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In Focus - Madeleine Grand

Madeleine Grand

Year of Study: Year 5

Student sitting outside on a chair with legs crossed

Fifth year student Madeleine Grand discusses her experiences at BSMS, including sports and societies, presenting at a Berlin conference, and what she would tell her 17 year old self.

What made you want to study medicine?

I love people. Medicine is the perfect career for someone that wants to be pushed and challenged, and you need to have scientific knowledge as well as social, political and economical knowledge.

What made you want to study at BSMS?

I loved how free Brighton felt and I’d heard from lots of doctors that the graduates produced by BSMS are great to work with and are just generally very good doctors.

How did you prepare for your interviews?

I got friends and relatives to interview me. I’d also previously been interviewed for jobs and schools so I had an idea of what a formal interview looked like. Practice with topics you know nothing about. There will always be a question you’re not prepared for so if you’ve practiced in scenarios where you don’t know the answer, you’ll be better prepared.

Do you have any top tips for UCAT and BMAT?

Stick with one resource (the internet is overwhelming!) I recommend only using the official guide and practice lots. Stay away from paid courses.

Do you have any advice for managing the transition to university?

Don’t have any expectations and try everything with an open mind.

Are you involved in any sports or societies?

So many! I was part of Friends of MSF, Emergency Medicine, dabbled in green society and rock climbing society….I tried everything!

What has been your BSMS highlight?

My research project in Year 4, I had the opportunity to present my poster in Berlin at a conference organised by a society I used to reference in my essays.

Can you be a good doctor outside of NHS hospitals?

Yes! There are so many alternative medicine careers that aren’t talked about enough.

If you could go back in time to give one tip to your younger self, what would it be?

It’s ok to not have it all figured out at 17 years old. If you really want to make medicine happen it will, even through unconventional routes.

Describe your medical school experience in three words

Challenging, exciting, best thing I ever did (I don’t know how to make that shorter).