Which medical school should I apply to

Hoping the combined wisdom of the amazing people on here (and truly grateful for the sensible, considered approach) can help with advice on where my DC can apply with the following stats:

· Examinations Summer 2019/2020

o MOS Qualifications in Word and Excel

· Examinations Summer 2020

· Religious Studies (Short Course) – Grade 9 (short course not usually counted for GCSE points)

· Examinations Summer 2021

o Biology – Grade 9

o Chemistry – Grade 9

o English Literature – Grade 9

o Geography – Grade 9

o History – Grade 9

o Physics – Grade 9

o English Language - Grade 8

o German – Grade 8

o Maths – Grade 8

· Examinations Summer 2023

o Psychology - Grade A*

o Biology – Grade A

o Chemistry – Grade B

Just sat UCAT today, disappointed but…

· VR – 610

· DM – 730

· QR – 690

· AR – 750

· Total 2780

· SJ Band 1

Not contextual/no WP flags. High achieving school so contextualising grades for somewhere like K&M would be out.

So, a Gap Year student, applying for the first time PQA to increase medical work experience/hospital volunteering abroad next Summer

Plans to resit Chemistry next Summer. Relevant to this, however, is that DC is an elite athlete, training 20-25 hours a week (spread over 5 days) since the age of 9. Competes at the highest level nationally. Have written to Notts and Lincoln about their elite athlete policy, to ask whether DC would be accepted; if so, offers will be AAB.

Work Experience/Volunteering

· Has volunteered as an Assistant Coach (children 4-13) on Saturday mornings since the age of 11 (now 18)

· Has a part time job on Saturday mornings (very early) before coaching – since May 2022

· A member of St John – accepted as an adult pre-18 – member since January 2023. Attends regularly. Is awaiting placements as a Hospital Volunteer and an Events First Aider, following completion of two two day courses (to be completed in the next month)

· Volunteer (teaching assistant) at a special needs school one afternoon a week for children with learning and other complex needs (started a couple of weeks ago)

· Arranged Hospital Work Experience in two hospitals, for a week each – one confirmed date; awaiting the other

· Won two special school awards to assist with travel/volunteering costs next Summer for a couple of months in Africa – working in a hospital and a kindergarten

Volunteering/work to continue this year.

Busy child!

So…advice gratefully received, considering resit etc (which cuts down some options). Think Aston needs A* in Bio or Chemistry and although will be predicted A* might be safer going with just an A required. Liverpool and UEA require A* in resits too.

Calculate points for Notts/Lincoln are 134. Sunderland – lots of work experience. If all deemed relevant.

Sad to have missed the cut off for Southampton. Any chance?

Sorry for the long post. Would be so grateful for advice. Thank you so much to all the amazing volunteers on this site helping others navigate this path.