The Big FY1 Application Form Swindle
My fiancee will shortly be applying for her foundation medical school as her five years studying medicine at KCL draw to an end. One of the critical elements in this application is the FY1 application form, and it is very annoying indeed.
The FY1 application form contains a bunch of “answer in 150 words or less” style questions asking things like “Describe an example of how your organisation and planning skills have contributed to a significant personal achievement in the last five years.”
Er, what?
I think it’s pretty stupid that a generation of doctors are going to be judged on their ability to bullshit their way through a form rather than their ability to DO THEIR JOB! Surely the criteria for selection should be academic achievements, performance in their degree courses, references from their tutors, perhaps some on-the-job reviews (I believe these are known as OSCEs).
Nope. Trust the good ol’ government to fuck things up for everyone once again.
October 2nd, 2007 at 3:40 pm
From what I hear the National Health Service is big trouble all over the UK these days. I interviewed a member of parliament last winter who told me that even cabinet members have protested against it.
October 2nd, 2007 at 9:36 pm
well good luck to her with that!
October 27th, 2007 at 11:02 pm
i’m in your girlfriend’s shoes mate and can concur that this application process is a pile of dog poo. in fact i came across your blog in the hope of finding some handy (free) online guide on how to fill in the piece-of-crap form…don’t suppose you’ve set up any handy websites on the topic?
November 3rd, 2007 at 12:49 am
Nothing comes free! There is quite a good guide written by a reputable company, if you can spare £12 or £15.