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In Focus - Alicia Paessler

Alicia Paessler

Year of Study: Year 3

Alicia tells us what made her want to study at BSMS, what work experience she did and reveals how she prepared for the BMAT/UCAT tests.

What made you want to study at BSMS?

I was first really drawn to BSMS after seeing that the student satisfaction levels there were really high (99%). I was curious to see why this was and found that BSMS have a small year group size which I really liked the idea of being able to get to know everyone and share class sizes with fewer people. I was also excited to see that BSMS was one of few remaining medical schools that still do full body dissection which I had heard is very beneficial to learning. Another thing that seemed really positive was the level of support that students get from the medical school which made it seem like a really welcoming environment. Aside from that, Brighton seemed like a great place to live in!

What work experience did you undertake before applying to medicine? How was it beneficial?

I did one week in a small hospital, as well as being part of a first aid team for a rugby team. I thought being part of a first aid team was actually more useful than the hospital work experience as not only did I learn some valuable medical skills but I was able to grow my team working and communication skills which are essential for being a doctor.

How did you prepare for the BMAT/UCAT?

I did lots of past questions for the BMAT and UCAT. At first, I did them without being timed but then after having done a few, I started to do full past papers under the timed conditions. I found that the trickiest part was the limited time I had for each question so I would recommend working under timed conditions. I also bought a couple of books which were full of past paper questions for both exams which were very useful.

How did you prepare for your interview(s) for medical school?

For the interview, I did a lot of pre-reading around different areas. I wanted to make sure I was up to date and aware of the NHS core values, and some of the current issues within the NHS. I also regularly read the BBC Health section to make sure I was aware of some of the new progressions within healthcare. I then also did some practice interview with my teachers and my families to get more confident in giving answers out loud and expressing myself in a professional manner.

What’s your top tip for interviews?

Make sure to read up on that specific university and their course and what makes them different from other places, make sure you know why you want to go to that specific medical school.

Is there a piece of advice you wish you could have given your younger self when thinking about/applying to medicine?

I would tell myself to worry less about university rankings, I spent a lot of time thinking in order to be successful I needed to go to a top-ranking university. At the end of the day, everyone graduating from any medical school is graduating as a doctor and is on an even playing field. So, make sure you go somewhere that is right for you and is a place you'll enjoy living in for 5 years.

How did you choose which medical schools to apply to?

I made an effort to try and visit various medical schools that I was interested in to get a feel for a specific course, but also to have a chance to visit the area. This is somewhere you'll be living in for 5+ years so it is so important that this is somewhere you'll enjoy and feel comfortable in. I would also recommend looking at the teaching styles and exam styles between different courses as these can vary a lot and different people will prefer certain learning styles over others.

How did you find/manage the transition to university?

I luckily didn't find the transition to university too difficult. It was really assuring to know that everyone at university is in the same situation and is starting in a new place with new people as well and I wasn't the only one. I tried to make an effort to meet new people and explore different parts of Brighton early on in the course which really helped as it made Brighton feel like home very quickly. I would also recommend trying to regularly keep in touch with friends and family from home and having some pictures of them up around your room.

Which part of your course have you found the most interesting so far?

I have definitely found the clinical parts of the course the best so far. Being able to interact with patients more and more throughout the years, particularly now that I am in third year I am in the hospital everyday, is not only really fun, but it really starts to feel like you are becoming a doctor. It is also so helpful when learning about different conditions to be able to see them in person and work through real cases to supplement the theoretical knowledge.

What has been your BSMS highlight so far?

I would say that my personal highlights are all related to the friends that I have been able to make. BSMS is great at being a very welcoming community, starting from before you even start university you are grouped into 'Medic families' with people from your year and some older years and this welcoming attitude continues throughout medical school with lots of social opportunities with other people on your course.

What is your favourite thing about studying and living in Brighton?

I really love Brighton, it feels like such a young city and it is always busy with lots of things going on. You never run out of things to do in Brighton from going down to the beach or window shopping in the Laines or going out for meals with your friends at one of the many great restaurants, pubs and bars. It also seems to have great weather often comparing to the rest of the UK!

Do you have a favourite place to visit in Brighton?

My favourite place is definitely going to the beach on a warm sunny day. Although the beach may be full of rocks it doesn't take away from the fun that you can have there. It's a great place to meet up with friends, have a BBQ, go for a swim or just enjoy the sun!

What is your top tip for prospective applicants applying to study medicine?

My top tip would be to spend some time figuring out where is the best place for you and where you'll be happiest for the next five years as it can make such a big difference.

If you are EU/ International student, what made you want to study in the UK?

I moved to the UK from abroad because I was really impressed with the NHS, and the amazing values that it carries. Its attitude to healthcare and also medical education I thought was really unique and was a healthcare system that I would see myself wanting to work in in the future.