A Rochdale doctor has helped well over 1,000 students enter the medical schools of their dreams.
Dr Valeed Ghafoor, 32, is a GP Partner and trainer, with special interests in medical education and medical training. He also partakes in the University of Manchester’s medical school interview process.
Having previously held posts in psychiatry, sexual health and HIV, he also delivers postgraduate training to doctors.
As a boxer in his youth, Dr Ghafoor initially wanted to pursue personal training, but his interest in the human body drew him towards a career in Medicine.
Dr Ghafoor, from Rochdale, studied Medicine at the University of Manchester and graduated in 2014. He was part of the university’s Manchester Access Programme, a scheme where he supported young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to get into university.
For over a decade now, Dr Ghafoor has been coaching students on their medical school applications. All of these students have successfully entered medical school and have gone on to become doctors across various medical specialities.
Dr Ghafoor’s passion for helping students motivated him to launch his own company, called The Future Medic. This is a team of experienced doctors, who tutor Medicine applicants on every aspect of the application process, from personal statement writing, UCAT exam coaching, mock interview practice and mentorship.
The company also supports international students, to guide them through the medical school application process, so they don’t feel disadvantaged due to any obstacles or language barriers.
A highly accomplished scholar, Dr Ghafoor also holds multiple achievements including two research publications, twelve national poster presentations, three international oral presentations and an internationally delivered audit project.
Dr Valeed Ghafoor said: “I found the process of applying to medical school daunting. As someone who attended a struggling state school, which eventually went into special measures and closed down, I didn’t have much guidance or support.
“Over the last 10 years, the number of students I have helped is in the thousands.
“At The Future Medic, we have had huge successes. We had one student who had amazing grades but wanted a higher UCAT score. After we tutored him, he scored an average of over 750 on his UCAT test. That is literally going to be the difference between him getting interviews and not getting them.”
Recruiting students to become GPs is particularly important for Dr Ghafoor.
He continued: “It’s not only about training doctors, but it’s about General Practice- it is massively struggling for recruitment at the moment.
“We need more people to get into medical school, because there is a real-time shortage of doctors, and you need enough doctors to support a growing population.”
Additionally, Dr Ghafoor highlighted the impact that The Future Medic is bringing on the next generation of doctors.
He added: “[At The Future Medic], we are the only company that offers you a fully qualified doctor, who is an education specialist and university interviewer, so that level is not offered anywhere.
“Our students find us because they don’t understand the process of applying to medical schools, or they come to us with a problem and they are looking for an answer.
“For example, they are worried that their personal statement is not good enough. Or, they have previously been rejected from medical school.
“It makes me really happy to see our students go on to succeed. Our students keep in touch and come back to ask advice, for instance, about what medical pathway they should specialise in.
“We also help international students because we understand how hard it is for them to get into medical school in the UK. There are different fees and exams for them, and there is no real guidance, so that’s where we can help.”
Finally, Dr Ghafoor shared advice for anyone who is thinking of applying to medical school, adding: “Medical school is a big commitment, you are potentially dedicating 10 years of your life to it. So, plan well, speak to people in the profession, and get work experience in a GP or hospital.
“Don’t leave your application to the last minute. Get in touch with us at The Future Medic and we would be happy to help.”
Former student Dr Umair Gondal works as a GP. He praised The Future Medic for helping him secure a place to study Medicine.
He said: “Dr Valeed’s support during my application process for medical school was invaluable.
“His personal statement tutoring and mock interview sessions underlined my strengths and highlighted the key areas I could improve. This was extremely useful in navigating the challenges and stresses of medical school applications.
“His support played a key role in me receiving an offer to study medicine at my first-choice university.
“I currently work as a GP for the NHS in Northwest England and I teach students the same principles I was taught by Dr Valeed.”
At The Future Medic, the tutors provide personal statement coaching, interview coaching, UCAT tutoring, as well as mentorship.
To learn more about The Future Medic and their services, visit the company website here.
To contact The Future Medic, email info@thefuturemedic.com.
