What Can You Do If You Don't Get Into Medical School?
Our students are reporting being called for interviews, with some having had the first interview this week. However, we are now also getting reports of students getting rejections from universities and not making it to the interview stage.
😟 This may be the first time you have had a ‘rejection’ in your career
This may the first time in a student’s career that they have experienced a rejection from an application. As such, it can make you feel horrible and disheartened. This can also cause a loss of confidence, as students are now taking, or about to take, mock A-level exams. We are also getting reports of rejections from Oxbridge. These include students who have pretty much every GCSE at grade 9 and A* predictions at A-level.
🏆 Medical school places are very competitive and more so for 2022 entry
It is important to remember that medical school places are very competitive and more so this year following the problems with the awarding of A-level grades last year. You can attempt to ask for feedback on why you have not been called for interview, but this may not be in any detail or forthcoming. We can only hypothesise it could be due to your personal statement, for example a lack of reflective work experience, or possibly your BMAT or UCAT score.
😡 Being rejected from your UCAS 5th choice
In addition, students are reporting being rejected from their fifth UCAS choice. Some of the popular UCAS fifth choices, such as paramedic science, are already very competitive in their own right. In addition, the admissions tutors for these courses may only want students who are dedicated solely to that career choice, and this will be clear to them from reading your UCAS personal statement.
📚 Keep working hard and focus on your remaining medical school choices
Getting rejected from one medical school should not dissuade you from working hard for the others you have applied for. In addition, do not lose focus on your A-level studies and continue your preparation for medical school interviews. Getting rejected does not mean you give up being a doctor or that you are not academically bright enough.
When I applied to medical school, back in 1995, we could apply to 5 medical schools. I was called for interview for 3 and ended up with offers for 2 (which ended up as my firm and insurance choices respectively). The first ‘rejection’ came the week after my UCAS form was sent in and the final rejection at the end of March.
⚠️ The medical school you have graduated from is irrelevant for a career in the NHS
In the UK, and in particular the NHS, it is irrelevant what medical school you obtained your undergraduate degree from. Very soon, every student who wishes to register with the General Medical Council, whether from the UK or abroad, will have to sit the Medical Licensing Assessment (UKMLA) so effectively you may all have the same finals. As far as a career in general practice, the subject of which medical school I graduated from only comes up socially and has never been asked in any job interview that I have undertaken.
In response to the COVID19 pandemic, we are moving all our Medical School Interview Courses to the webinar format from Sunday the 12th of December 2021. These have the same excellent teaching as an in-person course, and we expect the same level of engagement from students.
👁 Keep going! Forget the medical school that has rejected you
Keep going! Don’t be disheartened, lose confidence, or get put off if you have a rejection from a medical school. Speak to your parents and teachers for support and continue your preparation ready for the medical school that may call you for interview and forget the one that has rejected you.
