Posts Tagged ‘Southampton’
All of your eggs…
Posted on January 18th, 2009 by Matt
Don’t put all of your eggs into one basket
Well, I didn’t. My application started out being spread evenly between four good medical schools. Then, on 16th December last year, I got the email from track@ucas.ac.uk informing me that my status had changed – as it turned out I was rejected; one down, and three to go. It was only 2 days later that I got the next email from UCAS Track, and once again the nerves kicked in as I found yet another AS4 (rejection letter) waiting for me.
Last week, the same thing happened to me. Ironically, I got the email less than 5 minutes after saying goodbye to my Connexions PA, when I was telling her how I was still waiting on decisions from 2 medical schools. 5 more minutes of typing web addresses, application numbers, usernames and passwords on the tiny keypad on my phone, and I’d discovered the change. It was from the Univeristy of Southampton medical school, telling me that unfortunately my application to study BM Medicine (A100) had been unsuccessful.
So, here I am, blogging on one screen, a pretty disheartening Track on another. Like a few medical applicants, I’m now waiting for that fourth and final medical school to consider my application and make their decision – whatever that may be. I’ve applied to do Medicine (A100) at the University of Bristol, and I know that they interview their applicants. I’m getting some pretty tough-going practice at questions from Rob, just in case I need it. At the moment, I’m checking my pigeonhole at halls as soon as I can every day, and silently hoping for that letter…
Matt plans to write to the medical schools that rejected him, and hopefully gain an insight into what he needs to do better if he is unsuccessful this year!
1 Comment »The send-off
Posted on October 13th, 2008 by Matt
Well, I’m pleased to announce that I was able to send off my UCAS application tonight. After many weeks of entering details, writing statements, chasing references, and the rest, I’ve finally done it.
?17.00 on the credit card later, and my application is being processed by UCAS before being sent to the 4 medical schools I have applied to. BSMS, Bristol, Sheffield and Southampton – let’s hope they’ll like my application!
Now, like many others, I’m eagerly watching the postbox, waiting for details about how to logon to Track. No doubt I’ll become more addicted that than I am to Facebook…
Matt is happy now, and semi stress-free.
No Comments »Parents’ and Supporters’ guide
Posted on August 8th, 2008 by Matt
I went over to a university today for a Campus Tour, as I thought I should get on with something having left everything back at halls. It was a very nice tour, and they even gave us a “goody bag” containing some badges, a pen, the prospectus, and some smaller booklets. I also met a 16-year-old girl who had just finished her GCSEs and was effectively going to some visit days to start shortlisting potential universities – a brilliant idea, start early and find out as much as possible!
I’ve been reading the guide aimed at parents, because they usually summarise all of the useful information from everywhere else into a much smaller size. A few things stuck out at me, and I’ll point them out below, as well as expland on them.
Some young people are more independent than others, but your son or daughter will settle into university life more easily if they have certain basic practical skills, such as being able to do their own laundry, clean their room and cook a few basic meals.
Very true. Amongst that, other key points include being able to read a map (namely the campus one), budget effectively (rent does not pay itself), remember things (like the code for the front door), wash dishes (no university has fairies that can be booked out), iron (unless you like wearing creased clothes), and – most importantly – make a decent cup of tea (this, of course, being essential when it comes to meeting new housemates).
Buying a Young Persons 16-25 Railcard (?24 for 2008) will save a lot of money if your son or daughter will be travelling by train. It provides discounts of one-third on most rail travel in britain.
Not only that, but I even know of one route that does 50% off for students! Don’t forget that almost every medical school is close enough to a principal railway station to make it a viable option for going home. Purchasing tickets in advance with a railcard is an excellent way to save money – personally, I can travel first class (return) for ?40 on a journey that would cost me in excess of ?200 for standard open tickets)!
The University holds undergraduate open days in the summer and autumn of each year, providing a real taste of what life is like at the University
You can check our Online Diary to find out when all of these are taking place. And don’t forget to check the invidual websites too, as some of them will even let you stay in halls the night before the open day! I really recommend you go to at least one, just so that you get a good insight into the medical course. But, personally, I wouldn’t choose a university without looking at it first!
Matt says: Read as much information as you can get your hands on, even the unlikely stuff!
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