So I got another offer today! I can't believe I got two offers, I never even thought I would get one! Wow.
So now comes the decision making...
Monday 17 March 2014
Friday 14 March 2014
Interview Tips
I know that when I was in the process of applying to Medicine I was always so grateful for any advice that I could find that helped me with how to prepare and behave in interviews. So I'd thought I'd make a list of tips for anybody who's looking for some help for medical school interviews! The only types of interview I had were traditional interviews, so I don't know how helpful these tips will be for MMI interviews but hopefully some of them will be useful!
I also used an interview book by ISC which was sooo helpful - definitely try and get it if you can. You don't need to listen to everything they say, but it does teach you how to structure an answer and is helpful for learning new words.
1. Back everything up. Wherever you can fit it in reflect on your work experience/an experience you had/something you've read. Show them that you can think about what you've seen or read and relate it to yourself. It also shows them that you've paid attention in your work experience, got something out of it, and also that you've actually done some work experience - sometimes they don't have your personal statement! Also, if you answer a question they're probably going to ask some subsequent questions according to your answer - be able to back yourself up! Don't make things up, or mention things that you don't know about.
2. Why do you want to do medicine/be a doctor? Have your reasons and rehearse your answer. This is usually the first question they ask you and first impressions are important! Make sure that you know what you're talking about, and be able to back up what you're saying. If you say "I love that you're always learning new things", have an example from your work experience which shows how you know this!
3. Research. Know about the NHS. You don't have to know every single reform, but know generally about what's going on at the moment in the NHS and how it could affect you as a doctor in the future, or how it may affect people. Also try to throw in some key words in these answers like "postcode lottery" or "clinical commissioning groups", it shows that you know what you're talking about. A really useful website is The Kings Fund which explains the NHS reforms in a video. Also, know about your medical school! They will probably ask you questions about the course or the medical school itself so make sure you know this.
4. Take your time. If your mind goes blank or you don't understand a question ask your interviewers! It shows that you're not afraid to ask if you don't understand something, which is really important. In my interview my mind went completely blank on the question "What do patients look for in a doctor?" which isn't very difficult. However, I told them and we moved onto a new question. In the new question I mentioned empathy, and then said "And that relates back to the previous question!" You can always redeem yourself if something goes slightly wrong.
5. Smile, relax and be yourself. I was sooo nervous for my interviews but I tried to come across as happy and confident. I know that it's easier said than done, but when you come in smile and be enthusiastic! If they make a joke then laugh along - they want to find out what you're like as well as what you know. Be friendly and polite, and think of it as a conversation. If you're passionate about something - show them! If you make a point then defend it, and try to lean towards the interviewers and speak animatedly with your hands and face. Try to ask a question at the end as well - it shows that your interested!
Finally, let them know how much you want to go to their university, and try to come across really excited about it!
I really hope these tips help:)
Bye!xxx
I also used an interview book by ISC which was sooo helpful - definitely try and get it if you can. You don't need to listen to everything they say, but it does teach you how to structure an answer and is helpful for learning new words.
1. Back everything up. Wherever you can fit it in reflect on your work experience/an experience you had/something you've read. Show them that you can think about what you've seen or read and relate it to yourself. It also shows them that you've paid attention in your work experience, got something out of it, and also that you've actually done some work experience - sometimes they don't have your personal statement! Also, if you answer a question they're probably going to ask some subsequent questions according to your answer - be able to back yourself up! Don't make things up, or mention things that you don't know about.
2. Why do you want to do medicine/be a doctor? Have your reasons and rehearse your answer. This is usually the first question they ask you and first impressions are important! Make sure that you know what you're talking about, and be able to back up what you're saying. If you say "I love that you're always learning new things", have an example from your work experience which shows how you know this!
3. Research. Know about the NHS. You don't have to know every single reform, but know generally about what's going on at the moment in the NHS and how it could affect you as a doctor in the future, or how it may affect people. Also try to throw in some key words in these answers like "postcode lottery" or "clinical commissioning groups", it shows that you know what you're talking about. A really useful website is The Kings Fund which explains the NHS reforms in a video. Also, know about your medical school! They will probably ask you questions about the course or the medical school itself so make sure you know this.
4. Take your time. If your mind goes blank or you don't understand a question ask your interviewers! It shows that you're not afraid to ask if you don't understand something, which is really important. In my interview my mind went completely blank on the question "What do patients look for in a doctor?" which isn't very difficult. However, I told them and we moved onto a new question. In the new question I mentioned empathy, and then said "And that relates back to the previous question!" You can always redeem yourself if something goes slightly wrong.
5. Smile, relax and be yourself. I was sooo nervous for my interviews but I tried to come across as happy and confident. I know that it's easier said than done, but when you come in smile and be enthusiastic! If they make a joke then laugh along - they want to find out what you're like as well as what you know. Be friendly and polite, and think of it as a conversation. If you're passionate about something - show them! If you make a point then defend it, and try to lean towards the interviewers and speak animatedly with your hands and face. Try to ask a question at the end as well - it shows that your interested!
Finally, let them know how much you want to go to their university, and try to come across really excited about it!
I really hope these tips help:)
Bye!xxx
Wednesday 5 March 2014
Offer!!!!!!!
I got an offer!!!!!!
I literally am so happy right now! After these last two days of being so miserable about university and everything, I can finally relaxxxxxx!
I was out shopping with my sister, and I'd already been checking my emails every five minutes to see if I'd got an update from track. And then I randomly checked them and there it was! We were in the middle of a shop but I couldn't wait until I got home so I just typed in my UCAS login details and waited for what seemed like forever to see what it said, and there it was! I literally can't believe it ahhhhh! My hands were shaking so much wow
My friend got an offer from the same university, so that's exciting!
I still have one university left to hear from and then it's done! I'm not panicking as much now, because to be honest, all I wanted was one offer and I'm just so relieved!
Eeeeeeek still so happy!
Bye!xxx
Monday 3 March 2014
Bad Day
I have just got so frustrated this evening.
First of all, I have my mocks this week. Today was biology and stats, and they were both just bad:( biology included a 10 mark question on something nobody had revised as our teacher said it wouldn't come up. And then stats was just a joke, I swear they just put all of the most difficult questions into one paper, it was horrible. I sort of just gave up towards the end because I was hungry and I had no clue how to approach the questions:( the last one was 12 marks with no a b c d e etc., it was just one question for 12 marks! I got an answer but it probably wasn't right.
Secondly, one of my universities started giving out offers. At first I was like oh yeah, okay it's not that bad, there are several more batches. But then I just started overthinking (of course) and panicking about everything blah blah blah, grrrrr.
And last of all, I just did some revision for my bio and chem mocks tomorrow and I just felt as if nothing was going into my head at all! I feel as though I've been working all year but nothing is going into my head no matter what I do. It doesn't help that I'm extremely competitive and hate when people beat me, so I always anger myself by stressing that my teachers are going to think I haven't tried or that I don't care.
I just don't like this A2 year, I want it to be over and to just get my grades! Or I just want some motivation:( either one would be great! Plssssss
And all this uncertainty just makes it worse - I could be in this exact same position next year, just waiting for offers/rejections, not knowing if I'm going to uni.
I've just realised that all of the recent posts on my blog hae been so negative... Sorry for the rant! I just needed to release my stress somewhere hahaa. I promise I'll get back to being positive soon!
Bye!xxx
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