Journey to medical School

A career in medicine is far beyond rewarding. It is a profession of honor and integrity that can teach people a lot about the importance of humanity. Despite this, medicine is also an extremely demanding career. It is therefore important for students to make an informed decision about whether the role of a doctor is suitable for them. This leads us to the first step in your journey to medicine:

1. Ask yourself the question ‘Is medicine right for me?’.

Whilst medicine may have been your childhood dream or a career that you’ve set your mind to, nothing is more important than being certain about its suitability. Do you have good interpersonal, organizational, and critical thinking skills? 

Once you’ve decided that medicine is the path for you, your next step is to prove this to the admissions teams at universities. 

2. Focus on your academics and prioritize it.  

Your grades are arguably one of the most important aspects of your application. Don’t let anything come in the way of your grades; countless universities won’t consider your application if you don’t meet their grade requirements. 

In order to prove your commitment to medicine to the admissions teams, your extracurriculars have to portray the qualities required of a doctor. 

3. Use extracurriculars, volunteering, and work experience to prove your suitability. 

Consider activities that show your empathy, communication skills, or teamwork. Work experience is a great way to show universities that you are aware of what a life in medicine entails. Public speaking could be a way to show your ability to communicate well with patients. Being involved in leadership positions at schools can show your ability to lead a multidisciplinary team as a future doctor. 

Once you’ve settled your grades and extracurriculars, the next important factor to consider is the standardized tests. 

4. Find out what entrance exams are required for the universities you are applying to and prepare for them. 

For instance, UCAT and BMAT are well-known entrance tests that are required by the majority of medical schools in the UK. 

Applying to universities is never as simple as it may seem. There are a wide variety of choices and decisions that need to be made, so making an informed decision is vital. 

5. Apply to universities that are best suited to your needs. 

Students are often fascinated by how highly ranked a university is and tend to fall into the hole of only choosing universities based on their rankings. It is extremely important to consider the teaching style, university location, entry requirements, course structure, etc. when picking your options.  If your application is successful, then chances are that you will be called in for an interview. 

6. Prepare for the interview. 

The interview process can vary based on the university; however, the most common approach is the Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI). This involves a series of mini-interviews that each lasts around 10 minutes. You may be asked to role-play, discuss medical ethics, or answer questions relating to your personal statement. The main aim is for you to be able to show your abilities as a future medical professional, rather than having to tell them about it. 

On the whole, the way to medicine is a journey after all and every journey is different. Your decisions, commitment, and passion make the difference. 

-Written by Mahika Singh