I am a first year medic at Cambridge, AMA!

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i thought the OP meant in accordance to the university's rules - to not discuss what goes on during their interview

EDIT: fair enough, but maybe AMA then isn't an appropriate thread title

What I meant was that I will not discuss anything related to my interview or the interview of others. Sorry for the misunderstanding. But I am happy to give some general advice.

Try not to over-prepare for the interview, just make sure you know your biology and chemistry topics that you mentioned in your SAQ. There will be a science-interview, which from my experience, is very similar to supervisions in a way. It's better to show that you can work out the problem and get the answer at the end, rather than knowing the answer straight away. They are not looking for people with eidetic memories, but people who can think.

Reply 21

Ethics Maniac

Original post by WildMeraki

How much chemistry is in the course? With Cambridge being such a traditional course, are there still opportunities for chemistry practicals, mechanisms, yield calculations, etc. within the preclinical years or even as a realistic option in third year?

We have a module called Molecules in Medical Science (MIMS), which is basically biochemistry. Obviously it's not pure chemistry, but chemistry related to medicine. MIMS lectures are like three times a week. We do have MIMS practicals which is like every few weeks, and so far they have covered protein assays, ELIZA test and electrophoresis, some of the basic stuff apparently. You are expected to memorise mechanisms, for example the mechanism of serine proteases, so it's good to have a sound understanding of mechanism to aid your learning. In summary, there is a fair bit of chemistry involved!!

Edit: More chemistry than I expected before starting!

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 22

Anonymous1502

Original post by Ethics Maniac

Despite having loads of lectures to catch up on and essays to write for next week's supervisions, I decided to take a break and go on TSR to answer some of your questions that you might have on the medicine course, or life in general in Cambridge.

I remembered I had no idea on what the Cambridge medicine course was actually like when I was applying last year even though I attended open days and read their prospectus. Hopefully I'll be able to answer a few of your questions here throughout the weekend. I WILL NOT be discussing any interview-related questions though.

What a levels did you do and what grades did you get?

Reply 23

Ethics Maniac

Original post by the bear

do you have your own stethoscope ?

:holmes:

Stethoscope? Haven't seen one of those for a very long time!

Reply 24

Ethics Maniac

Original post by Anonymous1502

What a levels did you do and what grades did you get?

A* in bio,chem,physics and maths.

Reply 25

Jakir

What do you need to get in the BMAT and what kind of thing do you need to prioritise in your personal statement?

Reply 26

the bear

Original post by Ethics Maniac

Stethoscope? Haven't seen one of those for a very long time!

i expect it is all apps these days.

Reply 27

Ethics Maniac

Original post by Reality Check

A little humility may suit you better.

I don't think we have time for humility here :wink:

Reply 28

Ethics Maniac

Original post by the bear

i expect it is all apps these days.

Cambridge has a secret method to listen to patient's respiratory sounds without a stethoscope.

In all seriousness, the reason why I haven't seen one yet it's because the course is extremely science heavy, they haven't taught us any clinical stuff yet, probably not until our fourth year. We have two opportunities for patient contact for the whole year, and it feels like Cambridge is just ticking boxes for the GMC.

Reply 29

the bear

Original post by Ethics Maniac

Mr Trump has had more palpation practice than you :h:

Reply 30

Ethics Maniac

Original post by Jakir

What do you need to get in the BMAT and what kind of thing do you need to prioritise in your personal statement?

Cambridge takes a very holistic approach in assessing applications. I've met people with BMAT in low 5s and 4s, and also people with 8s in their BMAT. Obviously a higher BMAT will favour your application but getting a low score won't mean that you will get rejected straight away.

Your personal statement doesn't have to be catered to Cambridge. My personal statement was normal, lots of work experience stuff etc etc.

Reply 31

Ethics Maniac

Original post by the bear

Mr Trump has had more palpation practice than you :h:

Dr Trump*

Reply 32

Ethics Maniac

Original post by nexttime

How gracious of you.

Why thank you. I read somewhere that you went to Oxford for medicine. I guess that's why you have so much free time for TSR.

Reply 33

04MR17

Volunteer Section Leader

Original post by Ethics Maniac

Who you rather buy an ice cream from, Ant or Dec? Give details. Marks shall be awarded on spelling and grammar. Bonus mark for the inclusion of the word "binoculars".

Reply 34

04MR17

Volunteer Section Leader

Original post by the bear

i expect it is all apps these days.

Original post by the bear

Mr Trump has had more palpation practice than you :h:

PRSOMs all round. :rofl:

Original post by Ethics Maniac

Why thank you. I read somewhere that you went to Oxford for medicine. I guess that's why you have so much free time for TSR.

#banter

Reply 35

nexttime

Original post by Ethics Maniac

Why thank you. I read somewhere that you went to Oxford for medicine. I guess that's why you have so much free time for TSR.

TSR!? I spent most of my first year in the pub.

How is the massive expansion of the clinical school going? Are you worried you won't get the clinical opportunities your predecessors did?

Original post by Ethics Maniac

Dr Trump*

Most gynaecologists revert to Mr in the UK. But he's american so I guess you're right.

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 36

Nottie

Original post by Ethics Maniac

Why thank you. I read somewhere that you went to Oxford for medicine. I guess that's why you have so much free time for TSR.

as you progress through medicine you learn how to study effectively and know that free time is as essential as study time.
But im just a Nottingham medic, I may be wrong, its not top 3 after all.

Reply 37

mcdonaldkylie

what do you do in general during the first year? Is it just lectures and essays?

Reply 38

Whizbox

I'm also a first year medic at Cambridge and have absolutely no idea who the thread starter is so I'm happy to answer any other questions or give an alternative view :smile: