1. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 1 Graduate Entry to Medicine Dr Tracy Bussoli PhD Careers Service t.j.bussoli@qmul.ac.uk

2. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 2 Application process Application to GEM through UCAS Closing date 15 th October 2008 UCAS forward application forms to medical schools Detailed information on www.ucas.ac.ukwww.ucas.ac.uk Four choices of medical school UCAS require a referee - someone who can comment upon your academic ability Sit relevant admissions test before completing UCAS application form

3. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 3 Personal Statements. What are they looking for?

4. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 4 Structure Essay style Why you want to do the course Work experience and skills Extracurricular activities But…..its up to you!

5. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 5 EXPERIENCE WHAT YOU LEARNT FROM IT HOW THAT RELATES TO MEDICINE

6. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 6 Convince admissions tutors: Motivated to help people Informed about career demands Realistic about yourself Community orientated Honest

7. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 7 and … sound judgement natural leader problem solver creative rounded personality resilient fit to practice (eventually)

8. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 8 Evidence from Work experience Community service Inspiring anecdote Medical science link Achievement in arts/music/sports Examples of perseverance

9. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 9 Key themes to include - 1 Why do you want to become a doctor? Why now? What do you understand about the role of a doctor in a modern healthcare service? How have you explored/confirmed that you would be suited to this career? How would you demonstrate that you have the right interpersonal skills?

10. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 10 Key themes to include - 2 Is your current degree relevant to studying medicine? If so, how? Achievements Role/s as leader Positions of responsibility Social, sports, leisure interests What is your USP?

11. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 11 Dos! Make it personal Discuss with tutor and other teachers. Put in things you can talk about at interview Show your personal statement to as many people as possible.. Give convincing reasons for why you want to study the course Mention positions of responsibility Talk briefly about what you do outside school. Be reflective. Keep paragraphs concise.

12. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 12 Don’ts Just list what you're doing now. Mention skills and activities without giving examples of when they have been demonstrated or what you learnt from them. Refer to experiences that took place before your GCSEs Mention interests without being more specific Exaggerate or lie!! Copy and paste the statement from somewhere else!

13. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 13 Finally Re-read Statement for content and structure Proof-read for errors Don’t try to over-impress Have it checked by a careers adviser Keep a copy

14. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 14 The things they say ‘I am good at science and want to help people’ - So why not become a physiotherapist? ‘I regularly read New Scientist’ - Don’t we all! ‘I shadowed a cardiothoracic surgeon’ - So? ‘I want to make a difference’ - So start smiling more!

15. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 15 Some useful resources - 1 Medical Schools online. www.medschoolsonline.co.uk Graduate Entry to Medicine (2005) The Roads to Success (April 2007) How to get into Graduate Entry Medicine; 2 nd edition; ( 2006) The Medical Student Career Handbook (October 2006) Tomorrow’s Doctors www.gmc-uk.orgwww.gmc-uk.org

16. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 16 Some useful resources - 2 www.bma.org.uk www.mmc.ac.uk www.nhscareers.nhs.uk www.bmjcareers.com www.gmc-uk.org www.londondeanery.ac.uk www.pmetb.org.uk

17. Careers Service www.careers.qmul.ac.uk 17 How can we help? Information Advice CV/Personal Statement Check Interview coaching Open Monday – Friday 10.30 – 5pm (4pm on Friday) Room WG3 Queens’ Building Mile End 020 7882 5065