Reccomend Medical Schools?

[Profanius]

University rankings tend to be very subjective. The Guardian seem to base their rankings on student satisfaction surveys... good for prospective students but not much use if you are an employer checking the background of a candidate

If you plan to spend your career in the UK then University rankings aren't particularly important. All have to meet the standard set by the GMC so where you actually studied is less relevant than your clinical experience, grades etc. It's also a case of where you can get in. Oxford and Cambridge always rank very highly, but are obviously much more competitive. It's best to choose the Uni you have the most chance of getting into and then graduating from.

However, if you plan to work outside of the UK then people will pay more attention to your Uni as that is their only frame of reference.

Good student feedback doesn't always equal educational excellence. Southampton seems to rank quite low with student satisfaction surveys

Medicine - Top UK University Subject Tables and Rankings 2012 - Complete University Guide

But I've seen EU rankings where Southampton is ranked in the top 10 in Europe. I've seen King's rank very low in some scores but also seen them ranked as 27th in the world for clinical based courses...

Top Universities for Clinical, Pre-Clinical & Health 2010-2011

I've had a hard time finding Penninsula on any ranking scheme outside the UK. Rankings may be worth looking at but I certainly wouldn't let it disuade me from applying anywhere.

[louise colette]

Nobody's mentioned Newcastle yet!!

Despite what you may think it's possible to live in a rural location there. It's near the coast, beautiful countryside - Northumberland, county Durham - and also has lots of green spaces in the city itself (which is small and very friendly) There is even a Town Moor in the middle of the city, with resident cows

On a more practical note - when I was applying to med school I didn't even factor in what happens if you fail exams in Final Year. Many schools now have exams relatively early so that people get a second bite of the cherry in the same year. Newcastle doesn't, so students are forced to repeat the whole year. And that costs...

A small point, that probably isn't even on the horizon for you yet, but it is an issue.

Best of luck with your choices x

[Martigan]

Thx Louise. How was the first week as an F1?

[louise colette]

Busy!

But I wouldn't change it for the world. Still can't actually believe I've made it and that - amazingly - I'm going to be paid for doing something I've dreamt of for years...

I hope you're getting some rest before you start at SGUL?

[Martigan]

I hope you're getting some rest before you start at SGUL?

No chance! Work is getting everything they can out of me and the rest of my time is focused on getting the house ready for renting. :-/

[birduk]

No chance! Work is getting everything they can out of me and the rest of my time is focused on getting the house ready for renting. :-/

I am the same, but I am looking for somewhere to rent

Work are getting their pound of fat from me for sure. I finish a week before I start med school