Where did the idea of a Virtual Medical Society come from?
During the course of the lockdown campaign our Medic Mentor secondary school students came up with the idea to set up the Virtual Medical Society. This is something that the students can do to keep in touch with each other now that schools have closed. It also enables students to network with like-minded students outside of school, and even with some of our international students!
What is the purpose of the Virtual Medical Society?
We aim to mentor students continuously throughout their application journey and help them to keep focussed. Medic Mentor will be co-ordinating the structured Virtual Medical Society, to support students with their insight into medicine and applications to medical school. The Medical Society will have the added bonus of having guest speakers and teaching from the mentors (the Education Directorate and Regional Mentors) and medical student scholars.
How will the Virtual Medical Society meet?
We will be creating a series of blogs covering wider-reading and application information, to be discussed during virtual weekly meetings, which will take place on Tuesdays from 8-9pm (this appears to be the best time that students and mentors are free).
Student-led Committee
The committee will work as a team (virtually) to focus the group and ensure that the content which is being covered, is what students want. Applications for a position on the central committee are now open. We are looking for students from year 10-12 to apply. Applications for a position on the central committee will open in August and a new committee will be appointed in September each year.
Virtual MedSoc Whatsapp Group
Many of our secondary school students have found that staying in touch via whatsapp during the lockdown has been very useful. Therefore, we will also have a WhatsApp group running alongside the Virtual Society, which will be run by the new student-led central committee. This is optional, and chats should be kept Medical Society relevant at all times. There will be a safeguarding officer and a Chief Mentor (qualified Doctor) monitoring the Whatsapp Group. Joining is entirely optional, but you must complete the online form and read our strict safeguarding document.
Safeguarding
Medic Mentor takes safeguarding very seriously. Safeguarding officers and Cheif Mentors will be monitoring the Virtual Medical Society. If students misbehave and/or deviate from the Medical Society Code of Conduct, you will be removed from the group indefinitely.
How do I Join?
1. Complete the MedSoc online sign up form
2. Apply for a Leadership Position on the central committee (this also counts towards Awards Criteria).
3. Join the Whatssap Group here (optional)
Submit a comment below once you have signed up to the group!
This is an amazing idea! It will really help with the whole application process and it’s nice to hear what other people are doing to bulk up their applications too 🙂
This is a brilliant idea and a great way for everyone to stay motivated during lockdown! It’s lovely to see the commitment of everyone, and amazing how supportive everyone is of each other!
Just signed up. Such an amazing idea. Its important we come together to help each other succeed and keep moral high in this difficult time
I just joined and finished applying.
So grateful for the pure dedication of the Medic Mentor team and incredibly glad that I found this amazing organisation. Thank you so much MM 🙂
Thank you for this amazing opportunity! It will be a great way for everyone to come together and also keep up to date on the application process. 🙂
I’ve just signed up for this! Thanks so much for this great opportunity!
This is an absolutely wonderful opportunity for students to stay connected and share helpful ideas during this uncertain time! Thank you Medic Mentor!
I’ve just signed up. I think this is a great tool that should hopefully be useful.
Hi! I’ve signed up and joined the WhatsApp group but I have not received an email at all yet.
Just signed up to become a member and part of the WhatsApp group. An amazing idea, and very useful! Amazing to see how supportive everyone is, thank you for the opportunity.
Just signed up for both member and WhatsApp group. I bit sad that I discovered this a bit late but glad to be given this opportunity in the end! Thank you
You are very welcome and it is never to late to be part of the Medic Mentor family! I am sure that you will enjoy it!
Dr Siva
I have been trying for almost a week to sign up, every time I have tried the Whats App group adds my dads number and not mine. My dad has questioned it to see if his number can be changed for mine and he was advised that I should just re-register. I have done this three times now, each time clearly indicating my phone number but my dad still got added to the group. Can anyone advise on what I should do please?
Hi Danjot
Just make sure that you are putting your number in the correct field instead of your dad’s. Everyone else has managed to get added so it is definitely working. You must put your number in the right field to get added
Good luck
Dr Siva
Hi Dr Siva,
Thank you for your response, that is exactly what we have been doing, my number where it requests my number and my dad’s where it says parents number. We have done this three times and both checked it is correctly filled out. I have once again completed this as requested and am awaiting to see if I will be added to the WhatsApp group and virtual society.
In addition, I am applying for a committee role but am worried my application will not be submitted because I am unable to join either groups.
Hi Hun oh dear!
I would suggest that you email admin@medicmentor.org to give you a hand in that case and it can be done manually. Good luck and let me know if you are still having issues!
BW
Dr Siva
Does anyone know roughly how long it takes to be added to the WhatsApp group?
Usually you are added the following day
BW
Dr Siva
Is there a confirmation email that comes out saying the request has been recognized or is it just a case of waiting and seeing what happens so to speak?
Normally you have a confirmation message once you hit submit but if you are emailing the admin team directly they will just reply to you
BW
Dr Siva
Also I have just discovered today that apparently VMS WhatsApp group has already reached capacity so we are starting a VMS2 WhatsApp. No doubt that will fill up too but we will all come together for the Tuesday meetings anyway!
BW
Dr Siva
Okay, that’s good to note. Will I have to submit a new request to join the second group?
No you don’t have to resubmit! You will just be added to the new one!
BW
Dr Siva
Okay, thanks very much for your help!
I’ve just signed up!
When signing up I accidentally selected the wrong speciality area, will this matter?
I have just signed up, but i havent received a confirmation e-mail or anything. I am a bit confused as to how i can join the virtual session tonight.
I joined the society but I cannot find the meeting
I have signed up but I am not sure how to attend meetings or what to do now
Hello, I joined the society yesterday but have yet to receive any confirmation email or information on how to join the meetings.
I’ve just joined and am waiting for an email
I’ve just joined and I’m really excited for what is yet to come!
Signed up a week ago- would love to join!