Guide to Medical School open days

Medical school is long. If you’re going to be spending 5-6 years of your life in a particular place, it is important to choose somewhere you enjoy being, and where you think you will grow and develop, both personally and academically. The best way to know which university is right for you is to attend open days. We’ve made a list of some of the main factors we believe you should look out for when attending open days. 

University open days usually begin in June and occur periodically over the summer until September/October time, which is when UCAS medicine and dentistry applications are due. Given the current situation regarding COVID-19, things are a bit different this year, and universities have cancelled and delayed their open days. However, some are hosting virtual open days and whilst this is not a replacement for visiting the university in person, it can still be helpful in selecting between universities. You can also email and call the university’s medical school directly for any questions and queries you may have, and they will be able to better direct you towards the resources available for prospective students at the moment.

When attending open days, be sure to speak to current students. Current students usually participate in open days, hosting tours for prospective students and their parents, and also helping out at their departments. Current students will be able to give you an accurate insight into the medical school, information that may not be explicitly stated on university brochures! Also make sure to ask them any specific questions you may have about the university program, extra-curricular activities and university housing. Aside from giving you an insider’s view of the university, they will also be able to guide you towards where you can find additional information and answers to your questions.

We also advise you speak to the current professors during the open day event. Although there will be sufficient information relating to the program structure online, speaking to someone directly will give you further insight. Questions to ask are what is the balance between assignments and exams, how soon in the program is clinical exposure offered, and also is there anything I can do before starting to prepare myself in advance, to name a few questions. Speaking to professors is especially relevant if you are looking to pursue medicine at a PBL course as this is quite different from the teaching style you will have been used to at school. This will help you understand if PBL is the right course structure for you.

Finally, make sure to check out the Students’ Union and the University housing whilst you are at the open day. You want to make sure you’re at a university you will enjoy attending! It’s also important to know if you’re university offers accommodation that suits your requirements (eg close to campus, en suite etc) or if you should look into private accommodation.

Here are some ideas we think are important to keep in mind when attending open days. Be sure to check out the university program as well!