What makes a good doctor
Source: Medical Schools Council
Application Timeline and Key Dates
Below are the key dates of the application process. Please note that we have only included the month (to use as a reference) and not specific days, since these change from year to year. You should check each specific date on the official website and add these to your calendar to stay organized.
As soon as possible:
1) Get involved: Work experience (as soon as possible)
Starting in Grade 10 (and continuing until you finish school):
2) Create a "Getting into Medical School Portfolio"
3) Get involved: Work experience (as soon as possible)
4) Interpersonal skills development: Volunteering
5) Reflect on your activities and experiences
Starting in Grade 11 (and continuing until you finish school):
6) Background reading
7) Make a good impression on whoever is writing your recommendation letter
8) Prepare for UCAT, IMAT and/or any other relevant entrance exams
9) Request your recommendation letters (deadline in March)
10) UCAT registration opens in May
Grade 12
11) UCAT registration closes in September
12) Use your portfolio to build your personal statement (look at point 1)
13) Ace the UCAT Test (July to Early October - for the UK)
14) UK: BIG DAY: UCAS application deadline (15th October)
15) Visit Open Days, talk to students and admission tutors
16) Interview preparation
17) UK: Medical School interview (November to April)
18) UK: Conditional offers from Medical Schools
19) IB Final Exams
20) Securing your place at your favorite medical school
Typical components of an application to Medicine programmes
* Work experience (really important)
* Overall academic performance, and, right subject and level choices, and certain grade requirements
* Standardized tests / Entrance exams: UCAT, IMAT, amongst others.
* Personal Statement
* Letters of recommendation
* Interviews
* (Checking age requirements)
Sources: The Unofficial Guide to GETTING INTO MEDICAL SCHOOL (2019), Bogdan Chiva Giurca.
Website with great resources