[Normandy114]

(Original post by lucky20)
Hi there. Yes I'm hoping to have a much better application this year. I've just received the 600q ukcat book and working through it. Will be booking soon. I didn't know leeds were big on the ukcat? Hmm will have to do well then lol. My app tends to lack in the hobbies/ leadership skills. I am a keen cyclist and play 5 aside. But that's about it lol. I won the a level student of the year award this year. I am wondering should i include that in my ps or would it come across as 'showing off' as that is no way my intention. What are you planning to study at uni then?

Oh my mistake, mixed up Leeds with Leicester with regards to UKCAT scoring. Leeds only give one point out of 47 to the UKCAT so it's practically irrelevant, whereas Leicester give a lot more weight to it. On that note, look into applying to Leicester if you do well in the UKCAT, they also give bonus points to those with achieved grades. About your award, if you've got the space to write about it you could I suppose, but personally I wouldn't, especially if I've got a gap year's worth of plans to include as well.

Hopefully if I get the grades I'll be doing Medicine at Manchester this year, so quite anxious at the moment haha.

[paul.dirac121]

(Original post by Normandy114)
Oh my mistake, mixed up Leeds with Leicester with regards to UKCAT scoring. Leeds only give one point out of 47 to the UKCAT so it's practically irrelevant, whereas Leicester give a lot more weight to it. On that note, look into applying to Leicester if you do well in the UKCAT, they also give bonus points to those with achieved grades. About your award, if you've got the space to write about it you could I suppose, but personally I wouldn't, especially if I've got a gap year's worth of plans to include as well.

Hopefully if I get the grades I'll be doing Medicine at Manchester this year, so quite anxious at the moment haha.

Congrats there. Manchester Med school is one of the better ones out there. What a levels you study. And what as grades you get. Are you nervous for results day. I know i am. Also i presume your offer is AAA right?

[Normandy114]

(Original post by lucky20)
Congrats there. Manchester Med school is one of the better ones out there. What a levels you study. And what as grades you get. Are you nervous for results day. I know i am. Also i presume your offer is AAA right?

Thanks, main A levels are Bio/Chem/Maths, offer of AAA, but also did an A level in General studies and got a D (). AS levels were AABBCC in Maths/Chem, Bio/Psychology, General Studies/Critical Thinking, and I got an A in the extended project (which is apparently an AS level equivalent). Yes, I'm nervous for results day, quite a lot of difference between AAA and AAB unfortunately, and it's way to close for me to get comfortable.

[CocaineSquirrel]

(Original post by Maryam A)
Hi, I'm intending to apply to Edinburgh, Dundee, Glasgow and Aberdeen. I am still to sit the UKCAT in about 3 weeks and I was wondering if anyone knows how much importance is placed on the UKCAT by each of these medical schools, so that I know which ones to stick with or not after I get my UKCAT score. I read that Dundee place 40% on the UKCAT. Any help highly appreciated

I could be wrong, but I haven't seen Dundee explicitly state that the UKCAT is worth 40% of the application. Last year, I could never find out how important the UKCAT is for Dundee but they did tell me that the average score of applicants invited to interview was 2675 (668.75avg). Checking their website will give you the most up-to-date information or you could email/phone admissions if you have a specific question.

The same goes for your other choices, the best way to get to most accurate information is to have a look at their websites. I'll briefly outline some points though.

The UKCAT only carries a weighting of 8% at Aberdeen so as long as the other aspects of your application are good, I won't matter too much. I know somebody, and have heard of others, who got offers from Aberdeen with score <600.

As somebody posted not long ago, Glasgow invite the top 800 UKCAT scorers to interview. This means that there will be a cut-off score, which has been around 650avg in recent years. If you meet the minimum requirements and score above the cut-off, you will be invited for an interview. Personal statement and reference are not looked at until you have overcome this hurdle.

Edinburgh divide applicants into quartiles depending on their score. Those in the top quartile are awarded 3 points, second quartile 2 points, third quartile 1 point and fourth quartile no points. The UKCAT is also used as a tie-breaker. If applicants have the same number of points after all aspects of the application have been taken into account, the people with the higher UKCAT scores will be given offers. The entire point system is explained on the Edinburgh website which I suggest you read.

[paul.dirac121]

(Original post by Normandy114)
Thanks, main A levels are Bio/Chem/Maths, offer of AAA, but also did an A level in General studies and got a D (). AS levels were AABBCC in Maths/Chem, Bio/Psychology, General Studies/Critical Thinking, and I got an A in the extended project (which is apparently an AS level equivalent). Yes, I'm nervous for results day, quite a lot of difference between AAA and AAB unfortunately, and it's way to close for me to get comfortable.

Kool. Ocr chem bio? How did u find c3 c4?. Hopefully u shud get in. If u miss grades ring the uni and grovel.

[thegodofgod]

(Original post by lucky20)
Hi there myyrh. I applied to leeds, keele, uea and hyms. I received feedback from leeds and keele. Leeds was my main choice tbh as i am from leeds. The feedback was rather standard stating i wasn't ranked high enough to be called for interview. My tutor emailed them for further in depth feedback with no avail. What are the chances of a reapplicant compared to say a first timer. Are reapplicants at any disadvantage? Or does the fact we have our grades in hand benefit us.

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my GT-I9000

Not sure whether someone's already mentioned this, as I thought it'd be better for me to say this quickly before I forget

Leeds gives 2 extra points if you're a re-applicant and have achieved AAA, so it might be worth a shot there again - did you find out what score you got this time around, and what the cut-off was? Also, if you get 700+ in the UKCAT (average), you get a bonus point, so that could mean 3 extra points in total, which could mean you would be above the cut-off score, and thus would be invited to interview

[thegodofgod]

(Original post by Normandy114)
Thanks, main A levels are Bio/Chem/Maths, offer of AAA, but also did an A level in General studies and got a D (). AS levels were AABBCC in Maths/Chem, Bio/Psychology, General Studies/Critical Thinking, and I got an A in the extended project (which is apparently an AS level equivalent). Yes, I'm nervous for results day, quite a lot of difference between AAA and AAB unfortunately, and it's way to close for me to get comfortable.

Did you resit any of your AS modules this year in order to get the UMS bumped up?

[Normandy114]

(Original post by thegodofgod)
Did you resit any of your AS modules this year in order to get the UMS bumped up?

Yeah, resat Chem U2 and Biology unit 2 and the AS coursework. Chemistry should be a safe A, Biology is only just an A so I need to pretty much average an A over U5 and the A2 coursework to get that lovely AAA. I scored 35/40 in the coursework, which has in the past gone between boundaries of 33-35 for the A, so I could get some extra precious UMS for if I didn't get what I needed in U5. Oooh it's all so frighteningly exciting

[thegodofgod]

(Original post by Normandy114)
Yeah, resat Chem U2 and Biology unit 2 and the AS coursework. Chemistry should be a safe A, Biology is only just an A so I need to pretty much average an A over U5 and the A2 coursework to get that lovely AAA. I scored 35/40 in the coursework, which has in the past gone between boundaries of 33-35 for the A, so I could get some extra precious UMS for if I didn't get what I needed in U5. Oooh it's all so frighteningly exciting

Tell me about it - can't believe Results' Day is fewer than 3 weeks away

[Normandy114]

(Original post by thegodofgod)
Tell me about it - can't believe Results' Day is fewer than 3 weeks away

Oh f*** that crept up quickly haha, I still thought it was 5/6 weeks away! Just think, there's a good chance that lying somewhere are our marked papers, but we still can't find out what they are. I wonder what it would be like if they just emailed us the results as they're marked, like UCAS. Or imagine if UCAS had a results day?! What a terrifying concept...

[Maryam A]

(Original post by CocaineSquirrel)
I could be wrong, but I haven't seen Dundee explicitly state that the UKCAT is worth 40% of the application. Last year, I could never find out how important the UKCAT is for Dundee but they did tell me that the average score of applicants invited to interview was 2675 (668.75avg). Checking their website will give you the most up-to-date information or you could email/phone admissions if you have a specific question.

The same goes for your other choices, the best way to get to most accurate information is to have a look at their websites. I'll briefly outline some points though.

The UKCAT only carries a weighting of 8% at Aberdeen so as long as the other aspects of your application are good, I won't matter too much. I know somebody, and have heard of others, who got offers from Aberdeen with score <600.

As somebody posted not long ago, Glasgow invite the top 800 UKCAT scorers to interview. This means that there will be a cut-off score, which has been around 650avg in recent years. If you meet the minimum requirements and score above the cut-off, you will be invited for an interview. Personal statement and reference are not looked at until you have overcome this hurdle.

Edinburgh divide applicants into quartiles depending on their score. Those in the top quartile are awarded 3 points, second quartile 2 points, third quartile 1 point and fourth quartile no points. The UKCAT is also used as a tie-breaker. If applicants have the same number of points after all aspects of the application have been taken into account, the people with the higher UKCAT scores will be given offers. The entire point system is explained on the Edinburgh website which I suggest you read.

Thanks for your help, that was really useful! will definitely check out their websites and research more into it.

[Theafricanlegend]

Can someone apart from Myrrh reply? (even though he has been very helpful)
Hello

I have recently liked the idea of studying medicine at Uni, and this is my profile:
Don't neg, just because you think i'm bragging (My grades are average on TSR) or because you think I dont have a chance, i'm purely asking!

Be blunt with me, and tell me reasons why you think i won't get in:
Thank you in advance

GCSEs: I have done a short course, does that count as a full gcse? what about distinctions do they count?
6.5 or 6A*'s: Physics, Chem, Bio, Maths, 1/2 Re? ,Arabic, Geography,
3 or 5 A's: Stats, French, English lang. 2 distinctions in ocr nationals..?
4Bs: Literature, Drama, media, PE

Predicted AS levels: AAAB in bio chem maths and physics (hopefully i get an A)
Planning to drop lowest subject.

Work experience (I wanted to do medicine in year 10 and 11) :

• Week filing at a local surgery and GP
• Surgeon – Procedure removing shards off a persons hand (E&A)- in Libya
• Surgeon i was in an operation. (cancer related)
• 2 days in the wards speaking to patients
• Attended a session with a doctor (colonscopy)
• Day clinic and minor surgeries for a day.

Volunteering:
Mentoring maths 1/2 year
Peer mentoring first aid to children and active member of British red cross. 1/2 year
Life guard and life saver.
Coach 6-7 year olds Tennis
Shall i apply for a volunteering job in a british heart foundation charity shop?

what Unis do you think i should target?
Thank you all

[Theafricanlegend]

(Original post by myyrh)
It really depends on when you want to do it. The earlier you do it the more time you have to choose where you wish to apply but then again you may want to wait till after results day. You should book it a date soon otherwise you risk losing the dates you want to pick as spaces fill up.

Shall i apply to exeter? or will my gcses not put me in an advantage? (basically what im saying is, what does exeter look at)?

[myyrh]

(Original post by Theafricanlegend)
Shall i apply to exeter? or will my gcses not put me in an advantage? (basically what im saying is, what does exeter look at)?

If you have a solid UKCAT score of 645+ ( Ideally 650+ to be on the safe side) I would consider them. Your GCSEs will not give you any advantage as Exeter only ask for 7Cs (everyone who achieves that or more is looked at in the same way).
Exeter select applicants for interview by using UKCAT scores and A level predicted grades. If you meet the cut-offs set for each sub section of the UKCAT and the overall cut-off as well the predicted grades, you'll get an interview.

[sophiekutie]

How do you work your UKAS points?

I'm considerting going into medicine/forensics (still considering other options) but not sure what uni's and courses i'll be able to apply to?

I think i will get (GCSE's):
6 A*s - maths (IGCSE), Maths, Chemistry, Physics, ICT (x2),
5 A's - English Lang, R.E, Biology, Geography, (History or English lit)
1 B - (History or English lit)

And i'm hoping to take (A-levels):
AS - Maths, Chem, Phys, Geog, World dev.
A2 - Maths, Chem. Phys.

However i may end up swapping Geog and world dev to Further Maths, Do you think this would be beneficial at all?

[myyrh]

(Original post by sophiekutie)
How do you work your UKAS points?

I'm considerting going into medicine/forensics (still considering other options) but not sure what uni's and courses i'll be able to apply to?

I think i will get (GCSE's):
6 A*s - maths (IGCSE), Maths, Chemistry, Physics, ICT (x2),
5 A's - English Lang, R.E, Biology, Geography, (History or English lit)
1 B - (History or English lit)

And i'm hoping to take (A-levels):
AS - Maths, Chem, Phys, Geog, World dev.
A2 - Maths, Chem. Phys.

However i may end up swapping Geog and world dev to Further Maths, Do you think this would be beneficial at all?

You work out UCAS points by looking at A/AS level grades. an A at AS is worth 60points whilst an A at A level is worth 120 for instance. Your GCSEs are fine for medicine but as for your AS level choices you may find it tougher to choose a medical school because of the lack of Biology. Why don't you swap world development for Biology?

[sophiekutie]

(Original post by myyrh)
You work out UCAS points by looking at A/AS level grades. an A at AS is worth 60points whilst an A at A level is worth 120 for instance. Your GCSEs are fine for medicine but as for your AS level choices you may find it tougher to choose a medical school because of the lack of Biology. Why don't you swap world development for Biology?

thank's for replying so fast

i don't really like boilogy, the teachers at the 6 form i'm going to aren't that great for teaching it and i find it muck harder than the other 2 sciences. i'm thinking it's better to do the subjects that i like and am good at than to risk it for a job i'm uncertain about

do you know where i can find all of the points for it? (How much an A* is ect)

[myyrh]

(Original post by sophiekutie)
thank's for replying so fast

i don't really like boilogy, the teachers at the 6 form i'm going to aren't that great for teaching it and i find it muck harder than the other 2 sciences. i'm thinking it's better to do the subjects that i like and am good at than to risk it for a job i'm uncertain about

do you know where i can find all of the points for it? (How much an A* is ect)

A* is 140, you can find all the information on the UCAS website.
AS Biology is very manageable and you can pretty much teach it to yourself, A2 is a different story. If you're considering medicine as a potential career really think hard about not taking Biology. Even if you have just the AS level it will open up so many more doors.

[praj1]

(Original post by Theafricanlegend)
Can someone apart from Myrrh reply? (even though he has been very helpful)
Hello

I have recently liked the idea of studying medicine at Uni, and this is my profile:
Don't neg, just because you think i'm bragging (My grades are average on TSR) or because you think I dont have a chance, i'm purely asking!

Be blunt with me, and tell me reasons why you think i won't get in:
Thank you in advance

GCSEs: I have done a short course, does that count as a full gcse? what about distinctions do they count?
6.5 or 6A*'s: Physics, Chem, Bio, Maths, 1/2 Re? ,Arabic, Geography,
3 or 5 A's: Stats, French, English lang. 2 distinctions in ocr nationals..?
4Bs: Literature, Drama, media, PE

Predicted AS levels: AAAB in bio chem maths and physics (hopefully i get an A)
Planning to drop lowest subject.

Work experience (I wanted to do medicine in year 10 and 11) :

• Week filing at a local surgery and GP
• Surgeon – Procedure removing shards off a persons hand (E&A)- in Libya
• Surgeon i was in an operation. (cancer related)
• 2 days in the wards speaking to patients
• Attended a session with a doctor (colonscopy)
• Day clinic and minor surgeries for a day.

Volunteering:
Mentoring maths 1/2 year
Peer mentoring first aid to children and active member of British red cross. 1/2 year
Life guard and life saver.
Shall i apply for a volunteering job in a british heart foundation charity shop?

what Unis do you think i should target?
Thank you all

Ok your grades are fine! there better than mine lol
you work experience again is brill! If you could then organise a few more, and say in your PS that your planing to do more....
it all depends on your ukcat and bmat, sit the UKCAT first and then apply TACTICALLY!

hope that helps...

[Cojo23]

Hi everyone

I'm new to the forims and I'm not understanding them fantastically... I thought this was the most appropriate thread to ask my question - if it isn't, I apologise!

I'm about to start my A-levels at a normal college in Manchester and what I wanted to ask was whether or not my work experience/extra curricular/volunteering experiences (both past, ongoing and planned) are sufficient for a chance of getting looked at by a medical school.

First of all; I have always had the importance of volunteering stressed to me so from the age of 16 (almost a year now) I have been volunteering more or less weekly at both a care home for people with severe dementia, and a youth club for disadvantaged kids from around where I live. I am also soon becoming a weekly ward volunteer at a large hospital in manchester.
On top of that, I was lucky enough to last summer go on a volunteering trip to Tanzania where I taught English, French, helped in a nursury and helped built another building for the education centre the traditional Maasai way. Whilst I was there, I met so many new people that I managed to sort myself half a day's experience at a free clinic in Tanzania for tribes people, shadowing a British doctor there. Although its not very long at all, the things I learnt from that were lifechanging.

Since there are no doctors in my family or any that are friends of my family, I have found this quite difficult but I also (I think) have managed to secure myself a week in a GP surgery and another week in a hospital. Another thing I am quite proud of is that I think I've also secured a day shadowing a HIV consultant in a french hospital, as I'm out there quite a lot as I have friends here 5I'm there now actually)

It is my absolute dream to get into medical school and become a doctor, and the competition is so fierce, I just wanted to know if I stand a chance in that sector, or if theres anything I can improve.

If anyone replies to this, thank you so much xxx