University of Birmingham Medicine (A100) Entry for 2018

I've been looking for a thread like this!! Thank you so much for making one!
My offer calculator score for Birmingham is, 8.887, should I apply or is it too risky? Thanks

Yes that sounds like quite a strong score, I would definitely consider applying!

What other universities are you thinking of applying to?

Yes that sounds like an amazing score, I would definitely consider applying!
My own score was 7.833 and I am still applying. The cut-off score to receive an interview last year was around 7.

Have you already sat your UKCAT or did you predict your scores?

Great thanks! I've already sat my UKCAT with 745 average

Wow, that's an excellent UKCAT score! I am very sure you will get an offer to attend an interview from Birmingham and probably your other choices too!

Great thanks! I've already sat my UKCAT with 745 average

Wow thank you so much! I'm more worried about my GCSEs because I got 6A* and 2 A so not the full point score

Do you have any idea of what specialty or area of medicine you would like to go into yet?

I think your GCSEs are fine, I believe the admissions team will only rank you on the score (8.887 for you) that you gain against the other candidates - I would not worry about your achievements in specific areas. As long as you have a high score (which you do) and a decent personal statement you should be fine.

Paediatrics deffo interests me a lot, either that or surgery with a view to specialise in paediatrics. Honestly I'm open minded tho I want to experience everything and then decide.
Do you?

My interest lies in histopathology (hence my profile picture), however as you said I will have to see what I enjoy at medical school to make an informed decision.

Good luck with your application!

Okay! Thanks so much!

If I may ask, what work experience have you carried out?

I volunteer once a week for 3 hours on both the Northern General Hospital A&E and Barnsley Hospital A&E - I've done this for a year.
I volunteered for a week on an autism playscheme.
I did a weeks work experience at the GPs
I observed a minor operations clinic, a baby clinic, a nurse and a pharmacist.
Completed a weeks introduction to medicine course learning clinical skills and talking to doctors/ students.
And help out weekly in year 7 classes at my school.
I also volunteered for a year in a health informatics department at Huddersfield hospital.
do you think this will be enough?
What have you done if you don't mind me asking?

Wow, that is a lot of work experience! I am sure that is enough provided you can explain how it benefited you in deciding to do medicine in your PS/interview.

I volunteer monthly at a Hospice, shadowed a anaesthetist at a local hospital (so could observe surgery etc.) and spent two weeks observing medical/biochemical research at UCL. I am rather jealous of the amount and quality of work experience you have, especially your A&E volunteering! Sadly I was unable to volunteer at my local hospital as I am under 18.

I'm 19 so I've been able to get access to a lot of opportunities. I'm kind of a special case. I went to college and studied Drama, History and Maths getting A*BA respectively, I'd always wanted to do medicine but never believed I was smart enough. But then I decided to go back for 2 more years of a Levels to get the right subjects because it's all I wanted to do.
You have a really good amount!

I'm 19 so I've been able to get access to a lot of opportunities. I'm kind of a special case. I went to college and studied Drama, History and Maths getting A*BA respectively, I'd always wanted to do medicine but never believed I was smart enough. But then I decided to go back for 2 more years of a Levels to get the right subjects because it's all I wanted to do.
You have a really good amount!

What is your 5th option, if you are applying for one?
If you do not gain a place to study medicine for 2018 entry (I am sure you will though!) will you reapply or take your 5th option?