Early Deadline UCAS Applications Dentistry Medicine Oxbridge Veterinary

Early Deadline UCAS Applications Dentistry Medicine Oxbridge Veterinary rhscareers

Skills Compare your existing skills to those required to succeed in your chosen career. Develop other skills required through extra-curricular activities and work experience. creativity honesty interpersonal skills independent flexibility leadership attention to detail empathy self-motivation communication approachable listening skills patience integrity dynamic

recognising decision making limitations decisiveness teamwork compassion multi tasking manual dexterity curiosity life long learning mature Ability to cope with recognise stress limitations sensitivity amiable realistic hardworking responsible open minded problem solving confidentiality organisation stamina adaptable scientifically minded caring calm initiative

Main Skills 1. Dentist – people skills, manual dexterity, empathy, leadership, integrity etc. 2. Medicine – communication (speaking and listening), problem solving, teamwork etc. 3. Oxbridge – independent learner, self-motivated, subject focused, teachability etc 4. Vet – people skills, sensitivity, physical strength / fitness, problem solving, integrity etc.

Evidencing Skills Sport / Music / Drama – team work, initiative, commitment, patience, stamina etc Duke of Edinburgh – communication, motivation, resilience, problem solving etc Voluntary work – dedication, empathy, people skills, confidence, social responsibility etc

Volunteering - Medicine • Charities – Chest, Heart and Stroke, MS, Gateway, Mencap etc • Special Needs Schools – Clifton, Killard House, Tor Bank etc • Northern Ireland Hospice – 02890 781836 • Nursing / Residential Homes • St John’s Ambulance • Positive Futures (Julia Sloan - 028 9147 5720 / volunteering@positive-futures. net) • Befriending Scheme at local hospitals.

If you’re interested in work experience you should contact your local trust and speak to the Human Resources Department. South Eastern HSC Trust Ulster Hospital Upper Newtownards Road Dundonald Belfast BT 16 1 RH tel: 028 9055 3100 e-mail: public. relations@setrust. hscni. net

Volunteering - Dentistry • Charities – Chest, Heart and Stroke, MS, Gateway, Mencap etc • Special Needs Schools – Clifton, Killard House, Tor Bank etc • Nursing Homes – try any close to your house. • Dental Talks to Primary School pupils – Prep? • Dentist Surgery – meet and greet children waiting for dentist. • GB, BB, Scouts, Guides etc

Volunteering - Vet • • • Open Farms – Streamvale and The Ark Talks to Primary School pupils – keeping pets. Vets – vet. nurses, caring for animals in care. Boarding Kennels Cats Protection League Assisi Stables Local Farmers Castle Espie

Oxbridge – Extra Preparation • Subject specific books – ask Ho. Ds • Magazines – BMJ etc • Online - Villiers Park Education Trust (http: //www. villierspark. org. uk) • Dr Long’s Oxbridge Library - Careers Interview Room • Open Days / Taster Courses • Oxford and Cambridge websites • WEX – Nuffield Research etc

Where to study? 1. Visit www. ucas. com. 2. Careers Library – Times, Guardian & Virgin University Guides. 3. Open Days 4. Taster courses / summer schools 5. guardianuniversitycomparison 2013 6. University websites

To answer questions such as ……. • • What is the course structure? How is degree assessed? Is teaching/research rating high? How high is student satisfaction? What are library/sport facilities like? Is accommodation guaranteed in first year? What is the social scene like? What is cost of travelling home?

In reality…… Look at entry requirements and apply to the courses that are most likely to give you an offer! All Medical, Dental and Veterinary Departments and Oxbridge Colleges are excellent. Think about – grades subjects WEX admission tests no. of places available

Read between the lines …… • UKCAT – if lowest offer in previous year was 665 => 670 this year will probably not be enough – UKCAT requirements have increased by around 50 points over the last 2 years! • we welcome applicants who do not have a 3 rd science at A level => think carefully if you do have a 3 rd science – I’d suggest this university for someone with English, French, Art etc

Previous requirements • Use The Student Room to ask questions about offers from the last few years – replies are opinion only and you should then check carefully through each uni’s website or email unis to confirm what is being said. • 2 years ago Newcastle did not say anything about UKCAT on website but …… did not interview if you achieved less than 600 in any one section. They may or may not do the same thing again! • Last year Hull guaranteed to interview everyone who got over a certain UKCAT score => very important to look back over choices after UKCAT result.

UKCAT (before 6 th October 2015) Please check but UKCAT is usually required by University of Aberdeen Hull York Medical School Cardiff University Queen's University Belfast University of Dundee Keele University of Durham King's College London University of East Anglia University of Liverpool University of Edinburgh University of Leicester University of Exeter University of Manchester University of Newcastle University of Sheffield University of Nottingham University of Southampton Plymouth University of St Andrews Queen Mary, Uni of London St George's, London University of Birmingham University of Glasgow

BMAT • BMAT is required by a small number of medical universities. • The deadline for applications is usually mid October. Test date is early November => think about after UKCAT results? Universities of Oxford and Cambridge Imperial College London University of Leeds Royal Veterinary College University College London Brighton and Sussex Medical School Lancaster University

Personal Statement (Med, Den, Vet) • Para 1 – reasons for studying medicine, dentistry or vet (not just family, sci. subjects). Personal experiences as patient, family member, owner or WEX. Hopes for the future. • Para 2 – WEX – feelings, observations, people, reflection, skills observed & developed. Did you discover anything new? Don’t mention everything => list! Rather show reflection, ability to learn and self awareness. Tie experiences together / show understanding of doctor, dentist or vet’s role.

• Para 3 – Extra curricular involvements – use to evidence skills. Give level of achievement. Reflect on significance of skills required for medicine, veterinary or dentistry • Para 4 – conclusion – Reinforce 1 st paragraph / commitment to chosen course and career. Give succinct reason to offer you a place.

Admission Tutors are looking for • WEX, research- talk to doctors, dentists, vets. • Gain appreciation of concerns of patients – disabled, elderly, children – voluntary work. • Social awareness, responsibility – evidence through extra curricular. • Ability to cope with stress / time management – all rounder – work hard and enjoy free time. • Teamwork – evidence through sport, drama etc. • Work / life balance – no hobby, no balance!

Personal Statement Oxbridge • Para 1 – reasons for studying subject specifically at Oxford or Cambridge – A level subjects, reading beyond syllabus, independent learning, college system etc • Para 2 – WEX – feelings, observations, people who inspired you, skills & knowledge developed. Show reflection. • Para 3 – Extra curricular involvements – use to evidence skills / expand subject knowledge. (less than 20% of statement for Oxbridge) • Para 4 – conclusion – reinforce 1 st para and commitment to degree course.

Medicine

GMC Report : Medical Degree • • Increase in PBL & decrease in traditional learning Increase in skills and attitudes Increase in research and audit skills Increase in aptitude for personal development and life long learning 1. GMC : Good Medical Practice and Medical Students Professional Behaviour and Fitness to Practise. 2. www. gmcuk. org/education/undergraduate/tomorrowsdoctors. asp.

Working in Medicine • Use clinical skills in history taking and examination • Procedures – taking blood, chest drains, surgery • Request investigations – ECGs, scans • Devise management plans for patients • Health promotion / disease prevention • Personal development / life long learning

• Communicate – doctors, patients, AHP, families, labs, management, policy makers etc • Retrieve and handle information • Maintain and expand knowledge on social, basic and clinical sciences • Ethical understanding / legal responsibilities • Decision making skills, clinical reasoning and judgement

What do Doctors do? • • • Educate Break bad news Deal with violent / aggressive behaviour Work irregular & unsocial hours Make clinical & management decisions Help people Research Study and sit exams Teach

Doctors must be able to • Listen to their patients’ views and respect their rights • Be honest and trustworthy • Work effectively with other healthcare professionals • Act with competence, compassion, responsibility and integrity.

Career Path 1. Undergraduate education – 5 year medical degree. 2. Postgraduate education – Foundation Year 1 Foundation Year 2 Speciality and General Practice Training (between 3 and 8 years) 3. Continuing Professional Development

Look at ‘Average Example’ • boring list • no idea of candidate’s personality • no reflection / observation / feelings from WEX • few skills evidenced • little insight into medical career

Look at ‘Better Example’ • leave some WEX / extra curricular out if necessary – can be added to reference • Personality comes across • reflection / observation / feelings from WEX included • more relevant skills evidenced • genuine insight into medical career

Look at ‘Research into Medical Careers’ Ideas for 1 st paragraph – • Research and WEX • Personal experience and WEX • Compare patient’s and doctor’s experience of medicine • Topic covered in class – investigated further – WEX • Recent news article / report • Compare medicine in different countries / cultures

Look at ‘Conclusion’ Ideas for final paragraph – • Realities of medicine • Talking to family and friends – realities • Refer back to 1 st para – emphasise commitment to medicine • Talk about future plans if known • Refer back to someone who inspired you during WEX • Refer back to 1 st para – helping overseas / WEX

CAO (www. cao. ie) You can also apply to the following medical schools in Ireland – 1. University College Cork 2. University College Dublin 3. NUI Galway 4. Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland 5. Trinity College Dublin You will need 4 A levels in the one sitting. Completed A 2 Maths at the end of Year 13 => DO NOT cash in your grade until next year to keep CAO option open?

European Universities EUNICAS is like a European UCAS : www. eunicas. ie