Again, Im assuming that you are applying through the UCAS system since you said previously that you're doing A levels currently.
As far as I remember you can apply to up to 4 medical schools. Look at the UCAS website
http://www.ucas.ac.uk/for all the different UK medical schools and follow links to their websites. Read about the different courses because there are a number of different styles of teaching adopted. While most are predominently Problem- Based (PBL) the weighting of the course towards this style of teaching can differ between schools. For example some have an even mixture between traditional lectures and practicals with some PBL while others are very much totally PBL focused with minimal lectures/practicals. Its important to consider this when deciding which to apply for because people learn in different ways; students who find it difficult to learn independingly and motivate themselves can sometimes struggle with a heavily based PBL course and may prefer a course that has a bit more lectures and practicals.
There is a good book I can suggest- which you might be able to get through your library- or purchase:
www.amazon.co.uk/Insiders-Guide-UK-Medical-Schools/dp/1405131047/ref=sr_1_1/202-7772603-4605405?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1183670216&sr=8-1
This book gives you unbiased information on all the UK Medical schools- the pros and cons as well as lots of other information.
SO deciding on which medical schools to apply for depends on a number of factors:
- what type of course you feel will suit you
- which city you want to study in
- and is medicine definitely what you want to do.
Once you've decided on all these points you'll have to fill in a UCAS form, with a personal statement. This occurs in October of your second year of A levels I believe.
In order to maximise your chances of getting in to medical school your personal statement has to stand out. Competetion for a place is very fierce and very competitive, so yours has to have an 'edge'. To even be considered, you will be expected to have undertaken work experience (to show your initiative and drive to find out what 'medicine' is really like) and also some experience in a caring capacity- voluntary work to demonstrate that that is the type of person you are! In addition to having achieved a lot academically its also important to have lots of extra curricular activities- to show you're a well-rounded individual.
There's a lot to work on, so make sure you spend time on preparing it. You want to sell yourself- but not come across too arrogant and really show that you want to do medicine as a career above anything else. Avoid cliches like ' I want to help people' because, although true, its been used too often that its unimpressive.
If you like, once the time comes when you have to start preparing a personal statement feel free to email me it if you'd like someone just to have a look over it.
Hope all this helps for now!
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