4 Reasons to Go to a Medicine Summer School

Choosing what to study at university is a big decision, and it’s not uncommon for prospective medical students to feel some uncertainty about what to expect from working towards a degree. 

Prospective medical students may be hesitant about committing to a five-year degree, or be unsure about the specifics of a career in Medicine, and it’s normal to be unsure. Gaining first-hand experience in the field is a great way to inform decisions about a possible future in Medicine.

Attending a Medicine summer school for teenagers is a great introduction to studying Medicine at university, offering the chance to enhance your understanding and knowledge, and discover potential related career paths that you might not be aware of yet.

We’ve put together four of our top reasons to attend a Medicine summer school, to help you decide whether it would be a valuable addition to your preparations for medical school.

4 Benefits of Medicine Summer Courses

1. An Immersive Experience: Expanding Your Medical Knowledge

Expanding your medical knowledge is a fundamental part of a Medicine summer school experience. You’ll have the opportunity to study in a focused and immersive environment with passionate tutors and like-minded peers, as you learn advanced medical concepts and develop critical thinking skills ahead of your entrance exams and interviews. By developing your knowledge beyond the standard school curriculum, you’ll be well-prepared to ace the application process and the beginning of university.

You’ll also have unique access to workshops, simulations and clinical placements. Students at the Oxford Scholastica Academy are given the opportunity to participate in a mock clinic at the John Radcliffe Hospital – a world-leading clinical centre – with real patients.

This hands-on approach enhances students’ understanding of medical principles and procedures, and gives them the opportunity to collaborate with world-leading clinicians and experts. 

A Medicine summer school also fosters key skills that are highly valued in the field, including clinical reasoning, teamwork, communication and problem-solving, boosting your future employability.

2. Networking and Mentorship: Key Aspects of Medicine

A Medicine summer school is a unique setting in which to begin establishing a strong professional network of fellow medical students, clinicians and scientists. Collaborating with others in the field provides the opportunity to broaden your horizons and see first-hand how varied a career in medicine can be. You’ll meet a wide range of medical professionals – from cardiologists to surgeons – and gain insights into different medical specialisations, to help you make informed decisions about your future.

It’s also a great way to find a mentor, create long-lasting connections, and keep up to date with future career opportunities!

3. A Unique Opportunity to Boost Your University Application…

Attending a Medicine summer school also boosts your university application as it demonstrates a genuine interest in the medical field, and a real dedication to your academic and professional development – both key traits that medical school admissions teams are looking out for.

Similarly, your personal statement, academic references, and ability to perform well at the interview stage will all benefit greatly from this first-hand experience in the medical field, giving you in-depth knowledge and examples to draw upon.

4. … and Confidence

Applying to medical school can seem daunting. By attending a summer school, you’ll have the chance to trial medicine in an encouraging and low-risk environment to evaluate if the field is a good fit for you.

Spending time with medical professionals and fellow aspiring doctors can help to build your confidence and independence, and reinforce key skills like self-directed learning and teamwork.

Attending an Oxford Scholastica Academy Medicine Summer School is a perfect opportunity to develop both personally and professionally, to build a strong network of clinicians and fellow prospective Medicine students, and to develop key medical skills through exposure to the world-leading clinical environment of the John Radcliffe Hospital. 

For more information on what it’s like to study Medicine at university, and tips to make your application the very best it can be, check out OxBright’s Ultimate Guide to Studying Medicine.