First Choice ACF will be an invaluable resource whether you are days, months or years ahead of your NIHR Academic Clinical Fellowship Application. Here are a few recommended approaches depending on how close you are to your application date:
You have less than 2 months to your application date
You have a short period of time to prepare for your application; First Choice ACF is here to make sure you make the most of it!
Use Resource 1: Drafting your White Space Answers and Resource 2: White Space Question Bank to begin structuring your responses to real-life example questions from previous years straight away.
Once your written application is submitted, begin your interview preparation as soon as possible by working through Resource 3: ACF Interview Questions, and while you’re on the move use Resource 4: Quick-fire Knowledge to sharpen your critical appraisal skills. Use Resource 5 to approach clinical scenarios like a specialty registrar - this is one of the most useful of all the resources both for your application and first few years of your post-foundation practice!
If your region of choice requires an oral presentation Resource 6 will provide essential insight.
You have 2-6 months to your application date
This the most common period in which people choose to begin preparing for their ACF applications.
Take advantage of all six resources to maximise your chance of success. You may wish to focus on your strategy Resource 1 and 2 for White Space Answers to begin with, but do not neglect Resource 3: ACF Interview Question Bank and Resource 5: Approach clinical stations like a specialty registrar; the earlier you begin to use some of the structures and frameworks for answering questions such as these the better!
You will have optimal time to maximise use of Resources 4 (and 6) to optimise your critical appraisal skills and ensure you walk away with your First Choice ACF job.
You have over 12 months to your application deadline
You’re ahead of the game, and this will be a strong advantage!
As well as beginning to interact with all seven resources, you can use Resource 7: Building your academic portfolio in detail to plan your strategy for your academic development, and highlight areas where you can build new skills, experience and competencies ahead of your interviews.
You have time to add value in each section of the academic portfolio, and set yourself up for a successful academic career for your ACF, doctoral studies and beyond!