Cambridge Medicine Students and Applicants

Hi guys - I am choosing my a-level options at the moment and would like to apply to this medical programme in the future. I have chosen to do Biology, Chemistry and Maths (I have already started AS maths). I would like to take art for my fourth subject but am a bit scared that this would be too non academic. So I was wondering whether you think that physics would be a better choice - or if it were better, I could take both physics and art Thanks

My god you're a bit of a globe trotter aren't you? It is sounds amazing. Anyway unfortunately I've not been invited to interview, I haven't heard anything actually. I am Italian. I read that they will receive the results on Wednesday.


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haha ok thanks why dont we get them too? how was your bmat? i found s1 ok but s2 was harder than most of the past papers... i literally did the choosing c thing

Hi, today I finally received my invitation. How should I prepare for the interview? Any tips? Thank you in advance


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Hello, I also received one- are you as psychotically elated as I am? And I am going to prepare in three main areas: AS and A2 revision (mainly bio and chemistry), brushing up on medical knowledge e.g., NHS, and medical ethics (probably my weakest area). However, Cambridge interviews are different in that for the most part no real 'preparation' can occur: the director of admissions for Cambridge (I think he was from G&C) said around 1/2 of their questions are not designed with a correct answer in mind, so just make sure you are talking aloud and guiding the interviewers through the problem.

Have you had any mock interviews? I had one at Uppingham and it went very well, although I am by no means saying mock interviews are exactly like the real one. I think, however, they are good for practising key questions (e.g., why not nursing?) and for general interview technique/ nerves controlling. I f you haven't had a mock yet, try and arrange one. If you have, respond to any feedback positively. Also, I have an inherent lack of confidence, but I seem to shake this off during interviews so make sure you smile, speak confidently, and grab that place like it just insulted your dog.

Hope that helps, and which college have you applied to?

Hi there, i was just wondering will they ask us medical ethics?? i Heard that the interviews are very academic and will mostly be based on high school scientific knowledge, and i hope so cause medical ethics is such a complex thing... and im glad its one to one, i had a mock interview with three ppl and i just looked at one person at a time, and i feel like i do much better if its only one. how are you preparing for medical ethics though?? any resources to recommedn? have interview in two weeks!!

Haha, my interview is in 12 days! Regarding ethics, I believe it is slightly different for every interview but some interviews may have ethics questions, it's really hard to give a definitive answer. The focus of Cambridge interviews is, as you said, academic. In fact, it is mostly all talking about science (which, I don't know about you, but really excites me!) However, they like to throw in the odd variation e.g., they might ask you a bit on your PS, work experience etc. maybe an ethical problem. The great thing is, you can steer the conversation the way you want it by mentioning what you are interested in/have most knowledge about. So if, like me, you find ethics to be a vast ocean of contradictions and 'Oh no he didn't' traps, just don't mention them!

I will probably prepare for medical ethics by buying a book, seems the best thing to do. There is a veritable buffet of ethics books on Amazon, Im not really sure which is the best, but it is perhaps an idea to look at comments etc. when deciding

Good luck, hope that was helpful and to which college are you applying? Also, I have two interviews- one with two interviewers, and another with three! Did you mention yours is a one-to-one? LUCKY

haha ok greaat!! im really glad its mostly scientific, but im just kinda scared cause i know that my interviewers probably know waaaay more science than me... but i feel like i could go on and on about my work exp too. i totally agree with the ethics being very contradictory in itself and its so hard to support just one side cause teres always a counter argument! thanks and god luck to you too! im applying to gonville and caius you? i have three in total

Yeah ethics is a tricky lil' monster, although of course a prevalent polemique in today's society. I have applied to Peterhouse, I LOVE it, and I don't usually have such affection for collegiate establishments, I have to say. And is that three interviews in total or three interviewers? Good luck to you as well, and the best piece of advice I ever heard was 'go in with positivity, you are there because you are good enough, show them that. Even if you don't get in, it doesn't change who you are'. So true, and this whole process can really milk the negativity from the teats of medical applicants. Wow... that's not a nice image

cool, total three interviews, with a different one each time. Yeah we should be motivated!! how was your bmat? haha weird image... xd

Ooh three interviews, that is interesting. My BMAT was about as close to awful as you can get: 5.7, 4.6, 4A. I trust your BMAT total exceeded my IQ?

The thing is.. That isn't even bad


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Ooh three interviews, that is interesting. My BMAT was about as close to awful as you can get: 5.7, 4.6, 4A. I trust your BMAT total exceeded my IQ?

haha dont think so... mine was 6.2, 4.9, 3A so i got about the same as you i defintely thought that s2 this year was completely different to the other years!! except maybe 2005, which was just as bad if not worse

I completely agree, it was awful. After all the preparation I did, I just panicked when I realised the questions were different and harder than previous years. But it's over now, and also do you know if Cambridge have a 'clean slate' policy regarding interviews, or if everything inc. BMAT is taken into account? I think it is the latter but not sure. And what prep are you doing?

Everything is taken into account when deciding who to give offers to.

Everything is taken into account when deciding who to give offers to.