dipak kanabar dean of admissions at kings. school of medicine around 1000 home applications (mbbs)...

Dipak KanabarDean of Admissions at Kings

School of Medicine•Around 1000 Home applications (MBBS) in 2014•290 Home places....so about 3.5 apps per place•Approx 950 interviews held•530 Home offers (conditional and unconditional)

Medicine UG routes

•5 year programme (MBBS)•4 year programme (GPEP)

Do your research

•Open Days•Taster sessions•Websites vs prospectuses•Be choosy•So, tell me all about medicine!

The interview:If you pass the interview, we offer you a place.So how do you get invited to interview?Academic factors considered:

•Predicted final grades (min 2:1)•UKCAT•Personal statement

Non academic criteria:• Community activities (very desirable)• Scholastic activities (desirable)• General activities and interests

(desirable)• Paid or voluntary work (very desirable)• Work shadowing/observation (very

desirable)

Different types of interview:

•THEN:

•Traditional 2:1 •MMI•Group interview

Different types of interview:

•NOW:

•MMI’s! And nothing else!

UKCAT?1. Verbal reasoning2. Quantitative reasoning3. Abstract reasoning4. Problem solving5. SJT (new this year)

UKCAT:•I only care about one thing…….. what is the cut off score?

•Your UKCAT score is usually the major reason that you do/do not get invited to interview

The interview:•No offers are made without an interview. •Held between January and March•The best way to check progress?• 5 MMI stations, 5 mins in each

So what are you going to ask me about?

•Realistic understanding of medicine•Science question•Ethical question (see beforehand)•Work experience•Picture•Current affairs

Aim of the interview?•your personal qualities•do you have the potential to become a successful member of the medical profession?• strong interpersonal and communication skills. Why? •dress code

What to expect at interview?•Work experience•Being a doctor is awesome (saving lives and that)•No trick questions•Encouraged to move away from rehearsed answers•I’m on the fence...... and I’m not moving!•I’m a child prodigy!

What else to expect?•Communication skills?•Team player vs individual•I am so committed – I spend every lunchtime studying in the library. AND 5 more hours every night!•Other experiences beyond school and football?•Not always the “right” answer required

Personal Statement:•Evidence of appropriate commitment•Realistic appreciation of the demands of a medical/dental/pharma/physio/nursing career•Work experience•Team player?•Contribution to community•Outside interests•Cope with heavy academic workload?

Personal Statement:

•UCAS similarity checker•“Helpful” websites•Its my passion!• And I have just read......

“As I sat in the fading autumn light watching the old, withered man come to terms with his last few hours of life, I then realised that my calling was to save humanity............

.........and make my family proud of the compassionate and caring medical expert that I have become”.

“having recently returned from leading a group of disadvantaged students across the Atlas mountains on my own (a task which I cheerfully took on when the 3 football teams I coached were having their winter break)..........

.....which was still a problem despite the £15,000 I had raised towards its upkeep.......

....and the top heart specialist who I worked with over the summer also convinced me that I had made the right choice......”

It’s not fair!

• I didn’t get in........so I’m appealing!• Many very good applicants miss out• Have a Plan B....and C

Medicine is not just being a doctor•research

•radiography•physiotherapy•nursing and midwifery•occupational health•...and many more

Thank you

Any questions?