Hi
I'm applying for some graduate entry medicine courses in October and Barts is one of my choices. I was wondering if there are any current Barts students on here that could tell me what kind of work experience they had when they applied successfully so i can see how i may improve mine.
My work experience to date has been:
. 2 weeks work experience on a rheumatology and acute care ward: I was basically a HCA during my time on this ward, mucking in with a variety of care-based jobs such as bed-bathing some very ill patients as well as feeding changing beds and just generally looking after patients. I also accompanied patients to some of their procedures eg. sigmoidoscopy, CT scan, ultrasound etc. and got to watch them being carried out.
. 1 week as a work experience volunteer on a rehabilitation ward: Not as hands on as the other placement, instead performing housekeeping duties and a lot of patient interaction, just generally cheering them up or keeping them happy however possible. This was very useful to get an insight into the lives of people hit with severe injuries eg.double leg amputees and gave me a chance to understand their mindsets and the situations they faced when they got home.
. 1 week shadowing a surgeon: As it says on the tin, i followed around a surgeon, doing minor tasks for him along the way and stood in on some surgeries (which was awesome).
. 1 week shadowing a GP: Again as it says on the tin. Watching the GP interact with such a variety of patients was interesting and i felt it was useful seeing the contrast against the surgical shadowing.
. 1 month volunteering at a care home (ongoing): Basically a HCA at a care home along with housekeeping duties, though this is part time, only two afternoons a week.

Sorry to bore you all with the list but i just wanted to make clear what i've done so far and get any feedback on what people feel i could do to improve it. I realise its not quantity but quality, and that it is how you can talk about the exp that matters, and I have garnered plenty of ammo for my personal statement.
However i'm worried about not having any paid work experience (other than 4 months in a hospital laboratory which is only slightly relevant), my efforts to get a HCA position have been fruitless and i'm scared it could cost me as I don't have great A levels (i know they're not taken into account but they're sat there on the UCAS form ina ll their C'ish glory screaming "this kids not good enough!!!") so work experience is important to my app.
As i say any feedback would be really appreciated, particularly on my chances at Barts assuming i had a good UKCAT score (fingers crossed) to go with my BMS degree 1st.
OK! Essay over, sorry!