A101 GEM University of Cambridge 2021 Entry

A whole year early! Welcome to the thread :smile:

This thread is for those applicants who will be applying for graduate entry medicine at Cambridge next year for 2021 entry.

Reply 1

laila_a1

12

I want to apply for graduate entry medicine at Cambridge. I am currently studying biomedical sciences (St Georges). I am in my second year and on route for a first.
My A-Level grades are BBC, biology, maths and chemistry respectively.
Extracurriculars at university: Football team, Treasurer, Co-president and Volunteering officer of different societies.
Volunteering: Children and homeless people.
Work experience: Paediatrics (only 2 days)
I have had a job for the last two years whilst at university, so haven't got much volunteering/work experience. But I hope to gain some this summer.

I have always wanted to study at Cambridge but did not work hard enough at A-levels, and I feel this will be my downfall.
What else can I do to show that I am a great candidate for this course?

Reply 2

username4218074

18

'Entry requirements
The Graduate Course in Medicine (A101) is open to UK/EU applicants with:

a good Honours degree (2.1 or above) in any discipline
passes at A Level (or equivalent) – see course requirements below, most successful applicants typically have at least AAA at A Level or equivalent'

'Applicants must have A Level Chemistry (normally passed at grade A or above within seven years of entry)'

https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/medicine-graduate-course

You need Cs in GCSE maths and english. https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/sites/www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/files/publications/graduate_course_in_medicine_application_form_2020.pdf

Reply 3

Rilakkuma

5

Hi everyone, I'm looking to apply to Cambridge for GEM 2021.
I am currently a Mathematics student at Lancaster University with a predicted First.
My academic profile is 10A*s at GCSE and AAAA at A-Level in Chemistry, Mathematics, Further Mathematics and German.
I am currently sorting out my work experience so I am not worried about that, but do you think my academics give me any chance of getting a place? I am aware my A-Levels are somewhat inadequate for Medicine. :smile:

Thanks!

Reply 4

Jflood3007

1

Hi

Just wondering if anyone can tell me if cambridge requires the practical endorsements for a level? This is for entry to the grad med course.

Thanks

Reply 5

Psych2GradMed21

7

Original post by Jflood3007

Hi

Just wondering if anyone can tell me if cambridge requires the practical endorsements for a level? This is for entry to the grad med course.

Thanks

I would email them, also want to know I’m considering applying but I only have an a level in chemistry and an as level in biology (B) so I’m not sure if it’s worth applying if I haven’t got two science a levels

Reply 6

Keels25

16

Original post by laila_a1

I want to apply for graduate entry medicine at Cambridge. I am currently studying biomedical sciences (St Georges). I am in my second year and on route for a first.
My A-Level grades are BBC, biology, maths and chemistry respectively.
Extracurriculars at university: Football team, Treasurer, Co-president and Volunteering officer of different societies.
Volunteering: Children and homeless people.
Work experience: Paediatrics (only 2 days)
I have had a job for the last two years whilst at university, so haven't got much volunteering/work experience. But I hope to gain some this summer.

I have always wanted to study at Cambridge but did not work hard enough at A-levels, and I feel this will be my downfall.
What else can I do to show that I am a great candidate for this course?

Have you considered applying to Oxford GEM? They don’t have any A level requirements so long as you’ve shown solid academic ability since then.

Reply 7

MissOxbridge

OP

9

Hey guys! So we have barely a month left till we start applying! How are you doing? Feeling nervous? Share it all in this thread :smile:

Reply 8

MissOxbridge

OP

9

Also, which college are you guys interested in?

Reply 9

username3005292

12

Is it worth applying if I meet all the requirements but my A Levels were ABC (Chemistry was C). I’m predicted a 1st in my degree but I feel like that C is going to haunt me. Cambridge say ‘normally’ successful applicants have AAA so does that mean I wouldn’t be rejected outright?

Reply 10

549

14

Original post by raem.jpg

Is it worth applying if I meet all the requirements but my A Levels were ABC (Chemistry was C). I’m predicted a 1st in my degree but I feel like that C is going to haunt me. Cambridge say ‘normally’ successful applicants have AAA so does that mean I wouldn’t be rejected outright?

Here are some FOI statistics for Cambridge GEM within the last few years which might help you decide:
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/500908/response/1212322/attach/2/FOI%202018%20459%20Jarvis%20response%20letter%20and%20data.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/395424/response/965055/attach/2/FOI%202017%20149%20Hama%20response%20letter%20and%20data.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1 (scroll to page 23 for A-levels)

Here is also an interactive graph generator from Cambridge University, select a year, course (Medicine Graduate Entry) which shows you applications vs offers ratios:
https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/statistics

Reply 11

mm_ocean

7

Original post by asclepeion

Here are some FOI statistics for Cambridge GEM within the last few years which might help you decide:
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/500908/response/1212322/attach/2/FOI%202018%20459%20Jarvis%20response%20letter%20and%20data.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/395424/response/965055/attach/2/FOI%202017%20149%20Hama%20response%20letter%20and%20data.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1 (scroll to page 23 for A-levels)

Here is also an interactive graph generator from Cambridge University, select a year, course (Medicine Graduate Entry) which shows you applications vs offers ratios:
https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/statistics

This is very helpful. Thanks for sharing. xx

Reply 12

mm_ocean

7

Does anybody know if Cambridge scores the personal statement or not?

Reply 13

549

14

Original post by mm_ocean

Does anybody know if Cambridge scores the personal statement or not?

Personal statement is reviewed prior to interview but not scored.
https://www.medschools.ac.uk/media/2701/msc-entry-requirements-for-uk-medical-schools-2021.pdf (page 53)

Reply 14

mm_ocean

7

Original post by asclepeion

Personal statement is reviewed prior to interview but not scored.
https://www.medschools.ac.uk/media/2701/msc-entry-requirements-for-uk-medical-schools-2021.pdf (page 53)

Thanks a lot :smile:

Reply 15

Calcification

9

Does anyone know if the 7 year rule is for everyone? I did PhD and have worked for several years. So the a level is years back.....

Reply 16

MissOxbridge

OP

9

Original post by Calcification

Does anyone know if the 7 year rule is for everyone? I did PhD and have worked for several years. So the a level is years back.....

It says on the Cambridge website:

“Applicants must have A Level Chemistry (normally passed at grade A or above within seven years of entry) and one of Biology, Physics, Mathematics (at A or AS Level).”

So if it’s beyond 7 years, I guess one has to sit for the chemistry A Level exam...?

Reply 17

Calcification

9

Original post by MissOxbridge

It says on the Cambridge website:

“Applicants must have A Level Chemistry (normally passed at grade A or above within seven years of entry) and one of Biology, Physics, Mathematics (at A or AS Level).”

So if it’s beyond 7 years, I guess one has to sit for the chemistry A Level exam...?

Thanks. Cambridge told me I don't need to worry about the 7 yr rule but have to sit chemistry A as my previous education was international. They probably think it was not comparable to UK A level. Anyway, my understanding is that I can still apply this year and sit chemistry A level later.