Wow,wow, wow, oh. my. gosh
The day has arrived.
Today I sent off my UCAS form.
It is finished.
It is done.
Well, except for the part where the college now receives it and adds my reference to it. But besides that (which will probably take a week), I've done it.
I've applied for medicine.
Wish me luck guys!
For the next few weeks, my posts will mainly be on stuff for interview prep!
Follow a young person's journey in medicine...
Thursday, 20 September 2012
Monday, 17 September 2012
Catch uppppppp
Oh. My. Gosh. Guys.
September 2012 is here, which only means one thing. Medical deadlines are next month. But first off, let me start with how A2 is going. Well, we only started like 6 days ago (not including weekends) and I'm already soooo tired! I honestly believe I've done more work in this week than in my whole AS year. Its that tiring, believe it or not. A2 requires a lot more effort and hard work. Just chilling is not going to get you by! I'm practically trying to extend the hours I'm awake so this means roughly 6 hours sleep so I have 18 hours to put as much work in as possible. The workload is a lot, so much dedication is required. I can't what until school ends so I can just sleep!
You guys remember I have a job at the GP, right? Well yes I'm still working there. I do mainly Saturdays The only thing is Saturdays is really quiet! Not many patients come in, so its mainly just scanning and filing for me. The summer hols were way busier! But I'm still learning about how the GP works and stuff, so its still an interesting experience for me.
Its going to be such a busy week for me, I have volunteering tomorrow, I meet my mentor on Wednesday (from SMF; see previous posts all about that), that day I also meet my mentees in the lower sixth which I'm excited about and Thursday I return to my drama classes after school. I've really missed them. Finally Saturday, I have work again. But its all good. I'm happy I have a lot of free time in my timetable because I can catch up with homework and stuff.
Back to the whole medical school application thing. A lot of people I've met who wanted to be doctors have all fallen out of the game. That is how serious and competitive medicine is. It actually hurt me, so many who seemed so much more passionate than me have all dropped out due to one reason of the other. Sometimes, I still question whether it will soon be me dropping out soon too. But the support I've received from my friends, family and even some readers here have been immense, and I'd like to say thank you for the support and for reading the blog! But on another positive note, I'm very close to finishing my UCAS application, it should be ready to submit by next week or so.
Heres where I've decided to apply:
September 2012 is here, which only means one thing. Medical deadlines are next month. But first off, let me start with how A2 is going. Well, we only started like 6 days ago (not including weekends) and I'm already soooo tired! I honestly believe I've done more work in this week than in my whole AS year. Its that tiring, believe it or not. A2 requires a lot more effort and hard work. Just chilling is not going to get you by! I'm practically trying to extend the hours I'm awake so this means roughly 6 hours sleep so I have 18 hours to put as much work in as possible. The workload is a lot, so much dedication is required. I can't what until school ends so I can just sleep!
You guys remember I have a job at the GP, right? Well yes I'm still working there. I do mainly Saturdays The only thing is Saturdays is really quiet! Not many patients come in, so its mainly just scanning and filing for me. The summer hols were way busier! But I'm still learning about how the GP works and stuff, so its still an interesting experience for me.
Its going to be such a busy week for me, I have volunteering tomorrow, I meet my mentor on Wednesday (from SMF; see previous posts all about that), that day I also meet my mentees in the lower sixth which I'm excited about and Thursday I return to my drama classes after school. I've really missed them. Finally Saturday, I have work again. But its all good. I'm happy I have a lot of free time in my timetable because I can catch up with homework and stuff.
Back to the whole medical school application thing. A lot of people I've met who wanted to be doctors have all fallen out of the game. That is how serious and competitive medicine is. It actually hurt me, so many who seemed so much more passionate than me have all dropped out due to one reason of the other. Sometimes, I still question whether it will soon be me dropping out soon too. But the support I've received from my friends, family and even some readers here have been immense, and I'd like to say thank you for the support and for reading the blog! But on another positive note, I'm very close to finishing my UCAS application, it should be ready to submit by next week or so.
Heres where I've decided to apply:
- Leeds A100
- Bristol A100
- Nottingham A100
- Kings EMDP (Extended Medical Degree Programme)
- Queen Marys (Chemistry + Biochemistry)
So yeah, those are the luck 5 universities I've chosen. If I do get rejected, I'll be more than happy to take a gap year and reapply. It will give me a chance to focus more on my grades which are really important.
So thats really been a catch up of September so far. Its going to be a long 9 months or short; my teachers keep saying it will whizz by. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't petrified. To be growing up so fast, woooow. Time really does go fast.
I really do wish every other medical applicant (or non medical) the best of luck in this UCAS cycle. I'm sure you'll do well and get offers!
Good luck!!!
Satta.
x
Wednesday, 5 September 2012
Ok sooo....
I've been reflecting on this journey and I've realised a lot of friends of mine who wanted to do medicine have all dropped out. I've survived this long, and I feel like its time for me to bow out of the race too. I've been having doubts whether to continue as others around me doubt whether its possible for me to get in. Of course, leading to me in believing them and just feeling like its time to end this journey. I'm seriously contemplating whether I want to continue this journey or not; its been a great ride and all, but it is a lot of stress but that's what I love. But I love medicine as a whole but I'm seriously doubting my abilities now. I'm losing hope.
If I was to continue heres where I'd apply to now:
If I was to continue heres where I'd apply to now:
- Hull York
- Bristol
- Lancaster/Leeds
- Keele
And Queens as a back-up to study Chemistry and biochemistry. Whether its time to let the journey end, I cannot be sure....
Tuesday, 28 August 2012
Righty-O!
Right, first things first, my UKCAT score!!
I know I was supposed to post it after doing the test, but I was upset about it. Even though its not bad, I thought I had no chance with my score! But eventually I got over it, and realised I still have a shot at getting in - no room for negative thoughts here!!!
Heres what I got:
Verbal Reasoning - 570
Quantitative Reasoning - 590
Abstract Reasoning - 660
Decision Analysis - 660
Average - 620
When I worked out the average, I panicked and was like "Oh no! I have no hope!" I instantly started planning a gap year. but I believe I still a chance! How could I assume I have no chance if I hadn't applied yet? My grades can be predicted AAA, I've had work experience and voluntary work. My personal statement is coming along great! Why would I not have a shot?
I know I was supposed to post it after doing the test, but I was upset about it. Even though its not bad, I thought I had no chance with my score! But eventually I got over it, and realised I still have a shot at getting in - no room for negative thoughts here!!!
Heres what I got:
Verbal Reasoning - 570
Quantitative Reasoning - 590
Abstract Reasoning - 660
Decision Analysis - 660
Average - 620
When I worked out the average, I panicked and was like "Oh no! I have no hope!" I instantly started planning a gap year. but I believe I still a chance! How could I assume I have no chance if I hadn't applied yet? My grades can be predicted AAA, I've had work experience and voluntary work. My personal statement is coming along great! Why would I not have a shot?
Thursday, 23 August 2012
UKCAT DAY!!!!1!!!1!
Today is the big dayyyyy!
Doing my UKCAT later on today. My test is at 5pm.
Quite nervous, but whatever happens, happens.
I'll post my score on later!
Doing my UKCAT later on today. My test is at 5pm.
Quite nervous, but whatever happens, happens.
I'll post my score on later!
Friday, 17 August 2012
Day at work?
If you don't know, I got a job at a GP working as a receptionist, BONUS I get money and I get to put it on my personal statement! Anyway today was my second day and guess what?
I was left on my own with a work experience girl! Initially I wasn't worried because it seemed quiet today but then the patients started rolling in! It was quite difficult because we didn't know everything, but it was a very good learning experience.
I've touched on this before but communicating with foreign patients is extremely difficult, especially if they don't speak or understand a word of english. But to overcome this today, I had to write a note and the patient gave to someone they knew who spoke english so that was ok. We tried signing when we spoke but it was clear she wasn't understanding what we were saying so the note method was used.
But today was an enormous learning curve and it was an amazing feeling to be trusted to lock up the GP. I really did learn a lot, medicine is a whole lot more than just doctors and diagnosing. Theres a whole team of people who help with the healthcare of others. I feel I have gained more understanding of the career I'm going into and it is an amazing feeling.
Now, just need to keep preparing for the UKCAT. I may still have a chance. My journey into medicine is not over yet.
I was left on my own with a work experience girl! Initially I wasn't worried because it seemed quiet today but then the patients started rolling in! It was quite difficult because we didn't know everything, but it was a very good learning experience.
I've touched on this before but communicating with foreign patients is extremely difficult, especially if they don't speak or understand a word of english. But to overcome this today, I had to write a note and the patient gave to someone they knew who spoke english so that was ok. We tried signing when we spoke but it was clear she wasn't understanding what we were saying so the note method was used.
But today was an enormous learning curve and it was an amazing feeling to be trusted to lock up the GP. I really did learn a lot, medicine is a whole lot more than just doctors and diagnosing. Theres a whole team of people who help with the healthcare of others. I feel I have gained more understanding of the career I'm going into and it is an amazing feeling.
Now, just need to keep preparing for the UKCAT. I may still have a chance. My journey into medicine is not over yet.
My Results!
So heres what I predicted a few days ago what I'll get:
Biology - A
Chemistry - B
Maths - B
Religious Studies (Philosophy and Ethics) - B
Further Maths - U
Heres what I actually got:
Biology - B (aac)
Chemistry - B (abc)
Maths - B (aac) - 2 UMS from A :(
Religious Studies (Philosophy and Ethics) - C (bc)
Further Maths - D (bdu)
Initially I was upset with what I got. But now that I've slept on it, I'm ok because I still have a chance to get AAA in the main subjects! So obviously I'll be continuing biology, chemistry and maths at A2. I'll be working REALLY hard to get A's next year - possibly even an A*? It did hurt, now I have to forget about applying to UCL, because I've heard they like high module grades so I have no chance. So now I have to do more research into what medical schools I can apply to. I still have my UKCAT to do, so no rational decisions will be made until I've done my UKCAT. But I do believe I still have a chance because I will have a strong profile before I apply! But hey, life goes on, my AS grades will not stop me from achieving my dream, even if I do end up doing post-grad medicine.
The thing is with medicine, it is never 100% definite! You may have the strongest profile but there is still a chance you won't get it, so why should I give up! Regarding the further maths grade, my maths teacher said that he'll allow me to resit the certain modules that brought my grade down even though I'm not continuing it for A2. But overall I'm quite pleased with the B's in the main subjects - it means I still have a chance and shouldn't give up!
Biology - A
Chemistry - B
Maths - B
Religious Studies (Philosophy and Ethics) - B
Further Maths - U
Heres what I actually got:
Biology - B (aac)
Chemistry - B (abc)
Maths - B (aac) - 2 UMS from A :(
Religious Studies (Philosophy and Ethics) - C (bc)
Further Maths - D (bdu)
Initially I was upset with what I got. But now that I've slept on it, I'm ok because I still have a chance to get AAA in the main subjects! So obviously I'll be continuing biology, chemistry and maths at A2. I'll be working REALLY hard to get A's next year - possibly even an A*? It did hurt, now I have to forget about applying to UCL, because I've heard they like high module grades so I have no chance. So now I have to do more research into what medical schools I can apply to. I still have my UKCAT to do, so no rational decisions will be made until I've done my UKCAT. But I do believe I still have a chance because I will have a strong profile before I apply! But hey, life goes on, my AS grades will not stop me from achieving my dream, even if I do end up doing post-grad medicine.
The thing is with medicine, it is never 100% definite! You may have the strongest profile but there is still a chance you won't get it, so why should I give up! Regarding the further maths grade, my maths teacher said that he'll allow me to resit the certain modules that brought my grade down even though I'm not continuing it for A2. But overall I'm quite pleased with the B's in the main subjects - it means I still have a chance and shouldn't give up!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)