This student applied in the 2021/22 application cycle and therefore the selection process at Keele may have changed since then. You should read all the information a University sends you about the selection process to get the most up to date details!
Remember to check out the glossary at the bottom of the page for our explanations of all the jargon we medical students like to use!
Our Summary
Course: Standard undergraduate entry
Online MMI interview
Admissions Tests: UCAT
Recommended resources:
Medify
Before I made my application…
Choosing to study medicine
When did you decide to apply to medicine?
Grade 12 (I was adamant on dentistry up to that point!)
How did you choose which universities to apply to?
I was applying for a scholarship by my government so I didn’t get to choose my uni.
During the application process…
Admissions tests
What admissions test did you sit?
University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT): https://www.ucat.ac.uk/
How did you prepare for your admissions test?
I had to take it twice, the first time I was completely clueless as I’d never heard of the UCAT exam before, so I did what I would normally do in this scenario which was watch YouTube videos and look for free tests online. The first time around I didn’t manage to get the minimum score that Keele looked for. The next year, I had to try again but made sure my study method was right this time. I paid for a three month course on Medify and tried to do it as consistently as I could especially towards the last month.
Interviews
What type of interview did you do?
MMI: Multiple Mini Interview. This type of interview usually includes several short interviews or ‘stations’ which may involve different types of questions and scenarios. This is different compared to a panel interview, which may cover the same scenarios/types of questions but be a more ‘traditional’ sit-down interview.
How did you prepare for your interview?
There was an online session for us international students made by post grads that were familiarizing us with what an MMI interview is and what medical schools look for in interviews. They also recommended the medical school interviews book which was really useful!
What happened during your interview?
I was asked about my opinion on controversial topics. I was also asked to act out an emotional scenario.
Glossary
YouTube: There are many current and recent medical students who create videos on YouTube about their experience and advice about applying. Remember that their experience is personal and individual, and may not reflect yours. They might provide some useful advice but remember that they might be advertising paid for services. Take their advice as part of a more holistic approach alongside moderated advice such as ours, and official advice from universities and test providers.
Medify: Medify is a popular website which provides resources for helping you prepare your medicine application. Medify has some free resources online but some are paid-for. There are good, free alternatives for preparation available online, so check out our subject guides and the university websites for details.
Role play: some interviews or interview stations may require you to engage in a bit of role play. You might have to act out being in a scenario where you might have to deliver bad news or a clinical decision.
