2008 September 28th: POTMED Event | Imperial College, London
by Avais Jabbar, Final Year Medical Student, Barts and London School of Medicine and Dentistry

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On 28th September 2008, Imperial College Muslim Medics organised an event for potential medical students who are wishing to apply to medical school.  Introductory lectures were given by current Imperial students and doctors including the MDA Chairman Dr. Asim Safdar who addressed approximately 100 attendees and spoke about the work of the MDA, the benefits of a career in medicine as well as introducing the newly launched MDA website.

Dr. Safdar briefly introduced the MDA committee present at the event including Dr Talib Mearza (MDA Treasurer), Adeel Iqbal (MDA Vice Chairman), Matee Ullah (Events Co-ordinator), Dr Ashikur Rehman (Publicity Officer) and various representatives from different medical schools in London.  The MDA also publicised a book ‘Getting into Medical School’, by Dr. Israr Rashid, which provides students with sufficient information about entry into medical school as well as pursuing a future career in medicine. 

Other talks given included general advice on the personal statement, which is a key requirement for the UCAS Form, The BMAT and UKCAT entrance exams and a medical school taster lecture on endocrinology by final year medical student Faisal Majid.  The PowerPoint slides for these lectures are available from The ICSM Muslim Medics website at:

www.union.ic.ac.uk/medic/muslim/potmed/index.htm.   

The lectures were followed by mock interviews where each student was interviewed by a panel, consisting of a doctor and two medical students, who gave useful feedback and advice.  Overall, this was a very productive day for all the students who attended which clearly shows some of the encouraging work the MDA is involved with.  On behalf of Dr. Asim Safdar and the whole MDA team, I would like to offer sincere thanks to those who contributed.