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In Focus - Ollie Pentz-2022

Ollie Pentz

Year of Study: Year 5

Fifth year student Ollie Pentz, discusses societies, preparing for medical school interviews, and what surprised him most about studying medicine at BSMS.

What made you want to study at medicine?

Any other job seemed to boring to me! I wanted to do something exciting, engaging, evolving, and most importantly focusing on helping people.

What made you want to study at BSMS?

Based on the city, societies available, and student satisfaction, that I would have a great time in BSMS. Not many degrees have the luxury of going anywhere for the same quality degree! Also, BSMS has a great reputation for making good doctors.

How did you choose which medical schools to apply for?

I knew that I didn't want to go to uni in London, wanted a campus university, integrated teaching style, and in a nice place. BSMS fit all those perfectly!

How did you prepare for interviews? Do you have a top tip?

Find a bank of interview questions online or in a book, and practice answering them out-loud to yourself or someone else under timed conditions. In terms of a top tip, sell yourself at every opportunity you get.

What would be your one top tip for UCAT and BMAT?

Do as many practice questions that you can get your hands on!

Are you involved in any sports or societies?

Over the last five years I've been involved and on the committees of BSMS choir, the Medic Revue, MedSoc, and Men's Football. You can do all that and more and still pass exams!

What has been your BSMS highlight?

The charity event BSMS' Got Talent in 2018 was absolutely amazing. It was a showcase of all the ridiculous talents medical students have that they don't normally get to show off! We had singers, dancers, poets, and much, much more.

What surprised you most about medical school?

The work load. Although it is quite busy, it is nowhere near as much as I'd though it would be! You can definitely have a life and get involved in as many societies and sports as you want and stilll do well in exams.

Describe your medical school experience in three words

Fun, busy, gone-in-a-flash.