Advice to med school applicants from a parent

[BMParent]

Maybe I should have added prospective to my handle, but never mind!

I'd like to make some comments as a parent of my son who has just got into medical school and also give hope to others who have tried to get into medical school and have been disappointed.

First of all, we all know how competitive it is to get to med school, but while sitting A Levels my son was rejected by all his four medical school choices in spite of extensive work experience, shadowing and voluntary work. I am guessing that not having any A* at GCSE didn't help, but he didn't give up.

Fortunately, one of the medical schools he applied to that rejected him without interview offered him a place on a medically related course. Another uni offered him a 4 year pharmacology course. He chose the medical related course and got ABB and A2.

Although the first year at uni didn't count towards his degree, he did his best during the first year and came in the top quartile of the year, beating many peers with straight As at A2 and A/A* at GCSE.

For years two and three, he moved up the class rankings and graduated with a high 2:1, missing a first by 0.5% - very hard luck. It was a high 2:1 in a top grade uni and we were very proud of him. He really enjoyed the course even though it was very hard.

During this third year at uni, he applied again for four med schools; was rejected by 3 and interviewed and rejected by the fourth. But, one of the unis contacted him recently and offered him a place - he is delighted and over the moon! You cannot imagine how he feels

So, what advice can I offer potential med school students?

1. Do your best at school and if you don't get the grades you need, you still have a chance. (remember no A* at GCSE).

2. Make sure you really want to do medicine. Go and get work experience, shadow a GP, do voluntary work in a hospital as an helper and talk to the patients, nurses and doctors.

3. Make sure you really do want a career in medicine for what it is (not for money). It is not good to get paid lots of money for a job you will not like - you would hate it.

4. If you cant get into medicine first time, do a hard medically related degree in a top uni; if you get rejected, you may get such an offer. Work really hard at that degree and see it as a stepping stone to medicine.

5. If after your degree, you still don't get in, do an M Sc, M Res or M Phil and specialise in something close like Genetics. and try UCAS again.

6. If still no joy, then do a funded PhD in a medically related subject that you would be happy working in, which will cost nothing and may allow you to save some money. Then at the end, try for a 4 year med school course.

7. If that doesn't work, maybe you have a career outside medicine, but in a related area which would be a very good second best.

All I say is, be positive, be disappointed if you don't get in, but rise up to the challenge next time round.

My son is much better placed this year than when he was 18 to be successful in the course.

Finally, remember, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, so make sure you have outside sporting and other interests.

Good luck to you all.

I'll elaborate via PM if anyone wants specific advice, but I don't want my posts to identify my son.

[NickJM08]

I just want to say thanks for posting that. Reading it as someone who's trying to get a second chance via an access course next term. I'm on an access science course this year as well as workin as a support worker and doing a higher on top of that! haha

Cheers again for givine me some hope!

Nick