Nearing an End

Time is racing by, back when I last posted I had two months until my interview now I have three weeks. I have been somewhat distracted from the stress of the medical application process by the latest essay and beginning my project. It’s quite good being back in the lab and the prospect of being scientific researcher as well as a doctor is exciting. Well as I get deeper into my project (more later) I can only anticipate time will travel that much faster. Another few blinks and this MSc will be over..

As it is, we are nearing the end of the taught component of course with only one more module to go. The last module was by far the greatest! Clinical neurology it was like being in specialist training, I found it the most challenging, as it was ultra clinical (I know, clues in the name…) our lectures assumed so much knowledge but in the end it pushed the non-medics to work harder and study more. There now is no question in my mind that my future will be involved with the brain. The only question is in which capacity: Psychiatry, Neurology or Surgery. I’ve narrowed it down to being a neurologist that consults in psych cases and performs emergency procedures, while conducting research of course. This role does not exist as yet, but I remain hopeful. I have been reassured that I have a lot of time to explore and make a more concrete (realistic) decision later, during or even after medical school. Right now we have quite a light module: Research methods and skills, which is great because it lends itself nicely to our projects and give some headspace for revision (which is vast!).

My interview at Warwick is fast approaching. I am worried about the level of preparation I need. I was so nervous in my last interview and I know I was quiet during the group exercise, but I have no clue about how to improve my performance. I am generally a contemplative person especially in unfamiliar situations, I like to think rather than rushing in, also the pressure not to appear competitive and forceful was at the forefront of my mind. I don’t want to say something for the sake of speaking, disagree with a perfectly reasonable point to appear original or repeat past mistakes by being too quiet. I also need to practice for the more traditional interview section of the day, which I can see myself easily taking for granted. In other related news, I was rejected from Barts about a week after hearing from Warwick and I have yet to hear anything from Southampton or Birmingham, so hope is dwindling. The news ranging from disappointing to nonexistent puts even more pressure on this interview, especially as Warwick may not only by my first choice but my only choice.