Non Academic Requirements
Active participation in non-academic activities will provide you with a cross-section of skills and improve your confidence. To the uninitiated, these may seem like the least of your worries when you are facing all the other hurdles you must go through as a prospective medical student. However, extra-curricular activities can be one of the most important deciding factors in whether you are successful in your application and should never be underestimated. The likelihood is that most students applying to study Medicine will have the required grades, so the deciding factors come down to your performance at interview, your Personal Statement and something else that speaks volumes about you – what you do outside of your academic studies. Many skills which doctors acquire and use as part of their daily working lives, such as effective teamwork and communication skills, can all be unconsciously learned from extracurricular activities. Your non-academic activities bring you into contact with a broader cross-section of people outside your own social circle. They can also be used to demonstrate that you have organisational skills and can prioritise activities. The admissions tutors will be looking for well-rounded students who use their time well and seem likely to make a positive contribution to the life of the Medical School as well as excelling academically. They will be looking for supporting evidence of this in the following areas:
School Responsibilities and Activities
At school or college, showing that you have become a prefect, a member of the student council or perhaps mentored younger children is a way of demonstrating that you are able to take responsibility. Such activities can illustrate that you have above average communication, interpersonal and teamwork skills and potential leadership skills. This can also apply to involvement in a school sports team, various school clubs, playing in your school orchestra, getting involved in school drama productions and taking part in The Duke of Edinburgh Award or Young Enterprise Schemes. Charity fundraising is an area which is becoming more commonplace in schools and shows your caring side, in that you are prepared to spend any spare time you might have helping others. It is possible for you to initiate events which can demonstrate your organisational skills and that you are not afraid of a challenge.
Outside Interests
You may think the admissions tutors are looking for a swot, but this isn’t necessarily the case. Hard work and academic success is expected, but the selection panel would like to see that you apply your energy to a whole range of areas outside of study. Hobbies bring an outside focus that can teach many skills including communication, teamwork and empathy, qualities which are not necessarily developed in the classroom. Having a range of experience teaches you more than you realise, in all sorts of ways. Sports, drama, dance, playing a musical instrument and other interests all show that you have developed personal qualities and enjoyed rewarding experiences not learnt through studying. If you have continued with an activity through various levels – working your way through judo belts, piano grades or kayaking levels – it shows a huge amount of dedication, motivation and perseverance. If you happen to be using your skills to teach others, so much the better as doctors always teach their junior staff and such an activity can demonstrate proven communication and leaderships skills. Show that you have already practised these skills and developed them in a rewarding way. Tell the panel exactly what your skills have taught you and how those experiences will help you in later life.
