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

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

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

4. 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

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

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

7. 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?

8. 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?

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

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

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

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

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

14. 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

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