Edinburgh Medicine 2015 Entry

Original post by solarplexus

Ok IDK but is a score of 39/40 sufficient enough?

Is it possible to even get 39/40 in the new marking system?
Anyone losing 1 mark on the ps last year is probably going to lose 2 marks now if the weighting is doubled.

I think the total scores are going to drop slightly across the board because the scores from the SJT were typically full marks for most candidates, and the personal statement is much more subjectively marked.

Reply 42

Original post by *mimi*

Is it possible to even get 39/40 in the new marking system?
Anyone losing 1 mark on the ps last year is probably going to lose 2 marks now if the weighting is doubled.

I think the total scores are going to drop slightly across the board because the scores from the SJT were typically full marks for most candidates, and the personal statement is much more subjectively marked.

Well that depends on whether they've decided to use last years system (each attribute is 0 or 1) and then just double the PS score or score out of 2. In previous years, each attribute was scored out of 3, so I can see either way happening.

Also, UKCAT octile score is out of 8 in total (both selectors) so you can get 39/40 if you're second octile and 'perfect' otherwise.

Reply 43

OP

Original post by ChordaeTendineae

This is what I'm counting on. The way previous years were scored, there was a very fine line between getting an offer and not. This year with the introduction of octiles and the removal of SJT, we should see a bigger range in scores.
Whether or not this will work to my advantage, well, we'll see in a few months :tongue:

Basically it now depends more on PS which I find really gimmicky and subjective :frown:

I applied to Edinburgh because it was grounded mostly on academic / ukcat :frown:

(I am one of those who believe medicine should be mostly selected by academic merit not by "writing skills" (PS) like how they do it in Bristol)

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Reply 44

Does anyone have an idea about ukcat scores needed to be in first and second octiles?

If a score of >2820 is top decile as a national average do you think 2850 would land in the top octile at Edinburgh or are scores going to be skewed higher as applicants with lower scores are put off applying?

Reply 45

OP

Original post by *mimi*

Does anyone have an idea about ukcat scores needed to be in first and second octiles?

If a score of >2820 is top decile as a national average do you think 2850 would land in the top octile at Edinburgh or are scores going to be skewed higher as applicants with lower scores are put off applying?

Definitely skewed higher, 2790 was the average for Edinburgh applicants last yr when the national average was 2600s.

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Reply 46

Original post by smilepeople

Definitely skewed higher, 2790 was the average for Edinburgh applicants last yr when the national average was 2600s.

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I found this on a freedom of information request just now, which is quite interesting.
2014
Ave applicant 2764
Ave offer holder 3049
2013
Ave applicant 2617
Ave offer holder 2860

The 2013 data should be pretty close to this year's figures I'd have thought.

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/233425/response/572381/attach/html/6/Response%20Sutherland.pdf.html

Reply 47

Original post by ChordaeTendineae

This is what I'm counting on. The way previous years were scored, there was a very fine line between getting an offer and not. This year with the introduction of octiles and the removal of SJT, we should see a bigger range in scores.
Whether or not this will work to my advantage, well, we'll see in a few months :tongue:

Last year 38 would have got an offer and 37 a rejection, unless you were a Scottish or EU applicant, in which case 1 point less was enough. It really does balance on a knife edge.

Reply 48

2980 be offer worthy then?

Reply 49

OP

I've emailed Edinburgh and the officer says that the ranges of each octile will be available in November :smile:

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Reply 50

Original post by smilepeople

I've emailed Edinburgh and the officer says that the ranges of each octile will be available in November :smile:

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Ok great!!!!!!!!!!! really hope 745 is top or 2nd at least

Reply 51

jeggy

Just got rejected and not sure why.
My stats:
6.5 A* and 4A GCSEs
AS AAAA
Predicted grades: A*A*A*A
UKCAT 695 (don't think they've even seen that yet though)
PS - the usual - extensive work experience at 2 hospitals plus one afternoon per week in a care home for one year, D of E Gold, Sports Scholar (playing at county and regional level in my top sport), qualified lifeguard and first aider, lots of extra curricular reading etc etc

What did I do wrong??

Reply 52

Original post by jeggy

Just got rejected and not sure why.
My stats:
6.5 A* and 4A GCSEs
AS AAAA
Predicted grades: A*A*A*A
UKCAT 695 (don't think they've even seen that yet though)
PS - the usual - extensive work experience at 2 hospitals plus one afternoon per week in a care home for one year, D of E Gold, Sports Scholar (playing at county and regional level in my top sport), qualified lifeguard and first aider, lots of extra curricular reading etc etc

What did I do wrong??

Either you missed a subject requirement, you applied after the deadline or there's been an error. Only way to find out is to ask for feedback.

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Reply 53

jeggy

Original post by Asklepios

Either you missed a subject requirement, you applied after the deadline or there's been an error. Only way to find out is to ask for feedback.

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Thanks. Definitely applied before the deadline so it's not that. And my subjects should be fine - A levels are Chemistry, Biology, Maths and Further Maths. Will ask for feedback - but it's a pretty demoralising start, to say the least!!

Reply 54

Original post by jeggy

Thanks. Definitely applied before the deadline so it's not that. And my subjects should be fine - A levels are Chemistry, Biology, Maths and Further Maths. Will ask for feedback - but it's a pretty demoralising start, to say the least!!

Officially,

"Applicants who are late, do not meet the minimum requirements (achieved or predicted) or are otherwise ineligible are rejected at initial screening, and are not entered into the selection pool. (reject before selection) because their applications are (a) below minimum academic standards (RA), (b) of ineligible status (eg qualification type) (RI) or (c) late (RL). From 2005-06 onwards the default academic score (see below) was calculated in the CMVM Admissions office. As a result it was possible to ‘reject’ a proportion of eligible applicants on the basis of low academic score (which, assuming a maximum non-academic score would still not score highly enough to make an offer possible) and thereby reduce the number of applications being sent out to selectors (reject low score or RS). Any applicant not offering a UKCAT score (who does not hold a UKCAT exemption) is also rejected at screening (RU)."

definitely as for feedback though. Seems odd in your case

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Reply 55

olivervick

6

Selectors Handbook (2362kb) The 2015 entry handbook for those who haven't read it yet :-) Minor changes really.

Reply 56

OP

Original post by jeggy

Thanks. Definitely applied before the deadline so it's not that. And my subjects should be fine - A levels are Chemistry, Biology, Maths and Further Maths. Will ask for feedback - but it's a pretty demoralising start, to say the least!!

Give them a call maybe?

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Reply 57

Jesus christ had a look at the selectors handbook regarding non-academic section, really doubting whether I should have applied or not! Scared me sh*tless when I saw "Average’ is considered as average for the cohort."

So roughly would this (in your opinion be good/excellent or average for non-academic achievement). THIS IS STATED IN MY PS AND REFERENCE (Ive bought my reference of UCAS for 10 quid)

I said I got all 3 DofEs complete (submitted all sections in gold but havent got certificate yet but hopefully will do before christmas)
RAF cadets Lance Corporal, gliding programme, night exercises and honour guard at school. (this is what Im relying on).
First aid certificate.
Rugby for my house. LOL but seriusly.
Model United Nations
Student councillor (also quite significant)
MedVets society at school.
Cooking passionately.

Apart from DofE theoretically I don't have many achievements at national, regional or local level?

So are my non-academic achievements good/excellent or average?????????????

Reply 58

Original post by solarplexus

Jesus christ had a look at the selectors handbook regarding non-academic section, really doubting whether I should have applied or not! Scared me sh*tless when I saw "Average’ is considered as average for the cohort."

So roughly would this (in your opinion be good/excellent or average for non-academic achievement). THIS IS STATED IN MY PS AND REFERENCE (Ive bought my reference of UCAS for 10 quid)

I said I got all 3 DofEs complete (submitted all sections in gold but havent got certificate yet but hopefully will do before christmas)
RAF cadets Lance Corporal, gliding programme, night exercises and honour guard at school. (this is what Im relying on).
First aid certificate.
Rugby for my house. LOL but seriusly.
Model United Nations
Student councillor (also quite significant)
MedVets society at school.
Cooking passionately.

Apart from DofE theoretically I don't have many achievements at national, regional or local level?

So are my non-academic achievements good/excellent or average?????????????

Everyone's done DofE.

Only Lance Corporal... ? I'm not sure, all my friends were sergeant or above at the time of applying.

What level of first aid? If it's just cpr and stuff, everyone will have it. If you do first aid at events, then that would be ok.

The rest of the things are just past times.

Have you not played sport for your county? Or national orchestra or national competitions and stuff.

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Reply 59