Hughes Tutoring

3 Years Before Applying

Start seeking medical-related work experience and engage in a variety of extracurricular activities, which will help to strengthen your application before the demands of GCSEs increase.

This is the first step in the admissions journey. Not only will it enhance your application, but it will also give you valuable insights into the medical field, helping you determine if this career path is the right fit for you.

2 Years Before Applying

  • Be strategic in choosing your A-level subjects, ensuring you can achieve top grades. By now, you should be well on your way to outstanding GCSE results.
  • Research medical schools, including their entry requirements, size, and location. Visit them if you are unfamiliar with the area to get a better sense of where you might want to study.
  • Expand on your extracurricular activities to demonstrate a well-rounded work-life balance and, most importantly, your commitment.

Additionally, it's crucial that you have secured and are actively participating in medical-related work experience by this stage. This experience is essential for your application and provides deeper insights into the medical profession.

1 Year Before Applying

  • Work consistently well throughout the year to achieve excellent predicted grades.
  • Begin studying for the UCAT. This exam is a critical component of your application process for medical school.
  • Start drafting your personal statement. Identify any gaps in your experience or knowledge that you may need to address, such as reading material or additional work experience.

6 Months Before Applying

  • Be ready to book a test date for the UCAT when booking opens in mid-June. For instance, in 2024 the booking date was June 18th. The testing window typically runs from early July to late September. Aim to achieve a high score, as the UCAT is a critical component of your application and medical school admissions are highly competitive.
  • If needed, consider approaching teachers for letters of recommendation.
  • Top Tip-Book an early UCAT test date to allow ample time to organize your application before starting Year 13.

3 Months Before Applying

  • Sit the UCAT and compare your results to universities' cutoffs in recent years. Bear in mind that cutoffs often rise year on year by an average of 15-20 points depending on the university, so consider this when evaluating your score. Assess how your score relates to your top choices for universities.
  • Have the final draft of your personal statement ready by now, as the deadline for medicine applications to universities is typically in October, which is earlier than for most other courses.

1 Month Before Applying

  • Begin interview practice to prepare for upcoming interviews.
  • Finalize all aspects of your application, ensuring everything is ready to be sent off.

During Year 13

  • Interviews can occur from late November to early March. Offers may be sent out throughout the year, but the majority are typically issued around March.
  • Achieve your offer grades during the summer and prepare to start medical school!