HYMS

So perhaps my claim of 'I could hear next week' was a bit optimistic but I've finally heard something!


Up until now, University correspondence had been minimal. Moral was low.


HYMS (Hull and York Medical School) contacted me asking for more information on my gap year. Leeds thanked me for applying and let me know that due to 'large volumes of applicants' I shouldn't expect to hear until the first week of December at least.
Cardiff also said thank you, and reassured that whether interviews were held in November or March, applicants had an equal chance of an offer.
Southampton remain silent.


AND THEN...


An email from HYMS last week, inviting me to interview! Luckily, it's the day after we get back from our Derren Brown cruise - so in a space of 24 hours I'm going to be travelling from Bruges to Southampton to Swindon to Hull. And then back to Swindon. I don't mind, if I'm honest. I don't mind the 5 hour train ride, or the nervous build-up, or the £100+ it's going to cost me in Travelodge fees and packet sandwiches. I don't even mind the pressure of an interview or the awkward moments spent 'sizing-up' the fellow applicants. FYI, HYMS received 1000+ applications for 150ish places. 600 people are interviewed for around 350 offers. That's just about 50-50. The way HYMS work is a 'leader board' style... where more points at interview mean a higher chance of acceptance.


I'm also aware not to build up my hopes too much - after all, an interview in no way guarantees an offer - but at least it's something. After six weeks of silence, it's a little relief to know that my application hasn't been completely passed over. Mind, I haven't had any bad news either (I think post-Xmas is usually when the majority of rejections are made).


In reflection, (as long as I have an offer this year) this year has been a great opportunity: I've taken a year out to explore other interests through my work, develop and mature as a person as well as de-stress and remind myself how to be a legal teenager without the constant pressure of exams (read: pub visits and lazy evening in my trackie bottoms)! And I hope I have an opportunity to express this in an interview...


I really would love to get an offer from HYMS - they're a relatively small (read: personable) medical school, with a huge focus on learning through experience (up to 50% of the course is on placements in primary and secondary care centres). They also practice PBL, a form of team-based learning where each week presents a 'challenge' to explore and research, therefore expanding your knowledge as you work. HYMS trains you to be a doctor, rather than teaching you medicine. 


My outfit is set (pink pin-stripe trouser suit, with a pencil dress as the back-up option), now just for the preparation! Re-reading my statement, EPQ, books I've quoted, finishing my scrapbook, cramming as much from NHS Behind The Headlines and the news, watching TED on my iPad, plus scanning the HYMS website and prospectus for any pearls of wisdom. Exhausting, nerve-wracking, exciting stuff.


I don't want to set myself up for a fall by giving away too much now, so I'll let you know after the interview/on the decision day.