BM5 Southampton Medical Applicants 2017 entry

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Reply 140

Neostigmine

Original post by marsbar3007

thajnk you so much

No problem!

Reply 141

Neostigmine

Next Step: Waiting for interviews (Updated slightly)

How do they decide who to interview?
They take the top UKCAT scores and interview those candidates.

Do I stand a chance for an interview? I got XYZ GCSEs and my predicted grades are $%^& and my personal statement......

If you are a school leaver (Under 21, A levels):

Spoiler

If you're a mature non-grad there are 24 interviews so you need to be in the top 24. Same rules apply but with slightly different entry requirements.

If you're a grad there are 48 interviews so you need to be in the top 48. Same rules apply but with slightly different entry requirements.

If you're an overseas applicant there are 72 interviews so you need to be in the top 72. Same rules apply but with slightly different entry requirements.

What were the scores last year?
See below

How many interviews are there?
See below

How many applicants are there?
See below

How many places are there?
See below

School Leavers (A levels)

Spoiler

Graduates applying to the 5 year course

Spoiler

Mature non-graduates

Spoiler

Overseas applicants

Spoiler

What UKCAT will I need to get an interview?
This is not going to be revealed until the end of August so no way to guess.

When will I hear?
This varies year to year, but usually between December and March. You will get 2 weeks notice so your interview will be 2 weeks or more from when you receive your invitation.

How will I hear?
Email most likely so check your junk mail.

When are the interviews?

http://www.southampton.ac.uk/medicine/undergraduate/selection_day_dates.page?

Someone has an interview but I haven't heard yet, what does that mean?
Nothing at all. They decide who is getting one and everyone in that lucky list will get one eventually.

How should I prepare for interview?
Read your personal statement.
Read it.
No seriously, read it.

Read the news starting now. Read BBC News Health section if you don't buy a paper regularly. Check NHS Behind the Headlines to get the real understanding.

THIS is how I prepared and is a good place to start. And then here is what happened at my interview although the structure of interviews have since changed.

Where can I practice?
Your college should offer mock interviews.
I'm also happy to do interviews over skype or IM. Drop me a PM.

What will happen on the day?
You will have 2 interviews. 1 on your own with 2 interviewers and one in a group. These can happen in either order and you'll spend the rest of your time there in your group with some current medical students relaxing and chatting.

Who are the interviewers?
These are lecturers, doctors, teachers, admissions staff. Huge variety.

What is the individual interview?
This is a 20 minute interview based loosely on your personal statement with 2 interviewers. You can be asked a range of questions depending on what you have written. Expect - Why medicine? Why here?

What is the group interview?
This is also 20 minutes but you're also given 5 minutes to prepare. You'll be given a topic for discussion and after having 5 minutes to think about it, you will discuss it as a group in front of 2 interviewers.

What questions will come up?
I've listed 2 almost universal questions above. Otherwise the rest will vary enormously from person to person depending on what they say and what is in the PS. People get asked about the history of medicine, the future of medicine, books they mentioned they read, hobbies, ethics, law. Each interview is totally unique and so there isn't any point in trying to work out what you'll be asked.

Just practice answering anything (use the link to my blog on how I prepared) because that is the best way to a) come across unrehearsed and b) be able to answer complete curve ball questions.

What happens after interviews?
You'll get a letter saying if you have been successful or unsuccessful. If this is going to take a while you may get a "further consideration" letter that says you're still in the running. This may not happen until March/April, even if others hear before you.

How do they choose?
After each task, you will be listed as "suitable" or "not suitable". This is then taken into consideration with the rest of your application before an offer is made.

How many interviews and how many offers?
457 interviews and 290 offers.

How will I get an offer?
This is an update on UCAS Track and then a letter follows.

What is the offer?
The offer is the same for everyone - AAA. It is unlikely that they will be lenient (eg A*A*B will not be accepted).

Is it conditional or unconditional?
Last year a few people got unconditional offers but these are reserved for people with their A levels in hand and proven. Everyone else gets an conditional offer until they get their results or prove old results.
If it is conditional and you send in your certificates, they may not update your status until August Results Day.

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 142

Gap yaaah

Original post by bee264

I got mine the day after but the email was in the spam folder so be sure to check that!

Thanks I found it in the spam lol!

Reply 143

Neostigmine

http://www.southampton.ac.uk/medicine/undergraduate/selection_day_dates.page?

Interview dates ^_^

Reply 144

hannahluntana

How much weight do Southampton put on predicted grades? Due to health complications, my grades for Y12 weren't as good as they could have been, and consequently my predicteds are only AAAA. My personal statement is strong (I think / hope) and so is my reference. I am in the 8th decile for the country for UKCAT, but I'm worried that all my universities will take one look at my predicteds and write me straight off. So, (sorry for rambling) but how much weight do Southampton put on predicteds over other things?

Reply 145

Bright_Gift

Original post by hannahluntana

I think they only look at predicted grades to see if you meet their minimum requirements. Then it's UKCAT ranking time.

Reply 146

Neostigmine

Original post by hannahluntana

Scroll up to my big post and read "do i stand a chance for an interview?".

I've already answered your question x

Reply 147

LightAtTheEnd

Has anyone received a confirmation email yet? I applied a week ago but still haven't received a confirmation email. My mate told me not every university sends a confirmation email but I'm still kinda worried :/

Reply 148

Bright_Gift

Original post by LightAtTheEnd

I received mine the day after i send my application in.
But tbh, as long it says on UCAS track that "the university is considering your application", you should be fine.

Reply 149

Neostigmine

Original post by LightAtTheEnd

Check spam?

Reply 150

LightAtTheEnd

Original post by Neostigmine

Check spam?

Not in spam :frown:

UCAS Track shows they are currently considering my application tho. Do Southampton send a confirmation email to most, if not all, applicants? Do you think I should call them up on Monday just to be sure if they have received my application?

Reply 151

Neostigmine

Original post by LightAtTheEnd

Not in spam :frown:

They were havig trouble with the emails just before the deadline. If you haven't heard anything in a week or so you could drop them a line, but UCAS is pretty reliable in this area!

Reply 152

sanjaikraj93

Original post by LightAtTheEnd

Not in spam :frown:

Have you received a postcard from them, thank you for applying to them?

Reply 153

11...

what are your stats if you don't mind me asking??? GCSEs, AS, Predictions, UKCAT scores SJT, PS work exp, volunteering etc.....

just want to see whether I stand a chance or not????

Reply 154

11...

I heard from a friend that taking a language for A level like French, German is an advantage when applying to medicine. Is that actually true? I do Maths, bio, chem, econ

Reply 155

Wantsnoffer

Original post by sanjaikraj93

Have you received a postcard from them, thank you for applying to them?

Do they send postcards? Have you received one?

Reply 156

agahaga

When do Southampton start giving out interviews?

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 157

Neostigmine

Original post by agahaga

When do Southampton start giving out interviews?

Posted from TSR Mobile

My huge post on the last page answers this question and a million others:

http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4157257&page=8#post68049002

Reply 158

agahaga

Original post by Neostigmine

My huge post on the last page answers this question and a million others:

http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4157257&page=8#post68049002

yh but scroll can u just put a date on it

Reply 159

Neostigmine

Original post by agahaga

yh but scroll can u just put a date on it

No. You want to be a medical student. You're going to need to learn to do your own research. I gave you a link to the post with all the information you need.