Edinburgh Medical school Applicants 2014

I live in London and decided that if I'm going to move out of London for Uni, I might as well go really far. Plus I've heard amazing things about the Edinburgh medical school and the city in general.

I've just done my UKCAT and got a 725 average with Band 1 STJ. Considering your other comments, I think this is a good (?) score and likely to be awarded one of the higher points available for that section.
I have 11A* and 1A at GCSE with AAAA at AS and 4A* predicted and I'm also doing the EPQ.

Do things like Gold in the British Biology Olympiad count toward academic if I put them in my PS?

In terms of non-academic, I play rugby for the school, I volunteer as a scout leader, Distinction in Grade 8 public speaking, Grade 6 piano and I'm also a peer mentor at school if that counts.
I've had 3 weeks total in a hospital 1 week shadowing consultants, 1 week shadowing nurses and other members of staff and 1 week in a clinical trial ward and its respective lab)
1 year volunteering at an elderly care centre, 6 months at a charity with disabled children.

Hopefully this looks alright if I manage to my tweak my PS to my liking.

Well you've got a virtually perfect profile so you obviously have a great chance! (as I'm sure you know ) Your UKCAT will land you in one of the top two quartiles, probably the top. I can only advise that you use your ps to reflect on all those non-academics - don't just turn it into a list, and make sure you can effectively portray your insight into medicine and what a medical career would entail. Link your rugby and scout leading to team work and leadership etc.; but you've probably already done that

Thank you!

My other issue is about transport. Dooes anyone know current Edinburgh students that come from London and what is the best way to get home for Holidays and occasions?

Ha, not true at all. The only extra-curricular stuff I mentioned on my PS was some charity/project-leading stuff, prefecty stuff, and the fact that I play sports (not even captain!) and video games. Edinburgh still rated my PS as excellent, and hey, even if you're not very confident in your PS - be comforted by the fact that its weighting has been dramatically decreased this year.



I'd say you're fine on the extra-curric and W/E front. And don't worry, your re-review is still on my 'to-do' list; I was actually planning on doing it tomorrow! So a nice coincidence there.

Definitely go for the re-mark, the 4th A at AS would help a bit.. And good luck on your UKCAT!

Thanks! Do you have any idea if Edinburgh has any preference to doing 4 A levels, or picking up extra AS, as opposed to just doing 3?

What does Edinburgh count as good extra curriculars? I play sport to county level, play the flute to a high grade, 2 bands in and out of school, piano, that kind of stuff.

I've heard that they only consider ECs as really good if you're an Olympic Swimmer or something?

Just saw the new weightings and I'm hoping that they benefit me (although from what I've seen in this thread my stats are anything but special )

My main query is that I only did 3 AS exams as my other subject is a Pre-U (the exams are all taken at the end of A2!) I got 3 A's at AS and I'm predicted D1 in History (my 4th) which is equivalent to above an A* apparently!!

Would the fact I only have 3AS hold me back or do you reckon they'd just use my history prediction as my 4th AS (calling it an A rather than A*?) I just realised this could be an issue in what is otherwise looking pretty promising!! Thanks

If you're taking 3 A2s and an AS level, or 4 A2s this year - it doesn't matter that your 4th subject in lower sixth was a pre-U. Even if it did matter, the university accept pre-Us as a qualification, so it'd be fine anyway.

Anyone else going to the open day on monday?? I can't wait!! It's going to take forever to get there but I bet it'll be worth it :L

What does Edinburgh count as good extra curriculars? I play sport to county level, play the flute to a high grade, 2 bands in and out of school, piano, that kind of stuff.

I've heard that they only consider ECs as really good if you're an Olympic Swimmer or something?

Edinburgh's non academic score is scored out of 9 by 2 selectors using the following guidelines:

PERSONAL QUALITIES
 suitability for medical practice
 interpersonal relationships & skills
 verbal and written communication skills

CAREER EXPLORATION
 application informed or naïve?
 understanding of the nature of medical education & practice through reading & discussion
 experience of working with diseased, disadvantaged or disabled people through work experience prior
to application

NON-ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
 broad range of interests and achievements for example in music, arts or sports
 achievements at local, national or international level
 evidence of leadership abilities & organisational skills & evidence of social responsibility.

Basically, there are 3 points for each category and within each category there are three boxes to tick. In terms of non-academic achievements, I would say you definitely show a 'broad range of interests and achievements for example in music, arts or sports' and 'achievements at local, national or international level ' and possibly organisational skills. However, also try to include stuff in your PS that demonstrates leadership and social responsibility. Voluntary work could be good for this.

Anyone else going to the open day on monday?? I can't wait!! It's going to take forever to get there but I bet it'll be worth it :L

I wish I could come...

how come you can't??

I live too far away (outside the UK)...

Ah :/ I live 7-8 hours away by car but still in uk!!! where are you from??