Summer Is Coming ☀️ : What to Do Between Year 12 and 13 If You’re Applying to Medical School

If you're planning to apply to medical school in the UK, the summer between Year 12 and Year 13 if you're applying to medical school is a golden window of opportunity. You’re past the halfway mark of sixth form, but the real challenge — the UCAS deadline, UCAT, and interviews — is just around the corner.

So how can you make the most of your summer without burning out?

Here’s a step-by-step guide to what you should be doing over the summer holidays to boost your medical school application — and still enjoy a break.

1️⃣ Prioritise UCAT Preparation

The UCAT is one of the most important parts of your application, and summer is your best chance to prepare properly without school distractions.

What to do:

• Book your UCAT test date (Booking opens on the 17th June 2025)

• Start structured prep: begin untimed, build up to full mocks

• Focus on tricky sections like Verbal Reasoning and Decision Making

• Time yourself in short, focused sessions (20–30 mins)

🎯 Pro tip: Don’t wait until August to prep — by then it’s too late to build real skill. Aim to do 1–2 hours a day, 5 days a week.

2️⃣ Gain Insightful Work Experience or Volunteering

If you haven’t already arranged some clinical or caring experience, this is your moment.

Options include:

• Shadowing a GP, nurse, or hospital consultant

• Volunteering at a care home, hospice, or disability centre

• Working in a pharmacy, first aid group, or charity shop

• Online placements (e.g. BSMS Virtual Work Experience)

You don’t need something impressive — you need something reflective.

Write down what you observe. Ask questions. Think about the values involved in patient care, teamwork, and professionalism.

3️⃣ Start Planning Your Personal Statement

You don’t need a finished draft — but by the end of summer, you should know:

• Why you want to study medicine

• What experiences support that decision

• What skills and qualities you bring

• What reflections you want to highlight

Try brainstorming or freewriting key moments you might include — then structure them into a rough plan. Getting feedback early saves stress in September.

4️⃣ Build a Shortlist of Medical Schools

Every medical school is different. Some are UCAT-heavy, others are interview-focused or consider GCSEs more heavily.

This summer, research:

• UCAT cut-offs for your target schools

• Interview formats (MMI vs panel)

• Academic requirements (A-levels, GCSEs)

• Whether you want to apply to Oxford or Cambridge (if eligible)

🎯 Don’t waste a UCAS space on a uni that won’t even shortlist you.

5️⃣ Rest. Recharge. Rebalance.

Year 13 is tough — and if you go in exhausted, your UCAT and A-levels will suffer.

Take real time off to:

• Go on holiday

• See friends and family

• Read for pleasure (yes, non-medical books count!)

• Sleep, move, and eat well

You are not a robot. And balance is part of what makes a good future doctor.

✅ Final Thoughts

The summer between Year 12 and 13 if you're applying to medical school is your chance to take control of your application — before school ramps up again. Even just a few focused hours each week can make a huge difference in your confidence, performance, and final results.

Need Help? We’ve Got You.

At T&M Tutoring, our doctor-led team offers:

✔ 1:1 UCAT prep from top scorers

✔ Personal statement feedback

✔ Mock interviews & school selection strategy

✔ Summer tutoring packages tailored to your goals

#UCAT2025 #MedicalSchoolUK #GetIntoMedicine #Year12Medicine #MedicalSchoolPreparation #TMTutoring