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In Focus - Dan Sims

Dan Sims

Year of Study: Recently qualified FY1

Dan tells us about how he found his time at BSMS, alongside dispelling some common misconceptions about getting into medicine, and discusses why, as cliché as it sounds, the best thing you can do in an interview really is to be yourself.

What made you want to study at BSMS?

When applying to medical schools, I looked at various factors that would influence my decision to study there, such as class size, location, extracurricular opportunities, the structure of the curriculum itself etc. All things considered, BSMS was by far and away my top choice as it seemed to fulfil all of these preferences. Importantly, I think you have to consider where the medical school is in the country and what that city can offer you for a life outside medicine. Medical school is typically a five-year commitment, if not longer, and it's really important to have other interests. Brighton is a lively city with unique opportunities and it's certainly somewhere I was willing to spend at least five years of my life.

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

Work experience seems to be getting harder to organise at the moment but there really is no substitute to shadowing a healthcare professional (it does not have to be a doctor!!!). There's a lot of courses out there and other work experience opportunities that cost money but these are not necessary. If you're wondering whether medicine will be for you and you're in need of experiences to discuss in personal statements or interviews, then try and experience healthcare first-hand. This can take many forms: shadowing a doctor for a morning, volunteering in a care home, working at a pharmacy - get creative, it all counts!

How did you prepare for the BMAT/UCAT?

I can't say too much about preparing for the BMAT as I didn't have to do it, but I did do the UKCAT. My best advice for preparation is not just to do practice papers but to do this to the proper timings. The questions aren't necessarily the hardest but people tend to drop lots of points by not working to time. As with most exams in life, you'll perform better with good exam technique so use time wisely and mark questions that you're not sure about to come back to, the knowledge will come with time.

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

I prepared by having multiple practice interviews and tried to limit my written preparation to as little as possible. I was very wary that if I prepared too much or prepared answers in writing, I would appear robotic and disingenuous. Particularly as you can't know what questions you're going to be asked, there's little benefit to this way of preparing. Instead I sat down with various people (parents, teachers, friends) and asked them to ask me interview questions and then for feedback. I aimed to keep my answers conversational and concise and where appropriate, always aimed to tie in one of my experiences or traits into the answer.

What’s your top tip for interviews?

Honestly, it may not sound useful, but be yourself. I've been lucky enough to be asked to interview for BSMS during my time here and I've also conducted numerous practice interviews at other schools and what I have learned from being on the other side of the table is that only half the battle is in the content of your answer and the knowledge that you have. The other half is context and that is all you. Speak your thought process aloud, show your true self and be confident, conversational and human.

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

I definitely had a pre-conceived notion that to get into medical school and then to become a doctor, you needed to be ‘the smartest’ or have done the most extra-curricular activities or work experience. This is not true. One of the biggest lessons I have learned during medical school is to take time out and pursue things I enjoy for me as opposed to boosting my applications. You do not have to be smart to go to medical school, you need to be driven. If medicine is something you want to do, then you will find a way to do it.

How did you choose which medical schools to apply to?

As explained in the paragraph about choosing BSMS, part of my decision making was down to the format and structure of the course but an equally important part was location. I made a big spreadsheet logging all the factors I judged to be important to me and then went about subsequently ranking the medical schools.

How did you find/manage the transition to university?

It is difficult, there's no skirting around that, but the beauty of starting university is everyone is in the same boat so you learn together. It's incredible how quickly you make friends and settle in. The thought can be overwhelming but in hindsight, it really was very easy.

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

Very difficult question to answer. I would definitely have to narrow this down to the clinical years of medical school as then you start to have the experiences that you came to medical school for. In particular, you actually get to see and interact with patients and they all have incredible stories to tell. Essentially, the people you come across during your time at medical school and beyond make studying medicine worthwhile.

What has been your BSMS highlight so far?

The questions are getting harder! It has to be the friends I've made here. I've spent six years here and have some truly incredible memories of BSMS and Brighton and that is largely due to the people that I've made those memories with.

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

Brighton is not a very big place but it has so much to offer. Festivals, sports, independent cafes and restaurants...there is so much culture in such a small place! And then...

Do you have a favourite place to visit in Brighton?

...there's the beach. Hands down the best part of Brighton. Many an evening has been spent on Brighton Beach.

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

To reiterate what I said earlier, you do not need to be the smartest or the most talented to study medicine. You just need to be driven. If you think medicine is right for you then apply yourself and don't let obstacles or people stand in your way. It may not be an easy road but if it's what you want, then go get it done!

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

I moved to Switzerland when I was three and grew up there until I finished school at 18. But with both my siblings returning to the UK for university before me and having been born here, returning to the UK seemed like a natural next step move for me.