[Birterillo]

Year of Entry: 2012
Deferred?: No
GCSEs: 1A*, 7A's, 4B's
AS Grades: abbe in Maths, Chemistry, Physics and German respectively
A2 Prediction/Results: A*AA in Maths, Chemistry and physics respectively
UKCAT (if applicable): 632.5
Work Experience/Volunteering: 1 week shadowing a consultant, a clinical skills day at Sheffield children's hospital, 2 times helping on/ organising a children's residential holiday camp, weekly helping out at a children's club at a local church for a year and comin up for a year volunteering 2 hours a week at a residential home for the elderly, Y7 maths tutor.
Extra Curricular: Football for a local team, variety of other sports like running, cycling etc. (mainly to stay fit for football), peer mentoring, some film reviews for a local newspaper.
Universities applied to and decisions:
Sheffield - Offer AAA
Manchester - Pre interview rejection. (feedback requested - below UKCAT cut off)
Newcastle - pre interview rejection.
Leeds - pre interview rejection.

[hopes]

Year of Entry:2012

GCSEs: 3A* 4A 2B (Distinction* in btec)

AS Grades:ABBC

A2 Prediction/Results: ABB first time resat to AAAa (took up r.s as an a/s level)

UKCAT (if applicable): Did it three times! 612.5, 637.5 and then 705

Work Experience/Volunteering:
+two weeks with a GP
+week in the renal department
+few months in a care home
+work as a tutor for a private company
+volunteered in America for a disabilities camp

Universities applied to and decisions:

2010:
Keele - rejected w/o interview
Newcastle - rejected w/o interview
Leeds - rejected w/o interview
Hyms - offer AAB (missed the offer, got ABB)

2011:
PMS, Liverpool, BSMS, Keele- rejected w/o interview (this was during my resit year)

2012:
Liverpool - rejected
Keele- rejected
Peninsula - unconditional offer!!

BSMS - withdrew


I started a degree in biomedicine whilst applying for the third time. I felt like I had nothing to lose, although I was aware some universities dont accept student already on a degree, It was a risk I was willing to take (im not saying anyone should do this AT ALL, this was just my personal decision)

Luckily I got a good ukcat score this year after a decent amount of practice, dont underestimate how important it is! I really do believe it was the biggest factor for me this year. Having missed a med offer, it was the worst feeling in the world. It felt like I overcame all the hurdles and fell on the very last step, so close yet so far!

I told myself I wouldnt give up, going back to sixth form to resit was an extremely hard decision for me. My parents were apprehensive as they didnt really want me to waste any time and start a degree already. I stuck by my decision and thank god it paid off

As you can see my profile is very mediocre, in every aspect. After all the struggles and what not, a pure intention and dedication really do pay off. Best of luck everyone!

Hopes.

[Jamal B]

Year of Entry: 2012
Deferred?: No
GCSEs: 5 A*'s, 4 A's, 2 B's and the equiv. to 3 A's in I.T
AS Grades: AAAB (Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Further Maths)
A2 Prediction/Results: AAAA (Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Further Maths)
UKCAT (if applicable): 692.5 Average
BMAT (if applicable): Erm... yes? 6.3, 5.2 and 3B (I think!)

Work Experience/Volunteering:
3 afternoons in A&E
3-4 days in a GP Surgery
4 days at a hospice day care
About 6 months spending 1 afternoon a week teaching
1 evening a week volunteering at club for special needs kids
BLS course w/ St Johns Ambulance

Extra Curricular:
Bleated some stuff about snooker, cycling, reading.
Head Boy at school
OU course on molecules, medicines and drugs
Also mentioned chess at interviews (at a very amateur level)

Universities applied to and decisions:
Newcastle - Offer (AAA in any of my subjects) Firm
Manchester - Offer (AAA in Further Maths, Chemistry and Physics) Insurance
Oxford - Rejected pre interview
Leeds - Rejected pre interview
Sheffield Mech. Eng. - Offer Politely Declined

Tips? It's not impossible to apply without biology, it's just harder due to dwindled choice in unis. Nail the UKCAT and apply smart! The reason I got the interviews because I got a UKCAT score above their cutoffs so it was an automatic interview. Look into the different admissions policies before putting down your options. In retrospect, I probably wouldn't put down Oxford if I was applying again. And when it comes to work exp, it's the quality of what you do and the carey stuff counts! The two bits of work exp I ended up talking about was the hospice and the primary school. Any queries, feel free to PM me

[CalumBlack]

Year of Entry: 2012
Deferred?: No
Standard Grades Int2s (Scottish applicants): S Grade: 1111122
Higher grades (Scottish applicants): AAAAA
UKCAT (if applicable): 2700 -675 avg.
Work Experience/Volunteering: 1 week in rural hospital, 1 week in city hospital, 6 months volunteering in care home, 3 months St. Andrews First Aid
Extra Curricular: Tutoring poorly performing children (maths), prefect, 1st year buddy.
Universities applied to and decisions:

• Glasgow University - Conditional (BCC Adv. Highers) - Firm
• Aberdeen University - Unconditional - Insurance
• Dundee University - Unsuccessful (No feedback)
• Edinburgh University - Unsuccesful (Feedback - Average academic, Good non-academic)

Any Scottish applicants looking for advice on universities or medicine, PM me! On a side note, I wasn't expecting to get 5A's, so didn't do any volunteering until October in S6 so don't worry about it! Get started as soon as you find out!
Additional Information: School leaver, 1st Application, Scottish, Public school.

[.eXe]

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANT

Year of Entry: 2012
Deferred?: Nope
High School Average: 97% from Canadian school
Previous Degree (if applicable): First Class Honours Bachelors of Medical Science with concentration in Anatomy and Physiology, GPA: 4.00 (96%)
UKCAT (if applicable): 615
Work Experience/Volunteering: 8 years total with 6 years of clinical research with 11 publications (6 as first author), 5.5 years volunteering at hospital (Emergency and Day Surgery Dept.)
Extra Curricular: Soccer at regional level in high school, tennis at provincial level (ranked #18 in Canada at one point), basketball at university level
Universities applied to and decisions:
- BSMS: Unconditional
- Liverpool: Unconditional
- Southampton: Rejection after interview
- Leeds: Rejection without interview

[Cheddar]

Year of Entry: 2012

Deferred?: Nope

GCSEs: 2A*'s 3 A's, 5 B's

AS Grades: AAABC (Maths, Chemistry, further Maths, Biology and Fashion in order)

A2 Results: A*A*AA

UKCAT (if applicable): 677.5

Work Experience/Volunteering:
-1 year paid in a pharmacy as a pharmacy assistant
-6 months volunteering in a residential home
-8 months volunteering in hospital
-1 week volunteering at vitalise
-Few months working as a HCA

Extra Curricular:
-Tennis and badminton
-Student ambassador
-Peer tutor

Universities applied to and decisions:
Peninsula - offer FIRM
Glasgow - offer INSURANCE
Keele - offer
BaTL - rejection after interview

I am a re-applicant and after getting four rejections last year, I'm surprised I got 3 offers. I believe I got in mainly because of my HCA experience as that was one of a few things different in my PS second time round (Others being peer tutoring and student ambassador). I'm a lot more confident now than I was this time last year, I also feel more mature, I guess this came across in the interview in a positive way along with my experiences.

[Bec...]

Year of Entry: 2012

Deferred?: No

GCSEs: 20A/A*'s, 2B's

AS Grades: aaab (Chemistry, Biology, Maths and Physics respectively)

A2 Prediction/Results: AAA predicted

UKCAT (if applicable): Average 695

BMAT (if applicable): N/A

Work Experience/Volunteering:
6 months paid work in a GP's Surgery (including some hours voluntary shadowing health professionals).
3 months volunteering in a nursing home.


Extra Curricular: Chemistry prefect, netball.

Universities applied to and decisions:
Sheffield - Conditional Offer AAA.
Leicester - Rejected w/o interview.
Newcastle - Conditional Offer AAA.
Leeds - Conditional Offer AAA.

[metachic]

Year of Entry: 2012

Deferred?: Nope

GCSEs: 1 A*, 8 A, 2 B

AS Grades: AABD - Bio, Chem, ICT, French

A2 Results: BBC

Degree: 2.1 Biomed

UKCAT (if applicable): 655

Work Experience/Volunteering:
- gp surgery
- sja
- sll
- hospice
- hca

Extra Curricular:
-photography
-yoga

Universities applied to and decisions:
Kings - Rejected
Barts- Rejected
Soton BM4 - Rejected
Keele - Offer! - Conditional on CRB.

I'm a reapplicant. However, I don't believe my first application was truly a worthy application. Was planning my 3rd round of applications when Keele handed me a lifeline.

Moral of the story? Don't give up. You don't need perfect grades, you just need determination. It is never too late for unis to hand out interviews and offers. Friends may be getting offers, but it doesn't mean it's the end of the road for you just yet. Never give up hope!

[Chiringuito]

Year of Entry: 2012

Deferred?: No

Standard Grades Int2s (Scottish applicants): AAAA1111

Higher grades (Scottish applicants): AAAAB

UKCAT (if applicable): 755

Work Experience/Volunteering: 1 week in a hospital, 1 week with disabled kids, 2 weeks in a medical genetics lab, one evening a week feeding patients on a stroke ward, teaching little kids in a sunday school, helping out at a science club, providing additional learning support for a girl in her science lessons, went to a series of lectures about medically-related topics, took an open learning course on the History of Medicine.

Extra Curricular: Play an instrument to a high standard (played in a national childrens orchestra etc), black belt in a martial art.

Universities applied to and decisions:

Edinburgh - Unconditional
Glasgow - Conditonal (BCC in Scottish Advanced Highers)
St Andrews - Unconditional
Dundee - Unconditional

[CraigKirk]

Year of Entry: 2012
Deferred?: No
GCSEs: 7A*s, 4As, 1.5Bs + 4 OCR National Distinctions
AS Grades: AAAAA* (Extended Project)
A2 Prediction/Results: A*A*A*A (Gained prior to application)
UKCAT (if applicable): 682.5
Work Experience/Volunteering: 2 clinical weeks, 17 months at a hospice at time of UCAS application, 2 medicine summer schools, various clinical skills evenings/courses, work as a TA with Special Educational Needs.
Extra Curricular: Weekend job with Superdrug, NESTA/NASA science competition top-six runner-up, piano, head of house and chair of school council, student research project (involved a presentation at a national conference), Silver BA CREST, Open University 10 Credit module, School's citizenship award.

Universities applied to and decisions:
University of Nottingham: Rejection pre-interview
University of Manchester: Conditional (Based on health check and CRB disclosure)
University of St Andrews: Unconditional
Brighton and Sussex Medical School: Unconditional

[drdonut]

Year of Entry: 2012

Deferred?: No

GCSEs: 6A*s 4As
A/AS levels: A*A*A*aa (Maths, physics, chem, music, further maths)

UKCAT (if applicable): 670

Work Experience/Volunteering: 1 week in a hospital, 1 day in GP surgery, volunteering providing mealtimes on an orthopaedic trauma ward, Age UK befriending, nursing assistant at local hospice, bank HCA (started after interviews), BRC and SJA, medical course at local museum, part time job in a bar, travelling in the summer

Extra Curricular: Play basketball in local league, guitar to grade 7 and piano to 5, played in a few bands, set up and rode charity bike ride for Age UK

Universities applied to and decisions:

Manchester - rejection after interview (after being placed on hold)
Leeds - rejection pre-interview
Aberdeen - interview, unconditional
Glasgow - interview, conditional

I suppose I would say:
- Definitely, definitely prepare for your UKCAT (600q book)
- Definitely look up the admissions processes for each uni and see as best you can whether you fit the criteria for interview (this site is useful for that)
- Definitely prepare hard for interviews
- Don't worry about re-sits
- Don't worry if you didn't do biology at AS/A level
- Spend a lot of time on your personal statement. Get it checked by loads of people (again, this site is useful)
- Try hard to get some hands on care experience.

if anyone has any questions feel free to ask

[beckyboo.]

Year of Entry: 2012

Deferred?: No

GCSEs: 10A*s

AS Grades: 6A's (bio, chem, maths, further maths, history and general)

A2 Prediction/Results: predicted A*A*A*A*

UKCAT (if applicable): 697.5

Work Experience/Volunteering:
- 18 Months Care Home (weekly visit)
- 18 Months Charity Shop (weekly visit)
- Intromed Course
- One week with Psychiatric Crisis Team
- One week with GP
- Work with children - Dance School, Brownies, Nursery, Summer School in Beijing
- Paid employment - Weekend shop job and holiday office job

Extra Curricular: Dance School, Organising Science Clubs, DofE Bronze and Silver, Science Mentor, School Prefect etc.

Universities applied to and decisions:
Sheffield - AAA offer
Birmingham - Interview but then withdrew
Newcastle - AAA offer
Leeds - Rejection

Hope that helps!

[atomos]

Year of Entry: 2012 (Reapplicant)
Deferred?: No
Standard Grades: 11111111
Higher Grades: AAAAB in 5th year (Maths, English, German, Chem, Physics); A in 6th year (Biology)
Advanced Higher Grades: ABB (Physics, Chem, German)
UKCAT: 667.5
Work Experience/Volunteering:
- 1 week GP
- Placements in Oncology(in 2010 and 2011), Ophthalmology, ENT (both 2010)
- 1 month volunteering in hospitals in Moldova (organised fundraising events for this too)
- 3 years volunteering with Barnardo's
- 6 months at nursing home
- Currently working full time as a waitress (mentioned transferable skills in PS)
- for ~6 months once a week would help out in a local primary school class (awarded Saltire Award - 50hrs voluntary work)

Extra Curricular
- Prefect & Buddy for S1s
- Yeabook Committee
- Production Manager in Young Enterprise (also gained Distinction in YE exam)
- Helped out at Brownies as part of DOE
- Musical Theatre group
- Played as part of team in school competions (athletics; gold/silver/bronze medals achieved at local level) and also in-school house matches
- Swim
- Awarded prizes for exam performance in German (SG & AH), as well as receiving highest mark in my school for Higher and AH

Universities applied to and decisions:
Dundee - Rejection pre-interview
Edinburgh - Rejection
Glasgow - Unconditional
Aberdeen - Unconditional

Last year's application:

Spoiler:

Show

Year of Entry: 2011
Deferred?: No
Standard Grades(Scottish applicants): 8 1s
Higher grades (Scottish applicants): AAAAB (No Biology; B in Physics)
UKCAT (if applicable): 632.5
Work Experience/Volunteering: 1 week at a GP, and then various placements in hospital - Oncology, Opthalmology (including surgery there), ENT. 6 months at Nursing home (once a week), 1 year (almost two now) volunteering at Barnardo's.
Extra Curricular: Prefect, Buddy, Yearbook Committee, Production Manager in young enterprise, Helped out at Brownies as part of DoE, Once a week help out at Primary School, week's work exp at primary school, member of youth music theatre group, swim.
Universities applied to and decisions:
Dundee - Rejection w/o Interview
Aberdeen - Rejection w/o Interview
Edinburgh - Rejection
St Andrews - Rejection (Interview)

Those who are unsuccessful the first time round, definitely give it another shot! After having received 4 rejections last year, 2 unconditionals this time definitely makes up for it! I definitely think my application was a lot stronger this time, too. Any Scottish applicants/any reapplicants feel free to PM me

[Caponester]

Year of Entry: 2012
Deferred?: No
Standard Grades Int2s (Scottish applicants): 11112222
Higher/AH grades (Scottish applicants): AABBBBCC
Previous Degree (if applicable): MPharm (Hons) Distinction
UKCAT (if applicable): 2600
Work Experience/Volunteering: GP shadowing, 6 weeks in India, work as pharmacist
Extra Curricular: online blog, lecturing, first aid, various sports etc
Universities applied to and decisions:

Aberdeen - Post interview rejection (wait listed)
QUB - Unconditional offer
Leeds - Withdrawn
St Andrews - Post interview rejection

My advice? Maximise your chances of interview in any way possible. Once you make it to interview you increase your chances dramatically. This may sound a little silly since I received 2 out of 3 post-interview rejections, but I think I got a little unlucky. This is sort of my point, excellent applicants who tick all the right boxes will always end up with several offers. For the rest of us, you need to play the game and apply strategically so that the horrible element of luck does not decide whether or not you attend medical school. Aside from that, stick in at school and aim high. The graduate route is a good option if you have bundles of motivation, but I must confess to struggling a little towards the end of my pharmacy degree because I knew it was not what I wanted to do. It's not easy to get a first in any degree, never mind one you hold no lasting interest in. So in summary: think carefully about which route you take, study for the UKCAT and most importantly; apply strategically!

[hslakaal]

Year of Entry: 2012, int'l student
Deferred?: No
GCSEs: 11A*, 1A
AS Grades: AAAAAA (Bio, Chem, Phy, Mat, Thinking Skills, Economics)
A2 Prediction/Results: A*A*A*A*B (Bio,chem,Phy, Mat, F.mat) - achieved
UKCAT (if applicable): 720 avg
BMAT (if applicable): 6.9, 6.4, 4A
Work Experience/Volunteering:
-1 week shadowing urologist
-2 years volunteer work every Sunday at local SPCA

Extra Curricular:
- MUN (organised conferences)
- DOE Bronze & Silver
- Prefect

Universities applied to and decisions:
- Cambridge (Caius): Rejected post-interview
- Edinburgh: Rejected
- UCL: Rejected post-interview
- KCL: Offer
- (UCL Biomed offer )
I am not the best person to give advice (only have one offer... tons of people above and below me with loads more ) but a really definite tip for interviewees, especially those coming from overseas, is to not get food poisoning (on the flight to the UK) before your interview. It will really really mess up your interview skills. And, as my work experience shows, it's not always the length that gives you the edge

Good luck!

[jcb123]

Year of Entry: 2012
Deferred?: No
GCSEs: 4A*, 4A
AS Grades: ABBC (Eng Lit, Bio, Chem, Economics)
A2 Prediction: AAA
UKCAT (if applicable): 503 avg

Work Experience/Volunteering:
-1 week shadowing consultant
-1 week shadowing junior doctors
-Volunteering care home
-Volunteering RDA

Extra Curricular:
- County/national level running
- DOE Bronze
- National level eventing

Universities applied to and decisions:
- UEA foundation - Offer
- Soton foundation - Rejection post interview
- BSMS - Rejection
- Leicester - Rejection

[laurenl93]

Year of Entry: 2012
Deferred?:reapplicant
GCSEs: 5A* 6A
AS Grades: aaaa
A2 Prediction/Results: A*AA (attained)
UKCAT (if applicable): 620ish
Work Experience/Volunteering: work as an auxiliary nurse on an orthopaedic ward, worked as a pharmacy dispenser for 1 year, work exp in 1 private hospital for 1 week in diff departments and sitting in on private consultations, work exp in 4 GP practices, volunteered in a hospital in lourdes, volunteered as a ward helper in a hospice for a year and a bit... cant remember but probably more. i pestered a lot of doctors.
Extra Curricular: ex county synchronised swimmer, ex county swimmer, running, oil painting... mmh mostly sports stuff i guess :/
Universities applied to and decisions:
Leeds: Rejection no interview
Liverpool: Rejection post interview
QUB: Unconditional <- FIRMED
Lancaster: Unconditional

[X_ray]

Year of Entry: 2012
Deferred?: No
GCSEs: 8A*2A
AS Grades: AAAA (Bio, Chem, Phy, Maths)
A2 Prediction/Results: A*A*A*A*
UKCAT (if applicable): 740 avg
BMAT (if applicable): 7.2, 8.2, 4A
Work Experience/Volunteering:
-1 week shadowing cardiologist
-1 week shadowing consultant physician
-2 weeks shadowing at a GP practice
-1 year voluntary work every weekend at local nursing home

Extra Curricular:
- Football 1st XI
- Head of Charity Committee
- Prefect

Universities applied to and decisions:
- Cambridge (St. John's): Offer A*AA (Firm)
- KCL: Offer AAAC (Insurance)
- Nottingham: Withdrew
- Imperial: Withdrew

My advice would be to start preparing as early as possible for admissions tests as you can, as these can make/break your application (a good performance can strengthen your application so much).

Best of luck!

[ChangedMyMind]

Year of Entry: 2012
Deferred? No
Highers: AABBB
Degree: MEng in Computer Science with Distinction
UKCAT: 690
Work Experience/Employment:
- 3 years volunteering at Saturday morning class for children with Aspergers
- 3 years working as Software Engineer for residential child care company
- 1 year running my own company

Universities and decisions:
- Dundee Unconditional (Firm)
- Glasgow Conditional (Declined)
- Aberdeen Conditional (Declined)
- Edinburgh Rejection Pre-interview

My advice is more focussed to graduates - make sure you talk about all of your previous work/employment - even if it is not healthcare-related. I didn't have a huge amount of directly related healthcare experience and no shadowing. Make sure you work hard on your interview skills - I think that is one of the most important parts.

Good luck and PM me if I can offer any more advice,

[manic_fuzz]

Year of Entry: 2012
Deferred?: No
GCSEs: 7.5A* 2A 0.5B 4Distinctions
AS Grades: AAAAB
A2 Prediction/Results: A*A*A*A*A
UKCAT (if applicable): 718
BMAT (if applicable): 6.6, 6.7, 2.5C

Work Experience/Volunteering:
- 1 week experience in a nursery
- 1 week shadowing a Cardiologist
- ~3 years on the Board of Management for my school's Integrated Health Centre
- 1 term mentoring younger students' English

Extra Curricular:
- JSLA + JLLA
- Debate Society

Universities applied to and decisions:
- Oxford (Worcester) - Offer (Firm)
- UCL - Offer - Declined
- Kings - Rejection Post-Interview
- Manchester - Interview - Put 'On Hold' - Withdrawn