THE FOUNDATION APPLICATION
The online application form can be found at www.foundationprogramme.nhs.uk.
They have lots of very detailed information on their site, which we’d recommend you take time to read through before October. Detailed information can be found at the address above, but we've used this section to pick out key points and to answers your questions on the application form.
Key points
The form is effectively made up of two parts, a part that is scored, and a part that is not scored. It is essential you fill in both sections carefully as it is not uncommon for candidates to slip up and miss type an important detail. Fill it in in good time, and check through carefully.
The part that scores asks you to list your educational achievements, and provide evidence for them. You can score up to 5 points for an extra degree, and 2 points maximum for a prize, publication or presentation.
The non-scored section of the form will ask you to fill in personal and professional information. This is rather self explanatory so we’ll not delve deeper. It doesn’t count towards your score, but must be filled in accurately to ensure a mistake doesn’t exclude you from the whole process.
Make sure you use the email address supplied by your medical school, and make sure it is one that you check regularly. FPAS recommends that you avoid hotmail, as it sometimes bounces FPAS emails.
Answering your questions...
Here are some pointers we've put together in response to some of your questions. This advice is unofficial but written only by doctors who have been through the same process and managed to secure their top job.
References
We advise you decide on a referee before October, and approach them as soon as the application form opens. What they say is not scored, but you should choose someone that knows you well. One referee must be a senior doctor (hospital consultant, GP, associate specialist), and one from your medical school. Remember there are 7000+ final year students applying and there is a limited number of people anyone can write a reference for. Approaching them early has the advantage of looking organized – something they are likely to comment on - and hopefully gaining you a useful person to check over your application, and advise on SJT scenarios.
The referee will be sent a structured online reference and have a month to complete – it should only take them 5-10 minutes to complete.
Clinical Skills
You are asked to say if you feel you need extra training for certain clinical skills, such as venepuncture etc. You should tick a box if you need further help at a certain clinical skill. However, remember it is early in the year still, and if you indentify something you feel you can’t do as a FY1 then it's important to ask your medical school for further teaching, so that you’re prepared when you start your foundation job.
Linking applications
There’s information for students wanting to link their application and for those applying from abroad on the foundation programme site. As an aside, we’d recommend you don’t link your application, as it’s the score of the lower applicant that is counted. A better way is to be tactical with your application by placing a deanery that you’re both likely to get into top on the list and working extra hard on preparing for the SJT.
SJT
First bit of advice - do the test on the foundation website without any pre-practice to see how you do without any preparation, to become familiar with SJT questions and find out whether it suits the way you reason decisions. Because there is not a simple right answer, learning how to make a decision quickly and sensibly is essential - both for the test and for life as a doctor.
There's more information on the Situational Judgement Test via the menu above. We have also compiled an extensive question bank. Access this here.
They have lots of very detailed information on their site, which we’d recommend you take time to read through before October. Detailed information can be found at the address above, but we've used this section to pick out key points and to answers your questions on the application form.
Key points
The form is effectively made up of two parts, a part that is scored, and a part that is not scored. It is essential you fill in both sections carefully as it is not uncommon for candidates to slip up and miss type an important detail. Fill it in in good time, and check through carefully.
The part that scores asks you to list your educational achievements, and provide evidence for them. You can score up to 5 points for an extra degree, and 2 points maximum for a prize, publication or presentation.
The non-scored section of the form will ask you to fill in personal and professional information. This is rather self explanatory so we’ll not delve deeper. It doesn’t count towards your score, but must be filled in accurately to ensure a mistake doesn’t exclude you from the whole process.
Make sure you use the email address supplied by your medical school, and make sure it is one that you check regularly. FPAS recommends that you avoid hotmail, as it sometimes bounces FPAS emails.
Answering your questions...
Here are some pointers we've put together in response to some of your questions. This advice is unofficial but written only by doctors who have been through the same process and managed to secure their top job.
References
We advise you decide on a referee before October, and approach them as soon as the application form opens. What they say is not scored, but you should choose someone that knows you well. One referee must be a senior doctor (hospital consultant, GP, associate specialist), and one from your medical school. Remember there are 7000+ final year students applying and there is a limited number of people anyone can write a reference for. Approaching them early has the advantage of looking organized – something they are likely to comment on - and hopefully gaining you a useful person to check over your application, and advise on SJT scenarios.
The referee will be sent a structured online reference and have a month to complete – it should only take them 5-10 minutes to complete.
Clinical Skills
You are asked to say if you feel you need extra training for certain clinical skills, such as venepuncture etc. You should tick a box if you need further help at a certain clinical skill. However, remember it is early in the year still, and if you indentify something you feel you can’t do as a FY1 then it's important to ask your medical school for further teaching, so that you’re prepared when you start your foundation job.
Linking applications
There’s information for students wanting to link their application and for those applying from abroad on the foundation programme site. As an aside, we’d recommend you don’t link your application, as it’s the score of the lower applicant that is counted. A better way is to be tactical with your application by placing a deanery that you’re both likely to get into top on the list and working extra hard on preparing for the SJT.
SJT
First bit of advice - do the test on the foundation website without any pre-practice to see how you do without any preparation, to become familiar with SJT questions and find out whether it suits the way you reason decisions. Because there is not a simple right answer, learning how to make a decision quickly and sensibly is essential - both for the test and for life as a doctor.
There's more information on the Situational Judgement Test via the menu above. We have also compiled an extensive question bank. Access this here.