I'm a 4th-year Imperial medical student, ranked 1st in my year, offering one-to-one online tutoring for medical school admissions including preparation for the UCAT and interviews.

Find out more about Chirag

• When did you develop an interest in your chosen field and in private tutoring?

  I developed an interest initially in medicine and the sciences through different routes. For example, my dad is a surgeon, and my school had a biology club that encouraged wider reading in the area: my first ever project was on the immortal cells of Henrietta Lacks. Through work experience, I watched the healthcare professionals work and realised I could see myself doing that in the years to come and my journey began.
  It may sound cliché, but I've always enjoyed helping people and being the one people come to for help. Be it during class, or as a volunteer in the school's maths clinic, the satisfaction of helping someone achieve their personal goals is amazing.

• Tell us more about the subject you teach, and the topics you like to discuss with students (and possibly those you like a little less).

  I teach all aspects of the medical application process: the admissions tests (UCAT/BMAT), the personal statement and interview preparation (both MMI and panel). In addition, I tutor for the sciences and maths from KS3 up to A-level.
  Throughout my lessons, regardless of the content I prioritise:
  Engagement- asking questions, testing understanding, and making sure my student gets a thorough appreciation of the topic.
  Discipline- using exam-style questions in every session, applying time pressure, so when the exam comes around my students are ready and are not caught off guard.
  Fun- try to incorporate learning into the bigger picture, including real-world applications because ultimately learning should be fun 😊

• Did you have any role models; a teacher that inspired you?

  My piano teacher 😊 He had a passion for what he did and his students. He held concerts every month, so everyone had a chance to perform in front of a crowd, and cycled to his students' houses to deliver birthday cards and always went above and beyond. He was a true inspiration to all teachers.

• What do you think are the qualities required to be a good tutor?

  To be a good tutor I think empathy is a key quality- every student comes from a different background and will face different challenges and it's important to understand their point of view. Time management is an obvious one, and communication. Knowing the subject and knowing how to teach the subject are two very different things- both equally important.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to your subject or your days at school.

  The application process is a tough one (hopefully getting easier with the removal of the BMAT fingers crossed). It's important to take it day by day and to have fun with it. Express yourself and your interests and be unique 😊

• What were the difficulties or challenges you faced or still facing in your subject?

  I think a difficult one is trying to find an area of medicine you want to devote yourself to. It is such a wide field with so many specialities, that you don't even have to see patients and could go down the academic/research route. It is important to get as much exposure as you can, talk to seniors, and attend conferences so you can make that informed decision.

• Do you have a particular passion? Is it teaching in general or an element of the subject or something completely different?

  I have a passion for the outdoors. Love hiking and wildlife, the sounds of the birds and all the animals. I find it helps me to relax and find that work-life balance that is so important with a career in medicine.

• What makes you a Superprof (besides answering these interview questions :-P) ?

  What makes me stand out as a tutor is my desire to go that extra mile with my students. I am always available outside of lesson time for any support, tailor each session and make sure each of my students leaves feeling that they have learnt something.