I Was Scrolling Through The Notes After I Posted Something Similar, And Absolutely Agree! Additionally

Medical School Interviews

Across the UK hopeful medics will have sent off their applications and are eagerly awaiting for an interview. Considering I was in the same position a literal year ago I thought I would share some advice for the interviews. Unfortunately, I can’t disclose what interview questions I got but I can give some general tips that really helped me. 

First, I thought I would give some background to my application. I applied to 4 medical schools that were all MMI so the advice I am about to give is more geared towards MMI style interviews. I was very fortunate to get 3 interviews and 3 offers for medicine.

Look at the Medical Schools website. Each medical school tends to outline the qualities they are looking for at interview on their website. Think of specific examples for each quality and practice how you have used/developed said quality and why this would make you a good doctor.

Stay away from Student Room. The number of people that told me to stay away from student room was enormous and yet I still ignored them and checked. All it does is scare you and makes you panic. It’s not worth the stress at all. Just focus on your application and nobody else’s. 

Be professional. Medical schools really value professionalism and teach it throughout medical school. However, there is the expectation for you to have a certain level of professionalism before you enter medical school. Little things such as what you wear can make a big impact. For example, guys tended to wear suits at the interview however it isn’t necessary to as long as you are dressed smart then it is okay. Arrive on time. It looks really bad if you arrive late to your interview and you will also probably be really stressed as well which won’t help at all. If you are going to be late ring the medical school well in advance.

Some interviewers may be mean. I wish someone had told me this. Interviewers are there to test certain skills and therefore may be appear to be really brutal to you. Remember, that is what they are there for, stay calm and prove to them that you can handle it. This is essential as not every patient is going to be compliant and they need to test that you are able to cope with it.

Stay up to date with the news. When I had my interviews, the junior doctor contract was very hot in the news so I read around the topic. However, medical schools expect that of you and will probably not test you about that as it doesn’t really show anything that makes you stand out. But keeping up to date with scientific advancements in the medical field will put you in good stead.

Be honest. I think this is probably the most important tip I have. If you do not know something, then tell them that you don’t know it. The person asking will probably have a lot of expertise on the subject and will be able to tell when you are waffling. A lot of the time they are trying to see if you are brave enough to say you do not know rather than seeing if you actually do know something on that topic. Remember that a responsible doctor is one that stays within their limits and admits that they do not know something. If you are quite competent on the subject, then do talk about it however do not feel pressured to have a conversation with them about it. 

So there are all my general tips! I just want to finish with saying that please don’t worry if you mess up a station. MMIs typically have 7/8 stations, you are judged on all the stations not just one, so take a deep breath and smash the other ones. If anyone has any questions regarding interviews just send me a message.

Good luck to everyone applying! 

because it’s been too long since I’ve posted pictures of my cat

Kathleen Sukiennik - ravens and blackbirds.

Mods are asleep post forbidden tits

Autism Self-Diagnosis Masterpost

Questioning if you might be autistic? Have you always known you were different and are trying to figure out why? Is professional diagnosis not an option for you (cost/stigma/bias/etc)? Then here is a list of resources to help you figure out if you are autistic.

This post is broken up into categories of resources based on subject matter. Some links may contain ableism and medicalized language but if they do they also have useful information which is why they were posted. 

Self-diagnosis is a long process of reading and researching and self-reflection. A decision should not be made overnight. However, it is completely valid to self-diagnose as autistic (see the second to last section for more on this). If you are self-diagnosing, read as much as you can written by autistic people. Read their blogs and their tumblrs. Read about the autistic experience. Talk to autistic people if you are able to. 

If you have questions, feel free to submit them to @askaboutautism, a blog run by autistics to answer questions about autism. 

About Autism

What is Autism?, in Plain Language

What is Autism?

What is Autism?

The Dictionary of Autism

Myths About Autism

Ask an Autistic (video series)

General Autism Criteria

DSM-V criteria

ICD-10 Criteria

ASD Checklist

DSM Criteria for Autism Explained

Positively Autistic: A List of (Positive) Autistic Traits

ASAN’s About Autism (With Characteristics)

Inclusive Autistic Traits

Simplified ASD Diagnostic Criteria

Revised Alternative Autism Criteria (criteria written by an autistic person)

Childhood Traits (this is from the CDC and is very medicalized)

I Think I Might Be Autistic

Autism Screening Quizzes

Musing of an Aspie’s Adult Diagnosis Series

Stimming

What is Stimming?

Stimming 101, or: How I learned to stop Worrying and Love the Stim

Types of Stimming

A List of Stims

The High Cost of Self-Censoring (or Why Stimming Is a Good Thing)

Sensory Processing Differences

What is Sensory Processing Disorder? (video)

Adolescent and Adult SPD Checklist

SPD Resource Center

Understanding Sensory Processing Issues

Masterpost: Sensory Differences

Sensory Sensitivities and Atypical Sensory Processing series

How to Reduce Sensory Overload

Processing a Sensory Overload

Shutdowns and Meltdowns

What Does a Meltdown Feel Like?

“Shutdown”- What it is and What it Isn’t

Where I go When I Shutdown

Anatomy of a Meltdown

Shutdown: A Specific Type of Meltdown

Special Interests

What’s so Special About a Special Interest?

Special Interests

How Do I Know For Sure What My Special Interests Are?

What are Special Interests? (video)

Examples of Special Interests

Autism and Special Interests

Executive Dysfunction

Executive Dysfunction

Executive Dysfunction vs. Procrastination

Executive Function Series

The “Joys” of Executive Dysfunction

3 Symptoms of Executive Dysfunction

Executive Dysfunction

Alexithymia

What is Alexithymia? (video)

Alexithymia Question

Emotional Dysfunction: Alexithymia and ASD

Alexithymia Questionaire

On Self-Diagnosis

My Stance on Self-Diagnosis

ASD Paper Diagnosis vs. Self-Diagnosis: Pros and Cons

Yes, Self-Diagnosis Can Be Valid

Autism Self-Diagnosis Is Not Special Snowflake Syndrome

The Myth of “Official”: Autism and Self-Diagnosis Skeptics

Blogs By Autistics

(This is certainly not a comprehensive list of autistic bloggers. If you have any suggestions of blogs that should be added, feel free to message me)

Autistic Hoya

Autistic Women’s Network

The Caffeinated Autistic

A Heart Made Fullmetal

Musings of an Aspie

Neurowonderful

Non-Speaking Autistic Speaking 

Ollibean

A Quiet Week In The House

Radical Neurodivergence Speaking

StrangerDarkerBetter

Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism

The Third Glance

Unstrange Mind

We Are Like Your Child

Yes, That Too 

Music is gorgeous

Cécile Chaminade Thème varié, Op.89 (1898?)

Marc-André Hamlin, piano

[Franz von Stuck, Dancers]

I thought he was gonna bump into the giant ladies head

I used to do this all the time as a kid lmao

This is so lovely!

~fionahsieh

Squishy squirrel

The Japanese dwarf flying squirrel may be the cutest thing I’ve ever seen with my own two eyeballs.

Do you have a book masterlist? Because I want to read everythingbthat I hear mentioned on your entire blog.

I’m touched, and I actually do! Someone previously asked that here. It is in need of an update though so here are more.

Books I have drawn fanart for:

Heroes of Olympus

The Raven Cycle 

Carry On 

The Diviners 

The Palace Job 

Discworld 

Graceling 

Prisoner 

Griffin & Whybourne

Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda 

The Lunar Chronicles 

A lot of things by Tamora Pierce. 

Everything by Gail Carriger.

A lot of things by Megan Derr

The Darkest Part of the Forest

A Darker Shade of Magic

Seraphina

Natural History of Dragons

Six Of Crows

Good Omens

Swordspoint