issues• Use the Careers Service,

www.careers.qmul.ac.uk • Look at www.ucas.com and other

application guides

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Dentistry

• Nine 5 year courses and four graduate schemes (The University of Aberdeen, The University of Liverpool, Peninsula College of Medicine & Dentistry, Queen Mary, University of London) List of all courses at www.ucas.ac.uk

• 2:1 +, science degree, fierce competition (UK 800 places)

• Get work experience & shadowing• Apps via UCAS. Most have entrance test• Funding – tricky. Final years, NHS bursary possible.

Also armed forces cadet ships. More info – contact schools.

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Further resources

• UCAS book; Medicine, Dentistry & Optometry

• www.medschoolsonline.co.uk• Getting into Medical School, Burnet & Ruston• How to get into Graduate Entry medicine, Sellers & Knight• Passing the UKCAT, Walker-Buckton, Hutton & Hutton• Funding:

– www.direct.gov.uk – Education & Learning Section

– http://www.nhspa.gov.uk/sgu/ - NHS Bursary’s• Careers Adviser appointments: www.careers.qmul.ac.uk,

020 7882 8533• Careers Service – near Octagon in Queens Building

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Questions?

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UCL CAREERS SERVICE

Applications & Support StatementsInformation from Graham ClaydenSub Dean for Undergraduate Medicine Admissions KCL

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Convince us that you are:

• Motivated to help people • Informed about career

demands• Realistic about yourself• Community orientated• Honest

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Also convince us that you are:

• A good judge• A natural leader• A problem solver (good

common sense) • Creative • A rounded personality• Resilient• Fit to practice eventually

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Essential evidence from:• Work experience • Community service • Inspiring anecdote • Medical science link • Achievement in

arts/music/sports• Examples of perseverance with

task

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Avoid:• Any subject that you don't

want to talk about at interview • Hero-worship of doctors • Rewards of medical career• Wrong balance of humour• Using out of date examples or

interests

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Don't forget to mention:• Hospital volunteering or paid jobs• Contact with vulnerable people • Captain or director or lead roles• Duke of Edinburgh awards• First aid qualifications • Key subject to initiate discussion

but avoid learning patter

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FINAL MESSAGE

• Be honest!

• Check spelling and grammar

• Make it a legible (font size and paragraphs)

• Don’t try to over-impress

• Do not use words you cannot pronounce or explain