A100 International Students 2022 Entry Thread

I didn’t get any offers last year - Which colleges should I look at which are relatively easier to get in? I realise this is a broad question but which universities would be considered “safety schools”.

Hey people,
I need some help.
I am currently in grade X in India (or year 11 as you say in the UK).
I think I am academically and otherwise a good student if I say so myself.
I got 94.3 percent last year in grade IX, and I've been doing several reputed courses, national competitions, international competitions etcetera. (my portfolio: bhvikm.weebly.com) (I am NOT a good designer for portfolios lol)
I also shall be doing APs soon (which is a requirement along with CBSE for Cambridge)
I can only apply to 4 unis, which I have thought of are- Cambridge, KCL, Edinburgh/QueenMary, Birmingham/Nottingham. So, the help I need is basically to identify if I am 'good enough' for these unis, and if not, how do I get better? Any personal experiences as a med student-international, in the UK. I really, really wish to study medicine, and specifically in the UK. Thanks.

Hey!

Firstly, I checked out your portfolio and might I say it was pretty impressive!!

For most medical schools in the UK, however, your extra curricular activities are far less important than your academic grades (more specifically your Grade X scores, your Grade XII predicteds, and your scores on admissions tests - the UCAT or BMAT).

Cambridge in particular, would care very little about your extra curricular interests - however they would be interested in your supra curricular interests (which could be some research / medicine related activity). They would also care more about your BMAT scores (which need to be very high to gain an offer), and your past academic record. As you know, CBSE is deemed slightly less competitive and thus puts you at a disadvantage here.

KCL would score you on the basis of GCSE results and your UCAT score. Since you don’t have GCSE results but CBSE Grade X qualifications, this might put you at a disadvantage - because it might mean that they will require a higher UCAT score from you in order to be selected for interview. Anecdotally, someone who scored in the 94 percentile, had scored 97% in Grade X and predicted 94% in Grade XII was rejected... For those with no GCSEs, they tend to need a higher UCAT score from you.

I’m not entirely sure of the selection process for the other universities but will get back to you.

but my point being that you being “good enough” will depend on what the university uses in their selection process. Hopefully it’s more evident now that your extra curriculars (while important to mention in PS) will have little bearing in your selection for interview.

also, just to add, you can send off only one LOR (called the reference in the UK) via UCAS. This is often provided by a teacher who knows you well (usually in a relevant subject such as Biology / Chemistry, especially for Cambridge) who can comment on your academic qualities, your personal qualities / extra curriculars and your motivation for Medicine.

Even in your PS, you should focus more on your motivation for medicine and exploration for the same (such as Work Experience), and use your extra curriculars to demonstrate your qualities (leadership, teamwork, etc.).