COWA Access to Medicine 2011/2012

[Skinnerman]

There doesn't seem to be any bad choices as the courses that accept the access course are very good courses! If you're thinking about the GAMSAT, I'd recommend getting Griffiths GAMSAT review Griffiths GAMSAT Review.

[KID1987]

Hi Lewis,
Thanks for your advice on the Griffiths Review. Have you started studying for the GAMSAT, as in are you following any particular criteria,text books,areas.etc??? I am still waiting for an acknowledgement from CWA, hopefully will get something this week for sure. I am working on my CCN application too, hopefully next year it will go ahead as I hear this year the course has not done so which is strange.

[Skinnerman]

I've bought some books but haven't looked in any great depth. I'm trying to get a new copy of the Griffiths review as I lost mine when my old PC died. No joy from the author yet! I'm not applying for the CCN course because of it not running this year. Doesn't fill me with confidence!

[UKAmerican]

To All,

Can anyone give advice for personal statement, it's only 250 words?! I've written full PS for St Georges, but not sure how to only write 250 words. Ta!!!

[KID1987]

To UKAmerican,
I found it very hard to write what I needed to within the confines of 250 words so I did go a little over. I set mine out in such a way: Breifly outlining my past academic experiences and how these have led onto wanting to pursue a career in Medicine; Making reference to my healthcare experience and how this has strengthened my resolve to become a doctor; I also talked about the qualities I have gained that I think are right for Medicine and also talked about the qualities I have gained from other areas of experience (work and education) and how I am able to apply these to a career in Medicine. I ended basically by saying how this is the right track for me and a bit about why I want to study at CWA.
Hope this helps even if it is a bit vague.
Regards
Kyle

[lucky13]

Hey All,
Sorry for the late reply - but excellent that you've put in your applications! I wouldn't worry too much about going over the word limit, I went a little over (ended up rambling on about Oliver Sacks and Neurodegenerative disorders for aaaages in mine) and still got an interview/place, it's more about quality than quantity. But the word limit is good practice for the proper personal statement I suppose.
Have you all heard anything yet? I think people get invited for interviews in different ways because I expected to hear from them through the post, and waiting anxiously by the mailbox for weeks, only to find they'd notified me by email and it had been sitting there for 3 days before I read it.
Has anyone decided where they might apply to once they have a place at CoWA?

Hannah

[KID1987]

I have yet to hear anything other than to say my application had been passed onto the admissions team.

[stinkypink]

Hey guys sorry for the late reply. Kyle, I had done them to AS Level so only the first year, and my current A Levels will finish in January 2012.

Hi Skinnerman! I have taken both yours and Kyles' advice on board and emailed COWA and I have been told that they do not tend to accept candidates who have only recently completed AS Levels, but they also advised me to get sustained NHS/PCT work experience to strengthen my application.
The access course does not accept re-take students, however as I'm doing non science A Level subjects these won't impact on my application as much as if they were science related, but not much chance of me getting in with re-takes either way.

I have emailed universities also and I'm awaiting replies. I am also on the way to getting voluntary work under my belt.

I am slightly unsure of my options now, as my dreadful AS Levels seem to stand in the way!

[lucky13]

I have yet to hear anything other than to say my application had been passed onto the admissions team.

I sent mine mid-october and apart from the 'we are considering your application' letter I didn't hear from them again until mid-december offering interview, which was in january, so you'll probably hear something by then. fingers crossed eh....for the interview and that it doesn't snow like crazy again.

[Goldenhawkw]

They seem to have started interviews now. I just got offered an interview on 17 Dec.