Budding doctors can get the low-down on life at medical school

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Reviewed

Aug 20 2004

Budding doctors can get the low-down on life at medical school from a new publication in bookshops now.

The Insider's Guide to Medical School 2004-5, compiled by members of the BMA's Medical Students Committee, gives a unique insight into what studying medicine is really like. It provides students considering medicine with crucial information, such as each U.K. medical school's entry requirements.

The Insider's Guide is based entirely on the views of medical students, who rate their universities on both their strong and weak points. For example, while Birmingham scores highly for its 'first rate' welfare system it loses out for its poor canteen food. And although Guy's, King's and St Thomas's medical school is world renowned, some applicants might be put off by the high cost of living in London.

Studying medicine is pricey, and the Insider's Guide talks readers through the financial maze of the medical school funding system. As well as letting them know what kind of support they can expect, it gives an idea of the cost of living at each medical school. The cheapest beer is to be found at Warwick medical school's union bar, which offers a pint of lager for £1.20.

New features in this year's edition include:

distance tables to give students an idea of how easy it is to reach hospitals where they will attend clinical attachments
a day in the life of a medical student
an extended section for graduate students and those with dependents
fascinating facts about medical school
inspiring quotations about medicine

Insider's Guide co-author Jennie Ciechan says: "If you decide to become a doctor, choosing the right medical school is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make. The Insider's Guide helps aspiring medical students to make the right choice, and ultimately to achieve their full potential as doctors."

More good news for future doctors is announced by the BMA today - medical students who join the Association in their first year at university will get: