Applying for Medicine at OHS

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

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A MEDICAL APPLICATION IS UNIQUELY CHALLENGING What are medical schools looking for?

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Academic achievement, scientific aptitude and potential

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Integrity, high ethical standards and situational judgment

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Empathy and a very strong interest in people

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Communication skills

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A genuine team player

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A strong work ethic and resilience

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Maturity and awareness of the challenges of the profession

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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

Spring Term 2025

Summer Term 2025

Autumn Term 2025

Interview prep. (cont.)

Attend interviews (cont.)

Receive offers!

Spring Term 2026

Accept UCAS offers (firm and insurance) Take A Levels

Summer Term 2026

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ACADEMICS FOR A MED SCHOOL APPLICATION GCSEs and other opportunities:

A LEVELS:

 A strong showing at GCSE is required to be a

 3 A Levels at Grade A are required.

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.)

 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.

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WORK, WORK EXPERIENCE AND VOLUNTEERING Medical work experience and Volunteering:

Part Time Work:

 Medical WX is very valuable to your Personal

 Increasingly important in med school applications

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,

 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.

school setting, sports club, community setting etc.

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OHS MEDICINE CONFERENCE Tuesday 11th March 2025 • A full day conference, organised by Y12 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!

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APPLICATION TIME: YEAR 13 PRIORITIES UCAT

UCAS Form

Interview Preparation

 Online study support

 Early entry deadline – mid-

 Weekly group sessions

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

October.  Individual strategic guidance

with choices, based on personal strengths and UCAT score.  Personal statement guidance

and support.

exploring key areas (eg: ethics, motivation, roleplays, data analysis, decision-making etc.)  Individual mock interviews  Mock MMI session  Individual feedback and

guidance.

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“THE WAY TO GET STARTED IS TO QUIT TALKING, AND BEGIN DOING.” WALT DISNEY

THANK YOU Camilla Heath c.heath@oxf.gdst.net

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