Despite the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Oakham School pupils are continuing to prepare for their applications to study competitive clinical courses at university. All Sixth Formers who intend to apply for medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine next year (a group informally known as ‘Doc Soc’) are required to attempt formal practice interviews before and after the summer break, and this year was no exception.
During June, pupils from Harington School joined their Oakham counterparts for practice interviews organised by Dr Nicoll who, with his colleagues, led a series of 25 simultaneous on-line, multi-interviewer panels, possibly the largest number of sessions arranged for some years. The panels were enhanced by the participation of Dr Navin Leanage OO, an emergency medicine doctor, and Dr Sammy Hanrahan, formerly of the school Biology department.
In addition to Sixth Formers, they were pleased to assist other potential applicants including Old Oakhamians. Jemima Ball (2018) is currently studying natural sciences at the University of Nottingham and has received advice from her former teachers and other Old Oakhamians: “After speaking to them to get more in-depth detail of the process, I am now in a much better position to go ahead with my graduate entry medicine application,” said Jemima.
Tuesday Healey (2017) who has just graduated from the University of Leeds (medical sciences) said, “I reached out to Dr Nicoll for help with my medicine application. I attended a practice interview at the School and talking to Dr Leanage really helped me to decide on whether to apply for an undergraduate or graduate course. The interview was my first ever practice, and the feedback really helped me in my actual (and successful!) interview at medical school. I am really grateful for the help from the School and Dr Nicoll, even though it’s three years since I left!”
The final ‘Doc Soc’ meeting of this academic year took place on-line on Tuesday 23 June. The Headmaster addressed all pupils in the group from both schools, followed by discussions on obtaining work experience, interview technique and working for admissions tests over the summer. We are grateful to all participants and look forward to resuming next term.
