BSMS > About BSMS > Information for schools, teachers and parents > In Focus - Waqar Ahmed

In Focus - Waqar Ahmed

Waqar Ahmed

Year of Study: Year 2

Second year student Waqar Ahmed discusses his top tips for medical school interviews, especially those that take place online, how he chose which medical schools to apply to, and his involvement in extra-curricular activities at BSMS. Read his answers below and watch his video here

What made you want to study medicine?

I really liked the idea of using (and building on) my knowledge and practical skills to help improve the lives of other people.

How did you choose which medical schools to apply to?

I made a list of all of the medical schools I was eligible to apply for based on their entry requirements. I then selected and ranked the ones I was most interested in based on their course structure, curriculum and location.

What made you want to study at BSMS?

I liked the integrated nature of the course, with early clinical teaching both on campus and in primary care. I also liked the idea of systems-based modules as I think it fits well with how I personally approach learning complex concepts such as anatomy and physiology.

What are your top tips for UCAT or BMAT?

Start early and do regular timed practice (little and often) - build upon this and do longer and more frequent practice in the weeks leading up to the exam. Aim to do as many practice questions for each section as are available to you, and in the final weeks focus more on sections you have been struggling with. I think timing is key and if you can incorporate that into your practice earlier on, it will help you when it comes to doing mocks before your actual exam.

How did you prepare for interview?

Research the medical school, the local health and the syllabus. Reflect on why I want to do medicine and try to use experiences I have had to put this into context. Read around the NHS, its values and the issues it faces. I also built upon my confidence in answering questions so that I was prepared for any nerves I might have had on the day.

Any top tips for interviews?

Particularly for online interviews, familiarise yourself with the platform (Zoom, Teams etc.) well before your interview so you have one less thing to worry about on the day. Read any instructions/rules from the medical school carefully (are you allowed pen and paper? How long is each station if MMI? Will it take place in breakout rooms, and if so, how are you going to be moved between them?) Clarify any questions you have beforehand so you are more relaxed on the day. Practice speaking, answering questions, and using body language where possible whilst on the online platform (e.g. on Zoom) to try and make it as close to a face-to-face interview as possible.

Any advice for managing the transition to university?

Use the start of the year to try new things and make new friends because it will help you settle in, especially if you have moved to a new town and don't know the area very well. At the start of the year, everyone is in the same boat!

Are you involved in any sports or societies? If so, can you tell us a bit about them?

I am part of various academic societies, such as CardioSoc, which is involved in various academic and career-oriented events to help support the cardiology teaching. These include ECG peer-teaching sessions, clinical practice sessions such as for the cardiovascular exam and quizzes. These are a great way to make friends with and study with other people on the course. I have also taken part in events run by cultural societies such as PakSoc, IndiaSoc and ACS, including the multicultural ball last year which was a great opportunity to meet people from the course outside of school.

What has been your favourite part of the BSMS Medicine course?

I really enjoyed anatomy teaching in Year 1, particularly dissections, as I am quite a hands-on, practical learner. Equally, I enjoyed the clinical teaching in first year as I was able to put a lot of the theory we had learnt into practice.

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

It is never too early or too late to think about applying to medical school, just spend time reflecting on why you want to be a doctor and use every opportunity to seek help from others or have a chat with current medical students.