Seeking advice from those who had recently been through the process of applying to medical school themselves, Joe used the Pock Connects network to connect with Old Pocklingtonians (OPs) including two current medical students and a newly qualified doctor.

The talks, all held on Teams, helped Joe to feel more confident in his overall preparation, with the OPs offering guidance on choosing medical schools, understanding differences between courses and approaching the various stages of the application process.

Grace McNamara (12–18), now working as a locum doctor after completing her medical degree and foundation training in Nottingham, gave Joe an honest insight into life as a newly qualified doctor. She spoke about the realities of rotating through different clinical specialties, the transition from university to full‑time practice and the importance of resilience and reflective learning.

Medical students Evie Rennison (15–24) at Newcastle and Louisa Chacksfield (17–24) at Sheffield helped Joe understand how course structures can vary significantly between universities and what day‑to‑day life as a medical student looks like. They also explained what universities look for in applicants: strong academic credentials, reflective work experience, good communication skills and a genuine motivation for pursuing medicine.

Through having these conversations, Joe gained a range of tips and practical advice on interview preparation, including Multiple Mini-Interviews (MMIs), ethical scenarios and staying informed about current NHS issues. He also learned effective strategies for UCAT preparation and how to build meaningful experience through volunteering and caring roles.

Speaking with OPs at different stages of their medical careers helped Joe to organise his thoughts, understand his options and create a clearer plan for the application process. The connections he made proved both motivating and invaluable marking the first steps in developing his own professional network that he can tap into throughout his future career.

Joe said: “Chatting with OPs who are a couple of years ahead of me was so helpful. Their advice made the whole process feel much less daunting and has given me a clearer idea of what I need to focus on.”

Whether you’re a student curious about your next steps, or an OP or Pocklington School community member willing to share your expertise, Pock Connects is here to make those conversations happen and build a network that supports every Pocklingtonian at any stage of their career journey. To find out more contact the OP Office or join the Pock Connects group on LinkedIn.