• Question: I want to do medicine, how hard is it to get into a good university?

    Asked by palmerrachael14 to Laura, Nicola, Norman, Sandra, Thanasis on 12 Mar 2013.
    • Photo: Laura Soul

      Laura Soul answered on 12 Mar 2013:

      Lots of my friends went to university to do medicine, fortunately there are quite a lot of good universities that do courses in medicine so lots of opportunities. You do have to be prepared to work very hard though I think! I think as long as you work hard to get the grades that the university says it requires then its not too difficult to get a place.

    • Photo: Nicola Wardrop

      Nicola Wardrop answered on 12 Mar 2013:

      It’s hard work, but definitely not impossible. You just need to make sure you keep up with all your work and do the best that you can – if you get the grades that they need, then you should be fine. Sometimes extra-cirricular activities can help (things like Duke of Edinburgh award, voluntary work etc) if it is a very tough university. Good luck!

    • Photo: Sandra Phinbow

      Sandra Phinbow answered on 12 Mar 2013:

      It’s not just down to grades unfortunately, you will have to be extensivley interviewed for your place at whichever uni you apply for. There will be sooooo many people applying, and so few places. You have shine out big time to win your place.

      I spoke to a consultant pathologist about medical school some time ago, she told me most medical students are exceptional in other areas of their lives – they are grade 8 musicians, sports captains etc I’m not saying you need to be too, but I think you need to demonstrate other capabilities. Do some volunteer work, D of E awards as Nicola said.

      Some Unis require you to sit entrance exams and things like that. Have a look to see which Uni you are interested in, find out what their entrance requirments are and work like stink. It will be hard work – they need to be sure you want to be a doctor for the right reasons before they offer you a place.

      But remember not all doctors work on wards and wander about in white coats looking important, many work in laboratories as pathologists – they seem to do proper office hours too, which is a massive bonus!

      Shadowing a doctor in a hospital is also a good idea, you can get a flavour of what kind of doctor you’d like to be and if it really is for you. Having seen how this happens in my lab – don’t get your Mum to ask for you…YOU ask. Phone or write to the hosptial and ask directly for a tour, or to spend a day with them.

Comments