I was wondering if you could help me with my last option. It's between Leicester and Keele. This is going to be really long so I'm very sorry but I want to give you a full picture, please feel free to ignore me as I know you must be very busy. I have an internal deadline for tomorrow so it's very stressful!
GCSE- 7A* 3A (A's in maths, eng lang, ICT)
UKCAT- 640 Band 2
AS- AAAB (A's in bio, chem, maths)
Predicted- A*A*A
I have 168 hrs volunteering over 6 months in 2014 with disabled adults and children.
In Aug I started volunteering at a hospice (15hrs so far, I do 2hrs 30 mins weekly so it will go up, intend to carry on all A2) I know I started this late but sadly I signed up in Jan when I decided I was definite on med after AS mocks and the DBS, meetings, training etc took a very long time. Keele count volunteering in the last 3 years.
WE: shadowing a nurse for a day, 2 different GP's over 3 days, medical research department at a hospital. Been trying to organise hospital work experience, I might finally be getting somewhere but it will be too late to put on PS etc.
First aider with St. John Ambulance, bio and chem mentor for AS students, showjumper for 10 years(national level), weightlifter as a hobby, nothing serious. Completed NCS, part of a medical society, taken part in a med research project with peers, attended dementia learning sessions, take part in HE+ Chemistry, all the general stuff, nothing special at all.
I score 41/48 on Leicester scoring system for 2017 entry. This is very borderline(please can someone confirm this?)
For Keele, they rely heavily on the R&R form which may be subjective- I have many hours of volunteering but none in 2015... On top of this, Keele has such a small success ratio (0.08 on medic portal compared to 0.18 for Leicester) and a much smaller number of places for a larger number of applicants. Do you think that because the offer has gone up to A*AA they will receive less applicants?
Keele seems isolated so I'm concerned about the area not being great. On the other hand, I'm not bothered where I end up. I just want nothing more than to study medicine that I would literally go anywhere to maximise my chances. Leicester just seems risky with my score (think its 85/86%), I am borderline for the past few years but I fear it will go up, knocking me out of interviews.
Incase its of any interest, my other three options are Liverpool, HYMS, UEA.
If you have read this far, THANK YOU SO MUCH!