[select the right name]

(Original post by Steph24)
Hiya!

I'm new to the forum and I was just wondering if I could have some advice. I sat my UKCAT a couple of weeks ago now and managed to get 720 overall. I have a 2:1 degree and I am currently doing A levels in chemistry and biology. I am thinking of applying to Newcastle, Warwick and Southampton. Do you think these are good choices? I am limited to Graduate Entry Medicine due to finances. Do you think Kings would be worth applying to as well? Or will my UKCAT be too low to be considered?

Thank you!

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Your ukcat score will be high enough for Newcastle, Warwick and Kings. Last year Newcastle's cut off was around 702.5, Kings was 715, not sure about Warwick, think it was about 680. So don't worry about your score. I can't comment on Southampton as I never considered applying there.

Neither Kings, Warwick nor Newcastle look at A levels, just ukcat score and degree. Once you meet or exceed their academic requirements, you get an interview. Then their decision is based purely on performance at interview.

So based on your academics I would guess that you will be asked to attend an interview at Newcastle and Warwick....assuming you have decent work experience.

Good luck with your application.

[HungryChicken92]

(Original post by lcsurfer)
KCL do NOT look at past qualifications for GEP you just need a very high UKCAT and a 2:1 degree and a heap of experience

Great thanks so much for the reply!
Just wondering, I've still to complete my degree so would a prediction not go down as well as the actual degree? My module grades are also not to 2.1 standard but will Kings look at the individual modules also?
Also as far as work experience i have:
2 weeks shadowing in a hospital
1 week at GP practice
2 months at a care home
1 month volunteering in a hospital in Mexico
6 weeks working as a playscheme volunteer with children with learning disabilities...which is ongoing.

Would this put me in good stead work experience wise? I see many people have experience working HCA which i dont have so this worries me slightly.

Thanks for any advice!

[lcsurfer]

(Original post by HungryChicken92)
Great thanks so much for the reply!
Just wondering, I've still to complete my degree so would a prediction not go down as well as the actual degree? My module grades are also not to 2.1 standard but will Kings look at the individual modules also?
Also as far as work experience i have:
2 weeks shadowing in a hospital
1 week at GP practice
2 months at a care home
1 month volunteering in a hospital in Mexico
6 weeks working as a playscheme volunteer with children with learning disabilities...which is ongoing.

Thanks for any advice!

You need a high UKCAt first for Kings before you even get past the first stage... I just put down a 2:1 for my degree last year when i applied but now i actually have one its better.
Some places look at modules but again i think it depends on your degree, my degree Warwick requested a transcript as they were not sure if my degree fitted their criteria, since you haven't graduated yet they may ask for one but i'm not sure... are you a science degree?
That's good experience, mine is mostly international experience due to my job, with some in the UK from years back, which makes answering all those nhs questions harder :P
Its moer about what you have learnt form your work experience etc not how much. For example a friends sister applied and got in (undergrad mind you) with only a weeks work experience, I have years and didn't get in (grad) so its a mix. just pm me if you ahve any questions

[backtouni5]

I have always wanted to be a doctor so would appreciate honest opinions on if I have a shot!

So I graduated from Nottingham with a first in management studies in 2011, since then I have been working in finance. Before uni I worked in a busy bar and was the first aider for a couple of years (which was interesting on a saturday night!). I have no a levels as I got into uni with a foundation degree, and only the basic GCSE's all B's and C's (maths, sciences, english, etc). I am 28 now and know that I need to do the UKCAT/GAMSAT etc and am looking at maybe applying for 2013 or 2014 entry so have a bit of time to better my application.

Do i have much of a chance? Do I need more experience? would it be worth going back and doing A-levels?

[Zedd]

(Original post by backtouni5)
I have always wanted to be a doctor so would appreciate honest opinions on if I have a shot!

So I graduated from Nottingham with a first in management studies in 2011, since then I have been working in finance. Before uni I worked in a busy bar and was the first aider for a couple of years (which was interesting on a saturday night!). I have no a levels as I got into uni with a foundation degree, and only the basic GCSE's all B's and C's (maths, sciences, english, etc). I am 28 now and know that I need to do the UKCAT/GAMSAT etc and am looking at maybe applying for 2013 or 2014 entry so have a bit of time to better my application.

Do i have much of a chance? Do I need more experience? would it be worth going back and doing A-levels?

KCL and Warwick don't consider A-Levels, there are also the uni's which only consider the GAMSAT which you should look into (sorry I don't remember which ones those are off the top of my head). You need to get some shadowing and volunteering experience asap though.

[cgj]

Hi! I did my ukcat last week and am amazed as despite getting 400s in the practice tests I got 695 overall I'm applying for Graduate medicine- I know this is high enough for Southampton...does anyone know/think it will be stupid to apply to Barts? Most people I've spoken to apply with 700+ for graduate entry and I don't want to waste an application but equally would really like to study there! Are there any others I may get an interview with this score? Thanks!

[Democracy]

(Original post by cgj)

Hi! I did my ukcat last week and am amazed as despite getting 400s in the practice tests I got 695 overall I'm applying for Graduate medicine- I know this is high enough for Southampton...does anyone know/think it will be stupid to apply to Barts? Most people I've spoken to apply with 700+ for graduate entry and I don't want to waste an application but equally would really like to study there! Are there any others I may get an interview with this score? Thanks!

Should be fine

You could also go for Warwick with that score, and if your subtests were all 640+ Imperial would consider you too.

[419]

oh god everyones getting brilliant marks

im really ****ting it

[emilyi]

I'm applying to schools without entry exams so UKCAT etc scores aren't relevant to me. What I'm worried about is the fact I'm really struggling to get any volunteering experience. Would they think me less committed for not having done stuff all the way through my degree? (I only decided for sure to apply again when I got my final results and got a first). I know what's important is explaining what you've learned and how it's helped you, but does anyone think they might they still mark me down for having less volunteer work? I have plenty of work experience and will hopefully have 4-6 weeks of volunteering (but only a few hours a week really). Any opinions are welcome!

[Ama2007]

I havent done much voluntary WE either. Mine is mostly related to my first degree...but i guess i can related to the fact it was in a hospital and it was to do with helping patients and all that. I havent shadowed a doc/GP or anything like that. The only procedure i have seen while in hospital (doing my pre-reg training year) was the Norwood procedure stage 1. It was interesting but i was there as a pharmacist not med applicant. I am not planning to do any more WE because i dont think there is time. I am just going to apply with what i have got. I bailed out last year, 2 weeks before submission and i really want to apply this year.

4-6 weeks is more than enough if you talk about what you learned. Most of my WE is 2 days there, three days there and week there...

[Tay594]

Does anyone know the chances of bing accepted to a medicine course if a person has previously been in a psychiatric hospital? Do they just decline you straight away?


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[Lantana]

(Original post by Tay594)
Does anyone know the chances of bing accepted to a medicine course if a person has previously been in a psychiatric hospital? Do they just decline you straight away?


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

I'm sure that would come under discrimination. However Occy Health will prob want to talk to you. From what I remember, you don't have to disclose that sort of think untiil you have a place anyhow, but I may be wrong.

[emilyi]

(Original post by Ama2007)
I havent done much voluntary WE either. Mine is mostly related to my first degree...but i guess i can related to the fact it was in a hospital and it was to do with helping patients and all that. I havent shadowed a doc/GP or anything like that. The only procedure i have seen while in hospital (doing my pre-reg training year) was the Norwood procedure stage 1. It was interesting but i was there as a pharmacist not med applicant. I am not planning to do any more WE because i dont think there is time. I am just going to apply with what i have got. I bailed out last year, 2 weeks before submission and i really want to apply this year.

4-6 weeks is more than enough if you talk about what you learned. Most of my WE is 2 days there, three days there and week there...

It sounds like you have experience with patients though. I wanted voluntary work working with people with conditions or disabilities, but it's almost as if the organisations try to make it difficult for you. I'm training as a phlebotomist/hca though which will help. Most of my experience is a few days here and there too, except my job which is receptionist/phebotomist in a GP surgery that I'm been at part time since I was 16. I'm still a bit worried they'll think I'm just applying for the sake of it because I didn't do anything relevant during my degree. I can only hope for the best I guess!

[Ama2007]

(Original post by emilyi)
It sounds like you have experience with patients though. I wanted voluntary work working with people with conditions or disabilities, but it's almost as if the organisations try to make it difficult for you. I'm training as a phlebotomist/hca though which will help. Most of my experience is a few days here and there too, except my job which is receptionist/phebotomist in a GP surgery that I'm been at part time since I was 16. I'm still a bit worried they'll think I'm just applying for the sake of it because I didn't do anything relevant during my degree. I can only hope for the best I guess!

No one would go into all the hassle of applying to med school (UKCAT, PS,GAMSAT,UCAS....) For the sake of it. The experience that I had were not directly related to medicine. I was actually just doing my job as a pre-registration pharmacist in a hospital. I talked to patients, counselled, seen how the doctor diagnosis certain disease during the ward rounds, been to infectious control team meetings and infectious disease ward rounds. I found them really interesting. But i wasnt there for med exp if you know what i mean. I was just part of the team. It is actually one of the reasons why i am applying to med. I think thats what i will mention in my PS. something like doing this degree and working there has given me a better insight into med...

have you tried child care? there is plenty out there. There is an online voluntary job helping kids all over UK.

http://www.do-it.org.uk/
Even a day or two would be good. I myself dont think i have enough WE relavnt to medicine but I will make the most of what i have got (16 months in neontal hospital)

[lcsurfer]

I hate writing personal statements, the length is too short and writing i understand the importance of teamwork through.... is beginning to look dull

[Ama2007]

I have never written a PS before...so this will be challenging exp

[Zedd]

(Original post by Ama2007)
I have never written a PS before...so this will be challenging exp

Really? How long ago was it that you applied to uni?

My PS is coming along, but it's always changing here and there and won't be finished until I get some shadowing done at the end of September. It's going to have to be extra good though considering how naff my ukcat is :/

[Ama2007]

(Original post by Zedd)
Really? How long ago was it that you applied to uni?

My PS is coming along, but it's always changing here and there and won't be finished until I get some shadowing done at the end of September. It's going to have to be extra good though considering how naff my ukcat is :/

long time ago
I did not apply to my last uni through ucas becuase i decided to do pharmacy last minute, i was meant to apply to medicine all the way through. It was sept (when most unis open) when i decided to phone admission and ask if they have a space in MPharm, they accepted me due to my amazing grades in higher so thats how i never actually had the pleasure of doing a UCAS application or PS.

I am going to start my PS tonight, just write some bullet points and a plan.

Oh yes, how did you find the UKCAT? I am still struggling with AR...

[Zedd]

(Original post by Ama2007)
long time ago
I did not apply to my last uni through ucas becuase i decided to do pharmacy last minute, i was meant to apply to medicine all the way through. It was sept (when most unis open) when i decided to phone admission and ask if they have a space in MPharm, they accepted me due to my amazing grades in higher so thats how i never actually had the pleasure of doing a UCAS application or PS.

I am going to start my PS tonight, just write some bullet points and a plan.

Oh yes, how did you find the UKCAT? I am still struggling with AR...

AR is much easier in the actual exam. Just make sure that you clarify things with the test centre before you go and when you arrive because I had some old cnut walking into my test telling me to stop using the keyboard in the middle of QR! I'm sure you'll do fine though.

[lilmissA]

So how seriosuly does oxford graduate entry take A levels into account ? I have a 1st class in my degree but I have poor A levels ... is it worth applying if i have a high ukcat score or are they gonna only interview those with typically AAA/AAB at a levels ?? I seriosuly like the course there due to the scientific aspect of it oh boy @