Medicine re-applicant: Oxford or Cambridge?

Hey

Having been rejected from all 4 places for medicine this year, I'm now planning a gap year and am thinking of maybe applying to Oxford or Cambridge. I applied to Oxford this year and was rejected pre interview due to a poor BMAT score, and am not sure if I should re-apply there or apply to Cambridge instead this time round. My stats are:

GCSE: 12.5 A* 1A

AS-level:
Biology A (93%)
Chemistry A (87%)
Physics A (84%)
Art A (99%)
Critical Thinking A (89%)

A2-level predictions: 5 A*

My overall UMS% from the 3 most relevant subjects is 88% which is obviously not as high as most successful Cambridge applicants and will put me at a disadvantage. However, I understand that a greater proportion of people at Cambridge are interviewed and I am to believe that the ratio of applicants: places is lower at Cambridge and a low(ish) BMAT score won't rule me out completely for interview like at Oxford. Another thing which I know may sound stupid and shouldn't be really taken into account, is that almost every friend/family friend who applied for medicine at Oxbridge, applied to Cambridge over Oxford and is currently there now so I'm thinking I could use that to my advantage for tips/advice etc.

On the other hand though, I know that Oxford take GCSE pA* into account a lot, they wouldn't see my AS module scores and if I were to get a good BMAT score then I would have a greater chance here?

Sorry as I know there are lots of posts like this but any advice would be greatly appreciated

I would wait to see what your A2 marks are like. Ofcourse your grades are good but 87% in AS chemistry really is substandard for a medical applicant. I'd re-apply to Cambridge if your A2 UMS is 95%+ and Oxford otherwise. Why the insistence on Oxbridge?

Hey

Having been rejected from all 4 places for medicine this year, I'm now planning a gap year and am thinking of maybe applying to Oxford or Cambridge. I applied to Oxford this year and was rejected pre interview due to a poor BMAT score, and am not sure if I should re-apply there or apply to Cambridge instead this time round. My stats are:

GCSE: 12.5 A* 1A

AS-level:
Biology A (93%)
Chemistry A (87%)
Physics A (84%)
Art A (99%)
Critical Thinking A (89%)

A2-level predictions: 5 A*

My overall UMS% from the 3 most relevant subjects is 88% which is obviously not as high as most successful Cambridge applicants and will put me at a disadvantage. However, I understand that a greater proportion of people at Cambridge are interviewed and I am to believe that the ratio of applicants: places is lower at Cambridge and a low(ish) BMAT score won't rule me out completely for interview like at Oxford. Another thing which I know may sound stupid and shouldn't be really taken into account, is that almost every friend/family friend who applied for medicine at Oxbridge, applied to Cambridge over Oxford and is currently there now so I'm thinking I could use that to my advantage for tips/advice etc.

On the other hand though, I know that Oxford take GCSE pA* into account a lot, they wouldn't see my AS module scores and if I were to get a good BMAT score then I would have a greater chance here?

Sorry as I know there are lots of posts like this but any advice would be greatly appreciated

Hey

Having been rejected from all 4 places for medicine this year, I'm now planning a gap year and am thinking of maybe applying to Oxford or Cambridge. I applied to Oxford this year and was rejected pre interview due to a poor BMAT score, and am not sure if I should re-apply there or apply to Cambridge instead this time round. My stats are:

GCSE: 12.5 A* 1A

AS-level:
Biology A (93%)
Chemistry A (87%)
Physics A (84%)
Art A (99%)
Critical Thinking A (89%)

A2-level predictions: 5 A*

My overall UMS% from the 3 most relevant subjects is 88% which is obviously not as high as most successful Cambridge applicants and will put me at a disadvantage. However, I understand that a greater proportion of people at Cambridge are interviewed and I am to believe that the ratio of applicants: places is lower at Cambridge and a low(ish) BMAT score won't rule me out completely for interview like at Oxford. Another thing which I know may sound stupid and shouldn't be really taken into account, is that almost every friend/family friend who applied for medicine at Oxbridge, applied to Cambridge over Oxford and is currently there now so I'm thinking I could use that to my advantage for tips/advice etc.

On the other hand though, I know that Oxford take GCSE pA* into account a lot, they wouldn't see my AS module scores and if I were to get a good BMAT score then I would have a greater chance here?

Sorry as I know there are lots of posts like this but any advice would be greatly appreciated

I emailed Cambridge and they said they would only look at AS marks so that it is fair when compared to school leavers who don't have A2s/ achieved grades, unfortunately meaning that high A2 UMS wouldn't be able to over-rule my lower AS UMS

I would very very happily go to any other place (that will take me!) but I just prefer their traditional teaching style, and I also love both cities.

I am in the same boat as you.

Got 9A*s at GCSE, 4As at AS, predictions of 4A*s at A2 with a UKCAT of 707, and got 4 rejections. It really is tough.

I am on the waiting list for one of my unis. However I'm planning what I'll do if that doesn't work out. Thinking I'm going to apply to Cambridge as I have a average UMS of 98%.

It depends on which college you apply to, but I wouldn't apply to Cambridge at all if your average AS UMS is less than 90%. To be honest if you achieve 5A*s at A2 they may ignore this however as they consider all applicants on an individual basis, there's no standard way in which they assess applicants. Although a good BMAT would be required, particularly in secton 2 (the science section).

I'd say do a bit of college specific research, then apply to your strengths. Oxford will value your GCSEs more than Cambridge, so take that in to consideration. Definitely work on that BMAT score too.

Was that a specific college admissions or general admissions?
I don't know what the competitiveness like is for Medicine, but surely if your A-Levels come out at A*A*A*A* despite having a few mid 80%s at AS, they'd look at your A2 grades?
I'd really question this further before giving up. Contact a few colleges and ask their opinions - the university is so big, advice may vary.

I was under the impression that Cam would look at your A2 results as a reapplicant as they are a more recent reflection on your academic ability. I agree with hogwartian, check out other colleges b/c AFAIK they look at your A2s instead of AS if you are a reapplicant. I know someone who applied after a gap year and improved his UMS massively, so I definitely wouldnt rule out Cam. But don't limit yourself, and try and find somewhere you genuinely want to live and study for the next five years, instead of an entirely tactical application.

I think your best chance is to really focus on these exams and then see what happens from there.

Good luck hope it goes well!

I am in the same boat as you.

Got 9A*s at GCSE, 4As at AS, predictions of 4A*s at A2 with a UKCAT of 707, and got 4 rejections. It really is tough.

I am on the waiting list for one of my unis. However I'm planning what I'll do if that doesn't work out. Thinking I'm going to apply to Cambridge as I have a average UMS of 98%.

It depends on which college you apply to, but I wouldn't apply to Cambridge at all if your average AS UMS is less than 90%. To be honest if you achieve 5A*s at A2 they may ignore this however as they consider all applicants on an individual basis, there's no standard way in which they assess applicants. Although a good BMAT would be required, particularly in secton 2 (the science section).

I'd say do a bit of college specific research, then apply to your strengths. Oxford will value your GCSEs more than Cambridge, so take that in to consideration. Definitely work on that BMAT score too.

I think like others have said, if you are set on Oxbridge then Oxford is your best bet, due to your high A* ratio
Good luck to you, I am sure an excellent candidate like you has a place somewhere for them in medicine!

I am applying this year for medicine, reading all this is making really nervous, any of you guys got any advice on mistakes I can avoid?

if I were to get a good BMAT score then I would have a greater chance here?

This is the sticking point isn't it?! Even with your pA*, only a bit over half get an interview. It will all come down to the BMAT

Hi sorry to but-in to this thread but I have a few related questions.

For clarification, How do both oxford and cambridge assess your academics for medicine if you apply with your alevel results(A2s) in the bag e.g. you have already got A*AA?

Also do oxford at all consider contextual data when looking ay A* percentage e.g. I go to a state school, 180 in a year that at GCSE got 99% A*-C, but average grades were Bs and so would that counter balance me getting third best results in the year but they were 7a* 4As and a B. 58%A*

The reason I ask all of this is I would have never considered oxbridge due to wanting to medicine and also bit fearful of the prestige and stereotypes. However I have just come back from A residential at cambridge and loved it, totally made me want to apply because of the collegiate system and the tutorials etc and it broke the stereotypes.

But the reason why I am unconfident of doing well for ASs is that I ve done january exams and got 4As but with average of 82% maths 93%bio and 86% chem, which are good but not near the >95% that cam want.

So I have been concidering taking a gap year and applying with A2s in the bag as my bio/chem teachers both think i could definitely get A* if i worked hard so If iwas to get A*A*A-A*AA at A2 and apply would i have a better chance of getting in ?

Sorry for the long essay :P

Thanks in advance.

Hi sorry to but-in to this thread but I have a few related questions.

For clarification, How do both oxford and cambridge assess your academics for medicine if you apply with your alevel results(A2s) in the bag e.g. you have already got A*AA?

Also do oxford at all consider contextual data when looking ay A* percentage e.g. I go to a state school, 180 in a year that at GCSE got 99% A*-C, but average grades were Bs and so would that counter balance me getting third best results in the year but they were 7a* 4As and a B. 58%A*

The reason I ask all of this is I would have never considered oxbridge due to wanting to medicine and also bit fearful of the prestige and stereotypes. However I have just come back from A residential at cambridge and loved it, totally made me want to apply because of the collegiate system and the tutorials etc and it broke the stereotypes.

But the reason why I am unconfident of doing well for ASs is that I ve done january exams and got 4As but with average of 82% maths 93%bio and 86% chem, which are good but not near the >95% that cam want.

So I have been concidering taking a gap year and applying with A2s in the bag as my bio/chem teachers both think i could definitely get A* if i worked hard so If iwas to get A*A*A-A*AA at A2 and apply would i have a better chance of getting in ?

Sorry for the long essay :P

Thanks in advance.

I've come to understand that because Oxford base 50% of getting an interview or not on the BMAT, and they also interview fewer people (33% chance of getting an offer from interview I've heard?) then if you get a good BMAT score then it's kinda 'easier' from then on. Whereas, Cambridge interview so many more, that BMAT counts less.

I emailed Cambridge and they said they would only look at AS marks so that it is fair when compared to school leavers who don't have A2s/ achieved grades, unfortunately meaning that high A2 UMS wouldn't be able to over-rule my lower AS UMS

I would very very happily go to any other place (that will take me!) but I just prefer their traditional teaching style, and I also love both cities.

From what I've heard (may not all be correct):

Oxford treat gap year applicants the same as school leavers, so I wouldn't really say that having achieved A-levels is an advantage. Of course if you do more A* then they probably would take that into account. Cambridge treat gap year applicants the same as well I think, but most school leavers who get offers get more than just A*AA, so they would expect that from you as well. It does get taken into account.

Yes Oxford do look at your GCSEs compared to the average of your year at school, but looking at the statistical data on their website, most people with interviews/offers have > 90% A*s at GCSE. But it doesn't mention anything about contextual data so I'm not really sure on that one.

If you do like Oxbridge then I would say go for it - most important thing is to ace the BMAT and then you'll stand a good chance. I know of someone whose teacher told him it was risky of him to apply to Cambridge because of his GCSEs and A-levels, but then did well in the BMAT and got as far as an interview. Then there was someone else who had good GCSEs and A-levels but completely failed the BMAT and so got rejected straight away.

Have you got any offers this year though? Are you thinking about a gap year just so you can apply to Oxbridge next year? I might re-think that if you have some offers from good places that you would also enjoy going to, but if you really are set on Oxbridge then go for it

I can't give well-sourced answers for most of your questions. What i will say though, is that whilst your schools isn't quite Eton, a 99% 5A*-C rate does makes your schools one of the very best state schools in the country. You are unlikely to get any significant leeway just because of that.


Yeah I know I go to a good school but because of the fact the school has to band us when we apply in year 6, there is a wide range of abilities and so the average grade will be low Bs. But I totally understand what your saying its more because the majority of oxbridge applicants are from independent/grammar schools where my grades would be achieved by the majority of the cohort.


Oxford interviews a smaller proportion of its applicants yes, and hence BMAT scores of successful applicants do tend to be slightly higher. However, both Oxford and Cambridge interview about 3.5 applicants per place still. Its just that Oxford gets a lot more applicants (or more accurately, gets the same number of applicants for half as many places).