SHOULD YOU ATTEND A MEDICAL SUMMER SCHOOL?
IF YOU’RE AT THAT POINT IN YOUR MEDICAL JOURNEY WHERE YOU ARE STARTING TO THINK OF PUTTING TOGETHER YOUR REAL-DEAL APPLICATION, THIS POST IS FOR YOU.
This summer I attended a Medical summer school to get my application on track and ready to go.
I want to share with you my completely honest review and thoughts on the summer school, to help you make the right decision!
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Medical summer school-the rundown:
I went along to the medic mentor summer school this summer. I was fortunate enough to still attend in person this year despite the pandemic.
Overall, I had an amazing time!
Honestly, I am so grateful that I have been able to go this year! I have been given amazing support and I am in a way a better place now!
So I went to the summer school in London, we stayed at the Marriot hotel and it was really nice! The week was jam-packed. I can’t lie!
The itinerary was packed:
- Loads of interview practice
- UCAT and BMAT Bootcamp days
- medical ethics
- breaking bad news.
and loads more!
Not to mention, we finished our entire personal statements in one week from start to finish! It’s so bonkers when I think about it!
The overview:
So here are the technical bits.
The summer school was 6 days long and started on Sunday evening and we left at about Saturday lunchtime the next week.
In total the summer school cost £2750, which is a lot. I do have to say though, most summer schools are actually more expensive than this and I think you get so much more from the medic mentor summer programme than any other.
I am still receiving support from them and will continue to for basically as long as I need as I get way more than 6 days for my money!
Medical summer school – The Good:
There are a ton of great things about the summer school that I could talk about so I’m going to tell you the top things that I think are pretty cool about it.
1. The mentors and Doctors are SO willing to help.
The support I got from my specific mentor( a medical student whose job was to look after and support me and two other students) was incredible!
She not only helped me redraft my personal statement, and read it back about 1000 times, but also supported us in growing the skills needed for a great application.
I could go up to any one of the mentors in the room, or email any of the doctors and they would be so enthusiastic and ready to help.
2. Safety
So obviously medical summer school looks different this year due to COVID.
However, I felt safe at all times during the summer school and they had put loads of measures into place to ensure that we were all as safe as possible.
If you are thinking about going you really don’t need to be worried about this.
3. The atmosphere
I really, really thrived off being surrounded by so many hardworking, like-minded students at the medical summer school.
It really pushed me to work hard and be inquisitive.
Sometimes in our sixth form bubbles we forget there are other aspiring medics out there too!
The summer school really brought into perspective for me that there were other people in the same boat!
4. Weight off my shoulders
When I say we got shiz done… I mean we literally finished personal statements in one week AND had them reviewed by doctors and medical students.
I learnt so much and also got to find out so much about universities and UCAT there that I felt a huge weight off my shoulders coming home!
Year 13 is so busy and I thonk there is real benefit getting as much done for medical applications as you can in the summer.
5. The community
Medic mentor summer school really does knit a close community, we still have a group chat with all the students on which is SO supportive throughout the whole process, and We are even planning to have a reunion!
It’s such a cool thing to find so many friends who all love the same things as you do and are aiming for the same goals!
6. Direction – from the right people
The brilliant thing about Medic mentor is that It is literally run by medics, doctors and people with specialist insight into what we need to achieve to get into medical school and become great doctors.
There is literally no better insight that you could get than from these people. The knowledge base that you have access to is fantastic.
Applying to medicine, there are so many organisations all prying for your attention.
It can be a real challenge working out who is legit and who isn’t but I definitely trust the Medic Mentor summer school to give me accurate and up to date advice.
7.Continued support
This is probably one of the best parts about the medical summer school. They are actually invested in your success, they want you to get into good medical school SO much.
This is so evident because they are after so much more than just your money and definitely overdeliver on what they promise!
Following up from the summer school, I am still in regular contact with my mentor and have had a meeting with a Doctor to discuss where I should strategically apply.
I am also going to be able to have practice interview sessions around my interview times and have also had my personal statement reviewed and checked off.
They are literally there to support you so much, they might even help you unpack your room at medical school if you ask nicely! Hahaha.
8. Asking questions
I really liked the fact that the mentors were students at medical schools from all over the country and I was able to ask them anything about their time there!
This really helped me understand what it is that I want in a medical school and learn more about life as a medical student.
9. Developing skills
So beyond the medical application, the summer school has taught me skills for a future as a doctor too.
I learnt about breaking bad news, medical ethics, the history of medicine and so much more. Yes, this will help me at the interview, but also to understand the type of workplace I am entering.
Medical summer school – The Bad:
Okay so I say the bad, but I really struggle to find much fault with medic mentor, I seriously wouldnt be where I am without them!
However, I promised an honest review so that is what you will get!
1. It’s HARD WORK
This isnt’t necessarily a bad thing but it definitely is important to consider. If you are looking for a fun, carefree summer the summer school isn’t for you.
However, getting so much done in such a short space of time does leave more room for fun during summer without worrying about your application so much!
You do work extremely hard at the summer school, but the tiredness is definitely worth it.
2. There are lots of students
Although your summer school group is pretty small which is awesome for one to one contact. There are actually a lot of summer school weeks in one year!
This can make it challenging to get in contact when you need to and make connections with medic mentor outside of the summer school.
I think there was a slight problem with it this year, but they have decided on a whole new communication system which I’m sure will smooth things out for next year, so don’t worry!
So to wrap up:
I have loved my time at Medic Mentor summer school and really would recommend it to anyone!
If you do want to sign up make sure you do it quickly as places fill fast! I signed up about a year in advance, so you should do it now if you are a year 12!
It’s a huge commitment of time and money so make sure you are sure you want to pursue a career in medicine before you sign up!
Overall though, it’s a commitment that I definitely don’t regret!
I hope this has been useful and given you the guidance you need!
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That’s all from me!
Bye!!
Zoe XX