APPLYING FOR MEDICINE* AT OHS
* And Dentistry, VetMed and supporting Clinical Professions
Camilla Heath: Head of Higher Education & Careers
AGENDA
Timeline
Academic Requirements
Work Experience &Volunteering
Medical Conference
UCAT Preparation
UCAS Application
Interview Preparation
A MEDICAL APPLICATION IS UNIQUELY CHALLENGING
What are medical schools looking for?
• Academic achievement, scientific aptitude and potential
• Integrity, high ethical standards and situational judgment
• Empathy and a very strong interest in people
• Communication skills
• A genuine team player
• A strong work ethic and resilience
• Maturity and awareness of the challenges of the profession
TIMELINE
Volunteering
Part-time work
Work experience
placements
Medicine Conference
Medical Myriad magazine
Super-curric engagement
Y12 exams
UCAT preparation
Volunteering (cont.)
Part-time work (cont.)
Super-curric. engagement (cont.)
UCAS Application
Volunteering (cont.)
Part-time work (cont.)
Interview prep, including mock interviews and MMI
Attend interviews
Interview prep. (cont.)
Attend interviews (cont.)
Receive offers!
Spring Term 2025
Summer Term 2025
Autumn Term 2025
Spring Term 2026
Accept UCAS offers (firm and insurance)
Take A Levels
ACADEMICS FOR A MED SCHOOL APPLICATION
GCSEs and other opportunities:
A LEVELS:
A strong showing at GCSE is required to be a competitive applicant.
Typically, this means 7s, 8s and 9s across 9-10 subjects.
A relevant EPQ or ERP is very helpful as part of your application.
Participation in academic challenges (eg: science Olympiads, Maths challenges, essay comps etc.)
3 A Levels at Grade A are required.
Chemistry is absolutely necessary.
Biology and/or Maths are widely taken alongside.
If your fourth subject is more likely to easily result in an A Grade, you can make a strong and credible application without one of Biology or Maths.
Four A Levels are not necessary.
WORK,WORK EXPERIENCE AND VOLUNTEERING
Medical work experience and Volunteering:
Part Time Work:
Medical WX is very valuable to your Personal Statement and at interview.
Clinical placements in a variety of settings.
Volunteering in a care context – eg: care home, nursery, hospital ward, after-school care etc.
Other volunteering: in a charity shop, pharmacy, school setting, sports club, community setting etc.
Increasingly important in med school applications
Demonstrates work ethic, resilience and time management
Ability to deal with people who may be demanding, upset or challenging
Retail, hospitality etc – anything customer facing.
OHS MEDICINE CONFERENCE
Tuesday 11th March 2025
• A full day conference, organised byY12 pupils and streamed live to schools across the UK
• An opportunity to demonstrate key skills:
• Leadership and teamwork
• Planning and organisation
• Presentation and communication skills
• Resilience under pressure
Please do support if you are able!
APPLICATION TIME: YEAR 13 PRIORITIES
UCAT
Online study support package, with access to question bank and live sessions.
Group sessions in school to troubleshoot common problem areas
Guidance and advice with scheduling and booking
UCAS Form
Early entry deadline – midOctober.
Individual strategic guidance with choices, based on personal strengths and UCAT score.
Personal statement guidance and support.
Interview Preparation
Weekly group sessions exploring key areas (eg: ethics, motivation, roleplays, data analysis, decision-making etc.)
Individual mock interviews
Mock MMI session
Individual feedback and guidance.
Camilla