Cassm

[Amanda]

Serioulsy though, what to choose!

[Jake]

What year are you in? If you haven't started just yet I would wait until you get to the medschool first especially as medicine is probably not quite as you imagine it to be. Many topics which seem good on the surface are actually not all that. Myself I did chronic renal failure which I think ticks all the right boxes.

[jonesy]

I've chosen something which interests me, is related to my future career and is something i have background knowledge in! I chose to do breast cancer, but that is obviously too large a topic to cover in 7500 words, so i am narrowing it down to treatment of aggressive breast cancer i.e. herceptin! I did some molecular stuff in my final year, which will help me with the background a lot.
If I were you I wouldn't just pick something random - you have to be practical: think about whether you can get three good patients to illustrate your main points etc..

I think our year are mentoring you guys next year anyway....so whoever you get, i'm sure they'll point you in a good direction!

Just relax for now!

Michelle

[Amanda]

Well I would like to, but we've been sent letters asking us to choose or are of interest, from A&E med right down to vasculitis and as much as I have areas of interest, like you say when we get there medicine probably isn't going to be as we expected!
Glad to know that its only 7500 word though, minor when compared to my last dissertation.
I wonder if it is possible for us to change our choice once we get there or is the decision we make now pretty final?

[Spooky]

which letter was that?

[jonesy]

Please don't worry, there is plenty of time!!! You can change your mind as far into 2nd semester i think, but depends on your tutor. I think you'd be better waiting till you get here to worry about it though, there will loads of other things for you to worry about when you start in Sept, Cassm will feel quite insignificant in comparison!

Not to scare you or anything

The letter maybe trying to match you up with certain tutors and mentors so that people's interests are catered for...dunno just a guess!!

[Amanda]

If you haven't got it yet, maybe they're just trying to scare me because they know how tightly strung I am!
Or perhaps you only get it once you've sent in all your confirming documents. I dunno.
Basically it just explains what the CASSM is, and explaining the changes to the way it is run and finally, a sheet to return by July 31st (yes, i know i'm keen, but also very bored!) asking us to choose one clinical area of study for our CASSM.
Was just curious to know what people were picking and on what basis?
They did say make it something that interests you or has affected you, etc.

[sarahjd82]

I've not got the letter yet. Hopefully will do soon. I was thinking of perhaps breast cancer, but not sure. I can't make up my mind...so many interesting areas to choose from!!

[Jake]

What are the areas Amanda ?

[sarahjd82]

Went home at lunch time and the letter was there. Lots of areas listed!