A minority of medical school entrants draw from disadvantaged backgrounds, which remain significantly underrepresented within the medical workforce. Whilst multifactorial, this may in part relate to relative lack of information about the admissions process amongst these groups. In this article, Mohammed Abdul Waduud and colleagues offer their twelve essential tips to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are considering applying to medical school. The authors, all of whom are from disadvantaged backgrounds, have experience in applying to medical schools within the United Kingdom. The tips within this article should support students from disadvantaged backgrounds to decide whether a career in medicine is right for them and succeed in their applications to study medicine.

Representation of researchers from underprivileged backgrounds in unknown in academic medicine. We present the inspiring experiences of Professor Philip Quirke describing his humble beginnings in the East End of London to becoming an internationally acclaimed academic clinician. Importantly he offers his advice on what someone from a similar background should consider with similar aspirations.