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Medics and Applicants Profiles - NO DISCUSSION

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Reply 460
Year of Entry: 2012

Deferred?: Nope

GCSEs: 2A*'s 3 A's, 5 B's

AS Grades: AAABC (Maths, Chemistry, further Maths, Biology and Fashion in order)

A2 Results: A*A*AA

UKCAT (if applicable): 677.5

Work Experience/Volunteering:
-1 year paid in a pharmacy as a pharmacy assistant
-6 months volunteering in a residential home
-8 months volunteering in hospital
-1 week volunteering at vitalise
-Few months working as a HCA

Extra Curricular:
-Tennis and badminton
-Student ambassador
-Peer tutor

Universities applied to and decisions:
Peninsula - offer FIRM
Glasgow - offer INSURANCE
Keele - offer
BaTL - rejection after interview

I am a re-applicant and after getting four rejections last year, I'm surprised I got 3 offers. I believe I got in mainly because of my HCA experience as that was one of a few things different in my PS second time round (Others being peer tutoring and student ambassador). I'm a lot more confident now than I was this time last year, I also feel more mature, I guess this came across in the interview in a positive way along with my experiences.:biggrin:
Reply 461
Year of Entry: 2012

Deferred?: No

GCSEs: 20A/A*'s, 2B's

AS Grades: aaab (Chemistry, Biology, Maths and Physics respectively)

A2 Prediction/Results: AAA predicted

UKCAT (if applicable): Average 695

BMAT (if applicable): N/A

Work Experience/Volunteering:
6 months paid work in a GP's Surgery (including some hours voluntary shadowing health professionals).
3 months volunteering in a nursing home.


Extra Curricular: Chemistry prefect, netball.

Universities applied to and decisions:
Sheffield - Conditional Offer AAA.
Leicester - Rejected w/o interview.
Newcastle - Conditional Offer AAA.
Leeds - Conditional Offer AAA.
Reply 462
Year of Entry: 2012

Deferred?: Nope

GCSEs: 1 A*, 8 A, 2 B

AS Grades: AABD - Bio, Chem, ICT, French

A2 Results: BBC

Degree: 2.1 Biomed

UKCAT (if applicable): 655

Work Experience/Volunteering:
- gp surgery
- sja
- sll
- hospice
- hca

Extra Curricular:
-photography
-yoga

Universities applied to and decisions:
Kings - Rejected
Barts- Rejected
Soton BM4 - Rejected
Keele - Offer! - Conditional on CRB.

I'm a reapplicant. However, I don't believe my first application was truly a worthy application. Was planning my 3rd round of applications when Keele handed me a lifeline.

Moral of the story? Don't give up. You don't need perfect grades, you just need determination. It is never too late for unis to hand out interviews and offers. Friends may be getting offers, but it doesn't mean it's the end of the road for you just yet. Never give up hope!
Year of Entry: 2012

Deferred?: No

Standard Grades Int2s (Scottish applicants): AAAA1111

Higher grades (Scottish applicants): AAAAB

UKCAT (if applicable): 755

Work Experience/Volunteering: 1 week in a hospital, 1 week with disabled kids, 2 weeks in a medical genetics lab, one evening a week feeding patients on a stroke ward, teaching little kids in a sunday school, helping out at a science club, providing additional learning support for a girl in her science lessons, went to a series of lectures about medically-related topics, took an open learning course on the History of Medicine.

Extra Curricular: Play an instrument to a high standard (played in a national childrens orchestra etc), black belt in a martial art.

Universities applied to and decisions:

Edinburgh - Unconditional
Glasgow - Conditonal (BCC in Scottish Advanced Highers)
St Andrews - Unconditional
Dundee - Unconditional
Year of Entry: 2012
Deferred?: No
GCSEs: 7A*s, 4As, 1.5Bs + 4 OCR National Distinctions
AS Grades: AAAAA* (Extended Project)
A2 Prediction/Results: A*A*A*A (Gained prior to application)
UKCAT (if applicable): 682.5
Work Experience/Volunteering: 2 clinical weeks, 17 months at a hospice at time of UCAS application, 2 medicine summer schools, various clinical skills evenings/courses, work as a TA with Special Educational Needs.
Extra Curricular: Weekend job with Superdrug, NESTA/NASA science competition top-six runner-up, piano, head of house and chair of school council, student research project (involved a presentation at a national conference), Silver BA CREST, Open University 10 Credit module, School's citizenship award.

Universities applied to and decisions:
University of Nottingham: Rejection pre-interview
University of Manchester: Conditional (Based on health check and CRB disclosure)
University of St Andrews: Unconditional
Brighton and Sussex Medical School: Unconditional
(edited 12 years ago)
Reply 465
Year of Entry: 2012

Deferred?: No

GCSEs: 6A*s 4As
A/AS levels: A*A*A*aa (Maths, physics, chem, music, further maths)

UKCAT (if applicable): 670

Work Experience/Volunteering: 1 week in a hospital, 1 day in GP surgery, volunteering providing mealtimes on an orthopaedic trauma ward, Age UK befriending, nursing assistant at local hospice, bank HCA (started after interviews), BRC and SJA, medical course at local museum, part time job in a bar, travelling in the summer

Extra Curricular: Play basketball in local league, guitar to grade 7 and piano to 5, played in a few bands, set up and rode charity bike ride for Age UK

Universities applied to and decisions:

Manchester - rejection after interview (after being placed on hold)
Leeds - rejection pre-interview
Aberdeen - interview, unconditional
Glasgow - interview, conditional

I suppose I would say:
- Definitely, definitely prepare for your UKCAT (600q book)
- Definitely look up the admissions processes for each uni and see as best you can whether you fit the criteria for interview (this site is useful for that)
- Definitely prepare hard for interviews
- Don't worry about re-sits
- Don't worry if you didn't do biology at AS/A level
- Spend a lot of time on your personal statement. Get it checked by loads of people (again, this site is useful)
- Try hard to get some hands on care experience.

if anyone has any questions feel free to ask :smile:
Reply 466
Year of Entry: 2012

Deferred?: No

GCSEs: 10A*s

AS Grades: 6A's (bio, chem, maths, further maths, history and general)

A2 Prediction/Results: predicted A*A*A*A*

UKCAT (if applicable): 697.5

Work Experience/Volunteering:
- 18 Months Care Home (weekly visit)
- 18 Months Charity Shop (weekly visit)
- Intromed Course
- One week with Psychiatric Crisis Team
- One week with GP
- Work with children - Dance School, Brownies, Nursery, Summer School in Beijing
- Paid employment - Weekend shop job and holiday office job

Extra Curricular: Dance School, Organising Science Clubs, DofE Bronze and Silver, Science Mentor, School Prefect etc.

Universities applied to and decisions:
Sheffield - AAA offer
Birmingham - Interview but then withdrew
Newcastle - AAA offer
Leeds - Rejection

Hope that helps!
Year of Entry: 2012 (Reapplicant)
Deferred?: No
Standard Grades: 11111111
Higher Grades: AAAAB in 5th year (Maths, English, German, Chem, Physics); A in 6th year (Biology)
Advanced Higher Grades: ABB (Physics, Chem, German)
UKCAT: 667.5
Work Experience/Volunteering:
- 1 week GP
- Placements in Oncology(in 2010 and 2011), Ophthalmology, ENT (both 2010)
- 1 month volunteering in hospitals in Moldova (organised fundraising events for this too)
- 3 years volunteering with Barnardo's
- 6 months at nursing home
- Currently working full time as a waitress (mentioned transferable skills in PS)
- for ~6 months once a week would help out in a local primary school class (awarded Saltire Award - 50hrs voluntary work)

Extra Curricular
- Prefect & Buddy for S1s
- Yeabook Committee
- Production Manager in Young Enterprise (also gained Distinction in YE exam)
- Helped out at Brownies as part of DOE
- Musical Theatre group
- Played as part of team in school competions (athletics; gold/silver/bronze medals achieved at local level) and also in-school house matches
- Swim
- Awarded prizes for exam performance in German (SG & AH), as well as receiving highest mark in my school for Higher and AH

Universities applied to and decisions:
Dundee - Rejection pre-interview
Edinburgh - Rejection
Glasgow - Unconditional
Aberdeen - Unconditional

Last year's application:

Spoiler



Those who are unsuccessful the first time round, definitely give it another shot! After having received 4 rejections last year, 2 unconditionals this time definitely makes up for it! I definitely think my application was a lot stronger this time, too. Any Scottish applicants/any reapplicants feel free to PM me :smile:
(edited 12 years ago)
Year of Entry: 2012
Deferred?: No
Standard Grades Int2s (Scottish applicants): 11112222
Higher/AH grades (Scottish applicants): AABBBBCC
Previous Degree (if applicable): MPharm (Hons) Distinction
UKCAT (if applicable): 2600
Work Experience/Volunteering: GP shadowing, 6 weeks in India, work as pharmacist
Extra Curricular: online blog, lecturing, first aid, various sports etc
Universities applied to and decisions:

Aberdeen - Post interview rejection (wait listed)
QUB - Unconditional offer
Leeds - Withdrawn
St Andrews - Post interview rejection

My advice? Maximise your chances of interview in any way possible. Once you make it to interview you increase your chances dramatically. This may sound a little silly since I received 2 out of 3 post-interview rejections, but I think I got a little unlucky. This is sort of my point, excellent applicants who tick all the right boxes will always end up with several offers. For the rest of us, you need to play the game and apply strategically so that the horrible element of luck does not decide whether or not you attend medical school. Aside from that, stick in at school and aim high. The graduate route is a good option if you have bundles of motivation, but I must confess to struggling a little towards the end of my pharmacy degree because I knew it was not what I wanted to do. It's not easy to get a first in any degree, never mind one you hold no lasting interest in. So in summary: think carefully about which route you take, study for the UKCAT and most importantly; apply strategically!
Year of Entry: 2012, int'l student
Deferred?: No
GCSEs: 11A*, 1A
AS Grades: AAAAAA (Bio, Chem, Phy, Mat, Thinking Skills, Economics)
A2 Prediction/Results: A*A*A*A*B (Bio,chem,Phy, Mat, F.mat) - achieved
UKCAT (if applicable): 720 avg
BMAT (if applicable): 6.9, 6.4, 4A
Work Experience/Volunteering:
-1 week shadowing urologist
-2 years volunteer work every Sunday at local SPCA

Extra Curricular:
- MUN (organised conferences)
- DOE Bronze & Silver
- Prefect

Universities applied to and decisions:
- Cambridge (Caius): Rejected post-interview
- Edinburgh: Rejected
- UCL: Rejected post-interview
- KCL: Offer
- (UCL Biomed offer :K: )
I am not the best person to give advice (only have one offer... tons of people above and below me with loads more :redface: ) but a really definite tip for interviewees, especially those coming from overseas, is to not get food poisoning (on the flight to the UK) before your interview. It will really really mess up your interview skills. And, as my work experience shows, it's not always the length that gives you the edge :smile:

Good luck! :biggrin:
(edited 11 years ago)
Reply 470
Year of Entry: 2012
Deferred?: No
GCSEs: 4A*, 4A
AS Grades: ABBC (Eng Lit, Bio, Chem, Economics)
A2 Prediction: AAA
UKCAT (if applicable): 503 avg

Work Experience/Volunteering:
-1 week shadowing consultant
-1 week shadowing junior doctors
-Volunteering care home
-Volunteering RDA

Extra Curricular:
- County/national level running
- DOE Bronze
- National level eventing

Universities applied to and decisions:
- UEA foundation - Offer
- Soton foundation - Rejection post interview
- BSMS - Rejection
- Leicester - Rejection
Year of Entry: 2012
Deferred?:reapplicant :smile:
GCSEs: 5A* 6A
AS Grades: aaaa
A2 Prediction/Results: A*AA (attained)
UKCAT (if applicable): 620ish
Work Experience/Volunteering: work as an auxiliary nurse on an orthopaedic ward, worked as a pharmacy dispenser for 1 year, work exp in 1 private hospital for 1 week in diff departments and sitting in on private consultations, work exp in 4 GP practices, volunteered in a hospital in lourdes, volunteered as a ward helper in a hospice for a year and a bit... cant remember but probably more. i pestered a lot of doctors.
Extra Curricular: ex county synchronised swimmer, ex county swimmer, running, oil painting... mmh mostly sports stuff i guess :/
Universities applied to and decisions:
Leeds: Rejection no interview
Liverpool: Rejection post interview
QUB: Unconditional <- FIRMED :smile:
Lancaster: Unconditional
Reply 472
Year of Entry: 2012
Deferred?: No
GCSEs: 8A*2A
AS Grades: AAAA (Bio, Chem, Phy, Maths)
A2 Prediction/Results: A*A*A*A*
UKCAT (if applicable): 740 avg
BMAT (if applicable): 7.2, 8.2, 4A
Work Experience/Volunteering:
-1 week shadowing cardiologist
-1 week shadowing consultant physician
-2 weeks shadowing at a GP practice
-1 year voluntary work every weekend at local nursing home

Extra Curricular:
- Football 1st XI
- Head of Charity Committee
- Prefect

Universities applied to and decisions:
- Cambridge (St. John's): Offer A*AA (Firm)
- KCL: Offer AAAC (Insurance)
- Nottingham: Withdrew
- Imperial: Withdrew

My advice would be to start preparing as early as possible for admissions tests as you can, as these can make/break your application (a good performance can strengthen your application so much).

Best of luck! :smile:
Year of Entry: 2012
Deferred? No
Highers: AABBB
Degree: MEng in Computer Science with Distinction
UKCAT: 690
Work Experience/Employment:
- 3 years volunteering at Saturday morning class for children with Aspergers
- 3 years working as Software Engineer for residential child care company
- 1 year running my own company

Universities and decisions:
- Dundee Unconditional (Firm)
- Glasgow Conditional (Declined)
- Aberdeen Conditional (Declined)
- Edinburgh Rejection Pre-interview

My advice is more focussed to graduates - make sure you talk about all of your previous work/employment - even if it is not healthcare-related. I didn't have a huge amount of directly related healthcare experience and no shadowing. Make sure you work hard on your interview skills - I think that is one of the most important parts.

Good luck and PM me if I can offer any more advice,
Year of Entry: 2012
Deferred?: No
GCSEs: 7.5A* 2A 0.5B 4Distinctions
AS Grades: AAAAB
A2 Prediction/Results: A*A*A*A*A
UKCAT (if applicable): 718
BMAT (if applicable): 6.6, 6.7, 2.5C

Work Experience/Volunteering:
- 1 week experience in a nursery
- 1 week shadowing a Cardiologist
- ~3 years on the Board of Management for my school's Integrated Health Centre
- 1 term mentoring younger students' English

Extra Curricular:
- JSLA + JLLA
- Debate Society

Universities applied to and decisions:
- Oxford (Worcester) - Offer (Firm) :biggrin:
- UCL - Offer - Declined
- Kings - Rejection Post-Interview
- Manchester - Interview - Put 'On Hold' - Withdrawn
Reply 475
Year of Entry: 2012
Deferred?: No
GCSEs: 9A*, 2As
AS Grades: AAAA (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, History) (I also got an A for an EP I did.)
A2 Prediction/Results: A*AA (Physics, Biology, Chemistry)
UKCAT (if applicable): 682.5
BMAT (if applicable): N/A

Work Experience/Volunteering:

- 1 week in a GP surgery.
- 7 months of weekly volunteering in a nursing home.
- 20 hours on a rotational hospital experience course.
- 1 week on an orthopaedic ward.
- St. John Ambulance membership.

Extra Curricular:

- Grade 7 clarinet.
- Completed a library volunteer programme.
- Helped to run a discussion group with younger students at my school.
- School council representative.
- Attended performing arts clubs at school.

Universities applied to and decisions:

- University of Birmingham: AAA Offer (Firm)
- University of Leicester: Interview (Withdrew)
- University of Leeds: Rejection
- University of Edinburgh: Rejection
Reply 476
Year of Entry: 2012
Deferred?: No
GCSEs: 9A* , 5A
AS Grades: AAAB (chem, biol, history, Maths)
A2 Prediction/Results: AAAAA including welsh bac
UKCAT (if applicable): 690 avg
BMAT (if applicable): Sony really can't remember but was extremely low.
Work Experience/Volunteering:
-1 week shadowing at hospital. Various departments
-2 weeks shadowing at a GP practice
-1 year voluntary work event first aid red cross
1 year voluntary running a pyramid nha after school club
1 week at a vitalse respite centre
Attending various lectures and workshops
2 days stem cell research labs

Extra Curricular:
- ocn photography course
- open uni aim highere course in classics
An amazing trip/ volunteer in Lesotho

Universities applied to and decisions
- Nottingham: Offer AAA ( inc chem and biol). Insurance
- st George's : offer AAAb ( inc chem and biol) firm
- Imperial: unsuccessful too low bmat
- Southampton : unsuccessful

Advice: apply to the uni which consider the best parts of your application. Do not do the bmat as well as ukcat unless u really could not live with not applying to a bmat uni. Wish I did not apply to imperial. And just good luck it's an amazing feeling when that 1st offer comes .
Reply 477
Year of Entry: 2012
Deferred?: No
GCSEs: 2A*s 8As
AS Grades: AAAB
A2 Prediction/Results: AAA
UKCAT (if applicable): 632.5
BMAT (if applicable): -

Work Experience/Volunteering:

- 3 weeks in a hospital in Malawi
- 1 week shadowing an anaesthetist in theatre
- 2 weeks shadowing different doctors and surgeons
- 18 months working at disabled horse riding school
- have had my own charity for 3 years raising money for girls in Malawi to go to school

Extra Curricular:

- debate club
- science tutor to lower school
- horse ride

Universities applied to and decisions:

- HYMS - Interview, offer AAA - FIRM
- St Georges - interview, rejection
- Liverpool - Interview, rejection
- Leeds - rejection


yay I actually got an offer!
Reply 478
Year of Entry: 2012
Deferred?: No
GCSEs: 7A*, 4A
AS Grades: AAAA (Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Economics)
A2 Prediction/Results: A*A*A* (Chemistry, Physics, Maths)
UKCAT: 675

Work Experience/Volunteering:
-Paid job in the dispensary in a GP's practice (twice a week)
-Volunteer every week at a School for Children with special needs
-1 week of experience at the Birmingham Children's Hospital
-2 weeks at a GP's practice
-1 week at a physiotherapists

Extra Curricular:
-Badminton for county and national levels
-Rugby 1st XV
-Sports Leader
-Distinction at gold level for Lamda Public Speaking
-Muay Thai

Universities applied to and decisions:
Bristol: Interview, rejection
Leeds: Offer, AAA
Manchester:Offer, AAA
Southampton: Offer, AAA
Year of Entry: 2012
Deferred?: No
Standard Grades Int2s: 1111111A
Higher grades: AAAAA
UKCAT: 662.5

Work Experience/Volunteering:
- 3 days at a GP practice
- 3 days in a hospital (shadowing a surgeon and FY1s)
- 2 weeks charity work in Malawi
- Preparing food for the homeless once a week
- 2 years serving refreshments at a charity cafe once a week

Extra Curricular:
- Member of the school orchestra and ceilidh band since S1 (guitarist)
- Qualified St. Andrew's First Aider
- Learning Spanish

Universities applied to and decisions:
Edinburgh - Rejection
Dundee - Rejection
Glasgow - Interview - Rejection
Aberdeen - Interview - Unconditional

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