Official Cambridge Applicants Thread 2016 Entry

Haha no definitely not, I'm applying with Maths, FM, Bio, Chem and Econ, there's a lot of people with weird and wonderful combinations so long as there's Maths/Physics, Bio and Chem you'll be fine.

Yeh definitely! Exactly the same I worry that what I have isn't enough/isn't what I should be doing etc . So far, I've done two work experience placements in Nuclear Medicine and Cardiology for a week each, then in the summer, I've hopefully got a GP placement and a trauma A and E replacement (not finalised yet though). Volunteering, I've currently done it in a dementia care home for a few months as doing this thing called 'Vitalise' over the summer where you can care for disabled people at a holiday care home (so help them to go fishing, go on walks, that sort of thing ). Extracurriculars though... that's where I don't really have enough cause I have no idea what's relevant or not. I'm on the charities committee at school + have done some fundraisers but don't think that's helpful .

What about you with work experience/volunteering/extra-curriculars? Also, have you started to buy UKCAT/BMAT books yet? And which other unis are you considering?

There is indeed! It's a shame it doesn't specify which applicants were made offers though

Hmm. Well, thanks for bringing that to my attention, I've never really thought about it before so I'll have to look it a bit more

Aha, same here! I'm unusually relaxed about my A-Levels- maybe because it's because we know we're fully prepared?



Oh good, that's made me feel a lot better xD I was thinking everybody was going to be applying with biology, chemistry, physics, maths AND further maths, which is why I was more than a bit stressed about the fact that I'd dropped it xD
Nice to meet another medic! What sort of things have you done in terms of work experience/volunteering/extracurriculars? I'm always worried that I haven't done enough

And who knew they kept a note of your Extended Project title, Duke Of Edinburgh achievements, music distinctions, etc, etc...

Wow, you've done loads! You're definitely a strong applicant xD the vitalise thing sounds pretty good

In terms of work experience, I've not got a lot. I have a week up in Manchester general hospital, a couple of days in John Radcliffe hospital, about a week in sobell house hospice shadowing a doctor. This summer, I have a week in Manchester uni in their biochem/Chem lab and then another week in John Radcliffe hospital.
Volunteering- I volunteer at a care home once a week, I run a children's liturgy group at my church, I volunteer with a 19 year old disabled boy, just helping him to improve his reading and comprehension skills. I also mentor a child in year 7, although I'm stopping soon and I volunteer with my church's charity regularly- most recently we made lunch to raise money for suffering Dominican sisters in Iraq. I'm involved with two student-run volunteering organisations, the first of which I was a co-founder. Volunteer with them on a fairly regular basis too. I do a fair amount of charity work, raised money for great ormonds street etc etc cba to type any more Starting some more volunteering stuff this summer, volunteering in a school for disabled children, helping them swim and I'm volunteering in the John Radcliffe too.
Extracurriculars- I'm kinda lacking there, I feel. I play netball competitively. I used to swim, but I stopped because of GCSEs. I do a lot of stage management and technical work for theatrical productions. Problem is, I don't really know what counts as an extra-curricular do we mention Olympiads or not on our personal statement?

Yeah, bought my UKCAT/BMAT books a while ago, but I haven't used them yet. I also got this small book about medical ethics- apparently it's good?
How about you?
As for unis, Bristol, Kings, Durham and maybe Imperial are looking quite good right now you?

Just because it's noted doesn't mean it's important. Probably acts as cue for potential interview questions.

As noted - the big problem with that data is it doesn't show the outcome - i.e. did they get an Offer. I very much doubt there's a causality between DoE (etc) and Offers. (correlation =/= causality )

I will make sure to write my EPQ title on my PS so that I will get asked lol. I am more likely to know what I am talking about if I have done a project on something rather than some light reading!

What is your EPQ on?

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Another medic! Yaay! Dw you're not the only one that hasn't taken FM i was getting worries as well but I don't think it would really matter if our other grades are good. The way i see it, i would rather get amazing grades in 4 subjects than do FM and not do as well What work experience/volunteering have you done so far?Edit: Just realised you have already said what you have done for work experience... my bad

Well now I'm just feeling waaayyyy outclassed!

All this talk makes me glad that I didn't choose medicine as degree

This may be because of a lack of sleep but I actually feel hopeless about everything

This may be because of a lack of sleep but I actually feel hopeless about everything

This may be because of a lack of sleep but I actually feel hopeless about everything