[Llewellyn]

(Original post by 21stcenturyphantom)
Words of wisdom there, thank you. If you don't mind me asking, are you planning on applying to Cambridge when it comes to making your choices?

Probably, it mostly depends on what course I end up applying for and Cambridge is also ~300miles (6hours) away from where I live now. We'll see . Good luck with your A level "challenge" as you call it.

[21stcenturyphantom]

(Original post by Llewellyn)
Probably, it mostly depends on what course I end up applying for and Cambridge is also ~300miles (6hours) away from where I live now. We'll see . Good luck with your A level "challenge" as you call it.

Thank you! The only part I was using the world 'challenge' to refer to was Mathematics as it's the thorn in my side.

[bananarama2]

Hello. I have posted on hear before, but considering I know have As marks better advice may be given. I wish to apply to study Chem. Eng. via Engineering.

I received:

120/120 Physics
100 C1
95/100 Chem
93/100 D1

I'm also thinking of taking STEP I, II and or III next year. Would thins benefit my application at all.

[MissMedic]

Hi!

Just wanted to ask, iv heard that applying and getting an offer for trinity is ridiculously hard for medicine and I was wondering why? Do they like higher ums marks or something? I'm tied between Emma and trinity..

Thanks in advance!! X

[Rahul.S]

(Original post by Appeal to reason)
I'm looking to go on to study Maths (or Physics - dependant on the rest of AS) at Cambridge (Christ's). Would my AS Modules be okay for applying still? I've been told to aim for 100% in all my maths exams, something I haven't achieved. My Maths grades are a little disappointing considering I did all the past papers since Jan 05, minus 4 C1 papers.
C1 - 95/100
C2 - 96/100
S1 - 89/100 (Would like to resit, but my college are hesitant to let my friend resit 81, it will take a LOT of persuading to resit mine)
Physics 1 - 114/120
Geology 791 (1) - 83/90

I know the Geology was a crap choice on my behalf, with hindsight I ought to have taken Chemistry.
Would taking up AS Chemistry in year 13 be worth it - if I ended up applying for Physical Nat Sci?

My GCSEs were 8A*s, 6As and a C (Foundation French, year 9). Or 5A*s, 3As and a C excluding Btecs + OCR National ICT.

EDIT: I have applied to the Sutton trust summer school for maths at Cambridge, and the Oxford UNIQ summer school for Physics, would these help an application? I intend to sit BMO1 next year as well - though by then it will be too late to put it on my PS.

your fine.....with a 90 average in physics and maths you have a good chance. There is no need to retake S1 and taking AS Chemistry wouldn't affect your applcation for Physics Nat Sci....I mean its just an AS and most kids I know that applied for Physics Nat Sci do A2 Chemistry. However, doing the whole of a level of chemistry in 1 year might look interesting. tbh if you do apply for Physics Nat Sci I wouldn't be worried about Chemistry that much....instead just polish your Maths and Physics knowlege....or even take more mechanics modules.

[Rahul.S]

(Original post by MissMedic)
Hi!

Just wanted to ask, iv heard that applying and getting an offer for trinity is ridiculously hard for medicine and I was wondering why? Do they like higher ums marks or something? I'm tied between Emma and trinity..

Thanks in advance!! X

yh generally the kids have insane ums....or very high scores in the bmat...one kid I know whos got an offer from Trinity got 9 in one section!

[CLS94]

At GCSE, I did no work at all, completely messed up and ended up with:
Maths A
Statistics B (taken a year early)
English A
English Literature B
Core Science A
Additional Science A
Religious Studies B
Geography B
French C
Drama C
Information and Communication Technology C
Certificate in Digital Applications Pass

I now take the International Baccalaureate, and my preliminary predictions are:
English A1 Literature HL 7
History HL 7
Biology HL 6
Anthropology HL 7
French SL 6
Maths SL 5
Theory of Knowledge A
Extended Essay A
Total 41/45

In addition, I've been diagnosed with a condition which means that I struggle to write for long periods in exams (and also explains my slow-to-develop and still crap motor skills...), but this wasn't spotted before and I therefore wrote my GCSE exams by hand, I don't know if that would be likely to count as extenuating circumstances or not?

I'm really interested in the new human, social and political sciences course at Cambridge, but if my GCSE grades mean that I have no chance, then I would obviously rather use that UCAS spot somewhere I have a real chance of getting accepted at, so any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

[mevidek]

(Original post by CLS94)
At GCSE, I did no work at all, completely messed up and ended up with:
Maths A
Statistics B (taken a year early)
English A
English Literature B
Core Science A
Additional Science A
Religious Studies B
Geography B
French C
Drama C
Information and Communication Technology C
Certificate in Digital Applications Pass

I now take the International Baccalaureate, and my preliminary predictions are:
English A1 Literature HL 7
History HL 7
Biology HL 6
Anthropology HL 7
French SL 6
Maths SL 5
Theory of Knowledge A
Extended Essay A
Total 41/45

In addition, I've been diagnosed with a condition which means that I struggle to write for long periods in exams (and also explains my slow-to-develop and still crap motor skills...), but this wasn't spotted before and I therefore wrote my GCSE exams by hand, I don't know if that would be likely to count as extenuating circumstances or not?

I'm really interested in the new human, social and political sciences course at Cambridge, but if my GCSE grades mean that I have no chance, then I would obviously rather use that UCAS spot somewhere I have a real chance of getting accepted at, so any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

With those IB predictions you should be okay, although I'd get other views on this as I'm not too knowledgeable.

[Mike93L]

(Original post by Appeal to reason)
I'm looking to go on to study Maths (or Physics - dependant on the rest of AS) at Cambridge (Christ's). Would my AS Modules be okay for applying still? I've been told to aim for 100% in all my maths exams, something I haven't achieved. My Maths grades are a little disappointing considering I did all the past papers since Jan 05, minus 4 C1 papers.
C1 - 95/100
C2 - 96/100
S1 - 89/100 (Would like to resit, but my college are hesitant to let my friend resit 81, it will take a LOT of persuading to resit mine)
Physics 1 - 114/120
Geology 791 (1) - 83/90

I know the Geology was a crap choice on my behalf, with hindsight I ought to have taken Chemistry.
Would taking up AS Chemistry in year 13 be worth it - if I ended up applying for Physical Nat Sci?

My GCSEs were 8A*s, 6As and a C (Foundation French, year 9). Or 5A*s, 3As and a C excluding Btecs + OCR National ICT.

EDIT: I have applied to the Sutton trust summer school for maths at Cambridge, and the Oxford UNIQ summer school for Physics, would these help an application? I intend to sit BMO1 next year as well - though by then it will be too late to put it on my PS.

Your grades are fine at the moment. However, bear in mind many colleges interview for both Chem and physics via physical Natsci (1 subject interview each) so you'd be at an disadvantage without having chem.

The summer schools will help in the sense it can help give you a feel for the unis and make decisions on what subject/uni you want to go to. As for actually getting in, it won't matter at all. I got rejected by both summer schools and got an offer while the people at my school who went to the summer school all got rejected.

[bhogs001]

I got a b in c1 and i am so annoyed. Would resitting this ONE exam really hinder my chances.

[AK0001]

(Original post by bhogs001)
I got a b in c1 and i am so annoyed. Would resitting this ONE exam really hinder my chances.

Nope.

[Colmans]

(Original post by CLS94)
At GCSE, I did no work at all, completely messed up and ended up with:
Maths A
Statistics B (taken a year early)
English A
English Literature B
Core Science A
Additional Science A
Religious Studies B
Geography B
French C
Drama C
Information and Communication Technology C
Certificate in Digital Applications Pass

I now take the International Baccalaureate, and my preliminary predictions are:
English A1 Literature HL 7
History HL 7
Biology HL 6
Anthropology HL 7
French SL 6
Maths SL 5
Theory of Knowledge A
Extended Essay A
Total 41/45

In addition, I've been diagnosed with a condition which means that I struggle to write for long periods in exams (and also explains my slow-to-develop and still crap motor skills...), but this wasn't spotted before and I therefore wrote my GCSE exams by hand, I don't know if that would be likely to count as extenuating circumstances or not?

I'm really interested in the new human, social and political sciences course at Cambridge, but if my GCSE grades mean that I have no chance, then I would obviously rather use that UCAS spot somewhere I have a real chance of getting accepted at, so any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Your problem is that without AS marks they have only your GCSEs to go on and so your IB predictions look a little generous. If you get 776 & 41+ you would stand a good chance applying once you got your results. Not being motivated to work hard is a worrying extenuating circumstance but a late diagnosed dyslexia may help and so applying under the new system (which replaced CSAS) may be your best hope if your teachers strongly support you.
Otherwise you will be competing against candidates with mostly A* and IB predictions as good or better. Interviews help but it is not a "paper blind" admissions system.

[MissMedic]

(Original post by Rahul.S)
yh generally the kids have insane ums....or very high scores in the bmat...one kid I know whos got an offer from Trinity got 9 in one section!

Thanks! And seriously 9??that's unbelievable!!! :O

How 'insane' is insane? I think I'm leaning towards Emmanuel but I'd like to know what my limits are..
Also, I do biology, chemistry, maths and English literature for AS and I was thinking of dropping lit at A level and taking on an AS in physics..its not that I'm worried about the workload I am just bored with the work and I loved physics at gcse but I know that I'll be competing with people who do four or five a levels! What would be best, keep four or do the more relevant physics AS?

Thank you!! X

[wasting-time]

(Original post by bhogs001)
I got a b in c1 and i am so annoyed. Would resitting this ONE exam really hinder my chances.

no. might look fishy if you're applying to read maths though.

[Rahul.S]

(Original post by MissMedic)
Thanks! And seriously 9??that's unbelievable!!! :O

How 'insane' is insane? I think I'm leaning towards Emmanuel but I'd like to know what my limits are..
Also, I do biology, chemistry, maths and English literature for AS and I was thinking of dropping lit at A level and taking on an AS in physics..its not that I'm worried about the workload I am just bored with the work and I loved physics at gcse but I know that I'll be competing with people who do four or five a levels! What would be best, keep four or do the more relevant physics AS?

Thank you!! X

I wouldnt bother doing an AS tbh....doing the entire Alevel in one year on the other hand is something worth considering....as long you are able to do it.

one person on TSR....l4ith if I remember right got 100% in all his exams and got into Trinity for medicine, but there are kids that have got in with considerably lower ums. I would say getting around 90% in 3 and a good BMAT score is key......your BMAT will make or break your application for Medicine at Cambridge...this is the general case.....then again one kid this year got into St Catz with 3's in BMAT

[Extricated]

(Original post by MissMedic)
Thanks! And seriously 9??that's unbelievable!!! :O

How 'insane' is insane? I think I'm leaning towards Emmanuel but I'd like to know what my limits are..
Also, I do biology, chemistry, maths and English literature for AS and I was thinking of dropping lit at A level and taking on an AS in physics..its not that I'm worried about the workload I am just bored with the work and I loved physics at gcse but I know that I'll be competing with people who do four or five a levels! What would be best, keep four or do the more relevant physics AS?

Thank you!! X

Medicine at Cambridge is really competitive. Choose whichever college you feel best at, although Trinity has a fieresome reputation of being the most competitive college, on their website somewhere it says that the average successful economics applicant had 97% across 3 and 9A* AT GCSE. Med is likely to be just as high (if not higher.) Although a high BMAT score really is key.

[Mocking_bird]

Hi guys, just wondering whether you think I should bother applying or would I be wasting one of my four options for Medicine with little chance?

GCSE: 4A*(Maths, English lit, english lang, geography) and 8A (biology, chemistry, physics, art, textiles, ICT, graphics, citizenship)
AS: Geography, Biology, Chemistry and Maths
The first results I got for unit 1 (well, unit 2 for geography.) of these subjects are 4A's (Geography 80/80, Chemistry 92/100, Biology 88/100 and Maths 85/100).

So is it worth a shot?

[Rahul.S]

(Original post by Mocking_bird)
Hi guys, just wondering whether you think I should bother applying or would I be wasting one of my four options for Medicine with little chance?

GCSE: 4A*(Maths, English lit, english lang, geography) and 8A (biology, chemistry, physics, art, textiles, ICT, graphics, citizenship)
AS: Geography, Biology, Chemistry and Maths
The first results I got for unit 1 (well, unit 2 for geography.) of these subjects are 4A's (Geography 80/80, Chemistry 92/100, Biology 88/100 and Maths 85/100).

So is it worth a shot?

definately.....might want to have a little sneek of the BMAT.

[oli_G]

(Original post by Mocking_bird)
Hi guys, just wondering whether you think I should bother applying or would I be wasting one of my four options for Medicine with little chance?

GCSE: 4A*(Maths, English lit, english lang, geography) and 8A (biology, chemistry, physics, art, textiles, ICT, graphics, citizenship)
AS: Geography, Biology, Chemistry and Maths
The first results I got for unit 1 (well, unit 2 for geography.) of these subjects are 4A's (Geography 80/80, Chemistry 92/100, Biology 88/100 and Maths 85/100).

So is it worth a shot?

You'll probably need higher scores in biology and chemistry in your unit 2's (the average successful applicant for medicine will have a UMS average in the mid 90s), but your geography and chemistry is looking great.

The GCSEs should be fine, as they don't seem to play such a big part in the admissions process. Although remember most will have almost all A*s at GCSE.

As to whether it's worth a shot is up to you. It's certainly a risk but it might pay off

[Mocking_bird]

(Original post by Rahul.S)
definately.....might want to have a little sneek of the BMAT.

Just had a little look, the physics in section B is slightly worrying but i'm sure some form of preparation will help with that.

(Original post by oli_G)
You'll probably need higher scores in biology and chemistry in your unit 2's (the average successful applicant for medicine will have a UMS average in the mid 90s), but your geography and chemistry is looking great.

The GCSEs should be fine, as they don't seem to play such a big part in the admissions process. Although remember most will have almost all A*s at GCSE.

As to whether it's worth a shot is up to you. It's certainly a risk but it might pay off

Thank you, that was very helpful.
I'll make myself a promise, if I manage to get 90+ UMS average i'll go for it