COWA Access to Medicine 2010/11

[talknerdytome]

Have my interview tomorrow at 11am - nerves are kicking in now! I really hope I get in!

I suppose it can't be as bad as my interview at Swansea a few weeks ago, 3 hour drive there, no parking spaces, and then a SIX hour wait for the actual interview...four hours of which was spent sitting doing bugger all!

If you are still doing your degree, does anybody know if they give you a conditional offer based on you getting a 2.1, and if you don't get it, do they automatically turn you down?

[khaa9666]

Have my interview tomorrow at 11am - nerves are kicking in now! I really hope I get in!

I suppose it can't be as bad as my interview at Swansea a few weeks ago, 3 hour drive there, no parking spaces, and then a SIX hour wait for the actual interview...four hours of which was spent sitting doing bugger all!

If you are still doing your degree, does anybody know if they give you a conditional offer based on you getting a 2.1, and if you don't get it, do they automatically turn you down?

Dude its an access course not a full on med school interview! There were plenty of people there when i was with 2:2's, one guy had 2 interviews and he had a 3rd in a science subject. you'll be fine.

[talknerdytome]

Got offered a place =]

[klowe171]

congrats mate, what was it like? got mine in 2 weeks, looking forwards to it!

[talknerdytome]

It was fine. They gave us a presentation about the course, then left us with a current student to ask her questions, and then they interview you. They pretty much just ask 'why medicine?', they grilled me a bit and asked why not this or that profession instead, but I must have answered ok because then she gave me an offer =]

[klowe171]

grilling? you got me nervous now! haha! whats your experience with NHS? ive got one year as a student nurse and a tiny bit outside the NHS with sports coaching as a voluntary stuff so im not too sure if im gonna get in now! Was there many others there? and did they all get offers?

[talknerdytome]

Oh no, it was fine! Just have a good solid answer for why medicine and you have nothing to worry about. I have no NHS experience, but voluntary work with different patient groups. I'm not sure who else got offered a place, but I think they've made their decision before you go. I'm also predicted a 2.1 in psychology, so they said my offer was based on my academics rather than experience.

[klowe171]

What was your answer?! i know there gonna ask me why not a nurse but if i say what i really think i have a feeling there not going to be best pleased with me! haha!

[allypumba]

Hey guys. I am currently on the access course and I thought I'd write a wee note on some of your concerns.

Firstly RELAX! If you have an interview, theres a very strong you will get a place here. It is a very informal chat with one of the course staff and nothing like a med school interview. They just want to confirm you are who you said you are and possibly give you some advice on what you should be looking to do between now and the start date. You wont be asked about current medical issues, NHS organization, roles of a doctor etc. It will be more like 'why medicine?' and work experience. You probably wont get the 'why not nursing?' but theres a strong chance you will at a med school interview. If you dont have healthcare experience, you should probably say that you will be looking to get some in over the summer, they like that!

The course itself is very comprehensive. You will be cramming in a lot of work over the nine months which is all essentially A-Level but I would say biology goes a bit further with regards to histology which is really useful prep for med school. The course is well regarded by a lot of med schools and it does work if you put in the effort. So far I have 2 offers and an interview next Thursday :-)

With regards to Dentistry, you are in all the same classes with the exception of epidemiology, where you guys will be doing oral health instead. This cohort in much smaller with about 10 students.

As for finance, you need to be aware that there is not much work going here and your in classes 4 days a week, with one unfortunate group in 5 days a week at the moment. There is NHS bank healthcare assistant work usually going at the hospitals but you need to apply very early as the application process can be lengthy, waiting for a CRB to clear. Also the induction training is 2 weeks long and you wont be able to do that whilst on the course. Id recommend that you come early and do this as if is flexible work that you can choose when and how much to work and it looks good on your personal statement if you lack healthcare experience. What they dont tell you at the college is that if you have not attained level 3 (more than 1.5 a-levels) you can have your entire rent paid for you and also get ema/alg £30 per week. The fund available is limited and its first come, first served basis.

Any questions, please ask and I'll try to get back to you promptly.

And lastly, if anyone has yet to come for and interview and is needing somewhere to stay, we have spare bedrooms and we are beside the college. All we ask for is 3 fish suppers

Good luck!

[klowe171]

mate you have put me at ease with that coment haha!Just a few questions....
Financially how did you cope with it all? and what is available at the university in terms of financial suport?
my interviews on the 26th of march.....any word od advice or isit really just a chilled out interview?