School Advisor Articles

How Soo Jeong Han’s Formative Years at Alice Smith School Shaped her Path to Medical School

Published by SchoolAdvisor | Mar 18, 2024

Soo Jeong Han, a second-year medical student at King’s College London (KCL), describes her experience at The Alice Smith School as “nothing short of wonderful.” 

From supportive teachers to enriching extracurricular activities (ECAs), Alice Smith played a pivotal role in shaping her academic journey and preparing her for the rigours of medical school.

A Flourishing Learning Environment

Studying at Alice Smith for two years (sixth form), Soo Jeong found herself immersed in an environment tailored for academic excellence and personal growth. The school’s well-equipped study spaces provided the perfect backdrop for diligent hours of study while fostering a sense of camaraderie among peers. 

The well-equipped library became her haven for focused study independently and collaboratively with friends. However, her journey wasn’t without challenges. A complicated move during the pandemic meant starting sixth form online from South Korea. Despite the hurdles, Soo Jeong credits her teachers for their unwavering support. They facilitated online learning and even went the extra mile by demonstrating practicals through video calls.

“In November 2022, the border restrictions eased up, and I could commence my face-to-face learning on campus — I was amazed at the student environment and facilities.”

Leadership and Extracurricular Activities

Beyond the confines of the classroom, Soo Jeong’s foray into leadership roles exemplifies Alice Smith’s ethos of holistic education. From being a maths and senior KLASS Meds prefect, she honed her character and leadership skills. These roles not only benefited the school community but also bolstered her medical school application.

Alice Smith's diverse extracurricular activities (ECAs) further enriched her experience. From volleyball and jazz band to KLASS Meds and Future Doctors, Soo Jeong found activities that ignited her passions and fostered social skills.

“I enjoyed the benefits of participating in many different extracurricular activities. I truly feel that the teachers who offer extracurricular activities are very passionate about their clubs, so anyone can find an activity that floats their boat. Being taught by passionate teachers instilled passion in the students to learn and grow under their teachers’ wings.”

These experiences not only fostered her leadership and social skills but also equipped her with the ability to connect with people from various backgrounds — a skill that now proves invaluable as she navigates the vibrant social life at KCL, where she holds leadership positions in several societies including vice-captain of the KCL Muay Thai society.

Soo Jeong appreciates the HE team for providing a realistic understanding of medicine in the UK and preparing her for the realities of studying medicine.

Support for Higher Education Aspirations

Alice Smith’s Higher Education (HE) team was crucial in guiding Soo Jeong through the complexities of applying to medical school. They provided invaluable support in managing deadlines, setting realistic expectations and navigating the application process. Early on, the team helped her choose suitable A-level subjects (Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Extended Project Qualification) and offered a realistic perspective of the medical profession in the UK. This comprehensive support allowed Soo Jeong to confidently pursue her dream career.

She actively sought experiences that mirrored a career in medicine. Her involvement with KLASS Meds as a senior prefect and the Future Doctors club allowed her to organise medical-related activities and practice interview skills. These experiences proved invaluable during her medical school applications.

Additionally, teachers like Mr Parslow, Miss Richardson, Ms Howard and Ms Gillespie went above and beyond to help her with the interview process. Soo Jeong shares,  “After I had secured interviews for all four medical schools, they came up with interview questions themselves and dedicated time outside of school to help me maximise my chances of making a great impression during the interview.”

Skills for Success in Higher Education

Alice Smith’s emphasis on critical thinking and questioning instilled confidence in Soo Jeong. She learned to approach adults in the field and engage in stimulating conversations, a skill that now allows her to comfortably interact with lecturers and professors at KCL, seeking clarification and exploring research opportunities. 

“This made it so much easier for me to approach lecturers and professors outside of the lecture setting to ask them about their own research and ask them any questions in their field that I found interesting.”

Additionally, undertaking the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) as an A-Level subject at Alice Smith further honed her research and writing skills. “I developed research and writing skills, which I find crucial to medical education, where academic medicine is all about writing and publishing papers. Knowing where to find reputable sources and referencing them correctly already gave me a more competitive edge compared to my peers.”

Throw in the invaluable guidance provided by her supervisor, Mr Corbetta, Soo Jeong managed to achieve the highest possible mark.

Soo Jeong's international school experience has enhanced her ability to connect with people from diverse cultures at KCL.

Paving the Path to KCL

Unlike many of her peers, medicine wasn’t always Soo Jeong’s childhood dream. However, she discovered her aptitude and interest in the subject and a desire to utilise her hands-on skills in a practical setting. Alice Smith’s support in setting realistic expectations about the NHS (National Health Service) in the UK further solidified her decision to pursue medicine.

Today, she is pursuing medicine at KCL, which she will complete in 2027. Driven by practical exposure, Soo Jeong volunteered at Mediviron KL and the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) in the UK.  She gained valuable insights into the national vaccination programme in Malaysia and learned about the practical applications of ultrasound technology through RCEM, both of which proved beneficial after entering medical school.

She also worked as a part-time medical coder at Data Vitality UK, which provided her with a source of income, and taught her how GP and hospital systems were interlinked. “This job taught me about medical jargon and abbreviations, which has been useful for my second-year prescribing exam practice. It also gave me a head start in learning about a popular healthcare software that many practitioners use called EMIS Web.”

As Soo Jeong continues her medical journey at KCL, she remains grateful for the formative experiences and opportunities afforded to her by both Alice Smith and her current institution.

Soo Jeong believes The Alice Smith School imparted many valuable skills that she is thankful to possess today.

Advice for Aspiring Students

Reflecting on her journey, Soo Jeong offers valuable advice to students pursuing a similar path:

●    Embrace opportunities: Put yourself out there. So many opportunities may be invisible to you on the surface, but if you try to connect with people and start that one conversation, you may never know what it could lead you to.

●    Pursue passions: Explore things that you’re passionate about. Medicine is not necessarily for everyone, and passion will take you a long way. 

●    Prepare for the UCAT but maintain balance: For potential medical students — prepare well for the UCAT, but know that that isn’t the be-all-end-all. Invest your time into other activities that enrich both your life and other people’s lives. 

●    Time management and work experience: Develop strong time management skills and consider taking on a part-time job. The transferable skills acquired can enhance your application.

●    Embrace your journey: Everyone has their own timeline. As long as you’re doing your best and keeping on top of the material, you’re on the right path.