Medical School
How to get into Medical School
Contents
- 1 How to get into Medical School
- 2 Choose the right Medical School for you
- 3 Choosing the Right Medical School
- 4 The A-Levels you need for Medicine
- 5 Write your Medical School Personal Statement
- 6 Medicine Personal Statement Guide
- 7 The BMAT and UCAT
- 8 Studying Medicine Later in Life
- 9 Your Medicine Interview
- 10 Navigate Clearing Process When Applying for Medicine
The path of applying for medicine doesn’t begin with the application, but much earlier, refining skills and knowledge through years of dedication.
This guide provides insight into the process of applying to medical school, empowering you to approach your application with confidence and poise.
Getting your application finished is the first step in your future career as a doctor!
When you apply, you’re not only aspiring to medical school, but to contribute to medicine and society.
Choose the right Medical School for you
Before you decide to apply, it is crucial to check a variety universities and their specific degree prerequisites thoroughly.
When considering a university, also check out their:
- course offerings,
- size,
- location (number of hospitals, medical diversity etc)
- reviews from current students and alumni
The process of applying to medical school is multifaceted, requiring prospective students to showcase their dedication and aptitude.
From submitting a compelling personal statement to entrance exams and attending a series of interviews, every aspect of your UCAS application demands careful preparation and strategy.
Is Medicine the right career for you?
Deciding on a career in medicine requires a high level of commitment, learning and dedication.
Healthcare careers are rewarding, but also demanding, with rigorous academic and professional prerequisites.
Recent disputes surrounding NHS pay and working conditions, especially since COVID, have tarnished medicine’s reputation as a world-class career.
You might be asking yourself, “Is medicine the right career for me?”
Only you can decide.
If medicine is the course you wish to follow, be ready to commit yourself to an ongoing learning process.
Getting some work experience is a necessary and efficient way of seeing if the real life work is for you. Click our guide below to find out more.
A keen interest in medical subjects and a desire to contribute positively to the health sector are fundamental.
However, do remember that the persistent demanding schedules, and high-stress situations are part and parcel of this career.
So, reflect carefully on whether this career aligns with your long-term goals.
Choosing the Right Medical School
How do I choose the ‘right’ school?
Extensively research each medical school, exploring factors such as teaching styles, course structures, patient contact, intercalation opportunities, and location.
‘Prestige’ should not be your driving deciding factor.
Our university database will provide a holistic understanding of the schools on your list.
By visiting the websites of these medical schools and their open days, you will glean a realistic and comprehensive picture of what life is like at each institution.
The medical school experience involves more than just academics; social resources, such as clubs and societies, can significantly influence your student life.
Everyone’s journey to medical school is unique, so trust your intuition.
The A-Levels you need for Medicine
Biology is a must-have A level, driving the academic foundation for all medical disciplines.
It provides the base for comprehending the complex physiological systems you’ll encounter in graduate studies.
However, chemistry is another A level that is required almost as much as biology.
It is considered a traditional subject, providing candidates with analytical skills and reinforcing the foundation of drugs and medicinal chemistry.
We cover all the A-levels required for each medical school in our guide here.
Write your Medical School Personal Statement
With competition for a place at medical school sky-high, you need to pay special attention to your personal statement.
Your medical school application should embody your drive, ambitions, and skills.
Several resources are available to assist you in crafting a standout medical school personal statement, including guides from successful medical school applicants (click the link below for ours) and advice from current medical school students.
The BMAT and UCAT
In 2023, for entry into medicine, applicants will either need to take the UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) or the BMAT (BioMedical Admissions Test).
Both of these are standardised tests crafted to evaluate candidates on their clinical aptitude, general medical knowledge, and other cognitive skills.
It’s essential for candidates to secure their own test slot before university registration.
Each applicant is allowed a single attempt at these exams during a given registration window.
For instance, if the test is taken in 2023, the scores are only valid for the 2023 application cycle and cannot be carried forward to subsequent years.
We have quick guides to BMAT Section 1 and BMAT Section 2, as well as some revision tips to help you on your way.
When all is said and done, use our BMAT score conversion chart to work out your marks.
Studying Medicine Later in Life
While for many, medicine is the goal from early in school, others take a more scenic route to medical school.
This naturally means that mature applicants are a much more diverse bunch than those who attend straight out of school.
We’ve put together a whole guide for those who are coming at medicine from alternate routes, check it out below.
Your Medicine Interview
The medicine interview is a vital benchmark in the journey to medical school.
Not only does it display your comprehension of medical issues, but it also showcases your effective communication skills – a trait crucial to any medical role.
Preparation is key to conquering your medicine interview.
A thorough understanding of the medicine field will provide you with confidence and a solid foundation from which to answer the interviewer’s questions.
Practicing potential interview scenarios will greatly improve your response times and form.
Clearing is a service provided by UCAS that enables students who did not meet their firm or insurance offer’s entry requirements, an opportunity to apply for alternative courses or institutions that still have vacancies. Understanding and applying the process strategically could make the difference between an acceptance and a rejection.
