Should I apply to Oxford for medicine?

Hi,

I am considering applying to Oxford for Medicine, but I am worried about my GCSEs not being good enough. I got 10A*s 2As, and AAAA at AS. I can't apply to Cambridge because my A-Levels subjects are Biology, Chemistry, Spanish and Oxford say on their website that non-science A-Levels are welcomed. But I am scared I won't even get an interview with my GCSEs.

Thank you!
Mia

Reply 1

TheConfusedMedic

You would need to get a solid BMAT because your GCSEs (83% A*s) are below the average shortlisted applicant's (94% A*s).

Reply 2

Plagioclase

Original post by Miapham09

You definitely have got a chance, but you'd need a very good BMAT to turn that into a good chance of getting an interview. Honestly, given that this is Medicine, I can't really recommend it unless you're very confident about your ability in the BMAT (and in securing offers at other places).

Reply 3

nexttime

You could apply.

The above posters are correct that your GCSEs are a bit below average, but based on the above graphs your chances of an offer are about 1 in 9 and 1 in 5 respectively - those numbers are good for medicine. National average is 1 in 11 for all unis.

Obviously it depends on how much you want to go to Oxford and how your chances at other unis are - getting into medicine somewhere is obviously the first priority - but your chances are not unreasonable and you could apply if your want.

Reply 4

Plagioclase

Original post by nexttime

The above posters are correct that your GCSEs are a bit below average, but based on the above graphs your chances of an offer are about 1 in 9 and 1 in 5 respectively - those numbers are good for medicine. National average is 1 in 11 for all unis.

Yes but presumably people applying to Oxford are going to be significantly above-average for people applying for Medicine in general, so one would expect that someone in the OP's position would have a much better chance of getting into a medicine school than 1 in 11?

Reply 5

dairychocolate

If your heart is set on it, I'd apply. I'd play it 'safe' with the rest of my choices, though.

Original post by Plagioclase

I assume he's just giving some context to the numbers.

Reply 6

nexttime

Original post by Plagioclase

To an extent, but medicine is so difficult and a lot of unis are far less transparent than Oxford with how they select. Some attach loads of weight to the PS, the criteria for which are a closely guarded secret, others focus on the interview, which will likely be completely different to Oxford's and no guarantee than the same candidates will do well. Chances of 1 in 7/8 or so for Oxford? Might be worth taking.

My final paragraph sums up the correct position to have regardless.

Reply 7

AfcFob

Ask yourself, would you possibly regret it in the future if you didn't at least try for a place? If the answer is yes, then go and ace your BMAT and apply!! I know you can do it! (Come to the open day on Friday 16th and see what you think, you might not even like it)

Reply 8

HeyaG

What BMAT score would really secure an interview at Oxford/ Cambridge? Is there a cut off for Oxbridge? Also what's the main diff between medicine at oxford and cambridge...I still can't decide :frown:

Please help!

Reply 9

nexttime

Original post by HeyaG

What BMAT score would really secure an interview at Oxford/ Cambridge? Is there a cut off for Oxbridge?

There is no cut off no. BMAT scores for Oxford are in the same link as above.

https://www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/study/medicine/pre-clinical/statistics

Also what's the main diff between medicine at oxford and cambridge...I still can't decide :frown:

Please help!

Differences:

- Cities - I'd suggest visiting both. Oxford's a more active city.
- Accommodation - more available at Cambridge - though most students at both can get accommodation for the first 3 years.
- Size - Oxford med school is half the size. There is only 4-8 medics per year at each college (whereas at cambridge it can be up to 25 or so)
- Transfers - at Oxford some students can go to London after 3 years (essentially any university you choose, although equally, some who may have wanted to stay at Oxford may have to go to London). At Cambridge you're there for all 6.
- 3rd year options are more limited at Oxford - you actually have to do something medical whereas at Cambridge that's not necessarily the case (though to do something truly unrelated is becoming rarer).
- Cambridge has more focus on anatomy, including dissection rather than prosection.
- Oxford gets higher student satisfaction

Reply 10

HeyaG

Original post by nexttime

There is no cut off no. BMAT scores for Oxford are in the same link as above.

https://www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/study/medicine/pre-clinical/statistics

Differences:

- Cities - I'd suggest visiting both. Oxford's a more active city.
- Accommodation - more available at Cambridge - though most students at both can get accommodation for the first 3 years.
- Size - Oxford med school is half the size. There is only 4-8 medics per year at each college (whereas at cambridge it can be up to 25 or so)
- Transfers - at Oxford some students can go to London after 3 years (essentially any university you choose, although equally, some who may have wanted to stay at Oxford may have to go to London). At Cambridge you're there for all 6.
- 3rd year options are more limited at Oxford - you actually have to do something medical whereas at Cambridge that's not necessarily the case (though to do something truly unrelated is becoming rarer).
- Cambridge has more focus on anatomy, including dissection rather than prosection.
- Oxford gets higher student satisfaction

OMG thank you so so much! This has definitely helped me decide more firmly now... I feel like I will go to Cambridge hahaha despite my good GCSEs.Will my only AS UMS mark - 94UMS average in Maths disadvantage me if I plan to study at Cambridge?

Reply 11

nexttime

Original post by HeyaG

.Will my only AS UMS mark - 94UMS average in Maths disadvantage me if I plan to study at Cambridge?

Reply 12

MiracleLeaf

You could apply and get a place, definitely! Just get a really great personal statement and try to do really well in all of your entrance exams, and you'll be in :smile:

Reply 13

HeyaG

Original post by MiracleLeaf

You could apply and get a place, definitely! Just get a really great personal statement and try to do really well in all of your entrance exams, and you'll be in :smile:

Hahah thanks.. i didn't do great in UKCAT but I am throughly focussing on BMAT, in the hope of acing it. Thanks anyway!