Why King's?

[chocoholic]

I was just wondering if anyone had any really good reasons why i should choose kings as my firm. I couldn't go to any of the open days and I got my offer too late to go to a post-offer open day so I don't really know much about the course etc. :?

I've been to the area around kings a few times before so i know sort of what the area around kings is like but i don't really have anything else to base my decision on.

My decision is between Kings and Imperial. I know a bit more about imperial because i have a friend who is doing medicine there. I therefore know a few bad things about imperial (aswell as some good things) but I don't really know any bad things about kings so its a bit of an unfair comparison.

I would really really appreciate it if anyone could tell me any good or bad things about kings (or imperial) to help make my decision a little bit easier!

chocoholic xx

[ER]

what do you think is good/bad about imperial?

[Dr T]

I would really really appreciate it if anyone could tell me any good or bad things about kings (or imperial) to help make my decision a little bit easier!

chocoholic xx

Hmm....where to start...

Been at GKT for whole 5 years (only couple of weeks left) and I can honestly say that it's as good medical school as any. Sure they are a bit unorganised and that pisses us off way too often and we do bitch about the course and all but it's not all that bad. One problem is the size of the year which I think is close to 380 or something and that creates chaos, and makes it really difficult to get to know most people. But there is lots to do...lots of societies and clubs...if GKT sports are not enough you can join the King's ones. Another problem is that Guy's Campus for medics, dentists, biomeds, pharms...etc is at London Bridge where as rest of King's is at Strand which means that you never meet non-medics. That can get a bit annoying. Teachers are good though and some are legendary. The 3 hospitals are ok too...except King's Hospital's canteen which sucks big time.

Anyway...hope you luck.

T

[chocoholic]

Thanks very much Dr T, thats just the sort of thing I wanted to know cos not many people will tell you much about the 'bad' things about their uni so thats really helpful.

ER wrote:

what do you think is good/bad about imperial?

The good things that I've heard about imperial are that:
- it has a friendly atmosphere within the medical school. People in the years above u are really helpful and stuff.
- they have small groups for dissection (about 8 people, I think) compared to, for example, kings which I think has larger groups so its harder to see. My friend found the dissection at imperial really useful and they had really good anatomy teachers.
- it has an orchestra that I could join
- the course is quite well organised apparently and each year they get feedback from the students so they can make the course better.
- they have good facilities there
- its very near Harrods (that is an advantage if you're like me and you just love going there )

The 'bad' things about imperial aren't really that bad, they're just things that I might put as disadvantages when I'm comparing it with kings but other people might not think they're bad things at all. They are:
- there is more chance of having to share a room at imperial which i'm not sure if i'd like very much
- there's supposed to be a bit of an anti-medic feeling among the non-medics at imperial in general although individually its not so bad. My friend said that when she first moved into her accomodation at imperial, she spoke to some people living near her who were non-medics and they asked her what she was going to study at imperial and when she said medicine, they were a bit like "oh.......right." and they weren't all that friendly after that. I'm sure its not always like that though.
- there aren't any people there doing arts subjects which is a shame, but as Dr T said, you probably don't get to meet the arts people much at Kings anyway cos they're on a different campus.
- my friend said that some of the teaching isn't brilliant (but i'm sure you get that anywhere)
- some people say it can be a bit cliquey there, but my friend said she hasn't really found this more than you'd get anywhere else.

Anyway that's all I can think of,

chocoholic xx

[jamiewallis]

Been at GKT for whole 5 years (only couple of weeks left) and I can honestly say that it's as good medical school as any. Sure they are a bit unorganised and that pisses us off way too often and we do bitch about the course and all but it's not all that bad. One problem is the size of the year which I think is close to 380 or something and that creates chaos, and makes it really difficult to get to know most people.

I'm hoping that most of the big problems encountered early on after the merger between UMDS and KCMS have been ironed out now. Am I right in thinking you were one of the first people to study on the new GKT course Mr T? The size of the year could be a problem, but then (from my own experience at Nottingham University where there were 200 of us studying biology) you're never going to mix with everyone in the year anyway - and with there being more people in the year, there are likely to be more people that you get on with

[Rascal26]

Nah chocoholic Imperial seems way better, you really are better of there :!: :wink: :lol: :lol:

[chocoholic]

Nah chocoholic Imperial seems way better, you really are better of there :!: :wink: :lol: :lol:

Thanks a lot for your advice Rascal26...i'll definitely bear that in mind :lol: :wink:

[Herm]

Nah chocoholic Imperial seems way better, you really are better of there :!: :wink: :lol: :lol:

Hi guys,

I'm struggling with the same decision... Imperial or GKT.

Rascal26, why do you think that Imperial is better? You're not a student there, are you?

Chocoholic, have you made any decisions yet?

Here is a copy of a post I made on another forum:

I've been accepted to Imperial College London (ICL) and Guy's, King's and St. Thomas' School of Medicine (GKT) to study medicine. I'm having problems choosing between the two schools and I'd appreciate your advice on the matter.

First, a little background. I am a mature student (27 yrs, BS Chemical Engineering, MSc Infectious Disease Control). At this point in time I plan to do my medical studies in the UK and then to do a residency and practice in the US.

Does anyone have any thoughts on either the reputation or overall quality of education at the 2 schools?

Here are some of the pro's and con's I am working with. Some of you might know these schools better than I do, so please feel free to add to the lists.


IMPERIAL - PROS

Good reputation. Ranks consistently in the top 4 in the UK. Sometimes knocks off Oxford for #2 spot (rankings based on research)

Lots of professors doing research in which students could potentially participate

School is science-based, but not exclusively medicine

School based in nice part of London (West London)

Good teaching hospitals


IMPERIAL - CONS

Does not take relatively many mature students (or do they?)

Boy:Girl ratio high in favor of boys

Teaching hospitals are further from the city center than GKT's

Large university atmosphere

Imperial students seem to have some complex about Imperial's ranking (sorry, it's true)


GKT - PROS

School has a good reputation although it is not ranked as high as Imperial

School takes about 50/350 mature students

Lots more women at GKT than Imperial

Small school which is dedicated to medical sciences

Good teaching hospitals, which are centrally located


GKT - CONS

Facilities not as convenient as Imperial, e.g. library only open 9 am to 10 pm (Imperial = 24 hrs with ID), not many places (relatively speaking) to eat/hang out close by

Academic reputation not as good as Imperial's


These are just a few pros and cons. I'd really appreciate some advice on which school might put me in a better position to come back to the States and practice. Or, which school will provide me with the best training.

Do you know if 6 yrs at Imperial is mandatory if you already have a B.Sc.?

THANK YOU!!!

[platinum]

Hi-1st year medic at GKT.
JUst thought I'd mention that we do have a 24 hour library on campus-its not our main library, but it is adequate when the other is shut. Other than that, our post grads seem to hav a great social life together if that helps at all! And location wise-theres stuff everywhere!?!

The thing about not integrating with other non medics is true to an extent, but halls often end up mixed, so contact isnt all seperated! And althouth there could be up to 14 for dissection, innevitably, a proportion wont come or will need to sit back cos of the smell! Years are large, but theres loads of opportunity for small group teaching in the new curriculum.

Make sure your up to speed with this years new curriculum though, its different, but my personal opinion is that its really good. You may, however think otherwise.

Oh, and although academically we aren't rated as highly as imperial, a GKT is regarded extremely highly within the medical proffession!

But hey! Woteva!

[Herm]

Hi Plat,

Thanks for the response. You're totally right, GKT has a very good reputation in medicine.

Can you tell me a little bit about the new curriculum? Where can one find this information online? I've been trudging through the King's website, but I find it hard to get a clear information.

How are you enjoying your first year? Are you totally pleased with GKT?

One more question, I hear that students are often linked to District General Hospitals. When does that happen? Are those far out of London?

Thanks!

- Herm