There are several challenges that secondary school students may encounter as they transition into medical school. These challenges include:

1. Academic rigor: Medical school coursework is much more demanding than secondary school. Students must have a solid foundation in sciences and cope with a variety of different teaching methods which they will be unfamiliar with, such as problem-based learning, practical (OSCE) examinations and spot tests.  They must be able to handle a heavy workload and adapt their learning styles to find the best study techniques for the different types of exams that they will need to pass each year.

2. Time management: As a first year medical school student, you must be able to manage your time effectively to balance coursework, clinical rotations, and other extracurricular activities.  Life at university requires a huge amount of self-study.  This is very different to they way you have been taught at school. You will have to organise your own time, get to placements and lectures in locations that you are unfamiliar with, and have lots of self-discipline to keep up with the content of the course whilst managing your social-life and maintaining your wellbeing.

3. Financial stress: Medical school is expensive, and many UK students must take out loans to pay for tuition, books, and living expenses. This financial stress can be a significant challenge for some students.  The scholarship programme can help to alleviate some of this stress, and also provide some financial education in terms of how to organise your finances, budget and prioritise your spending at university.

4. Emotional stress: Medical school can be emotionally challenging due to the high levels of stress and pressure that students experience. However, having a support network of like-minded peers and senior scholars on your course can provide valuable insights and support. It can also be helpful to have Chief Mentors who are independent of your medical school, as they can provide a safe and confidential space for you to offload and seek help without any concerns about the impact on your place at medical school.

5. Social isolation: Medical school can be socially isolating, as UK students spend a lot of time studying and may not have as much time to socialise with friends and family. The scholarship programme provides a supportive network of students that are already on your side, with mentors who will always be there to help.

On average, the drop-out rate of students attending medical school in the UK is around 10%. However, the attrition rate varies by institution.  The highest drop-out rate occurs in the first year of the course, with rates of failure decreasing as the course progresses. The reasons for dropping out can vary, but some common reasons include academic difficulties, personal or family issues, and financial problems. Medic Mentor are well aware of how hard students work to obtain their places and the last thing that we want is for students to feel unsupported and find themselves in this situation.  Students who drop out of medical school are some of the brightest individuals from their secondary schools, and if they had the correct support and guidance to make a smooth transition, they would be able to thrive rather than struggle at university.

The Medic Mentor Scholarship Programme is more than just a support system for students transitioning into medical school; it is a community of like-minded individuals dedicated to helping each other thrive. By joining this programme, students can tap into a wealth of resources and opportunities that will not only help them succeed academically but also support their personal and professional growth.

The programme offers a range of benefits that go beyond academic support, including wellbeing services, personal and professional development opportunities, and networking events. It’s a chance for students to connect with peers, mentors, and medical professionals who share their passion for the field and who can help guide them on their journey towards becoming successful medical professionals.

With the Medic Mentor Scholarship Programme, students have the chance to learn, grow, and evolve both academically and personally. They can develop leadership and entrepreneurial skills, learn mindfulness and meditation techniques to manage stress, and gain insights into different medical career paths. Through the programme’s network, students can build meaningful connections with peers and professionals that can last a lifetime.

Scholarship students unlock up to £2000 per year (£12,000 in total across 6 years) for completing personal and professional development projects that benefit themselves, their CVs and also give back to the wider medical profession.  In addition, the scholarship is an academic programme, so beyond the financial award, scholars receive something even more valuable: extra mentoring, training and wellbeing support that makes them stand-out amongst medical students. The additional academic awards and support that scholars receive really help to shape their medical school experience and ensure that it is a well-supported, fulfilled and enjoyable journey.

The Medic Mentor Scholarship Programme is designed to be flexible and to work around your studies at medical school. We understand that your main focus is your academic work, so the time commitment for the scholarship programme is designed to be manageable alongside your studies.

While there are some basic compulsory requirements each year, such as a yearly appraisal and attending 3 virtual teaching days each year, the rest of the opportunities are student-dependent. This means that you can choose how involved you want to be and what activities you want to participate in.

We believe that the more you put into the programme, the more you will get out of it. So if you are eager to learn, grow, and develop as a medical professional, the Medic Mentor Scholarship Programme offers a wealth of opportunities for you to do so. And best of all, you can do it all while still focusing on your academic studies and achieving your goals as a medical student.

The Medic Mentor Scholarship Programme is open to all students who have an offer to study medicine at a UK medical school. These merit-based awards are not about academic grades, but about potential and personal qualities. We are looking for enthusiastic individuals who are passionate about making a difference in the medical field and excellent mentors.

We do not consider factors such as your background or income, or which school you have attended. We believe that anyone with the potential to excel in medicine should have the opportunity to do so.

So if you’re an offer holder for a medical school place and have a passion for making a difference in medicine, the Medic Mentor Scholarship Programme could be the perfect fit for you. Apply today and take the first step towards unlocking your full potential as a medical professional.

To apply for the scholarship, you must create a free Medic Mentor Student Portal account (if you do not have one already) so that you can complete the application form and track the progress of your application. Once you have applied, you will be informed if you have been shortlisted for an interview, which is the first stage of the application process.

Interviews will take place from July-August and you will be informed of the outcome before the end of August.

Students on the Medic Mentor Awards Programme still need to submit a scholarship application, however if you have completed your Gold Award, you are guaranteed an interview in the Summer.