This is always a morning characterised by good humour; after all, this is always the day when the Faculty of Medicine opens its doors to secondary-school students looking to study at the Institution someday.

This year’s Applicant’s Day brings with it a series of innovations: another Graduate Degree being presented, Nutritional Science and the team undergoing changes, with Professor Maria José Diógenes coordinating this event and in tandem with Professor Catarina Sousa Guerreiro.

In an informal, relaxed atmosphere, the 130 or so possible applicants meet at the Aula Magna to hear Director Fausto J. Pinto welcome them, together with some of the Faculty’s leading Professors, namely Joaquim Ferreira, António Vaz Carneiro. They get to know about the freedom of being able to work as a physician and that even the most experienced clinician has 6 to 7 doubts per day. They also get to hear accounts as told by Estela Flambó and by Catarina Domingues, students who uncomplicate the notion that being in Medicine or Nutritional Science allows doing nothing but studying.

In the back row, we find a boy and a girl who have known each other merely from sitting next to one another, but who find out they are neighbours in Lumiar: he has doubts regarding Science, whereas the girl’s eyes widen when she finds that she can also apply to study in Nutritional Science.

There is great interest, with doubts emerging as new subject matter is put up for debate. Most students in attendance wish to pursue Medicine, as it becomes clear to them that pursuing Nutritional Science just because they do not start off by gaining admission in Medicine, only to request a transfer later on, is neither viable, nor does it mirror the solution.

The day proceeds at a brisk pace, induced by a team that worked hard to get to this point. Everything has been ready for days and was planned in detail and with dynamism.

The various students, separated into groups, follow tutors, Faculty students who signed up to show them around on this day, which could be their first in a near future there.

As I enter one of the first groups, I follow them without much questioning. They enter laboratories and observe baby cells through the microscope. They say very little when called upon to speak. I find the silence surprising and realise that group includes a few female students who don’t even know if they want to pursue Medicine.

Each group is led from the Faculty, through the MMi, to Santa Maria Hospital, visiting laboratories and university clinics where so many of their future Professors can be found.

They will also enjoy lunch, which was carefully discussed, so as not to interfere with any food problem. In the afternoon, they will get to know other students and activities. Despite being tired, students soak in a day chock full of things that are new to them.

However, only through them can we fully perceive whether this day has had the desired effect. That’s what we did this year.

We introduce Pedro, Raquel and Joana, certain that their opinions do not represent every opinion out there, but which surely help understand a few of the paths taken.

More to come next year!

Pedro Santos – age 17 – Beja – D. Manuel I Secondary Schoo

1. How important is this event for a student seeking to pursue medicine/nutrition?
2. I consider Applicant’s Day at FMUL to be pivotal for students aspiring to pursue medicine or nutrition: to me and, possibly, to many other applicants, this comprises the first contact with the domain of health, with the clinical context and with the teaching of medicine. Not only is this a time where we can better understand how the study programme(s) itself (themselves) work(s), but this is also a chance to experience the student environment and get to meet possible future classmates.
   2. Did this day help give you a clearer idea of how you pictured the Faculty?

   The visit to the Faculty of Medicine and to Santa Maria Hospital provided me with a more realistic view of the clinical and learning context. Personally, I was quite impressed. My decision to choose FMUL became much more clear-cut.

   3. What was the most interesting part of the programme? Why?

   My favourite part of Applicant’s Day was the visit to Santa Maria Hospital. I found it interesting to see students, professors, physicians and patients crossing paths in the hospital corridors, which was greatly enriching for students, as they start to come in contact with the medical environment from early on.

   4. Did taking part in this day in any way change your wish to pursue a career in medicine, or did it open up new horizons which you had not thought of up to this point?

   This event confirmed my willingness to pursue a medical career and work in medicine!

Raquel Coimbra – age 18 – Cascais – Quinta do Marquês Secondary School

1. How important is this event for a student seeking to pursue medicine/nutrition?
2. Applicant’s Day not only enables me to clarify matters pertaining to study programmes in medicine and nutrition, but also provides an excellent perspective of the university environment ‘beyond studies’. Thus, the event in question is important to the extent that it enables us to gain a broader vision with regard to what the Faculty actually is.
   2. Did this day help give you a clearer idea of how you pictured the Faculty?

   This day undoubtedly helped clarify my idea of the Faculty! By having taken part in Applicant’s Day at FMUL, I was able to ‘de-mystify’ a few matters of concern to me, enabling me to better understand how the entire university environment works (both within and outside the classroom setting) while realising what I can look forward to next year in terms of studies.

   3. What was the most interesting part of the programme? Why?

   Quite honestly, it’s hard to pick out the programme’s most interesting moment. Still, if I had to choose, I would say the talks given by FMUL students greatly aroused my enthusiasm regarding the Faculty while leaving me more relieved at what awaits me in the first year. The presentations given by students and Professors were great initiatives, as they showed different visions (partly due to their different experiences) of what the Faculty means.

Joana Quintino – age 18 – Entroncamento – Cidade do Entroncamento School Grouping

1. How important is this event for a student seeking to pursue medicine/nutrition?

I feel that, for a student who is interested in the study programme, whether in medicine or nutrition, taking part in Applicant’s Day is very important. Not only does it allow us to get to know the institution and the study programme (the way it’s set up, modules…) but it also enables us to take in the faculty’s environment. Furthermore, having this direct contact among applicants (and, possibly, future students) and the faculty’s students/professors can also serve as an ‘incentive’, to the extent we can realise this is what we really want (and we have to work in order to bring that about).

2. Did this day help give you a clearer idea of how you pictured the Faculty?

Yes, this day enabled me to better get to know the faculty and cleared up some of my doubts, which I consider highly useful.

3. What was the most interesting part of the programme? Why?

I quite enjoyed the visit to the different areas of the faculty (laboratories, library, etc). I realised that this is indeed a great institution with a lot to offer those choosing it to embark on their academic/professional career. Moreover, it was very helpful to have the study programme’s current students accompanying us on the visits. I had the chance to chat with them and clear up doubts, always in a relaxed atmosphere.

4. Did taking part in this day in any way change your wish to pursue a career in medicine, or did it open up new horizons which you had not thought of up to this point?

To me, this day merely served to reinforce my idea that this is the study programme I wish to pursue. It served to motivate me and think of FMUL as a very strong possibility in my future choice!

Thank you.

Joana Sousa

Editorial Team