2012 Medicine Re-Applicants Mark I

It varies every year, but last year you needed 62% (raw score) to get an A.
http://store.aqa.org.uk/over/stat_pdf/AQA-A-LEVEL-GDE-BOUND-JUNE10.PDF

I really hope it's lower this year, because i don't think i got that much :/ I wish i could remember how my EMPA went, but i honestly can't. It seems a lifetime ago that i did it.

I didn't get a chance to find out about cancelling the UKCAT, but i'll try and find out tomorrow

True, but don't you want to know that you had the most fun you could during the summer.

Haha, I'll be doing that anyway! :P

But seriously, I'd probably start work for the UKCAT at the same time, regardless of when I was taking it, so its not like it will make a difference having it before or after results day. For me, it makes sense. If I don't get the grades, I don't think I'll care how much time I spent on the UKCAT.

Panicking now that I wono't get the grades... and I don't have a backup option :/ I think I'll have to be checking out clearing to make sure I have something if it all goes tits up. I'm hoping I won't need it, but you never know :/

Yeah and surprisingly I did well in that paper but this one was just awful. The empa was no good either, but luckily I retook my AS empa so hopefully that will give me a few extra UMS.

Yeah you can cancel up to one day before, http://www.ukcat.ac.uk/pages/details.aspx?page=cancelling so I think I'll book mine for 25th August which gives me plenty of time to think and cancel if the worst happens.

Has everyone already finished redrafting their p.s?
A few first-time applicants at college have are already nearing their 2nd-4th drafts, and I'm just concerned that I'm so behind.

Yeah i realised that by this time last year, i was already on my 2nd draft..
But I start my HCA job next week so that will give me the insight i need for a decent 1st draft. Plus i want to focus on the UKCAT cos i booked it really early (August 1st) so I'll start as soon as that's done. Plus I'll need to speak to some of the doctors in my dept. about it.

But i understand why people may want to wait until after results day though.
Thing is with my backup course, they let you apply to transfer after the first year if you do the UKCAT in the year of transfer (i.e. now), get ABB at A level and get 1st class marks in your year 1 modules, the chance is very small but it's there so my UKCAT practise and personal statement drafting wouldn't go to waste..
Haha apologies for the essay

Ah nice. Well done on getting the HCA job. I've yet to find a job
Tried applying for a HCA, but seems like there's none available in my area. There's a few available about 20 miles away, but I don't think it's practicle to go that far every morning

Thanks, saves me a call

I do feel a bit pathetic thinking about the £60 UKCAT fee when my future is on the line here

X

Hey I see you've got a job) as a hca, I've got a couple of interviews coming up and I was just wondering what sort of questions they asked you? Thanks.

so UKCAT prep, whos started?

Not yet, have you?

nah, im a bit too confident i think, assuming i just know it and can recap in a few days. but ill force myself to start soon, maybe tomorrow and do a little each day

You started on your statement?

Hey

I was wondering do we gain any advantage at the majority of med schools for having achieved AAA grades already, and is it significant??

Thanks

Ah mine wasn't very grilling, fortunately
It's a specialist cancer hospital so they just asked me "how would you describe what cancer is to a somebody" they don't just want a defination they want you to say how you would communicate this to a patient i.e. simple but not patronising etc, what you hope to gain from the job, any thoughts on what i'd like to do in the future (didn't mention medicine at all at this point).

Tbh though, if you just try to bring in words like interpersonal skills, patient confidentiality etc so that you seem to match their person specification then you should be fine. Also, try to sound more caring than clever

Hardest part is getting the interview first though so I'm sure you'll be fine
Let me know how you get on though!