*MEGATHREAD* - The &quot;Which Medical School Should I Apply To?&quot; Uberthread [part 5 of 5]

14

@GANFYD @Medpapa could you possibly offer any advice on the following? Including thoughts on the combinations x Thank you so much

Kings seemed to both admit and reject those with similar scores and won't offer any clarification before submitting an application. However I want to apply to Imperial so it's too risky to apply to both. How do I decide which is riskier?
Im not finding much data regarding Surreys admission stats, does this make it too risky to apply in combination with either kings or imperial?

So far I'm looking at
1. SGUL
2. ICL or KCL

Two of
-Plymouth, Manchester, Sheffield and Surrey

Intl non GCSEs equivalent 3.5 gPa
A*A*A Maths, Bio, Chem
2.2 Undergrad + Masters

2870 Band 1
vr 620
dm 730
qr 700
ar 820

Reply 382

Joeh2006

2

my top 4 at the moment are (unranked)
1.Liverpool
2. Leicester
3. Glasgow
4. Aberdeen
i got 7 A* and 3 As at gcse and I have an A* in A level maths because I sat it in a year an all As in my other subjects
I got 2910 in the UCAS but band 3 in SJT
am I ok to study there

Reply 383

RRandom_user

3

Hi,

I was wondering if you can give me some advice on where to apply this year. I feel so gutted with my ucat- and a fellow re-applicant as well!

>GCSE's: 9999998887 (7 in English language BTW)
>Achieved A- Levels: A* in bio, A in chem, A in maths
>UCAT: 2620 b3
>Lots of work experience in hospitals, clinics, online work experience, care homes etc
>Maybe contextual: as I am first to go to uni, was in care (if you look at informal kinship care)

Thinking of doing the BMAT. It would be great help if someone could help me choose a med school that has a higher chance of giving me an interview at least.

Thanks a lot!

Reply 384

aliyaanhabib

1

Original post by Chi chi5

congrats, you've done well as I'm sure you know x

have you got any preferences for uni, location or teaching style? edge hill and Liverpool come to mind, kmms as well.

I don’t really have a set location tbh and I’m quite unaware if teaching styles etc. I’ve heard KMMS has a good style and values the students quite well. I think I’m set on applying to KMMS and Sunderland but still unsure about the other two. Is Leeds a good shout because I think that is the Uni I would love to go to due to the location, nice city. I think I’m considered from Essex so ARU may be a shout? Would appreciate some feedback

Reply 385

Chi chi5

14

Original post by aliyaanhabib

I don’t really have a set location tbh and I’m quite unaware if teaching styles etc. I’ve heard KMMS has a good style and values the students quite well. I think I’m set on applying to KMMS and Sunderland but still unsure about the other two. Is Leeds a good shout because I think that is the Uni I would love to go to due to the location, nice city. I think I’m considered from Essex so ARU may be a shout? Would appreciate some feedback

If you confirm you’re considered Essex Aru is a great choice. Leeds is an unknown as this is the first year they’re using UCAT rather than BMAT but I think it’s worth applying if you fancy it.

Reply 386

username6358191

Hi
Would anyone recommend applying to Cardiff uni for medicine. I have nine 9s and one 8 at GCSE and my UCAT was 2680 (not great) I've already decided on QUB, Keele and Sunderland, and I'm thinking Cardiff as well, but I've heard that they prioritise Welsh students and I'm English. I'm wondering if there's any point in applying if I'm likely to be rejected :/
Thank you

Reply 387

medic0975

13

Original post by roll0909

Hi
Would anyone recommend applying to Cardiff uni for medicine. I have nine 9s and one 8 at GCSE and my UCAT was 2680 (not great) I've already decided on QUB, Keele and Sunderland, and I'm thinking Cardiff as well, but I've heard that they prioritise Welsh students and I'm English. I'm wondering if there's any point in applying if I'm likely to be rejected :/
Thank you

Personally, I wouldn't apply because Cardiff's admissions process is cloudy at best. They prioritise Welsh students because English candidates with seemingly perfect stats have been rejected before. Your UCAT could be enough for some other universities such as HYMS if you're contextual.

Reply 388

Original post by E333

Oh right thanks for letting me know I didn't realise. Would you say exeter is a safe option for me then?
Also would you happen to know if the RUK cutoff for glasgow is for contextual applicants or not?

Yes I think Exeter with a score of 98 or more should be fine. Their system of relying on predicted grades is ridiculous, in my view, as it introduces teacher subjectivity/favouritism to the extreme, but would expect less three A star predictions if anything this year given experience. Will tag @GANFYD for any disagreement on this.

Glasgow contextual RUK looked much lower from.a100 thread. I didn't work out what non contextual cut off was. Ganfyd or @lastlullabyy (?) or others ( @reubenn05 seems very much on the pulse at the moment) may be able to confirm.

(edited 3 months ago)

Reply 389

Original post by Joeh2006

Hi i got 2910 in my UCAT but band 3 in sjt am i still able to apply for these unis?

my top 4 at the moment are (unranked)
1.Liverpool
2. Leicester
3. Bristol
4. Edinburgh
i got 7 A* and 3 As at gcse and I have an A* in A level maths because I sat it in a year an all As in my other subjects

As noted bristol borderline and risky choice. Need b1 and stellar ucat plus perfect gcses for Edinburgh if ruk non contextual. Southampton worth a look? Newcastle also but bit more risky.

(edited 3 months ago)

Reply 390

Medpapa

Original post by roll0909

Hi
Would anyone recommend applying to Cardiff uni for medicine. I have nine 9s and one 8 at GCSE and my UCAT was 2680 (not great) I've already decided on QUB, Keele and Sunderland, and I'm thinking Cardiff as well, but I've heard that they prioritise Welsh students and I'm English. I'm wondering if there's any point in applying if I'm likely to be rejected :/
Thank you

No don’t apply to Cardiff
If you lived in wales with those scores all would be fine.
But Cardiff give away 1/3rd of their points for living in wales and some for being contextual. If you are neither regardless of GCSEs they are not a good choice.
if you want a risk maybe Leicester?
last year 8 / 9 GCSEs both scored 4 points (they score 8 GCSEs).
This year only 9s get 4 points and each 1 point is worth 100 points in UCAT.
Last year the UCAT cut off with Leicester for those with a maximal GCSE score was 2750 for everyone and some 2700. Given there will be lower GCSEs in this years applicants as they were sat post covid and that 9s now score more than 8s I would think it highly likely their cut off will be lower this year which should bring you into play

(edited 3 months ago)

Reply 391

Medpapa

Original post by Medpapa

No don’t apply to Cardiff
If you lived in wales with those scores all would be fine.
But Cardiff give away 1/3rd of their points for living in wales and some for being contextual. If you are neither regardless of GCSEs they are not a good choice.
if you want a risk maybe Leicester?
last year 8 / 9 GCSEs both scored 4 points (they score 8 GCSEs).
This year only 9s get 4 points and each 1 point is worth 100 points in UCAT.
Last year the UCAT cut off with Leicester for those with a maximal GCSE score was 2750 for everyone and some 2700. Given there will be lower GCSEs in this years applicants as they were sat post covid and that 9s now score more tha. 8s I would think it highly likely their cut off will be lower this year which should bring you into play

See above

Reply 392

Original post by roll0909

Hi
Would anyone recommend applying to Cardiff uni for medicine. I have nine 9s and one 8 at GCSE and my UCAT was 2680 (not great) I've already decided on QUB, Keele and Sunderland, and I'm thinking Cardiff as well, but I've heard that they prioritise Welsh students and I'm English. I'm wondering if there's any point in applying if I'm likely to be rejected :/
Thank you

Kent may be worth a look if gcses strong relative to school. Otherwise could pick one of aru (esp if local), plymouth, liverpool, perhaps edge hill. Or poss aston (would need to look at score / cut offs) or Leicester as above (so below?!!). Cardiff rejection does seem quite likely.

(edited 3 months ago)

Reply 393

its.scphie

hi everyone, with internal applications due in a month's time, I would really appreciate some advice on where I should apply!

GCSEs
3 grade 9's in physics, chemistry and french
5 grade 8's in english language, literature, maths, geography, biology
L2D in BTEC IT

predicted A levels
3 A*'s biology, chemistry, physics

UCAT
overall 2960
VR 740 ; DM 780 ; QR 720 ; AR 720
band 1 for SJT

in terms of work experience I've done a week of neurology-based lab work, will soon be doing a week of cancer research, and have well over a year's experience at a cafe. that might seem a little unrelated but I've found it so valuable and can definitely link it to my application! also meant to be doing some NHS volunteering sometime soon but haven't heard much from them yet
I'm also eligible for contextual offers at most universities based on postcode and UCAT bursary

so far I'm thinking about newcastle, HYMS and manchester but any further advice would be greatly appreciated! :smile:

(edited 3 months ago)

Reply 394

username6358191

Original post by Medpapa

No don’t apply to Cardiff
If you lived in wales with those scores all would be fine.
But Cardiff give away 1/3rd of their points for living in wales and some for being contextual. If you are neither regardless of GCSEs they are not a good choice.
if you want a risk maybe Leicester?
last year 8 / 9 GCSEs both scored 4 points (they score 8 GCSEs).
This year only 9s get 4 points and each 1 point is worth 100 points in UCAT.
Last year the UCAT cut off with Leicester for those with a maximal GCSE score was 2750 for everyone and some 2700. Given there will be lower GCSEs in this years applicants as they were sat post covid and that 9s now score more than 8s I would think it highly likely their cut off will be lower this year which should bring you into play

I'll definitely think about Leicester even though it's risky for me. Thank you so much for your advice.

Reply 395

Original post by its.scphie

hi everyone, with internal applications due in a month's time, I would really appreciate some advice on where I should apply!

GCSEs
3 grade 9's in physics, chemistry and french
5 grade 8's in english language, literature, maths, geography, biology
L2D in BTEC IT

predicted A levels
3 A*'s biology, chemistry, physics

UCAT
overall 2960
VR 740 ; DM 780 ; QR 720 ; AR 720
band 1 for SJT

in terms of work experience I've done a week of neurology-based lab work, will soon be doing a week of cancer research, and have well over a year's experience at a cafe. that might seem a little unrelated but I've found it so valuable and can definitely link it to my application! also meant to be doing some NHS volunteering sometime soon but haven't heard much from them yet
I'm also eligible for contextual offers at most universities based on postcode and UCAT bursary

so far I'm thinking about newcastle, HYMS and manchester but any further advice would be greatly appreciated! :smile:

Well done!

Apart from dropping a few gcse points where 8s and 9s are treated differently, you can pretty much apply where you want (not sure on Edinburgh even if contextual boost - would need to check). So, first thing to say would be apply where you like (course/city etc) and I think that will also help your application and interview. Having said that comments below are on basis of maximising place chance based on mathematical side (chance interview x chance offer x chance getting grades). Assume not bothering on bmat. Also make sure you have some more things about understanding medical career etc to talk about at interview (no expert here and look on other threads plus ask if needed for ideas, but online, books, talking to health professionals, shadowing if you can) plus volunteering/caring in whatever shape (even at school or local primary?) - the main thing of course is to have things to reflect on and be able to talk about (and cafe experiences perfectly legitimate of course). Working through interview book/questions will help identify any gap areas, as well as build confidence, so I think it is good to start this early

Anyway, your 3 picks look good. Newcastle is high ucat cut off - you will be fine and benefit from them interviewing less per place; sounds like you could apply to Newcastle partners (lower grade offer, lower ucat cut off but have to attend the summer school, which think is a few days or a week; they select numbers post interview separately for partners but process is same otherwise and understand similar interview scores needed in past also so this shouldn't be issue). Hyms - sjt and contextual points carry across post interview (and would definitely interview). Manchester - would definitely interview; they have the non academic information form to fill in so make sure ok on that and the course style.

Others that I think might be good to look at (with bit of northern bias given your three): Sheffield (high ucat cut off so interview less per place and sjt used in interview scoring). Notts as b1/ucat/gcses mean you have good score and certain to interview. Leeds perhaps but bit of unknown in selection scoring (with first year using ucat) and you may drop gcse points (don't know anything about A2L) although can't believe you wouldn't interview - would research/check if applying.

Otherwise would may be try to avoid those who interview more per place (incl plymouth, liverpool, aru) unless you really like. Could look at birmingham, bristol, exeter, glasgow, leicester, southampton, st andrews and uea (ucat/sjt count for uea after being selected for interview so you'd be in great position for offer with them.)

Good luck

(edited 3 months ago)

Reply 396

Holiday Dreamer

2

@Chi chi5 sorry to tag you. I'm new to TSR and have seen a post refering your famous spreadsheet. I can only assume this helps us pick a uni. I can't find that thread or your spreadsheet.ivr literally trawled 100s of thread today. Would you be so kind as to help please?

Reply 397

Chi chi5