Chemistry 2012 Applicants

Thanks, what unis did u apply to? And what did you put in yoru application?
Are you a member of the RSC?

Applied to Imperial, Durham and Nottingham for chemistry with a year in industry.

Yes, I am an RSC member. I mentioned going to GSK for a school trip and a few things about reading around my subjects. I talked of an interest in an area- the idea of entropy.

I talked of my other A-levels as well, but I don't know whether that is necessary or helpful.

In your personal statement, do you really need to talk about various chemistry related things you did? Did you get into Imperial?

Yes, I got an offer from Imperial.
I think it would be an advantage, but I'm not an admissions tutor.
Make sure your grades are good first and foremost

I didn't really worry about this until yr.13; I'd advise starting to draft your PS and think about uni choices after the summer exams.

Hey guys, a few questions...
I am applying for chemistry next year..!

I was wondering what books I can read? I am going to receive online copies of Chemistry World but what else?
And what about lectures or any chmistry events?

Try 'Why chemical reactions happen' by James Keeler and Peter Wothers.

Have you registered with ? (I suppose you must have if you're getting chemistry world.) New scientist is also a safe bet as well as really interesting, and a good book that's re-capped some stuff that I did already for my course is 'Chemicals for Life and living' - by Eiichiro Ochiai, that's quite interesting. Try to read some non-science stuff too though, partly for the 'rounded person', partly as you don't want your head to explode! ^-^

I'm a member of the SCI and get a fortnightly magazine - Chemistry and Industry.

Bill Bryson's A Short History of Nearly Everything has a lot of science-related content and I really enjoyed it. Would also recommend Richard Feynman.

Hmm...what were you grades like? Do you think Imperial is competitive? Sorry for all teh questions, but what was the Imperial interview like? And what sort of chemistry related activities did u do?

Grades were As in the sciences and maths.
The Imperial interview isn't too bad- you get invited to an open day type event with a twenty minute interview.
I was asked two questions from my PS. Other students were asked to think / work through things they hadn't met yet.

Imperial is competitive, but it isn't their most competitive course in terms of the grades they ask for compared with their other courses (Chem is typically AAA whereas offers for other courses can be as high as A*A*A or A*AAA.) I got an A*AA offer - I suspect this is because part of my interview didn't go well.

My only chemistry related activity was the GSK trip, so I'm not the best person to ask on that front!

Hmm, so Imperial didn't really seem to care a lot about chemistry stuff you did but more about grades and interview?
What did u write in ur PS , about chemistry or ECs?

Have you registered with chemnet? (I suppose you must have if you're getting chemistry world.)

I don't know about that, its best to cover both grades and interest.
I didn't write about ECs because I don't really have many

Haha, do you recommend being a member of Chemnet or RSC?


Hi, thanks , I'll try those books!

(I seem to remember when I did it you get a chemnet membership that links you in with the RSC too, and it says so on the card they send you...) Chemnet is the site aimed at students, you get mailed lectures they're holding (unfortunately they're all around the london area so not too helpful if you don't live near) and lots of the Meet The Universities type events, which are handy for questioning those you're interested in before open days, and you can speak to many in an aftenoon.

Ah ok, so Chemnet is worth it? Yeah I live in London so maybe thats alright. Also, do you get the Chemistry World magazine? I checked on the website , there arent many events that Chemnet have...hmm

It comes with the package I think. You can buy a single or two year subscription in one go, and you get full membership and a subscription to Chemistry World (one magazine a month... or two per month as they sometimes come a bit late )
Ah- London, you'll be fine. It's a shame they do very little outside. There's a lot of things in Salter's Hall.

Anyone do Nuffield science bursary here?

i did mate

What unis have you applied to?
What sort of stuff did u add in your personal statement