Medical Schools which Don't Place a Big Emphasis on GCSEs
Hey,
My GCSEs aren't too bad but they're not great. I have heard many people talking as I browse saying to each other 'apply to unis that don't place a great emphasis on GCSEs' but never have I seen a list of these unis, so I thought I would ask in a thread and hopefully see which ones they are. I know they have requirements on their prospectus but they aren't always strictly true
The list:
UCL
BSMS
Southampton
Aberdeen
Peninsula
Hull-York
Barts (UKCAT cut off ~630+)
Manchester
Disclaimer: This list is by no means accurate, it has just been made through the opinions of the people posting on this thread.
My GCSEs aren't too bad but they're not great. I have heard many people talking as I browse saying to each other 'apply to unis that don't place a great emphasis on GCSEs' but never have I seen a list of these unis, so I thought I would ask in a thread and hopefully see which ones they are. I know they have requirements on their prospectus but they aren't always strictly true
The list:
UCL
BSMS
Southampton
Aberdeen
Peninsula
Hull-York
Barts (UKCAT cut off ~630+)
Manchester
Disclaimer: This list is by no means accurate, it has just been made through the opinions of the people posting on this thread.
Scroll to see replies
Reply 2
I'm thinking PMS, HYMS and Barts.
Although for Barts you're gonna have to have a high ukcats. I remember my friends brother saying something about his mate getting in with 2 A's and 5 B's at gcse, but over 700 in Ukcats.
Edit:Also looking on the medicine applicant page, Keele is not a bad choice.
Although for Barts you're gonna have to have a high ukcats. I remember my friends brother saying something about his mate getting in with 2 A's and 5 B's at gcse, but over 700 in Ukcats.
Edit:Also looking on the medicine applicant page, Keele is not a bad choice.
Reply 3
Ucl
Reply 5
Woody.
Troll?
seeing as shiny's a ucl medic.UCL look more at the BMAT (obviously) and the personal statement. I think they're the most "lenient" in terms of grades of the BMAT uni's.
Reply 6
Woody.
Troll?
No, they just don't. If you are going to apply with straight C's then you may have trouble. But a healthy mix of a few A*'s, mostly A's, some B's and a D would allow you to get in.
Isometrix
it would help if you told us what your GCSEs are.
Well I was thinking this could be a generic place for people who were wondering, but my GCSEs were 2A*s, 5As, 6Bs and 1C.
bottfly7
How am I supposed to know? Being one of the top unis I assumed they would, I'd rather look an idiot now and get in, rather than not look an idiot and not get in.
Woody.
How am I supposed to know? Being one of the top unis I assumed they would, I'd rather look an idiot now and get in, rather than not look an idiot and not get in.
I was laughing that you thought ShinyShiny was a troll. But to answer your question: yes, it is perfectly possible to get in with your grades. As long as you have the required predicted grades, a good PS and a good interview, you stand just as much chance as the next.
Reply 12
Woody.
Well I was thinking this could be a generic place for people who were wondering, but my GCSEs were 2A*s, 5As, 6Bs and 1C.
How am I supposed to know? Being one of the top unis I assumed they would, I'd rather look an idiot now and get in, rather than not look an idiot and not get in.
How am I supposed to know? Being one of the top unis I assumed they would, I'd rather look an idiot now and get in, rather than not look an idiot and not get in.
My grades were 3A*, 4A, 2B and 1 D - I got in.
Reply 13
Woody.
Well I was thinking this could be a generic place for people who were wondering, but my GCSEs were 2A*s, 5As, 6Bs and 1C.
How am I supposed to know? Being one of the top unis I assumed they would, I'd rather look an idiot now and get in, rather than not look an idiot and not get in.
How am I supposed to know? Being one of the top unis I assumed they would, I'd rather look an idiot now and get in, rather than not look an idiot and not get in.
my brother got 2A*s, 6As, 1B, 1 C and got offers from Manchester, Liverpool and Lancaster. Leeds rejected him on the basis of them.
Reply 14
Most med schools don't really care too much about GCSEs - so long as you meet the minimum requirements you're fine. What really sets you apart is a high UKCAT/BMAT score, a decent PS and a solid interview performance.
EDIT - I'll give an example; I had 10A*s 2 As at GCSE didn't even get an interview at Imperial and UCL yet I know so many people who didn't do as well at GCSE but totally annihilated me on the BMAT that got in to both unis. GCSEs mean nothing!
EDIT - I'll give an example; I had 10A*s 2 As at GCSE didn't even get an interview at Imperial and UCL yet I know so many people who didn't do as well at GCSE but totally annihilated me on the BMAT that got in to both unis. GCSEs mean nothing!
ShinyShiny
My grades were 3A*, 4A, 2B and 1 D - I got in.
Awesome, thanks for the advice. The only thing holding me back is how strict the 3 year science is and the 2 year clin, but I don't mind that. Also the BMAT but I might just sit that and see what happens, I haven't much to lose.
Reply 16
how about BSMS, my friend got in with only 1 A*
emilyjane_09
my brother got 2A*s, 6As, 1B, 1 C and got offers from Manchester, Liverpool and Lancaster. Leeds rejected him on the basis of them.
Those are the exact same GCSE results that my Biology teacher got (except 2Cs, not 1), and she got into UCL. Although, this was about 10-12 years ago, I think those grades were probably worth more back then, since the % of A/A* grades has sky-rocketed.
Reply 19
Woody.
Not sure that my UKCAT is high enough, 632.5
BSMS don't put much emphasis on the UKCAT. From what they said at the open day, providing it's over 600 it's good. They also say bad GCSEs can be overshadowed by decent AS results (according to an admissions tutor, AABB minimum with an A in biology or chemistry). However, because they're so oversubscribed (17 applicants for 1 place) they can afford to be picky. They rate you out of 30 - out of 15 academically, and out of 15 non-academically. You normally need around 26 for an interview. They place a lot of emphasis on personal qualities. So, if you have at least AABB, and a strong PS with lots of work experience and hobbies, it's a good one to apply to. But remember the applicants to places ratio
. I'm applying there purely because I live about 20 minutes from Brighton and it's such a gorgeous university... I'm not expecting a place or even an interview!Quick Reply
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