St. Andrews Medicine Applicants 2011 :D

It depends who you speak to because I was told that they use a cutoff, I thought it was higher than 614.

That is what it says clearly on the website. However, at an open day I attended the presenter did say that they were considering taking the UKCAT score more into consideration in the future but that at the moment it wasn't so important. He did not know that they had already set the UKCAT cut off for 2011. (I know because I queried it at the end of the presentation). I understand the confusion and frustration. At the end of the day what is in print is probably the best guide. Admissions were also reluctant to be specific - they would not say that a UKCAT score under the cut off would definitely be unsuccessful. Home app. 8 standard grade 1's. 7 A's and 1 B at Higher by the end of 5th and 4 current AH's working for G 8 violin, other instruments, sports, volunteering, medical work exp. Rejected without interview. Reason UKCAT.

15% -is- quite a significant part of the application process! Remember that the entirety of your personal statement and reference also makes up 15%.

That is what it says clearly on the website. However, at an open day I attended the presenter did say that they were considering taking the UKCAT score more into consideration in the future but that at the moment it wasn't so important. He did not know that they had already set the UKCAT cut off for 2011. (I know because I queried it at the end of the presentation). I understand the confusion and frustration. At the end of the day what is in print is probably the best guide. Admissions were also reluctant to be specific - they would not say that a UKCAT score under the cut off would definitely be unsuccessful. Home app. 8 standard grade 1's. 7 A's and 1 B at Higher by the end of 5th and 4 current AH's working for G 8 violin, other instruments, sports, volunteering, medical work exp. Rejected without interview. Reason UKCAT.

Yeah 15% UKCAT - Huge part - (though in my op. owning fairly debatable value). Just saying there were mixed messages coming out so can understand the frustration. For home apps there are 4 choices and 5 uni's. two have UKCAT cut offs! With a low score it's a wasted choice if you categorically want to study at home but if it's presented as flexible it becomes a gamble rather than a def. no no. But then all med apps are a bit of a gamble, lol!

You sat 8 highers in 5th year!!!

Yeh i suppose that's right she applied knowing it was below their cut off. That's fair enough i suppose. would have been better applying to a non ukcat uni

St. Andrews was the first choice for my best friend - he really loved it. He has a really strong PS good grades but got rejected because He scored 610 in the UKCAT????!?!?! That really made me angry because the cut off is 614. And when we called the admissions before sending off the application, they said that they don't use the UKCAT as a cut-off - it'll only count 15% towards the overall application > what's up with giving out false info???

They do use a cutoff, but at quite a low level of the average score across all applicants.



But that's not a gaurantee of interview, merely that anyone below gets an automatic rejection. If you get above you still have to have an overal excellent application to cross the threshold for an interview.

That is what it says clearly on the website. However, at an open day I attended the presenter did say that they were considering taking the UKCAT score more into consideration in the future but that at the moment it wasn't so important. He did not know that they had already set the UKCAT cut off for 2011. (I know because I queried it at the end of the presentation). I understand the confusion and frustration. At the end of the day what is in print is probably the best guide. Admissions were also reluctant to be specific - they would not say that a UKCAT score under the cut off would definitely be unsuccessful. Home app. 8 standard grade 1's. 7 A's and 1 B at Higher by the end of 5th and 4 current AH's working for G 8 violin, other instruments, sports, volunteering, medical work exp. Rejected without interview. Reason UKCAT.

Don't really want to go into detail because it was a gamble and knew that but tbh lets say was'nt exactly discouraged from applying. Mixed messages. Water under the bridge. What can you do? Not moaning. Just sympathising with the previous who said similar..
Maybe could have gone for another non UKcat UNI south of the border but it already takes 5.5 hrs + to the nearest UNI from here! And that's a UKCAT uni! Transport links not brill.
Where are you hoping for?
How about you Fulsilero?

There are exceptions, I got an interview with a UKCAT of 580 (I know pretty bad ). God knows why though, loads of people seem to have been rejected because of the UKCAT with better stats. It probably won't come to anything though, I'm clearly going to get a crap score for the 15% that's allocated to it, and it would be a Herculean task to get an offer with 15% already out the window. All I can really hope is that loads of people completely duff up their interview, which realistically isn't going to happen It's a gutter, I really want to go but I suppose I was lucky to get the interview. But would they have given me an interview knowing that I was doomed?

There are exceptions, I got an interview with a UKCAT of 580 (I know pretty bad ). God knows why though, loads of people seem to have been rejected because of the UKCAT with better stats. It probably won't come to anything though, I'm clearly going to get a crap score for the 15% that's allocated to it, and it would be a Herculean task to get an offer with 15% already out the window. All I can really hope is that loads of people completely duff up their interview, which realistically isn't going to happen It's a gutter, I really want to go but I suppose I was lucky to get the interview. But would they have given me an interview knowing that I was doomed?

St Andrews is actually a 13 hour drive from where I live!
This is the problem with Scottish applicants, most aren't willing to apply outside of Scotland, when realistically you may have a much better chance getting into the english med schools.

That's brilliant! Mountains of good luck to you. St. Andrews is really nice. Hope you get a place.

At the end of the day everyone has weak areas, mine being my GCSEs. So I'm sure you have just a strong chance as everyone else!

There are exceptions, I got an interview with a UKCAT of 580 (I know pretty bad ). God knows why though, loads of people seem to have been rejected because of the UKCAT with better stats. It probably won't come to anything though, I'm clearly going to get a crap score for the 15% that's allocated to it, and it would be a Herculean task to get an offer with 15% already out the window. All I can really hope is that loads of people completely duff up their interview, which realistically isn't going to happen It's a gutter, I really want to go but I suppose I was lucky to get the interview. But would they have given me an interview knowing that I was doomed?

Most unis don't bother too much about gcses or standard grades so you dont really have a disadvantage. re an earlier point you made Im scottish and applied to liverpool they were pretty quick along with dundee to reject me

Oh? Why is that?

Exactly as ukcathater put it!
For example Cardiff is a great choice for people who don't have great UKCAT scores but have good academics, they point GCSEs, not sure what they do with highers though. But if your strong academically then you don't have to do very well in te interview.

Thanks for this. I have absolutely no idea what I'll do next year if I don't get an offer but I'll remember that if I re-apply. I think I could improve on the UKCAT. TBH I'd love to study here in Scotland, reasonably close to home. I guess I have to be realistic though. Huge respect to you for keeping going. It's such a tough option, people on this forum are amazing and such an inspiration. It's so sad to hear about rejections.