Achieving the grades required for medical school can be challenging. However, those who have navigated this demanding journey offer invaluable insights into how to succeed. We spoke with two of our 2024 leavers, as well as one of our older alumni, about their journey to medical school and how the International Baccalaureate (IB) is a good foundation for their future careers.
For a long time, medicine lingered in the back of Elliot’s mind as a career option. “I see it as such an academically rewarding and personally fulfilling occupation – or perhaps, more accurately, a vocation,” Elliot reflects. “However, I was always conscious of whether I was just following in the footsteps of the doctors in my family or if this was a career I truly wanted to pursue.” After much deliberation, Elliot decided it was. Now, having completed the medical application process and the IB diploma, he offers insights into the journey.
“A significant aspect of any application is your ‘wow’ factor – what sets you apart from the other students, your competition,” Elliot explains. For him, the IB’s Extended Essay (EE) was a unique opportunity to pursue individual research, a skill integral to a medical career.
“For my EE in mathematics, I considered how different mathematical models could be used to model the spread of a disease through a population. Additionally, my Biology IA in human physiology and the placebo effect provided me with two ‘wow’ factors I could integrate into my personal statement and interviews.”
Elliot highlights the advantage of the IB’s structure. “With six subjects, the IB gives you the opportunity to have a significant advantage in your application regarding your UCAS tariff points. Each subject’s predicted grade contributes to your points, which for talented IB students, should be considerably above the competition.” He notes, however, that each university’s selection criteria are different and specific. “I feel that my UCAS tariff was pertinent to receiving my invitation to interview at QMUL.”
Independent study is another crucial aspect. “The IB necessitates that students aspiring for high grades complete a considerable amount of independent study and revision. This aligns well with the skills required for Problem-Based Learning (PBL), the method of teaching used at QMUL.”
Tamara knew she wanted to study medicine since she was 13 years old. Having previously considered careers like architecture and primary school teaching, she ultimately aspired to have a career where she could help others. “My work experience in a hospital, GP surgery, and care home further enhanced my aspirations,” she shares.
Tamara believes the IB enhanced her application for medical school significantly. “Doing the IB allowed me much more scope for learning than A Levels would have, as I could take more subjects. This enabled me to pursue personal interests, such as languages and history, and also keep my options open should I wish to change my career choice.” She also mentions the challenge of the IB, noting, “I am told that the IB is the hardest part of one’s education—apparently, university is then easy!”
Through the CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) component, Tamara expanded her communication and leadership skills. “I established a gardening club at my college and worked on a CAS project where a group of us provided Christmas presents to a local charity and food bank. These experiences were excellent talking points in my university interviews.”
Tamara’s advice for anyone starting their IB programme is clear: “Start revision and make revision resources early. By the time year 13 comes along, which happens very quickly and hectically, you’ll have one less major thing to worry about. Use the summer of Y12 wisely – UCAT revision, school work, coursework, work experience, and writing a personal statement are all must-dos. My work experience greatly motivated me to become a doctor.”
After finishing the IB, Lizzie pursued a Biochemistry degree at Newcastle University. Once she graduated, she started studying Medicine at Hull York Medical School, where she has just completed her third year. Reflecting on her journey, Lizzie notes how the IB Diploma Programme was great preparation for both her degrees.
“Studying a broad range of subjects helped prepare me for the workload of studying medicine, which covers a wide range of topics. Continuing with English and a humanities subject throughout sixth form helped develop my ability to write essays and structure longer pieces of written work.”
Lizzie emphasises the importance of researching medical schools thoroughly. “Each medical school can operate quite differently in terms of course structure, teaching methods, and the amount of time spent on placement. It’s important for anyone wanting to apply to study medicine to research the different options to ensure they choose a university that suits their learning style.”
The journey to medical school is undoubtedly challenging, but as these students’ experiences show, gaining a place to study medicine is about more than just good grades. From developing crucial research skills and essay writing skills to honing independent study habits and engaging in enriching extracurricular activities, the IBDP provides a robust foundation for their medical careers
For more information about the IB Diploma Programme at Scarborough College, take a look at our Sixth Form pages.
