BSMS Medicine Applicants 2013

Discussion of individual medical schools and their courses for applicants and current students. Not for all those 'Am I Good Enough' questions.

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  1. Future_Dr's Avatar
    • Overlord in Training
    • Location: Earth
    • Posts: 2,221
    BSMS Medicine Applicants 2013
    For those think of applying to Brigton and Sussex Medical School in 2012, Come here and discuss your plans. I want to apply and tried posting some of my problems on 'BSMS Medicine Applicants 2012' but no response, so I though I'd make one for those applying in 2012.
  2. .eXe's Avatar
    • Vengeful, Imperial Overlord of The Student Room
    • Location: Canada | Posts: ∞
    Re: BSMS Medicine Applicants 2013
    Too early, thus no one will respond. What were your problems btw? Ill try to help as best I can if you post them here.
  3. Toboe217's Avatar
    • New Member
    • Posts: 9
    Re: BSMS Medicine Applicants 2013
    My plan?
    Apply for the five-year medicine course, fail, nap a well-deseved nap. -____-

    So yeah.
  4. lois griffin's Avatar
    • Junior Member
    • Posts: 31
    Re: BSMS Medicine Applicants 2013
    To those fortunate enough to secure an interview for 2013 entry, a word of advice. I know 2 people interviewed on the same day. One had a interview focussed on work experience. For another the questions started before they had comfortably sat down and questions included one on their views on a press release issued by GMC that very morning and another tricky ethical scenario. Don't let this put you off but do be sure the prepare well!
  5. Palindromic's Avatar
    • Exalted and Worshipped Member
    • Posts: 1,286
    Re: BSMS Medicine Applicants 2013
    any re-applicants applying this year?
  6. Banana-Valid's Avatar
    • New Member
    • Posts: 19
    Re: BSMS Medicine Applicants 2013
    In my personal experience of interview it wasn't that bad in terms of timing- certainly not in terms of the questions asked. For me- a few varied, generic questions were asked which were dug into a little bit. About a comment above where people were perhaps rushed I can sort of understand as the interviewers were under tight time schedules. I don't think I was asked all the possible questions I would've been asked otherwise (though I still got an offer!) but it wasn't unfriendly or rushed in any way whatsoever (the complete opposite actually). Just offering another opinion- though it should be noted no two people will tell the same story in exactly the same way, especially under stressful situations such as when in an interview.
  7. taz101's Avatar
    • Exalted Member
    • Posts: 350
    Re: BSMS Medicine Applicants 2013
    bump
  8. Cojo23's Avatar
    • New Member
    • Location: Manchester
    • Posts: 13
    Re: BSMS Medicine Applicants 2013
    Hi, I'm hopefully going to be a 2014 applicant (I know its a bit early but with medicine that can be advantageous!) and just have a few questions regarding selection, if anyone can help me.

    When selecting applicants, are AS results the most important thing? I know they look at GCSEs too, although not as much from what I can see! Also, they dont really look too much at the UKCAT do they?

    I guess what I'm asking is, are ASs the main thing you should focus on if wanting to apply to BSMS? What else do they look at closely or could give someone a stronger application?

    I know this all probably looks very jumbled... I'm just curious. Any replies would be greatly appreciated!
  9. LilDocK's Avatar
    • New Member
    • Posts: 1
    Re: BSMS Medicine Applicants 2013
    After two rounds of applying to Medicine, the best advice I can give you is to do well as you can in all criteria of all med schools. I.e Aim for high grades in AS in order to give you really good predicted grades, then aim for high grades in A2 is secure your place in which med school gives you a conditional offer.

    Also, most med schools look at your work experience, so when writing your personal statement you need to talk about what you've learnt from your work experience about life as a doctor and how it has made you want to be a doctor even more. They will also explore this further when you're given an interview, so I find that when you do work experience, its helpful to keep notes or a diary of what happened so you can refer back to that when writing your personal statement or preparing for an interview.

    When it comes to interview (in any med school) the main thing is they want to see your motivation for medicine, your ability to judge ethical situations, be able to make quick reasonable decisions and to be able to sell yourself in qualities that will make you seem like a good potiential doctor. I found that talking about medical issues in the news to family and friends is good prep.

    Specific to BSMS they don't focus much on the UKCAT other than setting a low cut-off score. I'm not sure, but if you manage to get at least 600 you should be considered by BSMS, but do a bit of research to be sure.

    Last piece of advice: do not lie!
    They'll be able to tell... and humility is a good quality to being a doctor.
  10. bluebells1234's Avatar
    • Junior Member
    • Posts: 34
    Re: BSMS Medicine Applicants 2013
    (Original post by LilDocK)
    After two rounds of applying to Medicine, the best advice I can give you is to do well as you can in all criteria of all med schools. I.e Aim for high grades in AS in order to give you really good predicted grades, then aim for high grades in A2 is secure your place in which med school gives you a conditional offer.

    Also, most med schools look at your work experience, so when writing your personal statement you need to talk about what you've learnt from your work experience about life as a doctor and how it has made you want to be a doctor even more. They will also explore this further when you're given an interview, so I find that when you do work experience, its helpful to keep notes or a diary of what happened so you can refer back to that when writing your personal statement or preparing for an interview.

    When it comes to interview (in any med school) the main thing is they want to see your motivation for medicine, your ability to judge ethical situations, be able to make quick reasonable decisions and to be able to sell yourself in qualities that will make you seem like a good potiential doctor. I found that talking about medical issues in the news to family and friends is good prep.

    Specific to BSMS they don't focus much on the UKCAT other than setting a low cut-off score. I'm not sure, but if you manage to get at least 600 you should be considered by BSMS, but do a bit of research to be sure.

    Last piece of advice: do not lie!
    They'll be able to tell... and humility is a good quality to being a doctor.
    I don't think BSMS do have a cut off, and I think they look at ukcat scores after interview.
  11. .eXe's Avatar
    • Vengeful, Imperial Overlord of The Student Room
    • Location: Canada | Posts: ∞
    Re: BSMS Medicine Applicants 2013
    (Original post by bluebells1234)
    I don't think BSMS do have a cut off, and I think they look at ukcat scores after interview.
    They only look at UKCAT in case of a tie between applicants after interview. UKCAT is not considered at any point until interview.
  12. greenfro's Avatar
    • Full Member
    • Posts: 141
    Re: BSMS Medicine Applicants 2013
    (Original post by J1994D)
    any re-applicants applying this year?
    I'm a re-applicant and will be applying
  13. Lightingspeed's Avatar
    • Full Member
    • Posts: 90
    Re: BSMS Medicine Applicants 2013
    Hi, I might apply, but I need a more information. I heard BSMS has a point system is this true? If so what is marked and how much is it out off? How can I improve my application before I apply near october? Are A levels looked at more if you have not good GCSE? Does having A* at A level/ prediction make up for it? Thanks
  14. bluebells1234's Avatar
    • Junior Member
    • Posts: 34
    Re: BSMS Medicine Applicants 2013
    (Original post by Lightingspeed)
    Hi, I might apply, but I need a more information. I heard BSMS has a point system is this true? If so what is marked and how much is it out off? How can I improve my application before I apply near october? Are A levels looked at more if you have not good GCSE? Does having A* at A level/ prediction make up for it? Thanks
    yep they have a points system, GCSE's make up half on the academic score and the other half is made up of AS level results. Then you are also scored on your personal statement. I'm not sure on the predictions for BSMS but for most uni's only AAA prediction is needed (and above that doesn't matter).
  15. Banana-Valid's Avatar
    • New Member
    • Posts: 19
    Re: BSMS Medicine Applicants 2013
    To the above post I disagree. From my own reading and gaining entry to here for 2012 I found there is a split between academics and personal statement/ reference. With AAA at AS or if undeclared then, I suppose, strong Gcses would do. Reapplicants with required a levels get auto full academic marks. I believe the marking criteria for written info can be found on their website. Hope this helps. PS I disagree with blue bells in that academic score is based on highest educational grades obtained (so Gcses, as' or a levels... Ie not a mixture of as levels and Gcses....)
  16. Lightingspeed's Avatar
    • Full Member
    • Posts: 90
    Re: BSMS Medicine Applicants 2013
    (Original post by Banana-Valid)
    To the above post I disagree. From my own reading and gaining entry to here for 2012 I found there is a split between academics and personal statement/ reference. With AAA at AS or if undeclared then, I suppose, strong Gcses would do. Reapplicants with required a levels get auto full academic marks. I believe the marking criteria for written info can be found on their website. Hope this helps. PS I disagree with blue bells in that academic score is based on highest educational grades obtained (so Gcses, as' or a levels... Ie not a mixture of as levels and Gcses....)
    Oh, ok do you have links above the information you have? Thanks
  17. .eXe's Avatar
    • Vengeful, Imperial Overlord of The Student Room
    • Location: Canada | Posts: ∞
    Re: BSMS Medicine Applicants 2013
    (Original post by Lightingspeed)
    Oh, ok do you have links above the information you have? Thanks
    The split is 15 for academics, 15 for PS <-- score of 26+ gets you interview

    At interview, slate is wiped clean and score out of 30 is given. Offer cut-off changes every year. This year it was approximately 25, but for internationals (like myself) it was 28.5

    Source: Me. (I will be a student there in 2 weeks)
    Last edited by .eXe; 21-08-2012 at 21:26.
  18. Lightingspeed's Avatar
    • Full Member
    • Posts: 90
    Re: BSMS Medicine Applicants 2013
    (Original post by .eXe)
    The split is 15 for academics, 15 for PS <-- score of 26+ gets you interview

    At interview, slate is wiped clean and score out of 30 is given. Offer cut-off changes every year. This year it was approximately 25, but for internationals (like myself) it was 28.5

    Source: Me. (I will be a student there in 2 weeks)
    Roughly, how hard is it to get all 15 marks for PS?
  19. Doctor.'s Avatar
    • Vengeful, Imperial Overlord of The Student Room
    • Location: Manchester
    • Posts: 3,753
    In terms of academics, I have already got my alevels (AAA at A2 and a B at AS). Although my GCSE are not brilliant. What would I score on the academics points?


    This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App
  20. .eXe's Avatar
    • Vengeful, Imperial Overlord of The Student Room
    • Location: Canada | Posts: ∞
    Re: BSMS Medicine Applicants 2013
    (Original post by Lightingspeed)
    Roughly, how hard is it to get all 15 marks for PS?
    No idea.
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