*CLOSED* - The &quot;Which Medical School Should I Apply To?&quot; Uberthread [part 4 of 5]

OP

Original post by Someonetohelp

Hey I was interested in applying to Liverpool but am unsure about my GCSE situation.

"GCSEs attained by the end of Year 11 which must include English Language, Mathematic, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics (or Core & Additional Science) at minimum grade B/6.
A minimum score of 15 points from the best 9 GCSEs or equivalents (where A*/A/7/8/9 = 2 points; B/6 = 1 points). BTEC (Non-Science) Level 2 and OCR awards (Distinction*/Distinction = 2 points) BTEC (Non-Science) Level 2 and OCR awards (Merit = 1 point).
Two points is the maximum score awarded in each subject area (e.g. only one of Maths and Further Maths)."

I have 5 x 9's (Bio,Chem,Phys,Eng lit + lang)
8-Maths + A in Further Maths
7-Geography and 6 in history.
While I have 9 GCSE's but would end up with a score of 13 should I contact them as my high school would not let most do more than 8 GCSE's with Further maths being only given to some.
2690 UCAT band 3 , 3A* achieved in bio, chem and eng lit.

Am I missing something? You have 15 from your 8 GCSEs, without FM?

Reply 63

OP

Original post by NapCake

Dear lovely helpers here. It would mean a great deal to me if you could advise on unis to apply to. I am reapplying and don’t really have any preference for where to go. Applied last year to Cardiff but unfortunately waitlisted.

GCSEs
Maths - 9
Eng Lang - 9
Eng Lit - 9
Bio - A*
Chem - A*
Phys - A*
(Further Maths, Span, Comp, ) - A*
(Hist, Cit, Bus) - A

Alevels achieved (2019)
Bio - A
Chem - A
Maths - A
EPQ - A*

UKCAT
VR - 580
DM - 690
QR - 760
AR - 830
2860
SJ - B1

I don’t have any contextual / WP flags

WE includes: hospital shadowing, 1 year volunteering in care home, various online WE courses, hospital volunteering.

I have some info from just flicking through various threads here. Safe options I believe would be Liverpool, Cardiff (27/27 & “If personal statement is appropriate”), HYMS, UEA, Manchester, St. George’s, Leicester (Although I took Alevels in 2019 so don’t believe I qualify for the fast-track interview due to their 2 years leaving school policy)

Bristol and Newcastle would not be the safest I presume based on their cutoffs?

I would be grateful if you could share your knowledge on
-Sheffield
-Birmingham (I don’t have any contextual / WP flags) (I believe I score 4.5 in the academics section and 3.111 in the UKCAT totalling to 7.611)
-Nottingham (I think I score 32 GCSEs, 42 UCAT, 60 SJ)
-Lincoln (Similar scoring to Nottingham right?).

Please reply whenever you have the time.

My greatest thanks :biggrin:

Bristol cut off last year 2830, Newcastle 2820, so depends if you think things will go up? My gut feeling is that you would probably be OK
Sheffield cut off 2740
Birmingham will be fine at your score, I think, as would Nottingham or Lincoln (you have that valuable B1).

Your other uni choices are fine, though Cardiff are somewhat subjective, but you made it through last year!

Reply 64

OP

Original post by GamingJoey

Hi, I am hoping I can apply to the unis I want to

GCSE :

English literature - 8
English language - 8
Chemistry - 9
Biology - 9
Maths - 9
Further maths - 8
Physics - 8
Geography - 8
Religious studies - 8
French - 6
Computer science - 7

A levels (Predicted) :

Maths - A
Biology - A*
Chemistry - A*

UCAT Score :

VR - 760
DM - 810
QR - 730
AR - 750
Total - 3050 SJT - Band 2

Work experience :

- Observe GP online work experience
- BSMS Virtual Work experience
- One-year volunteering at a charity shop before Covid
- Two days shadowing a consultant colo-rectal surgeon at the hospital

I am in Polar Quintile 1 but I am not in a contextual school so I don't know how much that matters for most Unis. However, Newcastle will give me a contextual offer I think.

I am hoping to apply to KCL, Manchester, Leicester, Newcastle. My personal statement however may not be the best so is there any medicals schools that don't care too much about it that I am missing?

Your choices look fine.
Sorry if I have already said this, but I have lost the plot today!

Reply 65

OP

Original post by Examhelpp

hi,

GCSEs
English language - 9
English literature- 9
Maths -9
chemistry- 9
physics - 9
biology - 9
history - 9
spanish - 9
RE - 8

A levels (predicted)
Chemistry - A
Biology - A
Maths - A

UCAT Score
VR - 570
DM - 690
AR - 690
QR - 730
Total - 2680
Band 2

Work experience
- medic mentor programme
- Observe Gp online work experience
- bsms virtual work experience
- (going to shadow a a doctor for 5 days..)

- volunteering at vaccine clinic
- volunteer at charity shop (6 months)

Contextual
- polar quintile area 1
- contextual school

i was thinking manchester (perhaps with WP+), Birmingham (as i have all contexual and gcse points), Leicester and Liverpool? Do u think these are all a bit too competitive for me to get an interview and are there any other med schools that i have a better chance at?

appreciate any help :smile:

If you meet WP+ criteria, than Manchester should be OK, may be risky if not WP
If you have full contextual marks, Birmingham would interview you, but they are using SJT for 25% of interview scoring so you would be 8% down before your start.
Leicester score 58.5, cut off 57 last year, should be OK, even with grade inflation
Liverpool should be fine

You can look at ARU, Aston, possibly SGUL (cut off 2620 last year, may go up), HYMS (especially if you have contextual points), you are exactly on Southampton's cut off for last year, Edge Hill
Plymouth used an A* prediction to cut down numbers last year, but would be an option if they confirmed they were not doing that again.
If you meet criteria, St Andrews augment UCAT score by 10% for WP applicants

Reply 66

ab_03

3

Hi,
I have posted previously and received an answer. Thank you. I'm finding it difficult to narrow down my choices and as requested my stats are re- posted below.

GCSE: RS, French and Spanish 9, English Language and Lit., Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, History all 8.

Predicted A levels: Psychology A*, Chemistry A and Biology A. EPQ?

UCAT
UCAT: Total 2870 and SJT 2
VR 740
DM 770
QR 740
AR 620

Work experience:
2 weeks in a GP practice
1 week in an Optometry practice
6 months volunteer work in a charity shop
Online medical experience day.
DOfE silver

No contextual/wp flags and I am a home applicant.

My two firm choices are Leicester and Aston. I'm considering Manchester and Liverpool but I really like Sheffield but am concerned that it may be risky with my B2. Does losing 1 point due to my B2 make a big difference? I'd be grateful for other suggestions that I could research. Thank you.

Reply 67

NapCake

8

Original post by GANFYD

Bristol cut off last year 2830, Newcastle 2820, so depends if you think things will go up? My gut feeling is that you would probably be OK
Sheffield cut off 2740
Birmingham will be fine at your score, I think, as would Nottingham or Lincoln (you have that valuable B1).

Your other uni choices are fine, though Cardiff are somewhat subjective, but you made it through last year!

Aw thank you GANFYD :u:

Reply 68

barksdale_

7

UKCAT: 2590 (higher this year thank god)

GCSE:
A*A
A*
A
A
A
A
B
C

A-LEVELS (ACHIEVED, taking a gap year at the moment) : A*AA

I don't know what to write down for my two other choices. I need a some hand here.

At the moment, I can get automatic interviews from Queen's Belfast and Leicester. Should I write down Leicester? Will the interview be harder because it's ranking is higher?

Information on med schools are barebones and you have to look EVERYWHERE for a tiny bit of information. They want us to blindly apply. Online open day chat for a UK med school (this happened, dont want to say their name)

"should I apply to ******* while I have low ucat?"

moderator: "you can never go in if you never apply. go for it" Like what? We have 4 choices and they're all hard to get in. Very irresponsible answer I think.

Reply 69

TCL

Original post by ey2244

Hi, thank you for your advice! Unfortunately I don’t think I meet any of the contextual criteria for most unis as I went to a private school. With this in mind, I’m thinking Sheffield, Liverpool, Birmingham, and I’m not sure about a 4th option. Thoughts??

Newcastle don't care about school type. If you are in the right postcode you qualify for Partners (BBB offer). Check it, only takes a minute. https://www.ncl.ac.uk/partners/how-to-apply/eligibility/check-your-postcode/

Reply 70

OP

Original post by ax_lx

hiya!
i am a reapplicant to medicine and im on a gap year and would just like some advice on where to apply for 2022 entry :smile:

my gcse's are the following :
6 9's - Bio,Chem,History, Georgraphy, Religious Studies and English Literature.
2 7's - English Language & Maths
2 6's - Physics and Spanish.

my a- levels are :
Biology - A
Psychology - A
Chemistry - B( CAG 2020) A (after resist in 2021 as I did the autumn exam in 2020 which counts as a first sit and got a B in it.)

UCAT is as follows
Total Score - 2420
VR- 640
DM -620
QR - 620
AR - 540
SJT - Band 1 ☺

I have also have tons of volunteering too much to write down

You need to check carefully with Leicester if your summer CAG resit will meet their achieved grades interview guarantee or not, as it looks likely it may not. If it does, they are a good idea
You also score well for Lincoln (coveted B1!) at 126, which should interview.
HYMS would be an option if you have contextual points, ut be a bit risky if not
Keele and Sunderland are good options if your volunteering fits their R&R form
Also check if Cardiff would be happy wiht your CAGs resit adn would add the AAA to your GCSEs, as if so, you have full academic points there, but htey have had more aplicants wiht this score than niterview places in recent year, so will use PS and UCAT as a tiebreaker

If not, 2420 may struggle a bit this year, I'm afraid.
You can look at Liverpool, ARU, UEA, Aston, Plymouth (but used an A* to cut number last year, so check if planning that again) but I suspect they may have cut offs above your UCAT score

Reply 71

stmarys

Original post by GANFYD

If you meet WP+ criteria, than Manchester should be OK, may be risky if not WP
If you have full contextual marks, Birmingham would interview you, but they are using SJT for 25% of interview scoring so you would be 8% down before your start.
Leicester score 58.5, cut off 57 last year, should be OK, even with grade inflation
Liverpool should be fine

You can look at ARU, Aston, possibly SGUL (cut off 2620 last year, may go up), HYMS (especially if you have contextual points), you are exactly on Southampton's cut off for last year, Edge Hill
Plymouth used an A* prediction to cut down numbers last year, but would be an option if they confirmed they were not doing that again.
If you meet criteria, St Andrews augment UCAT score by 10% for WP applicants

Do u think liverpool will be fine even though they've changed their system this year? And for the new castle Partners programme do i need to meet the ucat threshold first? thank youu

Reply 72

OP

Original post by Examhelpp

Do u think liverpool will be fine even though they've changed their system this year? And for the new castle Partners programme do i need to meet the ucat threshold first? thank youu

Liverpool are using UCAT if you meet GCSE minimum requirements, adn I would be surprised if their cut off exceeds your score, but crazier things have happened!
You apply for Partners at Newcastle and then have to reach the Partners UCAT cut off, which is usually lower than the standard one and was 2720 last year

Reply 73

OP

Original post by sara.m12

Hi @GANFYD could you please let me which med skl(outside of London) I would have a chance of getting into with my grades? I’m a reapplicant and doing the biology autumn exam(which is not considered a retake)

A levels:
Biology - A* (predicted)
Chemistry - A
Geography - A

GCSEs:
9 - chemistry
8 - biology
8 - English language
8 English literature
8 - Maths
7 -- Physics
7 - Statistics
7 - Geography
7 - Business studies
7 - Arabic
UCAT: 2530(632)
Band 2
work experience: GP placement, online work experience, 5yrs volunteering care home and will be working as a covid vaccinator in October.

Any help would be much appreciated!

Have a look at ARU, Aston, Liverpool, Edge Hill, Plymouth
Keele and Sunderland may be an option if you can make your volunteering fit their R&R form

Reply 74

stmarys

Original post by GANFYD

Liverpool are using UCAT if you meet GCSE minimum requirements, adn I would be surprised if their cut off exceeds your score, but crazier things have happened!
You apply for Partners at Newcastle and then have to reach the Partners UCAT cut off, which is usually lower than the standard one and was 2720 last year

sorry so was the partners cut off 2720 or lower than that?

Reply 75

OP

Original post by sara.m12

Hi @GANFYD could you please let me which med skl(outside of London) I would have a chance of getting into with my grades? I’m a reapplicant and doing the biology autumn exam(which is not considered a retake)

A levels:
Biology - A* (predicted)
Chemistry - A
Geography - A

GCSEs:
9 - chemistry
8 - biology
8 - English language
8 English literature
8 - Maths
7 -- Physics
7 - Statistics
7 - Geography
7 - Business studies
7 - Arabic
UCAT: 2530(632)
Band 2
work experience: GP placement, online work experience, 5yrs volunteering care home and will be working as a covid vaccinator in October.

Any help would be much appreciated!

Have a look at ARU, Aston, Liverpool, Edge Hill, Plymouth, HYMS

Keele and Sunderland may be an option if you can make your volunteering fit their R&R form

Reply 76

OP

Original post by Examhelpp

sorry so was the partners cut off 2720 or lower than that?

It was 2720? Standard cut off was 2820

Reply 77

stmarys

Original post by GANFYD

It was 2720? Standard cut off was 2820

ah thank you! does the 8% lower start put me at a rlly big disadvantage for bham?

Reply 78

sara.m12

16

Original post by GANFYD

Have a look at ARU, Aston, Liverpool, Edge Hill, Plymouth, HYMS

Keele and Sunderland may be an option if you can make your volunteering fit their R&R form

Thank u

do these unis treat re-applicants equally to first year applicants?

Reply 79

fridacatlo