Hello all!

I emailed my local uni about entry requirements and got a lovely email this morning saying that i meet the entry requirements academically so that's one hurdle out of the way.

the lady who replied to my email suggested doing as much research as i can (already underway) and getting experience in a midwifery setting... which is proving more difficult.

I emailed a local independant midwife who replied very quickly and was very helpful - she said she'd gladly let me shadow her, but she gets lots of requests and can only say yes to student midwives (fair enough), so i'm to contact her again when i'm on the course.

i've spent my day (when i should have been working) writing letters to local hospitals and the like, so hopefully i'll get some responses soon.

the email from the uni said that the local hospitals (kent) run midwifery open days. i have asked about these in the letters i have written, but does anyone in kent happen to know which hospitals do these and when the next ones might be?

i want to do everything i can to give me a better chance of getting accepted next year, but it's hard to know where to start!

Depends where in kent you are

They run them at Ashford's William Harvey Hospital and Buckland Birthing Centre in Dover too a couple of times a year, I dunno when they are holding them, but could find out for you?

__________________

Hello Thank you for the quick reply! I'm in sittingbourne. I'm applying to Canterbury Christchurch

I honestly don't mind where i have to go for the open days - i just really want to do the very best i can on my application because it means the whole world to me to get into the course next year.

if you could find out when the next open days are, i would be very appreciative. As i said, i've written letters and William Harvey is one of the hospitals i have written to, but any additional help would be very much appreciated

Hi there! I'm in the first year at CCCU doing Midwifery and live in your home town! I know that there is an open day at Canterbury Campus on Saturday July 12th if that is any help to you, they may be able to let you know when the hospitals are running their own open days? If I can help any more then do yell!

thanks i think the open day at the canterbury campus in july in fully booked now. i'm going to be going to the one in October.

it looks like i'll be studying at the medway campus though, because i'm applying for next september rather than february, so i intend to go the medway open day as well.

any advice you can offer is greatly appreciated. where you accepted on your first year of applying? i can't imagine how i'll feel if i'm not accepted next year. i'm doing everything i can to gain a bit of experience and improve my chances, but it feels like a huge mountain to climb!

nice to hear that i'm not the only one here from sittingbourne! horrid little place, really!

No worries - happy to help you! I was really lucky and was accepted on my course at the Canterbury campus with an unconditional offer on my first application, even though I thought that I had truly stuffed up my interview afterwards! I'm sure that you will do well, it sounds like you have the right proactive attitude already and hopefully that will come across at your interview. Do visit sites like The Royal College of Midwives (www.rcm.org.uk) from time to time as they like you to be aware of current midwifery issues at interview. Don't forget that if the worst happens and you don't get in, then you can ask for feedback as to why your application was rejected and reapply next year. Stay positive, all the best with your application and don't forget to ask lots of questions on your open day (our tutors at CCCU are all lovely). If you have any more questions then please don't hesitate to ask - the application stage is scary, I remember it well!
PS Know what you mean about Sittingbourne...! Some good shops wouldn't go amiss....!!

i know! shopping in sittingbourne is a bit of a nightmare! although, i did notice last weekend that we have a Subway now! so at least we can get good baguettes!

Hi there,

I am not far from Sittingbourne I live the Isle of Sheppey and thinking of applying for the Access Course this year or next, I put my name down for the open day Canterbury July 12th but my daughter not 3 yet bless her is having her tonsils out on the 10th so won't be going. Go to Canterbury Christchurch University website it gives you all the info on their Open Days think Medway Campus has one this month best to check it out tho but keep in touch it's great on here everyone is so friendly and helpful.
xxxxx

Hi there,

Great to have somebody who is local to me, well done for getting where you are i've a long way to go yet did you do Access?
xx

Hello there! Thanks for your message, no I didn't do an access course as I met the academic entry qualifications but some of my cohort did access courses down in Dover and they do say that it has really helped them with the anatomy and physiology side of things, and also some of the psychology aspects which I obviously missed out on. Also access gets you into the swing of studying again which is really useful - it is a tough course! If I can help with anything specific feel free to get in touch (PM if you'd rather), and I'll do my best to help. Good luck with it all, and all the best for your daughter's op on the 10th.