Dr. Kevin West Leicester University Medical School Getting into Medicine Dr. Kevin West Leicester University Medical School

Overview Entry requirements UCAS forms Interviews Other selection methods Widening participation Myths

Entry requirements 4AS 3A2 - AAA IB Degree Certification issues More A2 more credit? IB Too high? Degree 2i/1

UCAS form Academic ability/attainment GCSEs – how many? GCSEs – how many A*? Educational disadvantage? AS – not declared AS – module resits A level predictions – how reliable? A* A levels

UKCAT Contribution to process Total/mean Individual sub-unit scores Minimum threshold Pre-interview or post-interview Comparison with A levels

Personal statement Structure Content Coherent, logical Motivation, determination, commitment, extracurricular activities, reflection

Personal statement Veracity Verifiability Plagiarism, help, commercial assistance, is it worth the paper it is written on? Verifiability Triangulation from personal statement Checks by individual medical schools Take up references?

Interviews Almost all medical schools interview Is it worth it? Can interviews distinguish between candidates effectively? Is the interview a 2 way process in recruitment terms? How long and how complex?

Interview structure ‘Traditional’ Multiple mini-interview 2-5 interviewers 20-30 minutes Multiple mini-interview Multiple stations Better reliability? Selection centre Complex Multiple observations

Other tools Supplementary questions Written assessment Questionnaire on line Written assessment Test of written communication at time of interview

Mitigation Medical schools are sympathetic Evidence essential Educational Poor school Teaching problems Personal Personal or family health Social/domestic issues

Disability Specific learning difficulties Common Support available Disclosure essential but concealment common May be disclosed or identified after exam failure at medical school

Resit applicants Resit offers higher than first time offers Difficult when standard offer is AAA Policies vary No resits Open access In between

Widening participation Embedded policies Ensure that there are no inadvertent barriers Give credit for wide range of activities Specific schemes Eg SOAMS Aim Higher Raising opportunities 6 year courses

Myths GCSE A level subjects Education Cartels Number of A* Physics/Maths advantage? Education Private/state Cartels Do not exist