Know your deadlines. 

Always double-check the official UCAS deadline for your course, missing it means your application won’t be considered. Many schools and sixth forms set earlier internal deadlines to allow time for references and review. You may need to submit weeks, sometimes months, before the official UCAS deadline.

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Research properly! Don’t just look at the minimum grade requirements. Also check:

• Course structure & modules

• Teaching style (traditional vs integrated)

• Clinical placements (e.g. NHS exposure for healthcare courses)

Choosing a university isn’t just about grades - it’s about fit.

Be realistic about where you want to live.

Ask yourself:

• Do I want to move away from home?

• Would commuting work for me?

• Do I want to live in a city or somewhere more remote?

• Do you want to go to a campus or city university?

Prepare early.

For Medicine, admissions tests and interviews carry significant weight. Make sure you dedicate enough time and revision to prepare for these. Sites like TheMedicPortal and Medify have plenty of practice questions for you to work through. Make sure you practice under timed conditions and do plenty of mock interviews!

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Write a strong personal statement.

Now that the format involves answering three structured questions, focus on:

• Clear motivation for your course

• Real examples of your experiences

• Reflection 

• Skills linked directly to medicine

Check requirements carefully. 

Ensure you meet all required subjects (e.g. Medicine typically requires Chemistry, and sometimes Biology or Maths), but this varies by university. Check typical offer ranges, compare the highest and lowest accepted grades and review how applicants with your predicted grades have performed.

Double check everything. 

Before you press submit:

• Are all qualifications listed correctly?

• Is your personal statement within the character limit?

• Have you checked spelling and grammar?

• Has someone else proofread it?

Small mistakes can cost you so take your time!

Believe in yourself. With so much information out there, it’s easy to feel like you haven’t done enough. Try not to compare yourself to others. Everyone’s journey into medicine is different. Focus on your own progress, prepare thoroughly, and trust the effort you’ve put in. We wish you the very best of luck, and remember: ALSA UK is always here to support you every step of the way.