Getting into Medicine and Dentistry

Transcription

1 Slide 1 Getting into Medicine and Dentistry 27/01/2012 University of Sheffield Service Welcome to this short talk on Getting into Medicine and Dentistry as a graduate. If you are considering undertaking a second degree in Medicine or Dentistry, this talk will take you through the options open to you and outline some of the issues that you should consider when making your decisions. It also provides practical tips on how to apply, including help with personal statements and interview technique. As we cannot cover everything in the next few minutes, sources of advice and further information are provided at the end.

2 Slide 2 Orthoptics Optometry Nursing & Midwifery Medicine Dentistry Radiography clinical team Podiatry Dietetics Audiology Speech / Language rapy Occupational rapy Physiotherapy 27/01/2012 University of Sheffield Service And more Doctors and dentists are just one part of a multi-disciplinary clinical team, which includes nurses and a wide range of other allied professions, some of which are shown on this slide. If you would like to explore any of these occupations in more detail, further information is available on the Prospects website the address for which is given at the end of this presentation.

3 Slide 3 Options within medicine and dentistry 4-year accelerated course for graduates UG course (usually 5 years) UG course with additional foundation year More details on UCAS website Contact medical / dental schools to clarify entry requirements 27/01/2012 University of Sheffield Service If you decide to pursue a second degree in Medicine or Dentistry, there are essentially three broad options open to you. A number of institutions offer a 4-year accelerated degree, designed specifically for graduates. Many of these will only be open to those whose first degree is in a science-based subject but there are a small number of medicine courses which offer the fast-track programme for non-science graduates who can demonstrate sound scientific knowledge and the ability to learn quickly. As a graduate, you could still apply for the traditional undergraduate degree. Here, you would be studying alongside undergraduates who have perhaps come directly from A-levels or their equivalent. For those whose first degree and A-levels are not science-based, an undergraduate course with additional foundation year might be an option to bring you up to speed in science. However, the costs of the extra year of study need to be considered. To find out which institutions offer which course you should search the UCAS website, the address for which is given at the end of this talk. You then need to read specific course information provided by each individual medical or dental school to see what their entry requirements are. If in any doubt, contact individual institutions to find out what their entry requirements are.

4 Slide 4 Which course is best for me? Why? Where? When? Skills and qualities? Academic criteria / potential? Shadowing and experience? 27/01/2012 University of Sheffield Service Medicine and Dentistry are both very demanding courses and it can be financially very expensive. Hence, before making the final decision to go on to further study, make sure you have considered the key issues: First, ask yourself why you want to study Medicine or Dentistry. You ll need to be 100% committed to maintain motivation. Are there other occupations that might be equally satisfying? Also, think about where you d like to study and check that the schools you like are the ones that offer a degree course appropriate to you. It may be that you need to take a year or two out before you start the course, perhaps to save up funds or gain relevant experience. Consider how this fits in with your life plan. You should also think carefully about whether you have the necessary skills and personal qualities to be a doctor or dentist, along with the academic ability to study intensively. Shadowing health professionals and talking to current students as well as getting hands-on experience in a caring role can help you make an informed decision. Indeed, these sorts of things are vital to make an effective application. It may help to talk through some of these issues with a Adviser or your tutor. Talking to admissions tutors in medical or dental schools can also be helpful.

5 Slide 5 Applying for medicine & dentistry Online via UCAS Closing date: 15 October 4 choices max. UCAS website has online FAQs and telephone helpline Admissions test? UKCAT; GAMSAT; BMAT 27/01/2012 University of Sheffield Service For Medicine and Dentistry, you must apply online via the UCAS website. address is given at the end of this talk. closing date for applications is 15 October in the year before you wish to commence the course. UCAS charge a small fee to handle your application. Note that, for medicine and dentistry courses, you are only allowed up to four choices on the form. UCAS has a list of frequently asked questions on the website and you can get individual help with completing the form via their telephone helpline. If you are tempted to include both medicine and dentistry degree courses in your choices think very carefully about this. Although admissions teams cannot see your other choices, your personal statement would have to try to cover both courses what might this imply about your commitment to either one of them? In addition to completing the UCAS form, many medical and dental schools will ask you to sit an admissions test. re are 3 different admissions tests currently available and it is up to each school to determine which, if any, it will ask candidates to sit. This process is completely separate to UCAS. Check with the schools to which you are applying to see which test they use. It is then up to you to book your test. Note that some admissions tests need to be taken BEFORE the UCAS application deadline. re is a Talk Online which provides more information about Admissions Tests for Medicine and Dentistry.

6 Slide 6 UCAS: personal statement Academic Motivation Why this course? Why as a graduate? Commitment and understanding Work experience and achievement in extra-curricular activities Personal qualities (inc. patient focus; communication; honesty; integrity; working under pressure; teamwork; dexterity; etc) 27/01/2012 University of Sheffield Service key part of the UCAS form is the personal statement. It is crucial that you create a good first impression with admissions tutors by writing a clear, concise and professional statement. Some of the key things to include in your statement are your academic achievements and how your current degree will help you study Medicine or Dentistry. You should also show your motivation to succeed in the profession by telling them why you wish to do the course and why now, as a graduate. What can you offer over and above everyone else? Linked to this, you need to demonstrate your commitment to the profession, for example by personal research into what a medical or dental career entails and observing professionals in the workplace. You also need to show that you keep up to date with what s happening in the profession and have some opinions about it. Your statement should include details about your work experiences, especially in hands-on caring roles, and achievements in extra-curricular activities. Don t just list experience but explain what you got out of it, what you learnt and how this will help you succeed in Medicine or Dentistry. Further information about Personal Statements is available to download by clicking on the Attachments button in the top right-hand corner of the screen.

7 Slide 7 Tips for work experience Talk to your GP / dentist / healthcare workers Shadow a hospital doctor / dentist Talk to current students eg medical or dental students society and junior practitioners Voluntary work in community Paid work in care homes, hospices, dental practices, etc Relate other work to medicine or dentistry 27/01/2012 University of Sheffield Service As we ve heard, work experience is vital to your application. You could start by asking your GP, dentist or other healthcare workers in the practice if they d be willing to talk to you about their jobs, perhaps shadowing them for a day. y may also be able to put you in touch with others. Also try to observe a hospital-based practitioner for a day or two, so you get a feel for what the different jobs entail. You might also try to talk to current students and junior doctors to get another perspective. In addition to observations, you need to demonstrate that you have the skills and qualities to be a good doctor or dentist. For this, get a decent amount of hands-on caring experience, either paid or voluntary, where you are actively helping others. For example, you could get involved in Millennium Volunteers or St John s Ambulance; or get a job as a care assistant in a residential home, hospice or day centre. Show a longterm commitment to caring rather than just doing a day or two of volunteering here and there. Don t forget about other activities you may be involved in, which aren t clinicallyrelated. For example, if you are an active member of a sports club or University society, use it to show key qualities like communication skills or team work. Even part-time jobs such as shop or office work can be used to demonstrate personal qualities.

8 Slide 8 Interviews for medicine & dentistry Why medicine / dentistry? Why this course / school? Academic achievements Exploration of key personal qualities Work experience and other interests Matters of clinical interest Ability to express intelligent opinion Your professionalism 27/01/2012 University of Sheffield Service All medical and dental schools will interview before considering making an offer of a place on their course. Many combine these with open days so you can look around. It is likely that your personal statement will form the basis of part of the interview, so make sure you re-read what you wrote and are prepared to expand on it. Areas likely to be explored during interview include your reasons for wishing to be a doctor or dentist, so make sure you can neatly summarise these, and why in particular you chose this course and school. Do your research into how the course is taught and the key features of the school. You may be asked to talk a little more about your first degree, what you learnt and how this applies to a second degree in Medicine or Dentistry. Show how your first degree will be useful to you. Expect to be asked about the key qualities of a good doctor or dentist. As with your personal statement, make sure you are able to demonstrate these, talking in more detail about your work experience, previous jobs and extra-curricular activities. Interviewers may well want to find out what you know about the profession. Do your research into the history of the profession and clinical breakthroughs, topical controversies and ethical issues and what s happening in the NHS. Moreover, be prepared to have an opinion on these matters and express it in a clear and concise manner. Overall, interviewers will be looking to see if you have suitable professionalism this includes basics like dressing smartly, sitting up straight and making eye contact as well as arriving on time. Click on the Attachments button to download further information about Preparing for Interviews at Medical or Dental School.

9 Slide 9 Funding Dept of Health / NHS may give UK domiciled students: Tuition fee assistance; and bursaries. Also student loans. International students try sources in home-country Institution s own bursary system Charities and trusts Part-time work (if you have time!!!) Loans from banks, family or friends? Talk to SSiD and/or Student Advice Centre in the Students Union Talk to admissions tutors As you will be undertaking Medicine or Dentistry as a second degree, funds can be quite limited and you ll have fees as well as living expenses to meet. It can be very expensive but this should be balanced against expected future earnings. Some funding is available for UK students from the Department of Health, with exact amounts depending on whether you do a graduate-entry or undergraduate course as well as your personal circumstances. NHS student bursaries website has more details, the address for which is given at the end of this talk. You may also be able to obtain student loans to help out. However, it is likely that you ll have to look to additional sources of financial assistance. slide lists some possible options, which you may need to combine in order to build up sufficient funds. If you are currently a student here at Sheffield, talk to a member of staff from the Student Services Information Desk or Student Advice Centre in the Students Union for help and advice their web addresses are given at the end of this talk. Admissions tutors may also be able to give you some ideas for funding.

10 Slide 10 Further information and advice Service: Getting into Medical School, Getting into Dental School and other publications Advice and application checks (don t leave it until the last minute!) What s on: Talk Online: Admissions tests for medical & dental school ( see Jobs & work experience then Types of jobs ) UCAS: NHS student busaries: SSiD: Student Advice Centre: 27/01/2012 University of Sheffield Service This talk has covered some of the basics of getting into medicine or dentistry as a graduate. For more detailed information, call into the Here, you can access a range of useful publications as well as talk to an Adviser about any concerns or queries you have. We also run more in-depth talks on Getting into Medicine and Dentistry and Admissions Tests for Medicine and Dentistry as part of our What s on programme of events. slide also lists some of the key web addresses mentioned during this talk. If you would like a summary of the key points made in this talk, download the handouts available by clicking on the Attachments button on the top right hand corner of the screen.