Hopefully, the admissions team won't read this post - on two separate occassions I have proved my mother right in that 'the most intelligent people have no common sense. Yes, I have quite a few A Grades but I am also a right royal thicko. Obviously I do not use this terminology in reference to anyone other than myself. Particularly whilst working with Special Needs children.
That was as far as I got on the train before I decided to play Angry Birds instead. And it's also now a day outdated, so I'll start afresh. On the eve of the interview I realised I hadn't read the Interview Checklist. Passport, driving license, NI Card, bank statement. Photocopies. And photographs. Bugger. An 11pm trip to my Grandads printer/scanner. A 7am trip to the photo booth at ASDA, disaster averted.
I say 'disaster averted'... yes, I suppose I got to Cardiff okay and with the relevant documentation. I was incredibly tired what with all the panicking and rushing and gentle rocking on the train which always puts me to sleep. But my photobooth picture was not pretty... Now, I'm not entirely sure what they want it for - they ask for two photographs - and I assume it's to put with your statement as a reminder of who you are. I'm hoping they don't use it for my Student ID Card because I look like a drug-crazed serial killer. It's a bizarre fact that applicants refrain from wearing make-up to interview, tuck your hair behind your ears, no nail polish, flat shoes and high necklines with low hemlines. God only knows why, although I suppose how could you have a doctor who was partial to some blusher and eyeliner? Never mind... the point is that without make-up I look rather jaundiced. See below.
 |
| Shannon, medical applicant and autism support worker |
 |
| Aileen Wournos, notorious serial killer and hooker. |
Anywayyyy, the interview itself. If I'm honest, and without tempting fate, I had good vibes. The interviewers were lovely (friendly 4th year, charming anaethetist and grandad-like GP with the best Welsh accent you could hope for). They asked me the basic questions as well as quizzing me on the more interesting parts of my statement, particularly around my jobs and Extended Project. They laughed and smiled and nodded in the right places, and I even got a 'I like the way you put that, that was very nice'. But I guess you never know... Like I've said again and again, there are so many fantastic applicants it must be a real challenge to choose between them. From my gut feeling, what will have let me down will be my initial nerves - I was called in 10 minutes early, so hadn't had a chance to fully focus and it showed. When speaking under pressure I find it difficult to control the pitch of my voice and have to concentrate on keeping my breathing even. During one question I paused to catch my breath and re-focus, and was even asked if I could 'expand on my answer' as if they thought I had finished. I'll kick myself for that one.
So there you go, now it's kind of limbo-land with very little going on either way until February. I can kick back now for 3 weeks or so, and just see what happens. My mental time frame looks like this:
Hull York: offer made before end of February. (Last interview held yesterday, so just waiting for candidates to be ranked - assume it could be earlier)
Cardiff: Endeavour to inform candidates before the end of February
Leeds: begin interviewing in February (invites given out mid-January), offers made in April
Southampton: First offers made in February (last year they said this but gave some in January). Could wait until April.
Speaking of Southampton, I had an automatic email reply from them which contained lots of information including 'this year, our UKCAT threshold score will be 3210.' My score was 2981. Of course, I was upset (and yes, shed a tear) until the next day when mum asked to read the email. 'What did you say your UKCAT score was Shannon? It says here the threshold score will be 2310.' Oh, right. I guess I read it wrong then mum. No need to worry, I'm still in the race. Was wondering why my Grandparents called to see 'if I was okay'.
No comments:
Post a Comment