Our students are reporting being called for interviews, with some having had their first interview this week. However, we are also getting reports of students getting rejected by 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 be 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 are about to take mock A-level exams. We are also getting reports of rejections from Oxbridge. These include students with almost every GCSE at grade 9 and A* predictions at A-level.

🏆 Medical school places are still very competitive

It is important to remember that medical school places are very competitive and more so this year, following the problems with awarding A-level grades last year. You can ask for feedback on why you have not been called for an interview, but this may not be in any detail or forthcoming. We can only hypothesise that it could be due to your personal statement, for example, a lack of reflective work experience or your UCAT score.

😡 Being rejected from your UCAS 5th choice

In addition, students report being rejected for 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 dedicated solely to that career choice, which will be apparent from reading your UCAS personal statement.

📚 Keep working hard and focus on your remaining medical school choices

Getting rejected from one medical school should encourage you to work hard for the others you have applied for. In addition, do not lose focus on your A-level studies and continue preparing for medical school interviews. Getting rejected does not mean you give up being a doctor or are not academically bright enough.

When I applied to medical school back in 1995, we could apply to five medical schools. I was called for an interview for three and ended up with offers for two (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 came at the end of March.

⚠️ The medical school you have graduated from is irrelevant to a career in the NHS

In the UK, particularly 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 that 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.

👁 Keep going! Forget the medical school that has rejected you

Keep going! Don’t be disheartened, lose confidence, or get put off if you are rejected by a medical school. Speak to your parents and teachers for support, continue your preparation for the medical school that may call you for an interview, and forget the one that has rejected you.