Reaching Your Potential
Pre-Professional programme for Medicine (Pre-Med)
The Medical Professions are amongst the most highly competitive careers to break into. Those interested in careers such as Medicine, Veterinary Science, Dentistry, Optometry and the like are expected to be hard-working, academically bright and committed to their chosen career path.
Applicants for these degree programmes are advised to obtain a range of work experience which highlights your dedication to the industry you wish to work in, and you must be able to evidence your skills.
Pre-Med is Nelson and Colne College Sixth Form’s first innovative Pre-Professional programme, which was designed with aim of helping students interested in these highly competitive careers to reach their goal! In its first year, the programme saw 14 students progress to degree programmes in the medical fields and in 2011, more than 30 students from the College's range of Science programmes progressed onto degree programmes including Medicine, Veterinary Science, Optometry, Dentistry, Radiography, Audiology, as well as Biomedical Science and Research.
If you want to stand the best chance to reaching your dreams of working in these industries, Nelson and Colne College Sixth Form is the best possible place to start down this path.
Reaching Your Potential
In addition to your Sixth Form studies, participants in this exciting programme can take part in a range of activities, visits and presentations all aimed at enhancing your knowledge of your chosen medical field, making you an outstanding candidate when applying for university. Activities change year-on-year depending on demand, as the programme is tailor-made to suit the needs to the students currently on the programme.
An example of the sorts of trips which participants might attend could include:
- Specialist conferences
- University trips and visits
- NOWGEN Genetics facility in Manchester
- A visit to Christie’s Hospital
- Tours of Hospitals and/or Veterinary Hospitals
In addition, the College regularly invites relevant speakers in to the Pre-Med sessions in order to further inspire the students. Previous visitors include:
- A GP who is a former student
- Clinical Services from Royal Blackburn Hospital
- A specialist development consultant to help students improve interview techniques
Students are also able to attend a two day training course in preparation for the UK Clinical Aptitude Test, which all medical and dental applicants must complete. They are also mentored through the application process to ensure that they apply to the correct university and stand the best chance to gaining a competitive place.
Case Study
Ellie Phipps
Veterinary Science at the University of Liverpool
Ellie is a former pupil of Colne Park High School who joined Nelson and Colne College Sixth Form to study for A Levels in Biology, Mathematics and Chemistry. She gained outstanding results, 1 A*, 1 A and 1 B.
Ellie said, "Although I have found that the majority of people doing the Pre-Med programme have ambitions of Medicine or related ‘human’ fields, my ambition of being a Veterinary Surgeon have been helped along with Pre-Med. In particular, the interview techniques session was really useful and I have received lots of mentoring from the Pre-Med tutor in addition to help preparing my personal statement. I have also been able to join in on any relevant events such as revision workshops which have helped me to reach the highest grades which are necessary for Veterinary School. I was also able to visit Liverpool University’s Vet School Open Day which gave me the chance to realise that this was where I wanted to go! I would recommend the College’s unique Pre-Med programme due to the masses of support you get, even if you are the only one interested in a certain field.”
After gaining her fantastic A Level results, Ellie has been able to take up her place at The Liverpool University, where she will read Veterinary Science.
