Some tips for the UKCAT

With the UKCAT coming up soon, we thought we’d repost a quick reminder of what to expect! Hi, it’s TJ again, and today I’m going to give some quick tips on yet another part of the admissions process: the UKCAT. Hopefully you’ve already found out if you need to take the UKCAT and booked yourself …

The Elective

Hi, Rob again. As I come to the end of my degree, I thought I would write a blog about what is undoubtedly the highlight of medical school for many — the elective period. This is an opportunity for clinical phase medical students to go anywhere in the world for a set period of time …

Obstetrics and Gynaecology – Gross or Great?

I’m Georgie, currently in fourth year and earlier this year, I spent 10 weeks on my obstetrics and gynaecology placement.  I particularly remember being at school and telling people I wanted to be a doctor – they would joke ‘but what if you become a gynaecologist? Ew!’. At the time, I’d often giggle along and …

Summer school opportunities

Hello, I’m Ella and I am a third year medical student. Applying for medical school is notoriously competitive and involves being very proactive in your extra-curricular activities. During the summer before applying to university, like many other prospective applicants, I spent as much time as possible trying to gain work experience which I could include …

Making the move to university – Home or Away?

My name is Courtney and I’m a 4th year medic. Unlike most of my peers, I’m from the fairly local home town of Lincoln – where many of my friends have been placed for their clinical placements. Going to a local university was only half a coincidence for me – when I was making my …

The pros of living out

Hi everyone, it’s TJ again. As you might know, most medical schools like to ensure you go to a range of different hospitals for your clinical placements. The first time you are sent away, it can be a bit daunting to be in a new place, far from all your friends but today I’m going …

Widening participation in the news

Hi, it’s Rob again. For my final post as president of WAMS I thought I would reflect a bit on the report published this week by the Medical Schools Council on the back of their Selecting for Excellence audit. They have been looking for examples from around the country for novel approaches to widening access …

More tips for the wards!

Hi everyone, Jon again with some more high quality wisdom for clinical placements! 3. Learn the surgical sieve This. Consultants have a habit of asking medical students what the causes of things are. My go-to move when that happens is to physically and mentally freeze up, look around me in a panic as if the …

What qualities make a good doctor?

This was a question I was asked during my med school interview at Nottingham. At the time, I reeled off the key qualities I felt were important, such as leadership, team working, communication and time-keeping skills as well as empathy. At the time though, I didn’t fully grasp how these qualities made a good doctor. …

Considerations when choosing a medical school

Hello, my name is Amandeep and I am a second year medical student. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my first two years of living and studying in Nottingham and have three more to go! Hopefully I’m going to shed some light about medical schools so you feel confident about choosing the right medical school for you. Whichever medical …