2017 Bristol medicine hopefuls

I got 1A* 7A 1B 1C for GCSE
got AAAA at AS
610 UKCAT
I'm probably not applying to Bristol because my GCSEs are really low but I think I will apply to medicine elsewhere where AS are more highly valued. I'm just going to try and get A*s next year and apply the year after (also with a better UKCAT)

You could still apply to bristol- they count a* and as as the same at gcse level and they score your top 8 gcses

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Finalised Bristol as one of my choices, loved it so much! A bit apprehensive about my PS still though

Hey why do you like it so much ?

To put those who have posted grades asking if they stand a shot, I maybe able to help you. My experience with Bristol is quite unique to other med schools. They are very different when it comes to applying, and I think much better than other schools as they look at the applicant as a person, rather than GCSE scores and numbers on a page.I am going to be studying medicine in a couple days at Bristol as it is my firm choice.

Just so you have some idea of grades, I got:
GCSES: 5A*'s 6A's (plus one two extra A*'s year 9 so didnt add to my academic score)
AS: AABBC
A2 A*AA (A* epq) (this doesnt really matter as you only have to meed your grades).
UKCAT: 637.5 avg (2550)
BMAT: 5.7, 4.3, 3A

So as you can see, when it comes to GCSEs and UKCAT, i only had 5A*'s and a pretty low UKCAT score, and I managed to get an interview. How did I do it? My personal statement.I spent days on my PS, and I don't want to blow my own horn, but I was very proud of it. It was short and to the point and demonstrated all the experiences I had from my year of working in a hospice and a charity shop.Bristol really like you to show all your experiences dealing with the moral and social problems you encountered when doing volunteering and work experience, and at school. Did you take any leadership roles? House Captain? How did you go about solving the problems you faced? Also, say how long you have been volunteering for or doing work exerpience. If you have been doing it for years, it worth mentioning!

So, once you get invited to interview, the slate is wiped clean. I found the interview exciting and fun. It sounds weird but the interviewers at Bristol are very kind and nice. I was relaxed and happy and performed well at the interview. You can message me if you need any tips on Bristol PS/ interviews. I will help as much as I can, but I did sign a waver when I interviewed which will limit what I can say.

Overall, the admissions process at Bristol was very relaxed and quite nice. I felt like I did matter at Bristol. Their way of interviewing and speaking to you makes you feel like a person, not a list of academic achievements!Good luck all of you with your applications! You can message me if you need anymore help!

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Im not in the mood to read what i just wrote again and spell check, so sorry for grammar and spelling.

S
Also, in terms of work experience I did a 15 week placement volunteering at an elderly ward, 1 week in a GP shadowing a variety of different specialists, also shadowed an NHS plastic surgeon(in the operating theatre) but got to see the anaesthetic side of things too- I understand that this isn't very substantial but if I go into depth about what I learnt from these is it enough to be a competitive applicant?

It isnt what you have done that is important. Its how you REFLECT on this in your PS. You need to show what you learnt from a placement, what any particular incident taught you about 'being a doctor', 'dealing with patients' etc. It isnt quantity or quality of the actual placement that matters - its what you got out of it and how you explain this in your PS. Therefore 'I worked with a plastic surgeon' with no comment/reflection/expansion will count for far less than 'I worked in a Homeless Shelter, and my experiences there showed me ...'.

Hi all,

I'm a graduate applying for Bristol (aware of the funding situation) - anyone know whether the admissions criteria for graduates on A100 is the same as those doing their A Levels? (70% PS, 10% UKCAT, 20% academics)? I've emailed but still waiting on a response :/

Hi, I am a gap year reapplicant who applied for bristol last year. My PS was 0.5% away from the interview threshold so I used the feedback to get some more hospital work experience abroad and currently have two care-related jobs. As the PS is subjective, how likely would I be to be called for an interview this year? I know it's a risky choice but I really love bristol as a uni. My stats are 8A* and 2A at GCSE, AAAA at As, AAA (achieved) at GCSE, 670 UKCAT and band 1 SJT.Thank you.

Its 10% UKCAT, 20% A levels/GCSE and 70% Personal Statement.

If you dont pass the academic requirements in full your application will be rejected without any other part of your application being looked at. If you do pass, your PS is scored and this is added to your academic score and your PS score to get a complete score. Invitations to interview are based on a ranking of these complete scores. As you can see, the PS is still the mainstay of the application.

Not sure if there's hope for me.
I have:
7A*s and 3As at GCSE,
AABB at AS (even though my B in Mathematics is the only one that counts),
A UKCAT average of 640 which isn't a competitive score.
I have quite a lot of work experience.
What do you think? With my UKCAT score I don't even know places to apply where I'll have half a chance

I am applying Bristol. I applied last year but was told I was 2 marks short on my P.S. to get interview. My stats are 6A*5 A at gcse. AAAA at AS and AAA at A level. They gave me feedback on my P.S. of last year and I have taken that on board for my new one which I feel is much better. Probably because I have so much more experience now. I am working full time 40 hours a week ad a care assistant, some in hospital and some in clients homes. I am doing that until April and then I am travelling. Am learning so much now that I think will be beneficial to my career that I am glad I was not successful in getting an offer last year.

Hey hey! I sort recognise you from 2016 thread. I am thinking of reapplying to bristol again after being rejected after interview last year. Gap year certainly isn't as bad as we thought right? In fact, it sounds like a great thing to do.

Oh Hi, just check with them that you can apply if you were rejected after interview. Some UNIs will not let you reapply if you fsiled their interview. I know Newcastle are like that.

In fact I did double check that I could apply before I sent my application in