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Undergrad Medicine 2018 Entry Discussion

Thought I'd put together a general discussion board for students wanting to apply for 2018 entry to Medicine. A good place to chat generally about different medical schools, entrance requirements, UKCAT/BMAT etc.

I'm looking to apply to Oxford, Cardiff, Kings and Barts, and have 10 A* and 1 B GCSEs. I'm in my second year of A-levels, but will not be applying until 2018 entry as I am studying at a specialist college for the visually impaired, so my A-Level courses are laid out a little differently. I'm studying A-level Maths, Chem, Bio and Psych.

Welcome!

Tiri

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Original post by tizzaclaire98
Thought I'd put together a general discussion board for students wanting to apply for 2018 entry to Medicine. A good place to chat generally about different medical schools, entrance requirements, UKCAT/BMAT etc.

I'm looking to apply to Oxford, Cardiff, Kings and Barts, and have 10 A* and 1 B GCSEs. I'm in my second year of A-levels, but will not be applying until 2018 entry as I am studying at a specialist college for the visually impaired, so my A-Level courses are laid out a little differently. I'm studying A-level Maths, Chem, Bio and Psych.

Welcome!

Tiri


Providing your BMAT and UKCAT are good the world is your oyster here!
Hey!
I got 7A*s, 3As and I passed my additional maths exam.
Currently in Year 12 studying AS Levels - Bio, chem, maths and french.
Volunteer at a Primary school and a care home, spent 3 years volunteering at the stables. Currently organising some work experience in the neonatal department at a hospital, and at my local GP.
Prospective university applications to: York (Hull York medschool), Glasgow, Edinburgh, Exeter, UCL or possibly Cambridge.

I'm so glad that this thread has been started!! Really want to know more about other people applying to med school!
Reply 3
Hi all I need some advice. Just started year 12 after achieving poor GCSEs for medicine. I was wondering what advice anybody has about how to apply or if I should bother applying at all. Please only honest advice. Thank you.

My grades were: 2A (Maths, Eng Lang)
6B (Bio, Chem, Phy, RE, Eng Lit, History)
1D (French)

Applied for Work Experience to a hospital, GP, and a care home.

I was thinking about maybe taking a gap year and applying in 2019 if I managed to achieve at least AAA at alevel in Bio, Chem and Maths. Do you think it'll improvey chances?

Once again thank you!


Posted from TSR Mobile
Original post by X12
Hi all I need some advice. Just started year 12 after achieving poor GCSEs for medicine. I was wondering what advice anybody has about how to apply or if I should bother applying at all. Please only honest advice. Thank you.
Hey, To be honest your GCSEs aren't that bad compared to many other peoples' - but I understand you want the highest grades for medicine so it's a bit of a grey zone. My advice would be to really aim ft the top A level grades, and get as much experience in the world of medicine and work as possible (this doesn't just have to be official work experience, it can be volunteering or a part time job etc). Also, a major part of the entry process is your BMAT or UKCAT score which you can start working on now. Frankly, I don't see what good a gap year would do to you, unless you plan to spend it getting experience or volunteering somewhere. Sorry to sound so blunt, but the competition for a place in a UK med school is increasing rapidly every year, and your grades won't change your chances after leaving it for a year. So I think you definitely have a good chance, you haven't gone past the point of no return - if you really work at your a levels and push hard to get experience then you should certainly apply and be hopeful for a place. Let me know what you decide to do!!
My grades were: 2A (Maths, Eng Lang)
6B (Bio, Chem, Phy, RE, Eng Lit, History)
1D (French)

Applied for Work Experience to a hospital, GP, and a care home.

I was thinking about maybe taking a gap year and applying in 2019 if I managed to achieve at least AAA at alevel in Bio, Chem and Maths. Do you think it'll improvey chances?

Once again thank you!


Posted from TSR Mobile

Hey, To be honest your GCSEs aren't that bad compared to many other peoples' - but I understand you want the highest grades for medicine so it's a bit of a grey zone. My advice would be to really aim ft the top A level grades, and get as much experience in the world of medicine and work as possible (this doesn't just have to be official work experience, it can be volunteering or a part time job etc). Also, a major part of the entry process is your BMAT or UKCAT score which you can start working on now. Frankly, I don't see what good a gap year would do to you, unless you plan to spend it getting experience or volunteering somewhere. Sorry to sound so blunt, but the competition for a place in a UK med school is increasing rapidly every year, and your grades won't change your chances after leaving it for a year. So I think you definitely have a good chance, you haven't gone past the point of no return - if you really work at your a levels and push hard to get experience then you should certainly apply and be hopeful for a place. Let me know what you decide to do!!
Reply 5
Original post by my.med.journey
Hey, To be honest your GCSEs aren't that bad compared to many other peoples' - but I understand you want the highest grades for medicine so it's a bit of a grey zone. My advice would be to really aim ft the top A level grades, and get as much experience in the world of medicine and work as possible (this doesn't just have to be official work experience, it can be volunteering or a part time job etc). Also, a major part of the entry process is your BMAT or UKCAT score which you can start working on now. Frankly, I don't see what good a gap year would do to you, unless you plan to spend it getting experience or volunteering somewhere. Sorry to sound so blunt, but the competition for a place in a UK med school is increasing rapidly every year, and your grades won't change your chances after leaving it for a year. So I think you definitely have a good chance, you haven't gone past the point of no return - if you really work at your a levels and push hard to get experience then you should certainly apply and be hopeful for a place. Let me know what you decide to do!!


Hi and thank you for the response and no I don't think you sound blunt at all :biggrin:, I think I will apply for 2018 entry if everything goes well however if I get 4 rejections I'll see what I get on results day. If it ends up being at least AAA then I think I'll take my chances and reapply.

Once again thanks for the advice!


Posted from TSR Mobile
Reply 6
Original post by tizzaclaire98
Thought I'd put together a general discussion board for students wanting to apply for 2018 entry to Medicine. A good place to chat generally about different medical schools, entrance requirements, UKCAT/BMAT etc.

I'm looking to apply to Oxford, Cardiff, Kings and Barts, and have 10 A* and 1 B GCSEs. I'm in my second year of A-levels, but will not be applying until 2018 entry as I am studying at a specialist college for the visually impaired, so my A-Level courses are laid out a little differently. I'm studying A-level Maths, Chem, Bio and Psych.

Welcome!

Tiri



I too am visually impaired and I wanted to share my experience with you. I'm going to be honest with you because I wish people had been honest with me when I was younger.

I wanted to do medicine. I had the grades and I had the experience. I knew it was competitive, but I was willing to fight. However, I was told half way through my A2 year that even if I successfully completed a medical degree, I wouldn't be able to get insurance and therefore I would not be able to practice as a medical doctor because I was visually impaired. I was disappointed, but I felt angry that no one had told me this before despite knowing what I wanted to do. I lost all ambition and ended up underperforming at A level and missed an offer to study Biomedical Sciences at UCL.

Based on my experience, I would give you the following advice. Firstly, figure out how your disability will impact your ability to fulfill the requirements of your chosen profession. Please don't make the same mistake I did and assume that reasonable adjustments will solve everything. Secondly, even if you don't follow the path you wanted to, don't give up because you never know what will happen.Thank you for reading my rather long post.

P.s. The link below is useful for any medical profession:
http://www.heops.org.uk/HEOPS_Medical_Students_fitness_standards_2013_v10.pdf
(edited 7 years ago)
Aspiring medic clocking in

GCSEs: 7 A*'s, 4 As 1B

A levels: Biology, Chemistry, History and Psychology

A level predicted:

Work experience: 1 week at GP, 1 week at Hospital

Voluntary/extra: Form rep, Medical society, Care home, First Aid, Athletics, EPQ, Amnesty international
(edited 6 years ago)
hello everyone!
i am also an aspiring medic and have been for many years

gcse's: 9A*s and 2As
A levels: biology Chem maths physics

universities im interested in are imperial, UCL, kings and barts
extra/additional things- president of MedSoc, young enterprise, mentoring biology and maths, work in private tuition.
work experience 2 weeks in hospital, one week in Gp and one week in pharmacy. volunteer at local disabled kids school.

i think this thread is a really good idea, we can all support each other in becoming medics!
much love to all x
What are my realistic chances of getting in (Thinking of Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow and Sheffield). I got 7A*s 2A's and a B at GCSE and am studying as Chemistry Biology and RS. I've done a terms experience in a dispensary, got a week with a research lab and hospital lined up for Feb, a week with a GP in July and am volunteering in a care home, I'm also a prefect and tutor a year 11 pupil. I also have 3 jobs, in a Chinese restaurant (2 months) in a B&B (1 year) and on a rescue boat as a driver and coordinator of safety cover for sailing (3 years). I also fundraised £1600 for a health and youth charity in India that works with slum children and went over during the summer to help them. I'm predicted A in Chem, A- in RS and a B+ in Biology but I've been told it's gone up to an A so looking at grades of AAA. Any help would be appreciated :smile:
(edited 7 years ago)
Hey everyone!

I'm kinda stuck with whether i should get more variety for my clinical work experience.

gcse's: 5A*s and 5As
IB: HL Bio, Chem, Math
SL Spanish Ab Initio, English Lit, Psych

work experience: I've done an one-week attachment at a hospital, one-week at a genetics research lab, volunteer at a hospital befriending elderly patients with risks of delirium, maybe doing one week at a GP for the summer I'm not too sure. I'm also co-chairing a school service group that fundraise for an orphanage NGO.

extra-curriculars: on school badminton team, used to be on swim team for 3 yrs, MedSoc, involved in photojournalism project collecting stories from local service partners, piano grade 7, involved in a few dance performances here and there, also trying to start a science club etc.

any advice or comments are appreciated, much love ppl <3
Original post by novialong
Hey everyone!

I'm kinda stuck with whether i should get more variety for my clinical work experience.

gcse's: 5A*s and 5As
IB: HL Bio, Chem, Math
SL Spanish Ab Initio, English Lit, Psych

work experience: I've done an one-week attachment at a hospital, one-week at a genetics research lab, volunteer at a hospital befriending elderly patients with risks of delirium, maybe doing one week at a GP for the summer I'm not too sure. I'm also co-chairing a school service group that fundraise for an orphanage NGO.

extra-curriculars: on school badminton team, used to be on swim team for 3 yrs, MedSoc, involved in photojournalism project collecting stories from local service partners, piano grade 7, involved in a few dance performances here and there, also trying to start a science club etc.

any advice or comments are appreciated, much love ppl <3

This is so much stuff!! It all sounds great😍And you're doing the IB which unis seem to really love! Where are you planning on applying? Xx
I got pretty good GCSE grades - amazing for any other degree but for medicine they're ****. Basically, I got only 1A* and 50/50 As and Bs. So I know that the top universities look for as many A*s as possible at GCSE - but is that essential? Will my GCSEs kill my chances at universities like UCL and Newcastle?
Original post by my.med.journey
This is so much stuff!! It all sounds great😍And you're doing the IB which unis seem to really love! Where are you planning on applying? Xx


Thank you so much! <3 im applying to the UK and Ireland where extracurriculars wont matter as much..which is why im slightly worried about my gcses grades not being the best for bmat schools (still not sure whether to apply or not)
LOTS of info and advice about all aspects of Applying for Medicine here : https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/Medicine
Going to clock in here.

I will be a gap year applicant. I have received rejections from 2 uni's already and just waiting for the other 2 which are more than guaranteed now.

Dreading taking the UKCAT again!!!!
Original post by flappydina

just waiting for the other 2 which are more than guaranteed now.



a) that you havnt been rejected shows you are totally still in with a chance.

b) if you dont get in this year, look long and hard at your PS. Do lots more work experience over the summer and think how you can use this in an entirely new PS.

c) think about other career areas within the NHS, and other useful degrees/career paths instead

Useful reading : https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/What_to_do_if_you_have_four_Medicine_Rejections
Original post by returnmigrant
a) that you havnt been rejected shows you are totally still in with a chance.

b) if you dont get in this year, look long and hard at your PS. Do lots more work experience over the summer and think how you can use this in an entirely new PS.

c) think about other career areas within the NHS, and other useful degrees/career paths instead

Useful reading : https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/What_to_do_if_you_have_four_Medicine_Rejections


Appreciate the help my man.

But unfortunately the 2 I am awaiting o hear from were my more risky chioces and my safe ones already pre-interview rejected me so I am just waiting now :smile:
Original post by Vasopressin
Hey guys,

I absolutely think that you all definitely have a shot at medicine. I think that although having strong GCSE'S are important (and could be the difference between an interview/offer or a rejection), most unis focus more on A-level predictions, entrance exams and your personal statement - apart from Oxbridge and a few other medical schools which just crave the GCSE's. However, that being said, X12, you really should perform well in your A-levels and UKCAT/BMAT to have a chance at being an offered an interview, but I guess this applies to all of you guys.

Anyway guys, me and a few friends at Imperial (we are first year medics) were thinking of maybe holding a day event for potential medical students and going through methods and revision tips for passing the UKCAT, BMAT and interviews, and how to formulate a strong personal statement, but we were wondering if a demand for this is even there. We were also thinking of going over the general process of applying, and what work experience/extra-cullicar activities would place a candidate in a strong position, and also over what first year of medical school at Imperial is actually like. Do you guys think an event like this would be useful, or is it perhaps to early/late with regards to the admission process?

Hey!! That sounds like such a great idea, I can guarantee that loads of people from my school would love to come. There have been quite a few similar "induction to medicine application" projects, but none are by current medical students. For people in year 12 it is the perfect timing. Hope you go ahead with the plan, it's sounds so good! X
Original post by my.med.journey
Hey!! That sounds like such a great idea, I can guarantee that loads of people from my school would love to come. There have been quite a few similar "induction to medicine application" projects, but none are by current medical students. For people in year 12 it is the perfect timing. Hope you go ahead with the plan, it's sounds so good! X


Oh wow, that sounds really encouraging; we thought that we didn't have enough guidance when we were applying, and most of these courses are unearthly expensive, and so we thought we could help ease the application process for a lot of people.
But thank you so much for the encouragement.

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