Applying to UK Medical School Dubai 2016 www.themedicportal.com

The Journey into Medicine 16 year old Insight development 17 year old UCAS Application Final Interviews BMAT Examination UKCAT Examination 14/5 year old Is medicine for me? 18-24 years old Medical School The 4 key check points:

The Journey into Medicine 16 year old Insight development 17 year old UCAS Application Final Interviews BMAT Examination UKCAT Examination 14/5 year old Is medicine for me? 18-24 years old Medical School The 4 key check points: UCAS Application

The Journey into Medicine 16 year old Insight development 17 year old UCAS Application Final Interviews BMAT Examination UKCAT Examination 14/5 year old Is medicine for me? 18-24 years old Medical School The 4 key check points: UCAS Application UKCAT

The Journey into Medicine 16 year old Insight development 17 year old UCAS Application Final Interviews BMAT Examination UKCAT Examination 14/5 year old Is medicine for me? 18-24 years old Medical School The 4 key check points: UCAS Application UKCAT BMAT

The Journey into Medicine 16 year old Insight development 17 year old UCAS Application Final Interviews BMAT Examination UKCAT Examination 14/5 year old Is medicine for me? 18-24 years old Medical School The 4 key check points: UCAS Application UKCAT BMAT Interview

UCAS Application A competitive process 20,100 1st time applicants to medicine for 2016 Location 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Difference UK 16,730 17,000 17,140 15,220 14,820 -3% EU 1,960 1,990 2,110 1,940 2,050 +6% Non-EU 2,950 3,130 3,490 3,230 3,240 0% Total 21,650 22,130 22,740 20,390 20,100 -1% Application ratio varies from 3:1 up to 15:1!

UCAS Application Three key questions: How to choose a medical school? How to write an excellent personal statement? How important is your reference?

Choosing a Medical School Select up to 4 medical schools Oxford or Cambridge (not both) Use your UKCAT score to your favour – you will get your UKCAT score before you apply, so be tactical. One ‘alternative’ course Medicine or science related – it is inadvisable to apply to the same university for a very different course e.g. economics, as the medical admissions staff will be aware of this. Some allow you to submit a separate personal statement .

Choosing a Medical School Avoid choosing more than 2 BMAT universities as you won’t know your score when you apply Avoid applying to medical schools that offer different course structures e.g. PBL and traditional Don’t just apply to all the popular medical schools

Course Considerations Location Course structure Course length

Location: 32 Medical Schools + University of Warwick Postgraduate Medicine only. University of Buckingham is the only UK Independent Medical school with no cap on international students and UCLAN – take only international students.

Location University Setting – Things to Consider: City where you could be travelling an hour to your lectures, halls etc. Campus where everything is easy to access Collegiate where you could be living closely with students studying many different disciplines Proximity to home – transport links Cost of living - London is very expensive

Three types of course structure: Traditional Integrated Problem Based Learning (PBL)

Course Structure - Traditional Traditional - Lectures and tutorials make up the bulk of the first two or three years of study. These are purely science-based and not focused on individual cases. You will learn about the scientific theory of Medicine, and be taught modules in distinct scientific fields such as Physiology, Biochemistry and Anatomy

Course Structure - Integrated Integrated - With an integrated course, scientific knowledge is delivered alongside clinical training. The material is taught by topic, rather than by discipline. The material is covered by looking at body systems or topics e.g. when learning about the digestive system, you learn all the physiology, biochemistry, anatomy, clinical skills etc. relevant to that system.

Course Structure -Problem Based Learning PBL courses focus on small group work and peer-to-peer teaching: Step 1 Your group will brainstorm possible hypotheses and solutions, and decide what you’ll need to learn in order to ‘solve’ the problem at hand. These are called your ‘learning objectives’ Step 2 You go away and gather all of the information you need. This is usually in the form of private study and reading, but can also include lectures, teaching and clinical placements Step 3 You then present your findings to your group and facilitator, and compare notes

Opportunity to gain Bachelor of Sciences Intercalated BSc Opportunity to gain Bachelor of Sciences All 3 types of course offer an intercalated year This means you get a BSc (or a near equivalent), usually between your third and fifth year. This can be in a scientific subject, or at some universities, in a subject such as philosophy or the History of Medicine. Varies between universities: It is compulsory at some universities including UCL and Imperial Some universities will only offer it to their top cohort of students Some universities do not offer this Varied opportunities Adds an extra year to training

Course Length Undergraduate MBBS 5 years Undergraduate MBBS with intercalated BSc 6 years Postgraduate MBBS 4 years

Comparison Tool Choose up to 4 medical schools: www.themedicportal.com/application-guide/choosing-a-medical-school/comparisontool

The Personal Statement Your first point of interaction with the admissions team 4000 characters Often a core component of interviews Must stand out Spelling and grammar must be perfect!

The Personal Statement Structure is key: Writing about the course – why PBL or traditional /integrated? Work experience – reflect on what you learned Skills and achievements – how do these relate to being an excellent medical student? Hobbies and interests – evidence of skills gained Future plans – what area of medicine interests you?

Writing about the Course Two essential areas to cover include: Why are you applying for medicine? Why are you suitable to study medicine?

Skills and Achievements Ensure you demonstrate you possess the key skills required to be a doctor: KEY SKILLS Communication skills Leadership Empathy Teamwork Organisation Prioritisation Working under pressure Know when to ask for help EXAMPLES Duke of Edinburgh Award Young Enterprise Schemes Proud achievements Positions of responsibility First aid courses Prizes and awards Extra curricular activities Always think – what is your USP?

How to Phrase Your Examples 'The strongest applicants are those who can link their extra-curricular activities to their proposed course of study.' Warwick Medical School Admissions Tutor I captained my school first XI football team in my final year at school. Vs. Whilst captaining my school first XI football team, I developed my communication skills with my team mates and teachers from other schools, and organised our international tour to France. I enhanced my ability to work within a team and prioritise my blend of school work and sports practice – demonstrated by the fact that in the run up to my examinations we won the regional cup.

Work Experience Essential component Various settings: Hospital setting GP International First aid Volunteering Charity work Start a portfolio Reflect on cases you saw – what did you learn?

Future Plans The start and end of your personal statement is crucial Demonstrate enthusiasm and how you look forward to a career in medicine Medicine is a lifelong learning experience – only once you qualify do you truly begin learning the job!

The Reference Many universities place significant weight on your reference It is your responsibility to tell your teacher everything you have done to ensure they know what to write! Be proactive!

The UKCAT UK Clinical Aptitude Test Runs between 1st July and 5th October 2016 Required by 27 medical schools 2 hour computerised test Tests aptitude in 5 sections: Verbal reasoning Quantitative reasoning Abstract reasoning Decision making Situational judgement test

Uses of the UKCAT Different medical schools have different policies, including: Students ranked by UKCAT score Minimum cut-off Only used in borderline cases Not at all High emphasis Low emphasis

Abstract Reasoning - 55 questions in 14 minutes Set A Set B

The BMAT Bio-Medical Admissions Test – includes GCSE level physics but a higher level understanding and application. If you have not taken physics at A level, extra preparation will be needed Sat on 2nd November 2016 at Jumeirah College – registration required. Required by 7 medical schools: Oxford Cambridge UCL Imperial Brighton & Sussex Leeds Lancaster 2 hour pen and paper test Combines aptitude with knowledge: Section 1: Aptitude Section 2: Scientific knowledge Section 3: Essay

Physics Question Below are three statements regarding the decay of an element, X: The velocity of the radiation particle that is produced is 300,000 kms-1 in a vacuum. The production of this radiation by smoke particles allows ionizing smoke detectors to function A negatively-charged particle is produced that is equivalent to the nucleus of a Group 8 element Which of the statements concerning the radiation that is produced are true? 1 Only 2 Only 3 Only 1 & 2 2 & 3 None

Previous Essay Question The scientist is not someone who gives the right answers but one who asks the right questions Explain what this statement means. Argue to the contrary that the right answers are more important than the right questions. To what extent do you agree that the right questions must be asked before science can progress?

The Interview The final hurdle Your only opportunity to meet first face to face Preparation and practice are essential

Types of Interview There are three styles of interview: Traditional Interviews Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI) Oxbridge

Traditional Interviews Used by approximately half of universities although many are moving to the MMI Panels range from 2 to 5 members Admissions tutor Doctors / lecturers Medical student Observer / lay person Topics assessed vary between universities Part of the interview likely to focus on personal statement

Common Interview Topics Background and motivation for studying medicine Knowledge of the medical school Depth and breadth of interest in medicine Empathy Team working Personal insight Hot topics Work experience Ethics Creativity and imagination

Universities Using MMIs Used by more than half of medical schools: Universities Using MMIs Aberdeen Exeter King’s Liverpool Queens Birmingham Glasgow Lancaster Manchester Sheffield Bristol Hull-York Leeds Norwich (UEA) St Andrews Dundee Keele Leicester Nottingham St George’s

Format of MMIs Similar to speed dating! Typically 5 to 10 stations 3 to 10 minutes long Format of each station varies Each station tests different skill(s) MMI specific skills: Communication skills Professional Judgement Empathy Data interpretation Numeracy

Oxbridge Interviews Variation on traditional interviews Carried out at individual colleges In addition to common topics, focus heavily on: Science based questions Knowledge of research and trials Linking scientific knowledge to abstract questions Lateral thinking

Discriminator Topics Ethics NHS ‘Hot Topics’ Increasingly common in traditional and MMI Assess your ability to approach issues with an open mind, considering all sides Demonstrate reaching balanced conclusions NHS ‘Hot Topics’ Assesses your interest and commitment to medicine Are you aware of current issues in medicine?

Preparing for Interviews Showcase longstanding commitment to medicine Keep a portfolio of activities Reflect on all activities and relate to medicine Ensure wide range of interesting examples displaying all core skills Stay up to date with current affairs Have a comprehensive understanding of current NHS issues and have an opinion

Interview Support

The Road Ahead The 4 key check points: UCAS UKCAT BMAT Interview 16 year old Insight development 17 year old UCAS Application Final Interviews BMAT Examination UKCAT Examination 14/5 year old Is medicine for me? 18-24 years old Medical School The 4 key check points: UCAS UKCAT BMAT Interview

Start Preparing Early UCAS UKCAT BMAT Interview Plan a wide range of work experience Keep a portfolio and reflect Ensure a wide range of extra-curricular activities UKCAT Start revision 6 weeks before the exam Practice, practice, practice! BMAT Requires at least 8 weeks of revision All past papers available on the BMAT website Interview Having a wide range of work experience and extra-curricular activities generates many unique talking points Practice with different people

Key Timelines Key timelines for 2016/17: June: Register for UKCAT 1st July to 5th October: Sit UKCAT exam 15th October: UCAS submission September: Register for BMAT 2nd November: Sit BMAT exam November to March: Interviews

Always ask yourself… How Can I Really Stand Out?

Free Medic Portal Resources Website General information about all aspects of the application process Over 50 free practice UKCAT questions Large free information bank Online UKCAT and BMAT training https://www.themedicportal.com/community/ Blog Weekly blog on what you need to be doing to succeed in your application YouTube Videos Bite-sized animated videos on current Hot Topics Twitter Latest medical news and events keeping you up to date

Thank You Website: www.themedicportal.com Blog: www.themedicportal.com/blog YouTube: www.youtube.com/themedicportal Twitter: @themedicportal Email: info@themedicportal.com