Sheffield Interviews

**Catherine** · 16-11-2006, 02:14 AM

Hi Grace,

Yeah I did a it of work for SOAMS last year and year before - I have to be honest and say that medical ethics isn't something you can learn. I didn't have a clue when I applied, but as a general rule a) if you don't bring it up yourself then they're unlikely to ask you and b) if they do then argue both sides of the situation, unless you have a strong opinion which you'll have to jusitfy, and be as balanced as possible in your reply.

For example - I mentioned that I read studentBMJ in my personal statement, so they asked me to tell them about an article I'd read in there recently. I'd read on about people living in poverty in India selling a kidney to make some money to live on and so they asked me what I thought about that situation.

I said something along the lines of: Although they have the right to do what they wish with their bodies and by donating a kidney they could be saving someones life (acknowledging one side of the argument), it is their poverty that has driven them to take this risk to their health, therefore this is a form of exploitation and I don't think it should be allowed (my opinion and justification for that opinion).

Good luck with your interview - hope that helps a little - just use your common sense when it comes to ethics - its not something you can swot up on.

**rozzy** · 16-11-2006, 08:33 PM

Hi Catherine,

was just wondering....do you know how they decide on resit candidates? i don't have any extenuating circumstances and they said this would be alrite, i would still be considered and on the website it says its fine too.....are resit candidates compared with other resitters or with everyone else thats applying?

also, do you know how they score your application and how much you need to score to receive an interview invite? in your first post on this thread, i think thats just the scoring after interview?

sorry for all the questions! hope you can help!

thank you

**taimuichoi** · 16-11-2006, 10:01 PM

Thanks Cat, that helps alot!!!
I'm excitied for the interview but yet slightly nervous so hopefully it'll be ok

**annarose** · 17-11-2006, 12:07 AM

hey
will the format of the interview for the 6 year course be the same as that of the 5 year course?
cos ive applied for the 6 year course [doing bio/maths/theatre studies at A2]

just wondering if it will make any difference

thanks =)

xx

**taimuichoi** · 17-11-2006, 12:41 AM

Hi cat, sorry about this but could you explain what ILA does and the advantages of ILA I know it has lots of differetn aspects and works on case studies but what else and what are MMC's?

**Catherine** · 17-11-2006, 02:59 PM

Resitters: As far as I'm aware, they are treated exactly the same as all other candidates, as as long as you were able to achieve the grades one way or another then you deserve as much chance as the rest. Don't quote me on this, but from my experience Sheffield are very open to applications from people of all academic backgrounds, as long as they have the potential to reach the standards required.

6 year course: I really don't know about this one, as they are not interviewed with the 5 year course applicants, so it would be best to ask admissions. I imagine it would be similar, but include more about why you changed your mind from arts-->science or from a particular career to medicine.

ILAs: these are integrated learning activities - i.e. you are given a patient case, for example someone with jaundice, and then a list of learning objects which you have to cover, which may include 'anatomy of the liver', 'causes of jaundice', 'biochemistry of jaundice', etc. By approaching a problem this way, you are exploring the presenting symptom as you would when faced with it as a doctor - the patient won't come in with 'gallstones' printed on their head - so that's an advantage. And you're learning self-directed learning and problem-solving skills.

It doesn't suit everyone and it's difficult to get used to if you've come straight from school, but you get used to approaching things this way and it helps when you start the clinical phases. There's more info on the structure of the course at http://www.shef.ac.uk/medicine/prosp...structure.html

As for MMC - you know as much as I do. Not much at all. So far, what it means to me is that we may not be guaranteed a job and some medical graduates will have to think about alternative career options. It's a mystery to all of us, so they won't expect applicants to be any more clued up. See if you can make sense of it at: http://www.mmc.nhs.uk/pages/home

HTH

**feluda_uk** · 17-11-2006, 03:04 PM

oh my god Catherine you have just made my day hahaha i always assumed resitters is sheff were at a huge disadvantage,

**Catherine** · 17-11-2006, 03:17 PM

Like I said, I'm not completely sure about the official policy, so it's always best to check with admissions, but as far as I'm aware I know there are resitters on the course at the moment and they obviously didn't have a problem. If the rest of your application is strong then I don't think it will come into it.