HOW I’M DOING IT
Aspiring doctor Jaime is in year 3 at Concord College. Here, the sixth former explains how studying there has honed her ambitions
Which A-levels are you studying?
Biology, chemistry, mathematics and economics and an EPQ. My EPQ is about the ethics of predictive genetic testing in children, and it was something that I was really interested in because I observed the genetic counselling session during one of my work experiences.
Which medical schools have you applied to?
I’ve applied to Bristol, UCL, She eld and Glasgow.
Have you always wanted to be a doctor?
Around the age of 13, I started to want to be a doctor because I used to volunteer with the elderly and children. The sort of impact that I could have on people made me feel fulfilled. At the same time I had a growing interest in science, and I knew that medicine was a career that could combine these.
How has being at Concord College helped you with preparation for medical school applications?
Ever since I entered sixth form, there’s been so many opportunities available to me. Every week, we have discussion groups that allow me to learn more about the NHS and recent scientific and medical research. We invite speakers from outside too. It has helped me gain so much knowledge. We did interview practices together. We went to our local NHS hospital to practise MMI and have had events like the Anatomy Dissection day last year, so I feel that all of those are really beneficial to us.
Do you have time for other hobbies and clubs?
Actually I like to go hillwalking, and I’ve done it a few times with school. We’ve gone to Snowdonia, and to the Long-Mynd twice. It’s a hobby that I really picked up when I came here.
And how do you keep yourself happy, calm and relaxed when you’ve got all the pressure of medicalschool applications?
I feel that the one thing that just really helped was talking to my friends. I feel that like this spirit of support and the feeling that we’re going through it together is really comforting – knowing that there will be people that you can count on.
AROUND THE AGE OF 13, I started to want to be a doctor BECAUSE I USED TO VOLUNTEER WITH THE ELDERLY AND CHILDREN