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A career in medicine is one of the most rewarding and challenging journeys you can take.  If you’re reading this, chances are you’re interested in pursuing a career in the field of medicine.  Perhaps you like the idea of helping people at their most vulnerable, maybe it’s the fascination with science, or maybe it’s the chance to be part of something bigger in the NHS.

Whatever your reason, the road to Medical School can feel overwhelming at times. The requirements are tough, the competition is fierce, and it takes resilience to keep going. But here’s the good news: with the right preparation and mindset, you can get there.

To make things easier, here are 10 practical, motivating tips that will guide you along the way.

 

 1. Check this the right career for you 

It’s worth looking behind the high-status exterior to check this is the right career for you. Talk to doctors and medical students about their experiences – ask about the highs and the lows.

 Attend an online Get into Medicine Conference with a parent or guardian early on in your decision-making – Year 10 or 11 is not too early.

 Check you are comfortable with:

• Emotionally challenging work

• A high workload

• Long and at times antisocial hours

• The need for resilience – you may need to apply to Medical School more than once and on qualification, you may need to be flexible about where you live and what you do

• Being a leader

• Being an innovator

• Contributing to the NHS

• A lot of paperwork

 

 2. “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again”

Medicine is competitive.  Not everyone gets into medical school on their first try, and that’s okay.  There is no limit to the number of times you can apply to Medical School.

• If you don’t get an offer in Year 13 with your predicted A-Level grades, try in Clearing.

• If you don’t think you can improve your A-Level grades, or your A-Level subjects are not appropriate to Medicine, look at the Clinical Science Foundation course at Bradford. This course has a pathway for 40 students to study Medicine at Sheffield University each year.

• If you need to re-take your A-Levels, apply again in a Gap Year. Provided your A-Level results are no more than 3 years old, and you haven’t taken a first degree, you can still apply as an undergraduate

• If you do a related undergraduate science degree and want to become a doctor, try as a postgraduate.

 

 3. GCSE grades matter

Grade 6 is the preferred minimum in 8 or 9 subjects to include the sciences. It is not necessary to study more than 9 subjects for Medical School applications. Re-sits are acceptable.

 

 4. AAA at A-Level is the standard requirement

Most Medical Schools require Biology and Chemistry A-Level. Cambridge University likes Maths as a third subject; Oxford University favours a more diverse third choice. Sixteen Medical Schools accept Biology and any other science.

 

• Taking more than three A-Levels is down to personal choice: the quality of your grades is more important than the quantity.

• A minimum of 36/45 is required in IB.

• Chemistry, Biology and three other subjects are required in Scottish Highers.

• Only Barts accepts UCAS Tariff Points, so T-Levels and BTECs leave you with the choice of only one Medical School.

 

5. High EPQ scores are not exchangeable for high A-Level grades

EPQs are a good way of demonstrating your research skills, but only if you do not have research experience already. A relevant EPQ topic could provide good Personal Statement and interview material.

 

6. Research entry requirements in depth

This is a task for Year 12: after attending an online Get into Medicine Conference.

There are over 40 Medical Schools, so select those whose requirements most closely match your A-Level subjects and predicted grades. You will also need to know their UCAT score requirements (see 7 below).

And don’t skip Medical School Open Days - nothing beats visiting in person to see where you’d feel at home.

 

7. Your UCAT score carries a 40% weighting in your overall application

• Prepare early by creating your online UCAT account in May of Year 12.
• In June of Year 12 book your UCAT test date. The test window is early July to late September.  
• To maximise your preparedness, book a date towards the end of this period and spend the intervening weeks doing sample questions and past papers.

• Check your scores and only take the test officially if you are performing to a high standard (or high enough for the Medical Schools of your choice). Access to the maximum number of Medical Schools requires you to be performing in the top 20%.

 

 8.  Get some Work Experience

If you don’t already have it, get some caring work experience during the summer holiday between Years 12 and 13. For in-person work experience in a caring role, where the focus is on the “patient’s” needs, try care homes, schools, nurseries, play schemes and your own or another family.

Virtual Work Experience is also good because it puts your learning needs at the forefront of the exercise. Include this as part of your clinical experience.

 

9. Complete your UCAS application before 15^th  October of Year 13

• Strategically select four Medical Schools whose entry requirements most closely match your qualifications (GCSE results, A-Level predictions, UCAT score) and experience.

• If you want to keep the option of studying Medicine open even if you are unsuccessful with your four Medical School applications, you could choose a related course, like Biomedical Sciences as your fifth choice and re-apply as a postgraduate. Alternatively, consider the Clinical Science Foundation course in 2 above.

• In your personal statement, remember the relevance of your wider reading (an EPQ could come in useful here), experiences, skills, extra-curricular activities and volunteering.  Use Gibb’s Reflective Cycle to show how these skills and experiences will help to make you a better medical practitioner.

 

 10. Interview Preparation is Key

Sign up for Mock Interview Days from early September of year 13. The interview is a chance to demonstrate your understanding of the ethics of Medicine, the structure and values of the NHS, Home | Health Careers concepts of research, data interpretations and current affairs with respect to the Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC).

Your ability to discuss issues and ideas and to consider different perspectives is more important than your factual knowledge.

 

Final Thoughts

Getting into Medical School is not about being perfect.   It’s about showing determination, reflection, and a genuine passion for medicine.  If you keep going, learn from setbacks, and prepare strategically, your chances of success will only grow.

Stay motivated, stay curious, and remember: every doctor once stood exactly where you are now, wondering if they could make it. You can!

 

Photo sourced from Freepik