Daughter wants to become a Doctor
Discussion
I know there are a few doctors on the site so I was wondering if any would like to offer some advice. My Daughter is applying to various medical universaties for a place to become a Doctor. Having attended the open days it is clear that there are several times more applicants than places. It also appears that top A level grades are insufficent to secure a place, they are looking for that something extra that sets them apart. Suggestions as to shadowing doctors, which appears to be a none starter for someone who is not at medical school yet, working in a care home were mentioned. But what extra are they likely to be impressed with.
So does anyone have any advice as to what sort of activities might be of help and where this could be practiced. Medical issues are subjects that I am finding difficulty in giving any specialist advice.
Educationally she has now surpassed my level, so subject to her projected grades being gained I feel she will cope well with the academic side. This is not a whim on her part as she is totally committed to the training and work required, I would sacrifice anything to help her acheive her aims, so any help would really be appreciated.
Thanks in advance
Jeff
So does anyone have any advice as to what sort of activities might be of help and where this could be practiced. Medical issues are subjects that I am finding difficulty in giving any specialist advice.
Educationally she has now surpassed my level, so subject to her projected grades being gained I feel she will cope well with the academic side. This is not a whim on her part as she is totally committed to the training and work required, I would sacrifice anything to help her acheive her aims, so any help would really be appreciated.
Thanks in advance
Jeff
I was looking into this as a career choice. Most of it is luck
If she gets an interview at a uni, get a hold of a postgrad prospectus not an undergrad one. Ring them up confirming the time of interview and drop in "oh by the way who's doing the interview?" look up the name in the prospectus, look up the prof's interests and areas of study and suddenly take an interest in the field
If she gets an interview at a uni, get a hold of a postgrad prospectus not an undergrad one. Ring them up confirming the time of interview and drop in "oh by the way who's doing the interview?" look up the name in the prospectus, look up the prof's interests and areas of study and suddenly take an interest in the field
spaximus said:
I know there are a few doctors on the site so I was wondering if any would like to offer some advice. My Daughter is applying to various medical universaties for a place to become a Doctor.
Jeff
Firstly, tell her DON'T DO IT!!!!!
Secondly, if she is intent on it, medical school interviews are looking for evidence that you are a well rounded person, academic but also with other dimensions and facets, which is important in an intense career like medicine, to have an outlet.
Anything can be good, playing sports, musical instruments, orchestras, or choirs, community events, all will be of interes to the interviewers. Work experience in care homes or children schools can also be useful.
In my case, I applied for 5 med schools and got 5 offers. I think the reason for this was, 1) I played sports to a high level 2) I did a lot of work experience with old people and infants schools. 3) I interviewed well, appearing confident, and talkative, which they like.
I do think that she needs to REALLY think about medicine as a career. At 17 it's very difficult to imagine what you are going to be like at 30, or what you are going to want from life. So it's difficult to make these decisions. Med school requires you to sacrifice your early 20s, then being a doctor requires you to sacrifice your late 20s and early thirties. So it's only when you are in your mid 30s you earn anything which would be sufficient to have a life.
It might sound a bit superficial, but if she wants kids, it's very very difficult to fit having kids in, during these times, so female docs tend to have kids later......
There are other careers which offer similar challenges to medicine, but a much more friendly career path, such as dentistry......Just think about it..... Medicine can be highly rewarding, and interesting, but it also is very hard work and emotionally very tough too.
It's a similar thing in Midwifery. We had 400 people apply to my uni for 28 places 
It is very true that they look for something special, and they also have to show dedication.
Has she ever had a job and if so can she relate it at all?
It is a very good idea to volunteer in a hospital. Loads of wards will take such people on for a few weeks. She may not be with the doctors all the time and end up making beds etc but its things like that that will show the universities that she's worked in the hospital environment and it's still a career she wants to persue.
Good luck to her
It is very true that they look for something special, and they also have to show dedication.
Has she ever had a job and if so can she relate it at all?
It is a very good idea to volunteer in a hospital. Loads of wards will take such people on for a few weeks. She may not be with the doctors all the time and end up making beds etc but its things like that that will show the universities that she's worked in the hospital environment and it's still a career she wants to persue.
Good luck to her
968 said:
I know there are a few doctors on the site so I was wondering if any would like to offer some advice. My Daughter is applying to various medical universaties for a place to become a Doctor.
Jeff
Firstly, tell her DON'T DO IT!!!!!
Secondly, if she is intent on it, medical school interviews are looking for evidence that you are a well rounded person, academic but also with other dimensions and facets, which is important in an intense career like medicine, to have an outlet.
Anything can be good, playing sports, musical instruments, orchestras, or choirs, community events, all will be of interes to the interviewers. Work experience in care homes or children schools can also be useful.
In my case, I applied for 5 med schools and got 5 offers. I think the reason for this was, 1) I played sports to a high level 2) I did a lot of work experience with old people and infants schools. 3) I interviewed well, appearing confident, and talkative, which they like.
I do think that she needs to REALLY think about medicine as a career. At 17 it's very difficult to imagine what you are going to be like at 30, or what you are going to want from life. So it's difficult to make these decisions. Med school requires you to sacrifice your early 20s, then being a doctor requires you to sacrifice your late 20s and early thirties. So it's only when you are in your mid 30s you earn anything which would be sufficient to have a life.
It might sound a bit superficial, but if she wants kids, it's very very difficult to fit having kids in, during these times, so female docs tend to have kids later......
There are other careers which offer similar challenges to medicine, but a much more friendly career path, such as dentistry......Just think about it..... Medicine can be highly rewarding, and interesting, but it also is very hard work and emotionally very tough too.
basically dont do medicine, its shit.
Do dentistry instead.
Im a 28 yr old Dr (now a med reg), and I COMPLETELY agree with the above comments, re. being "well rounded" and doing lots of sports etc. I also agree with giving up your life, this is a concept which I COMPLETELY did not realise! We all think that we understand this but its not until you start the job that you realise what it really means!! Med school is tough but the reality is that this is nothing compared to when you are actually working and trying to study for ridiculously hard post-grad exams at the same time... However saying all this I LOVE my job and wouldnt do anything else! It is possible to go to your local hospital and get work experience, the best way to do this is speak to someone in their post graduate centre (every hospital has one). I also do motorsport medicine and work at various race tracks with the British motorcycle racing club, which is fun. If you live in Kent maybe we can arrange something.
Re. dentistry (my girlfriend is a dentist) they train for the same time at uni, but essentially have no postgrad exams to do and the job is very 9-5, they also earn more per hr and is potentially very compatible with family life. But its VERY boring, Its extremely rare that you find a dentist who really enjoys their job. Medicine is so varied, and there are so many different career pathways, this is what is great...
Simon
Re. dentistry (my girlfriend is a dentist) they train for the same time at uni, but essentially have no postgrad exams to do and the job is very 9-5, they also earn more per hr and is potentially very compatible with family life. But its VERY boring, Its extremely rare that you find a dentist who really enjoys their job. Medicine is so varied, and there are so many different career pathways, this is what is great...
Simon
onespeed said:
Im a 28 yr old Dr (now a med reg), and I COMPLETELY agree with the above comments, re. being "well rounded" and doing lots of sports etc. I also agree with giving up your life, this is a concept which I COMPLETELY did not realise! We all think that we understand this but its not until you start the job that you realise what it really means!! Med school is tough but the reality is that this is nothing compared to when you are actually working and trying to study for ridiculously hard post-grad exams at the same time... However saying all this I LOVE my job and wouldnt do anything else! It is possible to go to your local hospital and get work experience, the best way to do this is speak to someone in their post graduate centre (every hospital has one). I also do motorsport medicine and work at various race tracks with the British motorcycle racing club, which is fun. If you live in Kent maybe we can arrange something.
Re. dentistry (my girlfriend is a dentist) they train for the same time at uni, but essentially have no postgrad exams to do and the job is very 9-5, they also earn more per hr and is potentially very compatible with family life. But its VERY boring, Its extremely rare that you find a dentist who really enjoys their job. Medicine is so varied, and there are so many different career pathways, this is what is great...
Simon
tell her to join the BACD (www.bacd.com)
get involved in cosmetic dentistry or another speciality.
Its much more fun, and patients want to come and see you.
Ex-girlfriend of mine is in “med school”. It’s hell getting there and highly unlikely unless you have worked in a scientific field before hand, the kind of hell you endure then changes but it’s still hell.
I have to say that I’ve always thought that people who became dentists must have been very sick puppies, can you imagine pondering your further education and going “You know what, staring into some ones mouth and inflicting pain sounds like the kind of job I want to do”.
I have to say that I’ve always thought that people who became dentists must have been very sick puppies, can you imagine pondering your further education and going “You know what, staring into some ones mouth and inflicting pain sounds like the kind of job I want to do”.
I've just finished my third year at St Andrews and will be heading down to Manchester to continue my studies starting at the start of September. I am loving every minute of it and would not do anything else although it is not an easy course!
I did some work expereince with a GP and also got in touch with the local hospital which puts on days (5 a year I think) for people thinking about medicine to follow the doctors around for the week. I thoroughly enjoyed both and it made me even more determined to get it. I played a lot of sports, some to quite a good level and think that this does help. I was speaking to one of my lecturers just after my last exams and he also helps on the entry and he said that good grades were not the be-all and end-all of getting in because many people with good grades think that they can just cruise through but he also said that people with the bare miniumum are known for struggling all the way.
Basically what I think they are getting at is they want an all-rounder, not someone who can only relate to books but who is also a good people person.
I certinaly have not regretted a minute so far and would encourage your daughter to try out work experience and she how she feels after that. Even if she has not completed any and is filling in the UCAS form, put down what she intends to do, so that by interview time she will have completed it. But don't lie, we heard of stories of people who said they had read medical journals and articles and were well-and-truely caught out at interviews.
I am looking forward to getting into the hospitals but I am under no illusion that I am in for an easy few years!
I did some work expereince with a GP and also got in touch with the local hospital which puts on days (5 a year I think) for people thinking about medicine to follow the doctors around for the week. I thoroughly enjoyed both and it made me even more determined to get it. I played a lot of sports, some to quite a good level and think that this does help. I was speaking to one of my lecturers just after my last exams and he also helps on the entry and he said that good grades were not the be-all and end-all of getting in because many people with good grades think that they can just cruise through but he also said that people with the bare miniumum are known for struggling all the way.
Basically what I think they are getting at is they want an all-rounder, not someone who can only relate to books but who is also a good people person.
I certinaly have not regretted a minute so far and would encourage your daughter to try out work experience and she how she feels after that. Even if she has not completed any and is filling in the UCAS form, put down what she intends to do, so that by interview time she will have completed it. But don't lie, we heard of stories of people who said they had read medical journals and articles and were well-and-truely caught out at interviews.
I am looking forward to getting into the hospitals but I am under no illusion that I am in for an easy few years!
My daughter finished about 2 years ago, but her prep started when she was 16. There was some work suggesting the best predictor of clinical skills was English A level, so she did that in addition to the usual Biology and Chemistry. Good A level grades only predicted succes, as I recall at the pre-clinical stages, which have now lagely been integrated into the main couisr although are still mianly the first 2 years of knowledge gaining.
She played a musical instrument and there was a study suggesting those who had played to grade 8 had better hand/eye co-ordination and made better doctors at clinical stages. She therefore went on and got her grade 8. Both facts were in the public domain from work done on students at Nottingham Med school by I recall Fiona Paterson and someone else circa 1994.
Finaly, she thought she needed something to get their interest and get her an interview, so took up rugby in addition to her brown belt in karate. She still plays now at a high level (might see her in that Engand shirt withoin a few years) but she knew selectors would want to meet her, especially as she had played at county and regional level (surgeons have a liking for rugby players as I recall!). Playing sport at county level is also a good predictor of success (team work, excellence, committment).
She also did 2 weeks at a local hospital in the cardio unit with a woman consultant during her holidays, 2 weeks in an old persons home, as she put it 'wiping bums' to show she didn't mind the dirty work, and 2 weeks with a GP.
At 16 she got a job cleaning in a factory at weekends to fund drving lessons and a car sop she was mobile and could make the most of her placements. She also button holed her A level tutor over their reference feeling his language was too vague and might be open to interpetation, and needed 'firming up@.
She got offers at 4 out of 5 schools she applied to. Our neighbours daughter at the time was just as bright but didn't get an interviews because she lacked 'a more rounded' outlook and had simply studied like a devil for 2 years. She went tp pharamcy college.
I think all of this played a part, but I am sure
She played a musical instrument and there was a study suggesting those who had played to grade 8 had better hand/eye co-ordination and made better doctors at clinical stages. She therefore went on and got her grade 8. Both facts were in the public domain from work done on students at Nottingham Med school by I recall Fiona Paterson and someone else circa 1994.
Finaly, she thought she needed something to get their interest and get her an interview, so took up rugby in addition to her brown belt in karate. She still plays now at a high level (might see her in that Engand shirt withoin a few years) but she knew selectors would want to meet her, especially as she had played at county and regional level (surgeons have a liking for rugby players as I recall!). Playing sport at county level is also a good predictor of success (team work, excellence, committment).
She also did 2 weeks at a local hospital in the cardio unit with a woman consultant during her holidays, 2 weeks in an old persons home, as she put it 'wiping bums' to show she didn't mind the dirty work, and 2 weeks with a GP.
At 16 she got a job cleaning in a factory at weekends to fund drving lessons and a car sop she was mobile and could make the most of her placements. She also button holed her A level tutor over their reference feeling his language was too vague and might be open to interpetation, and needed 'firming up@.
She got offers at 4 out of 5 schools she applied to. Our neighbours daughter at the time was just as bright but didn't get an interviews because she lacked 'a more rounded' outlook and had simply studied like a devil for 2 years. She went tp pharamcy college.
I think all of this played a part, but I am sure
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