Ask an Imperial College London Student!

@Sinnoh Did you find it hard making friends? I've seen and heard that Imperial take a lot of overseas students so did you find it harder to make friends given all the different backgrounds or was it a non-factor? I've been told about this by a few not entirely reliable sources, so maybe you could give your opinion on whether this is a myth not?

Reply 61

Sinnoh

OP

22

Original post by KingG16

@Sinnoh Did you find it hard making friends? I've seen and heard that Imperial take a lot of overseas students so did you find it harder to make friends given all the different backgrounds or was it a non-factor? I've been told about this by a few not entirely reliable sources, so maybe you could give your opinion on whether this is a myth not?

I didn't find it hard but there were probably some helpful circumstances like being in quite a large hall and knowing some more sociable people than me.
Imperial does have a lot of overseas students, most of my friends are from the UK but I do have a few friends from overseas. It wasn't as bad as I'd heard in that respect, but people understandably tend to stick to what's familiar to them.
I think when it comes to getting to know people in your first year, the most important factors (in decreasing order) are: same flat > same course > same halls.
Group chats can also be good, I found that when I met someone who I already knew from a group chat I found it much easier to remember their name.

Original post by Anonymous

I’m not from London, but do students tend to stick with their own unis when socialising? I’d love to get to mix/network/ use facilities with other unis in London.

It’s nice Imperial have their own areas on placements though.

Hi,

My name is Rebecca and I'm a 5th year medical student at Imperial as well as an official student rep. In my experience, there are some London-wide events such as UH sports nights and student showcases etc. However, we don't tend to specifically make events with other medical schools. If you know anyone going to other London unis its a good way to socialise with the people they might know there. In terms of facilities, if you sign up to the BMA you get access to the BMA library in Euston (so there's always a lot of UCL students there). Imperial tend to have their own student areas on placements because all the placements you do are mainly in the Imperial NHS Trust Hospitals - other medical schools stick to their own Trust hospitals too.

Hope this has been helpful,
Rebecca

Reply 63

Soumilsingla

4

Hi, I am an international student looking to join imperial this October. I was choosing my accommodation and came across Pembridge halls. The rent is not very high and its not very far from london. But i read some statements about it being very bad, I could benefit a lot if someone could give me a detailed review of the hall from a student’s perspective. Being an international student, my parents dont want me to stay somewhere far from college and southside and eastside halls are quite expensive this year. So i would be grateful if someone could give a review.

Reply 64

ShadowHokage

17

Original post by Sinnoh

Hi everyone. :wavey:

What with open days this summer being cancelled, here's a kind of AMA thread for everyone considering Imperial.
I'm a first-year undergrad studying physics. I'll be happy to answer any questions about the uni in general, and of course about the physics course (which has just been restructured!)

This AMA uses a tag system! You can either ask a general question or tag in one of our fantastic volunteers (listed below) if you are looking for something more specific.
@Sinnoh - First year, Physics
@usycool1 - Current student, Medicine
@bellelurette - Offer holder, Medicine
@StarbucksLife14 - Offer holder, Medicine
@Gunner772 - Offer holder, Medicine
@edgyqueen - Offer holder, Medicine
@Rasofema - Offer holder, Computer Science
---
This AMA is part of the 'Ask a University Student 2.0' initiative. If you want to find out more about other courses or universities, please check out the main list of threads:
https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6431108

Hello there,

I am currently a year 11 student who is involved in the Pathway to Medicine with Imperial. Would you be able to tell me how much is this program rated when applying to Imperial? Also, I will be studying the Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Psychology for year 12, with the intention of dropping Maths for year 13, could you tell me how common it is for a medical student to be studying Bio Chem Psych? Thirdly, what would extra-curriculum activities, would you recommend that I get involved in? Fourthly, is there anything else I can basically do to boost my chances into medicine?

I have asked a lot. Sorry in advance.

Reply 65

Sinnoh

OP

22

Original post by Soumilsingla

Hi, I am an international student looking to join imperial this October. I was choosing my accommodation and came across Pembridge halls. The rent is not very high and its not very far from london. But i read some statements about it being very bad, I could benefit a lot if someone could give me a detailed review of the hall from a student’s perspective. Being an international student, my parents dont want me to stay somewhere far from college and southside and eastside halls are quite expensive this year. So i would be grateful if someone could give a review.

Pembridge is quite average. In 2018-19 the halls (apparently) had a bit of a rat problem, but I haven't heard anyone mention it since so it's probably fine by now. However I don't know anyone who went there.
Why do they want you to be very close to the campus? There were lots of internationals in Woodward.

Original post by EliteBoy8

Hello there,

I am currently a year 11 student who is involved in the Pathway to Medicine with Imperial. Would you be able to tell me how much is this program rated when applying to Imperial? Also, I will be studying the Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Psychology for year 12, with the intention of dropping Maths for year 13, could you tell me how common it is for a medical student to be studying Bio Chem Psych? Thirdly, what would extra-curriculum activities, would you recommend that I get involved in? Fourthly, is there anything else I can basically do to boost my chances into medicine?

I have asked a lot. Sorry in advance.

I think only admissions staff would be able to say how helpful that programme is when it comes to admissions. As for subject combinations, again it's not for us to know but you could try sending them a freedom of information (FoI) request, or look online to see if anyone else has already done that. They're usually compliant with that. It's not a particularly uncommon of a subject combo I think.

For your other questions, I'll tag the current offer-holders, they'll have better input than I could on this

Spoiler

Reply 66

username3477548

20

Hi!!
Just wondering how you got in? What grades did u get and any tips for getting in? the interview? thank you :smile:

Reply 67

ShadowHokage

17

Original post by Sinnoh

I think only admissions staff would be able to say how helpful that programme is when it comes to admissions. As for subject combinations, again it's not for us to know but you could try sending them a freedom of information (FoI) request, or look online to see if anyone else has already done that. They're usually compliant with that. It's not a particularly uncommon of a subject combo I think.

For your other questions, I'll tag the current offer-holders, they'll have better input than I could on this

Spoiler

Thankssssss. I will definitely do that. And thanks for tagging others! :smile:

Reply 68

Sinnoh

OP

22

Original post by vix.xvi

Hi!!
Just wondering how you got in? What grades did u get and any tips for getting in? the interview? thank you :smile:

Any particular subject you have in mind?
I had 4 A* predicted, ended up getting 3 A*s and an A. The interview went pretty well, I was asked a few questions about my personal statement just to see if I actually knew what I was writing about and given two maths/physics questions.
Interview performance is probably the most important factor if they do interview for the course, but for physics if you get an interview your chances of getting an offer are very good.

Reply 69

hajima

20

How common are STEP offers for Computer Science courses (predicted 2A* for Maths and FM if it changes anything), particularly MEng Computing (Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning), and how forgiving are they if you miss your STEP grade but meet the A Level requirement?

(edited 3 years ago)

Reply 70

Imperial College School of Medicine

Official Rep

8

Original post by EliteBoy8

Hello there,

I am currently a year 11 student who is involved in the Pathway to Medicine with Imperial. Would you be able to tell me how much is this program rated when applying to Imperial? Also, I will be studying the Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Psychology for year 12, with the intention of dropping Maths for year 13, could you tell me how common it is for a medical student to be studying Bio Chem Psych? Thirdly, what would extra-curriculum activities, would you recommend that I get involved in? Fourthly, is there anything else I can basically do to boost my chances into medicine?

I have asked a lot. Sorry in advance.

Hi, My name is Claire and I work in Admissions at Imperial. Your proposed A Level combination of Biology, Chemistry, Psychology would be perfectly acceptable for admission into Medicine, please bear in mind that our minimum entry requirement is AAA.

The pathways to medicine programme is a really good resource to better understand what the foundations for a medicine course are. As you get an induction into scientific experiments and knowledge as well as its application into clinical studies, this gives you a good understanding of what
the course / and career of being a medic will be. It is something that you can mention in your application and if you are successful in your interview.

As for extra-curricula activities, we don’t have a set list so if you do want to get involved in anything, do something that you are interested in. It will help you express your interest/ passion when it comes to talking about any extracurricular activities during the admissions process.

The first admission hurdle you would need to undertake is sitting the BMAT test – the admissions test for medicine, so I would recommend reviewing their website which has lots of helpful guides and test papers so you can prepare/practise for the BMAT.

Reply 71

StarbucksLife14

16

Original post by EliteBoy8

Thankssssss. I will definitely do that. And thanks for tagging others! :smile:

So I can’t answer the first question because I wasn’t involved with Pathway to Medicine but I can give you some advice with the rest. 2) It doesn’t really matter what your third subject is as long as you have your chemistry and one other of bio phys or maths. As for how common it is, I know quite a few people this year with that combination who have offers and I myself didn’t follow the standard bio chem and maths combo. 3) I would choose extra curriculars that you enjoy but also show related skills so leadership, communication, teamwork. I know a few people who did St John to help with that because it’s also medical related but skills can be found in anything if you try. 4) Work experience. A lot of medical schools asked for at least 1 form of work experience this year and aside from that it’s always good to draw on experience from placements in your personal statement. Also do some revision for BMAT and UCAT but don’t bother spending stupid money to attend preparation courses of any kind because they are just designed to get your money and offer little reward. Ask your teachers to do some interview prep with you if possible when you get to that stage and also read up on medical ethics and the NHS. Good luck :smile:

Reply 72

Sinnoh

OP

22

Original post by hajima

How common are STEP offers for Computer Science courses (predicted 2A* for Maths and FM if it changes anything), particularly MEng Computing (Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning), and how forgiving are they if you miss your STEP grade but meet the A Level requirement?

There was a FoI request for the MEng course for 2017 entry that gave the following stats:
149 offers were made, of which 79 required at least one grade in a STEP paper. 63 people were admitted, and 29% of people with a STEP offer who met their A-level requirements but missed the STEP requirement were admitted.

Reply 73

ShadowHokage

17

Original post by StarbucksLife14

So I can’t answer the first question because I wasn’t involved with Pathway to Medicine but I can give you some advice with the rest. 2) It doesn’t really matter what your third subject is as long as you have your chemistry and one other of bio phys or maths. As for how common it is, I know quite a few people this year with that combination who have offers and I myself didn’t follow the standard bio chem and maths combo. 3) I would choose extra curriculars that you enjoy but also show related skills so leadership, communication, teamwork. I know a few people who did St John to help with that because it’s also medical related but skills can be found in anything if you try. 4) Work experience. A lot of medical schools asked for at least 1 form of work experience this year and aside from that it’s always good to draw on experience from placements in your personal statement. Also do some revision for BMAT and UCAT but don’t bother spending stupid money to attend preparation courses of any kind because they are just designed to get your money and offer little reward. Ask your teachers to do some interview prep with you if possible when you get to that stage and also read up on medical ethics and the NHS. Good luck :smile:

Thank you so much for such a detailed explanation. I will definitely look into St John, I have never heard of it before. I thought that preparation courses, show your commitment to medicine but you are probably right. Good luck with you’re studies :smile:

Reply 74

Anonymous #2

Original post by Sinnoh

There was a FoI request for the MEng course for 2017 entry that gave the following stats:
149 offers were made, of which 79 required at least one grade in a STEP paper. 63 people were admitted, and 29% of people with a STEP offer who met their A-level requirements but missed the STEP requirement were admitted.

How about the Mathematics with Statistics course? Anyone knows?

Reply 75

Sinnoh

OP

22

Original post by Anonymous

How about the Mathematics with Statistics course? Anyone knows?

Have a look at this FoI request made for the mathematics with statistics BSc and MSci courses, should have all the info you're looking for:
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/mathematics_admission_data#incoming-1432362

Reply 76

Alexokay

11

Sorry if you answered this somewhere before, I only skim read this thread.

Im going into year 13 next year, and considering applying for physics at uni, one of these being at Imperial. I really enjoy physics although I am conflicted as the career paths after graduating physics (if you dont want to go into further study) dont appear very "defined". Are you confident you will get a job you will be happy with after graduating? What do you have in mind in terms of careers? Cheers.

Reply 77

Sinnoh

OP

22

Original post by Alexokay

Sorry if you answered this somewhere before, I only skim read this thread.

Im going into year 13 next year, and considering applying for physics at uni, one of these being at Imperial. I really enjoy physics although I am conflicted as the career paths after graduating physics (if you dont want to go into further study) dont appear very "defined". Are you confident you will get a job you will be happy with after graduating? What do you have in mind in terms of careers? Cheers.

Yeah it's not like medicine or engineering where there is the one seemingly obvious career path that you're training for, whereas there's no such obvious path with any natural science degrees. But you should not mistake the lack of an obvious path for a lack of choice. So whilst I'm confident I can find something I would like... I have no clue what that might be :indiff:

.

I think at school you get a bit too used to the idea that what you study now should lead in to what you do next, but after uni it no longer has to work like that. Some people's attitudes are simply "this is what I'm interested in at this point in my life, but after that I'm going to try something else".

Reply 78

Anonymous #2

Original post by Sinnoh

Have a look at this FoI request made for the mathematics with statistics BSc and MSci courses, should have all the info you're looking for:
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/mathematics_admission_data#incoming-1432362

Do you have another link? i can’t open it