Student profile: Caitlin

What work experience had you gained before coming here?

I had worked as a healthcare assistant for approximately six months at the time of applying, and continued working there until I started medical school, so had around 1.5 years of patient-facing clinical experience. I had contacted lots of local GPs trying to arrange work experience, but I was struggling to arrange a place as there were still restrictions and worries about unnecessary patient contact following Covid-19. I spoke with the education team at the hospital where I worked about this and, with their help, I was able to arrange a day of work experience shadowing a GP. I also completed the virtual BSMS Virtual Work Experience.

---

Why did you choose Warwick?

My top two choices were Warwick and Nottingham, both for my undergrad in maths and graduate entry medicine. First time round, I chose Nottingham University for maths because they had rabbits and ducks on the campus... not the most sensible reason but it was my reason nonetheless! I loved my time at Nottingham, and so choosing where to study medicine was a difficult decision.

I had decided to study medicine later in life, and so I would be starting the course having had some time out of education, having worked in an unrelated sector (software) and would be living with my husband as opposed to on campus with fellow students. As Warwick only has graduate entry medicine (GEM), the course is tailored entirely to GEM students, without blending into an undergraduate medicine course at any point, and this really appealed to me. I thought I might have felt out of place if I was studying with undergraduate students, and I had met a lot of students during the Warwick open day and offer holder day who were in a similar position to myself, and I could see myself fitting in here.

I liked the idea of a fresh start at a new university for the start of a new career. The Warwick staff and students I met on the offer holder day reassured me that it didn’t matter that I had not studied chemistry/biology at degree level (or even A-level!), Warwick accepted all backgrounds, and they would soon get my knowledge up to scratch!

---

How are you finding the MB ChB so far?

I’ve really enjoyed my time here. Studying medicine anywhere is tough, and doing it in four years even more so, but still I remember how excited I was to receive my offer, and I feel so fortunate to be on this course and to soon (hopefully!) be working as doctor in the NHS. I’ve met people who will be friends for life.

The idea of going back to the drawing board and changing my career path was scary, but I know I have made the right decision for me and can’t imagine doing another job.

---

What has been your favourite part of the course?

I love being on placement and getting stuck in, and it happens so early in the course. In second year during my first placement, I was scrubbed into a ‘knee replacement’ surgery and was able to assist with drilling, suctioning and suturing. Also, early in second year I worked alongside a midwife who was supporting a woman in labour during a natural birth; I was the first person to hold her baby as I placed the baby on the mother’s stomach and cut the cord. Experiences like this are incredible and such an honour!

Unfortunately, I can never talk to my husband about anything like this because the thought of blood or surgery makes him faint...

---

Has anything surprised you during your time here?

I’ve found it surprising how well I have got to know the members of staff here. During my maths undergrad I still felt like a ‘student’ with the lecturers being my ‘teachers’. I feel like here I’ve been treated more like a colleague by the lecturers/faculty members, who acknowledge we have prior knowledge and experiences that we can bring to the course.

I had a lot of ‘imposter syndrome’ prior to starting, and I definitely still have it to some degree today, but I’ve surprised myself with how much I have learnt so far in the course and how much confidence I have gained so far.

---

Have you been involved in any extracurricular activities during your time here?

A group of us regularly go to parkrun together and enter local running races (like the Warwick half marathon), as part of the running branch of Tri Club.

I am the chair of RMD Warwick, which is a group of WMS students who teach BLS CPR to all the phase 1 Warwick medical students, as well as members of the local community during outreach events.

I learnt medical BSL (British sign language) with Sign Soc here and have been involved in teaching it to new phase 1s as part of the clinical skills curriculum.

---

Do you have any idea at this stage about which specialty you’d like to pursue?

When I came to medical school, I thought I’d like to specialise in palliative medicine, and I’m hoping to arrange my elective placement in fourth year at a local hospice to explore this more. However, I also really enjoy emergency care and anaesthetics so am thinking I’d enjoy the ACCS pathway.

---

Do you have any advice for people applying to the MB ChB at Warwick?

Please be yourself in your interviews - Warwick does not want rote learnt interview answers! Reflect on the experiences you have had from your work placements and personal interactions with healthcare, what you have learnt about yourself and others, and how you have implemented changes following your experience. Warwick wants people who know their own strengths but also are aware of what areas they need to improve in, so that Warwick feels you have the potential to be a safe doctor in the future.

---

Finally, how would you sum up your experience of studying at medical school so far?

Inclusive, encouraging, stretching.