The Physical Application Of A Medical Student

If you've thought about your decision and looked at what studying medicine in South Africa involves and you have decided that this is what you want your career to be, then you need to apply to your chosen medical school(s). Apply to many medical schools if medicine is definitely what you want to study. This allows you a better chance of being accepted into one of these institutions.

We have mentioned what will be required by the medical schools, but give them more than what they need. The more extra-curricular activities you have taken part in the better. This shows them that you're not scared to study medicine, that you're up for the task and that you want to take part in this challenge.

A motivation/cover letter isn't required, but type one up telling the admission committee who you are, why you want to study medicine and why you would make a great doctor. This will make you stand out to the committee members and they will remember your name when you impress them. You need to sell yourself to this committee and make them want to have you at their medical school.

All of the medical schools will ask you what your second and third choice fields of study are, and you need to choose areas that you would consider studying if you are not accepted as a medical student. Good choices would be those that you can study and get decent marks in that you can use to apply for medical school again. These choices would include a Bachelors in Medical Sciences (M.Med.Sc.) and Bachelor of Sciences in Physical and Biological Sciences (B.Sc.)

Supplying reference letters

It isn't a pre-requisite to supply the medical school with reference letters, but these help when selling yourself might not be enough. Having a well written reference letter, from your headmaster or priest of your church telling them that you would be an asset, can have a big impact on you being selected as a new medical student. Two letters are more than enough unless the medical school does actually request more. 

The National Benchmark Tests

South African medical schools have assessments called the National Benchmark Tests (NBTs) and are sort of equivalent to the American SAT tests. If these medical schools want you to write these assessments, then you need to be sure of which ones they require. The tests that are usually requested to be completed are the AQL and MAT for most healthcare-related fields (these will be discussed in detail in another article). Your school teachers can also guide you in when would be the best time to complete these tests, and may even assist you in studying for them. It doesn't hurt to ask, and teachers tend to make an effort for their students.

Although the medical institutions don't like to admit this, they actually do rely on the NBT results achieved by the prospective medical students. The way the questions are asked in these tests are different than in school so ask your teachers for assistance.

Playing the waiting game

All that is left then is to wait. You will be notified soon enough, so just relax and focus on other important aspects such as your studies as you still need to complete them and get good results.

If you are accepted, then congratulations. If more than one school has accepted you, then you will need to make your decision and answer promptly because the amount of places are limited and yours may be given away if you don't reply quick enough.

If you weren't accepted to the medical school you wanted, then there's always the second or third choice you put down. Remember, you have a chance to reapply after 6 months on your new results, and these will be on subjects primarily focusing on human and life sciences subjects.