How do I decide which medical schools to apply to?

I am currently a first year A-level student studying Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics and an EPQ in which I am pursuing my own personal medical research.
At GCSE I achieved:
Chemistry- 9
Biology - 9
Physics - 9
Maths - 8
English Language - 9
English literature - 9
Religious studies - 9
Geography - 9
French - 8
Economics - 8

A-level targeted grades:
Chemistry-A*
Biology-A*
Mathematics-A

I have done work towards the UCAT and I have already done voluntary geriatric care for a week in France, current volunteering within a care home and work experience lined up for 2 GP practices, 1 hospital and I am currently looking for either work experience in a research centre or to perhaps conduct my own medical research (Which I am doing to an extent in my EPQ). Furthermore, I am enrolled in programmes which I help children with learning difficulties to do well in Mathematics and English and have begun making my way through the Oxford university recommended reading list for medicine.

I have a vast range of extra curricular activities, I have been a competitive swimmer since the age of 5 qualifying up to a regional level and representing my county, Lancashire. As well as this I have advanced to the national finals in public speaking competitions, to name but a few.

Under the (hopeful) stipulation that I achieve my A level grades, a highly successful UCAT and BMAT and curate a very strong personal statement, which universities should I apply to?

My personal "dream" line up of universities would be Oxford, St Andrews, UCL, Imperial but I am aware that this is a highly risky and implausible set of universities. I am strongly drawn to the Scottish and London universities but have no strong obligation to studying anywhere and I also have a strong desire to intercalate into Biochemistry or Biomedical science. My question, thus, is either a) what trend of universities should I apply to ie.
1) Risky
2) Safe
3) Safe
4) Dream
b) any personal recommendations of universities based on my brief overview and c) whether I should apply to Oxford (my dream uni) All help would be widely appreciated thank you very much

Your GCSEs are perfect. Your A Level target grades are great, so make sure you achieve them at least. EPQ will give you an edge especially in terms of personal statement and interview. UCL like EPQ a lot. Take it easy on the UCAT for now. You only need about 5 weeks of revision. More is NOT better. People burn out so easily when preparing for the UCAT, even the students that are used to working ridiculously hard for school exams. The UCAT is a mind game and needs to be revised for tactfully, so don't worry about it yet.

You seem very interested in research (like me ), so universities like Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial and UCL would be idea. There are probably more, but those are the ones i can name off the top of my head. You should make your uni choices AFTER getting your UCAT result. It can hugely alter your decisions. I would not advise applying to 3 BMAT unis, unless your UCAT is too low to apply to any UCAT unis. This is because you sit your BMAT in October/November, which is AFTER you submit your UCAS application. Also do keep in mind that some Scottish unis strongly prioritise scottish applicants over english ones.

Other than oxbridge, 'risk' only applies until you get to interview. Once you have an interview, you have to do well regardless of the uni. After you start BMAT prep, if it's feeling good, totally apply to two out of Oxford, Imperial, UCL. If it isn't looking too good, apply to one of either UCL or Imperial, as their cut offs are lower than Oxford. Don't know much about St Andrews, but if you do very well in your UCAT, King's College London is a very good option, especially considering your GCSEs. Since you're interested in London unis, St George's could be a good safety choice.

For now though, don't worry about this too much. Focus on your predicted grades and EPQ, as well as doing volunteering and work experience. Reflect as much as you can. Once you've done your UCAT, you'll be able to make these decisions. I'm applying this year, so if you have any questions, feel free to PM me. I hope this helps

Thank you very much this was extremely helpful. Do you think that applying to two BMAT two UCAT is a good idea? And if given the choice would you apply to imperial or would you apply to UCL ?

Yeah I'm applying to 2 BMAT and 2 UCAT unis, even though my UCAT was pretty good. I chose UCL over Imperial, because the work life balance is better at UCL according to people I've spoken to. Also, the campus is nicer and UCL has a wider variety of courses, so I won't be friends with just STEM students. The quality of research, ability of students studying there etc is all very similar. I don't hugely care about reputation, but according to the QS rankings, UCL is 3rd in the UK for medicine, while Imperial is 4th. So overall, they are very similar unis.

Best thing to do is visit both in the summer. Getting a feel for the unis makes choosing way easier.

brilliant, thank you very much. Which schools are you applying to if you dont mind me asking

Happy to help!
UCL, Oxford, King's, St George's

I am struggling to chose between UCL and Leeds.
GCSE I got
Chemistry 9
Physics 9
Biology 9
Maths 8
Arts 9
English language 7
English literature 9
RS 8
Spanish 7
EPQ A*
Predicted A -A*AA
UCAT 2480
SJT 2
I have a good PS work experience , voluntary work in a hospice . Good extra curricular
Since I got low UCAT I am thinking of going for 2BMAT and 2UCAT unis
Thinking of going for Lancaster , Keele ,Sunderland . And Leeds or UCL
I am not able to decide which one to go for between Leeds and UCL can you please advise

I am currently a first year A-level student studying Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics and an EPQ in which I am pursuing my own personal medical research.
At GCSE I achieved:
Chemistry- 9
Biology - 9
Physics - 9
Maths - 8
English Language - 9
English literature - 9
Religious studies - 9
Geography - 9
French - 8
Economics - 8
A-level targeted grades:
Chemistry-A*
Biology-A*
Mathematics-A
I have done work towards the UCAT and I have already done voluntary geriatric care for a week in France, current volunteering within a care home and work experience lined up for 2 GP practices, 1 hospital and I am currently looking for either work experience in a research centre or to perhaps conduct my own medical research (Which I am doing to an extent in my EPQ). Furthermore, I am enrolled in programmes which I help children with learning difficulties to do well in Mathematics and English and have begun making my way through the Oxford university recommended reading list for medicine.
I have a vast range of extra curricular activities, I have been a competitive swimmer since the age of 5 qualifying up to a regional level and representing my county, Lancashire. As well as this I have advanced to the national finals in public speaking competitions, to name but a few.
Under the (hopeful) stipulation that I achieve my A level grades, a highly successful UCAT and BMAT and curate a very strong personal statement, which universities should I apply to?
My personal "dream" line up of universities would be Oxford, St Andrews, UCL, Imperial but I am aware that this is a highly risky and implausible set of universities. I am strongly drawn to the Scottish and London universities but have no strong obligation to studying anywhere and I also have a strong desire to intercalate into Biochemistry or Biomedical science. My question, thus, is either a) what trend of universities should I apply to ie.
1) Risky
2) Safe
3) Safe
4) Dream
b) any personal recommendations of universities based on my brief overview and c) whether I should apply to Oxford (my dream uni) All help would be widely appreciated thank you very much

Happy to help!
UCL, Oxford, King's, St George's