Reapplicants 2010

[Toffee_Kid]

I say there was a 2009 thread for reapp's, and decided to create a similar one for us '10 reapplicants!

I have pretty much no clue where I'm applying to in Sept, and I'm so nervous abouthe whole process, because I cannot help but feel that I'm gonna get rejected again!

How is everyne else feeling? Decided where you're applying yet? & how have the exams gone so far?

[msaramago]

I say there was a 2009 thread for reapp's, and decided to create a similar one for us '10 reapplicants!

I have pretty much no clue where I'm applying to in Sept, and I'm so nervous abouthe whole process, because I cannot help but feel that I'm gonna get rejected again!

How is everyne else feeling? Decided where you're applying yet? & how have the exams gone so far?

i'm dead nervous too... i don't even know where to start!! last year by this time of year, i already had my PS almost done, and I had everything planned... this year with my exams, i've been too busy

[Hassanain]

All I can say from experience is don't stress out too much and just have fun with it.

[natscat84]

Yeah, don't stress out too much about it!

Last year I got completely rejected after interviews. I was talking to a friend of mine who sits on the interview board at Kings and she gave me some really helpful hints.

1) Reassess your personal statement - does it tick all the right boxes? Use a GAP year as a positive thing and talk about how you'll learn from what you're going to do.

2) Reassess your reference. As I was applying as a mature student I had my boss write me my reference for my application. Looking back, it was the wrong thing to do as she wrote it like a job application reference, rather than 'selling' me. This time round I got my old biology tutor from my evening class to write me one which was so much better

3) Are you prepared? Look at your UKCAT scores from last year - is there an area you want to improve on? If so, start practicing that section!

4) Research, research and more research. Unless you have your heart set on a particular place, don't reapply to the same places. The advice I got from my friend was that if they've rejected you once it was for a reason and they may not change their mind this year, thus effectively wasting a choice. ***Obviously this doesn't happen in all circumstances, but I wasn't going to take chances (just before I get lots of people telling me that they got in 2nd time round)*** A degree from any medical school will allow you to practice medicine, so it doesn't really matter where you go. I picked HYMS as my 1st choice because it felt like the sort of place where my strengths and personality would fit right with the course - obviously they thought so too as I got an offer. So look at that!

5) Remember that you are probably in a better position than first-timers as you know roughly what to expect from an interview! My first application I had no idea. I was no longer at school so didn't have the coaching that you get at school and tried to answer my questions like I was at a job interview (ie - prove that you can do it, not that you're willing to learn). I found it very helpful to buy an interview questions guide as it let me know what sorts of things interviewers are looking for and thus how to tailor my answers. Also, a lot of the answers in the book came up in my HYMS interview

6) Personal preparation. Is there anything you can do to improve yourself? I know that last year when I applied I was 5 stone heavier than when I applied this year and I am in no doubt that my appearance played a big part in my rejection (no one wants an obese doctor giving them advice on weightloss!!!). If something like this applies to you, you have a while yet to work on it! Also, it gives you something really good to talk about regarding motivation and determination etc.

Just remember that you are in a good position - you will have firm grades and an idea of the application process which puts you at an advantage over many. The fact that you're re-applying shows that you really want to do this and you're not going to give up at the first hurdle. Try to do as much as possible to strengthen your application (work experience over the summer etc etc) and try again. As my newly-qualified Dr brother told me 'getting in is the hardest part of medical school'. Forget about this past year and good luck! It can and will happen, I'm proof

[Ellie22]

I was rejected from medical school this year, and i am totally gutted. Ive been working at St Oswald's ( a local hospice) for a couple of yeaars now, which i love. Also, I've had loads of work experience. I had asked Glasgow how much emphasis they put on UKCAT, they said very little but feedback was "your application was disregarded due to your UKCAT score". (which was over 600 on all, average 630).
Do I just apply to Unis which don't take UKCAT? Or try again? And what do i do on my GAP year? Ive been at a GP surgery all week, on home visits etc which has been really interesting. How do i get a job in healthcare though? For all of the ones i have came accross i need an NVQ?!

[BB89]

Aww Ellie, please don't get disheartened. It feels very easy too, I know cause I was in this exact position last year.. Now I've come away from a gap year with two offers for medicine at UEA and Sheffield. It's a proud, proud feeling knowing that you made a brave decision to commit to applying to medicine and for universities to recognise that

Practically, do on your gap year, whatever will most benefit your application but will also benefit you as a person. I'm a strong believer in doing things because you enjoy them and if working at St Oswald's is what you enjoy doing then keep going! Universities recognise a long-term commitment in a position as equally as they recognise a variety of experiences, in my opinion.
Getting a position working for the NHS is a very productive way of spending your time as it will give you money and real life experiences of working for the NHS. A lot of the positions - clinical support worker etc - do require NVQ's, but (please don't quote me on this) I believe that you are able to study for these once in your position? This may be worth looking in to. If not and you are keen, would it be possible to start this qualification at evening classes at a local college?

Personally, I spent my gap year volunteering during the day at my local primary school and one day a week at a general hospital. Then working as a waitress in the evenings to get some money. I've recently come back from a 5 week trip to Ghana where I did voluntary teaching there - it was soo amazing and an experience I would never have had if I hadn't taken a gap year! On the other hand, being at home for another year and taking on volunteering and work that I otherwise wouldn't have done, has also meant that I've met some truly amazing people too. I can genuinely say I've gained friends from 16-60 years old this year! And I'm so grateful for it.

That's just what I have done though. I've heard of med reapplicants working full time for 6 months, then travelling for several or volunteering for a while, or just plain having some time to themselves It was so daunting at first when I'd got my results and then suddenly, all my friends left for uni and I've never felt more helpless in all my life! I had nothing to do and had to go out and find it myself. It's what I'd call "character building"!

I could go on for even longer on here with advice and suggestions of how to spend your gap year, but it's such a personal decision. I just hope I can be of some support in that you're sooo not alone. And there is life after reapplying, it may not feel like it now, or even in 6 months time, but there is I promise!

My sister is considering applying for medicine first time round this year and my biggest piece of advice to her was, research. A gap year gives you huuge amounts of time with which to scour websites and forums, admissions books, interview guides etc. It was really invaluable this year and I felt thoroughly confident about the facts of applying this time round. So Glasgow may have disagreed with your UKCAT for some reason, but I can say that that doesn't mean your score is at all bad! Each med school has their own emphasis on different parts of the application. The trick is identifying your best bits. Personally, I felt Sheffield were quite explicit on their website about what they were looking for in an application.

All the best, if you'd like to get in contact at all, please feel free to PM me anytime
B x

P.s. sorry for such long message, well done if you made it this far!

[msaramago]

hey BB89,
can you tell me how you worked on your PS for your reapplication? i mean, how can you describe your gap year in october, when it has barely started? thanks

[FJRay]

BB89 that was great thank you! haha i am a 2010 reapplicant and was beginning to lose enthusiasm with my gap year.

I am hopefully going to be a teaching assistant in the mornings at a primary school, and volunteer one afternoon in a hospital and one in an old folks home. (although still have quite a large amount of organising to do! oops)

then travelling for 6 months around thailand to sydney with 2 friends. im dreading the interviews again but hopefully will have more tme to prepare!

FJ

[Polldoll]

Im a reapplicant from 2008 cycle. Applying to Glasgow as a graduate. Now composing my PS..
Px

[Ellie22]

Thanks BB89! That was really helpful!
I'm trying to get a job in some sort of healthcare at the moment, but no news so far! As soon as I've got the money I'm going to go travelling in some way.
Just write in the personal statement what your plans are maybe, and then what you hope/ think you will get out of it.
Where are you applying Fjray? xx