My non-standard entry into medicine
My journey into medical school was…quite out of the ordinary. From 4 unsuccessful med applications, to applying for biomedical science through clearing and finally securing a place at Anglia Ruskin’s medical school, I’m genuinely impressed by how far I’ve come, regardless of the hurdles thrown my way. I know plenty of you are in a similar situation and can understand and relate to my stress. Therefore, I hope sharing my journey will uplift your morale and bolster your confidence with your medical application process, as well as steering clear of the pitfalls I encountered.
My Medical Application Journey
Just before my academic journey could begin, the COVID-19 pandemic decided to make an appearance. With the disruption to my GCSE exams, I found myself struggling to find an effective revision technique that resonated with my learning style, as I never got an opportunity to implement them by sitting for those crucial assessments. Most my life I got away with little revision, procrastination, and cramming, but that method soon proved to be worthless during A levels.
As the deadline for the UCAT exam approached, I found myself unprepared and left revision until the last minute, resulting in an average score that fell short of my aspirations. As a result, I received only one interview invitation and faced the disappointment of rejection, further dampening my spirits. I lost a lot of motivation which subsequently impacted my A-level performance, leaving me disheartened by results that didn’t meet my expectations. HOWEVER, I did not lose my drive to pursue a career in medicine.
Fortunately, my pessimism came in clutch. As Thurman says, “Hope for the best; prepare for the worst.” I assumed a minimum outcome of BBB and explored alternative pathways to pursue my passion for medicine. A day before results day I searched for courses available in clearing and allowed for a transfer into medicine. Results day came, and my grades came up short. Thankfully, due to the research I did beforehand, I wasted no time applying through clearing. Ultimately, I applied and received offers from Anglia Ruskin to study Biomedical Science and Brighton to study Biological Science.
After careful consideration, I chose Anglia Ruskin University due to its curriculum alignment with my interests. However, the conditions for transferring from Biomedical Science to Medicine were stringent, requiring a minimum average mark of 75% across the first year of the degree course with no less than 65% for any one module.
Undeterred by the challenge, I dedicated myself to surpassing these requirements, despite the highly competitive nature of the process. Through perseverance and resilience, I successfully met the criteria and secured my place at ARU’S medical school, a testament to the power of perseverance and determination.
Understanding My Medical School Rejections
For most of my life, I managed to avoid facing rejection. However, after achieving a score of 2540 in my first UCAT attempt, I encountered difficulties in finding a university willing to accept my application for medical school. As a result, I mentally prepared myself for the possibility of rejection.
I unexpectedly received an interview invitation from Keele University. However, I must admit, I was ill-prepared for the interview process. It was conducted via Zoom and comprised stations resembling an MMI format but with a panel of interviewers. Nerves got the better of me, and I felt that my answers failed to accurately showcase my full abilities and knowledge.
Months later, I received the disheartening news that I had missed securing a place at Keele by a mere point. This rejection left me devastated, particularly since I had consistently performed well in interview practice sessions. Nevertheless, I took it upon myself to carefully analyse the feedback provided, identifying the stations where I faltered. I accepted responsibility for the rejection, acknowledging that better research into Keele’s interview style could have improved my performance.
Initially, the rejection shattered my confidence, leading me to question whether a career in medicine was meant for me. However, upon receiving my A-level results and securing a place at Anglia Ruskin University to study Biomedicine, a glimmer of hope emerged. Realising that this was another opportunity the universe has blessed me with, I made sure to make the most of it and prove to myself that I was indeed deserving of a place in medical school.
The previous rejections served as a humbling experience, prompting me to work harder and appreciate the opportunities presented to me. During my initial application, I admit I was somewhat overconfident, but these setbacks quickly humbled me. Reflecting on the mistakes that led to my rejection, I dedicated more time to UCAT practice, resulting in a significant score increase to 2810. I delved into understanding the interview process at Anglia Ruskin University through extensive role-playing and tailored my preparation accordingly.
Additionally, I focused on refining my revision techniques, which paid off as I achieved an impressive average score of 84% across the first year of my Biomedical Science degree, surpassing the conditions required and thus securing a medical seat at ARU.
Preparing for Reapplying into Medical School
Throughout my journey, having Medic Mentor by my side proved invaluable.
Upon receiving my results, I wasted no time to reach out all the universities that offered the courses I want. I ran home and got all the phones and immediately reached out to all the phone numbers I had gathered during my clearing research the previous day. I informed Medic Mentor of my situation, and they allowed me to participate in a virtual summer school (having attended the in-person summer school the previous year).
This opportunity not only enabled me to refine my personal statements but allowed me to incorporate any new experiences, ensuring my personal statement was fabulous. As a summer school student, I gained access to a plethora of UCAT resources provided by Medic Mentor. With their tips, tricks, and advice, I was able to achieve a commendable UCAT score.
Additionally, I took advantage of the multiple mock interviews offered by Medic Mentor. These sessions proved instrumental in identifying and addressing my weaknesses, particularly my ability to articulate my thoughts – an area in which I had struggled during my Keele interview. Upon securing an interview at ARU, Medic Mentor went above and beyond to prepare me. They facilitated practice sessions with a medical student from a university with a similar interview style to ARU, allowing me to hone my interview skills and gain confidence.
Thanks to their unwavering support and guidance, I entered the interview room fully prepared and equipped to showcase my abilities and got myself a conditional offer!
My Advice To You to help you get into medical school
I offer some overarching advice based of my own journey:
Firstly, be grateful for the opportunities presented to you. Appreciate the resources at your disposal and make the most of them.
Personally, I opted not to list a fifth choice, preferring to wait for my A-level results to make an informed decision. Whether contemplating a gap year (if I got grades that were amazing) or pursuing courses that allow a transfer into medicine (if I got grades that are not very competitive as a gap year applicant). Be adaptable to your circumstances.
For UCAT preparation – practice, practice, practice! Dedicate ample time to familiarise yourself with the exam format and hone your skills. Reflect on every question, even the ones you got right for their maybe a better/quicker way to get to the answer, since timing is vital in UCAT.
Additionally, be prepared for unforeseen outcomes by considering alternative pathways, such as applying through clearing. Thorough research ensures readiness on results day.
Understanding your learning style early on is CRUCIAL. Invest time in discovering the most effective revision techniques tailored to your needs.
Finally, maintain confidence and resilience in the face of rejection. If medicine is your passion, persevere and don’t let setbacks deter you. Embrace the opportunity to try again and continue striving towards your goals.
