Hi, I have an offer for Cambridge medicine beginning 2024. What do you mean by help with your application? Do you mean help with UCAT, interviews or general stuff? Give any specifics and I'll give whatever advice I can
Original post by Razzledazzle310
Hi, I have an offer for Cambridge medicine beginning 2024. What do you mean by help with your application? Do you mean help with UCAT, interviews or general stuff? Give any specifics and I'll give whatever advice I can
Hi, First of all thank you and well done, you must be over the moon. I think I just need help in general with the application. I currently looking for some volunteer work, but I'm still 15 so its a bit hard. I'm currently just doing some LIGHT UCAT prep, cause I want to try get over 3200. So I'm wondering if there's anything specific I should be doing right. My biggest dilemma would be should I take 3 or 4 a levels and if 3 should I do bio chem maths or bio chem Phys (I really don't mind either or)!
Once again Thank u
Hi, this is not relevant to your post but I am literally in the exact same position as you are. I'm also 15 (I turn 16 on results day), I'm struggling with volunteer work and I haven't started ucat prep yet but hopefully I can soon. I'm also struggling on whether I should do physics as a 4th a level - it seems like way too much stress and I'm not naturally good at it so
Hold on have you ever gotten a score of 95% in a Year 11 physics test?
Original post by Chiwen123
Hi, First of all thank you and well done, you must be over the moon. I think I just need help in general with the application. I currently looking for some volunteer work, but I'm still 15 so its a bit hard. I'm currently just doing some LIGHT UCAT prep, cause I want to try get over 3200. So I'm wondering if there's anything specific I should be doing right. My biggest dilemma would be should I take 3 or 4 a levels and if 3 should I do bio chem maths or bio chem Phys (I really don't mind either or)!
Once again Thank u
Once again Thank u
If you are debating on doing a 4th A level I would suggest going with 3. I did 4 A levels but it is significantly more work than 3, and Cambridge does not really care (I did Chem, Physics, Biology, Computer Science and my offer only requires a C in Computer Science, A*A*A in the others). I did 4 as I wanted to keep my options open in case I changed my mind about medicine, but if you are set on it then there is no point in 4 unless you are really passionate about it.
It's your choice about maths or physics, whatever one you feel you'd do best in. I would lean towards maths ever so slightly due to very minor applications to chemistry (log graphs) but this difference is minor it won't make much of an impact. Physics can be more interesting due to more applications.
For UCAT, you have a full year until you have to do the test so make sure it is VERY light work, to avoid burnout. I can give tips for it if you'd like, as I got a very high score (3410). I did my revision in the 2 months before my test.
Volunteer work I did in end of year 12 summer so you still have lots of time, see if there is anything your school does, like working in care homes. I also did some online work experience from medic mentor in addition to shadowing doctors over the summer. Hopefully an opportunity will present itself, and it doesn't have to always be healthcare related, as long as you can show you have skills that are useful in healthcare like interaction with customers/patients.
One thing you can do it start preparing for interviews. You seem like you can easily get interviews if you are thinking of applying to Cambridge, assuming a decent UCAT, so interview is often what will make/break it. Start researching ethics and how you would respond to different situations, and practice verbalising answers. I struggled with this the most, as I am more introverted, but still managed to get 3/4 offers with lots of preparation (unfortunately Liverpool interview cutoff was very high).
Original post by Anonymous
Hold on have you ever gotten a score of 95% in a Year 11 physics test?
Ye I have, if ur rlly gd at maths tho u could swap phys for further maths. I was gonna do that but my parents won't let me for a dumb reason.
Original post by Razzledazzle310
If you are debating on doing a 4th A level I would suggest going with 3. I did 4 A levels but it is significantly more work than 3, and Cambridge does not really care (I did Chem, Physics, Biology, Computer Science and my offer only requires a C in Computer Science, A*A*A in the others). I did 4 as I wanted to keep my options open in case I changed my mind about medicine, but if you are set on it then there is no point in 4 unless you are really passionate about it.
It's your choice about maths or physics, whatever one you feel you'd do best in. I would lean towards maths ever so slightly due to very minor applications to chemistry (log graphs) but this difference is minor it won't make much of an impact. Physics can be more interesting due to more applications.
For UCAT, you have a full year until you have to do the test so make sure it is VERY light work, to avoid burnout. I can give tips for it if you'd like, as I got a very high score (3410). I did my revision in the 2 months before my test.
Volunteer work I did in end of year 12 summer so you still have lots of time, see if there is anything your school does, like working in care homes. I also did some online work experience from medic mentor in addition to shadowing doctors over the summer. Hopefully an opportunity will present itself, and it doesn't have to always be healthcare related, as long as you can show you have skills that are useful in healthcare like interaction with customers/patients.
One thing you can do it start preparing for interviews. You seem like you can easily get interviews if you are thinking of applying to Cambridge, assuming a decent UCAT, so interview is often what will make/break it. Start researching ethics and how you would respond to different situations, and practice verbalising answers. I struggled with this the most, as I am more introverted, but still managed to get 3/4 offers with lots of preparation (unfortunately Liverpool interview cutoff was very high).
It's your choice about maths or physics, whatever one you feel you'd do best in. I would lean towards maths ever so slightly due to very minor applications to chemistry (log graphs) but this difference is minor it won't make much of an impact. Physics can be more interesting due to more applications.
For UCAT, you have a full year until you have to do the test so make sure it is VERY light work, to avoid burnout. I can give tips for it if you'd like, as I got a very high score (3410). I did my revision in the 2 months before my test.
Volunteer work I did in end of year 12 summer so you still have lots of time, see if there is anything your school does, like working in care homes. I also did some online work experience from medic mentor in addition to shadowing doctors over the summer. Hopefully an opportunity will present itself, and it doesn't have to always be healthcare related, as long as you can show you have skills that are useful in healthcare like interaction with customers/patients.
One thing you can do it start preparing for interviews. You seem like you can easily get interviews if you are thinking of applying to Cambridge, assuming a decent UCAT, so interview is often what will make/break it. Start researching ethics and how you would respond to different situations, and practice verbalising answers. I struggled with this the most, as I am more introverted, but still managed to get 3/4 offers with lots of preparation (unfortunately Liverpool interview cutoff was very high).
Ok thanks so much for the reassurance and tips! You'll be a great doctor. Feel free to post ur Ucat tips aswell. Dw ull get 4A*s or whatever ur aiming for.
Also is there a particular way u asked care homes for experience, like via person or email?
Original post by Razzledazzle310
Hi, I have an offer for Cambridge medicine beginning 2024. What do you mean by help with your application? Do you mean help with UCAT, interviews or general stuff? Give any specifics and I'll give whatever advice I can
Firstly, massive well done! Getting into any medical school let alone Cambridge is such a big achievement!
I’m in year 12, I did my UCAT a few days ago and got 3420, my predicted a levels are 4 A* but my GCSEs are 999999888777 ( but 3 of my 9s are resits 😭) do you think I could still have a chance of an interview despite my below par GCSEs ?
Original post by Razzledazzle310
If you are debating on doing a 4th A level I would suggest going with 3. I did 4 A levels but it is significantly more work than 3, and Cambridge does not really care (I did Chem, Physics, Biology, Computer Science and my offer only requires a C in Computer Science, A*A*A in the others). I did 4 as I wanted to keep my options open in case I changed my mind about medicine, but if you are set on it then there is no point in 4 unless you are really passionate about it.
It's your choice about maths or physics, whatever one you feel you'd do best in. I would lean towards maths ever so slightly due to very minor applications to chemistry (log graphs) but this difference is minor it won't make much of an impact. Physics can be more interesting due to more applications.
For UCAT, you have a full year until you have to do the test so make sure it is VERY light work, to avoid burnout. I can give tips for it if you'd like, as I got a very high score (3410). I did my revision in the 2 months before my test.
Volunteer work I did in end of year 12 summer so you still have lots of time, see if there is anything your school does, like working in care homes. I also did some online work experience from medic mentor in addition to shadowing doctors over the summer. Hopefully an opportunity will present itself, and it doesn't have to always be healthcare related, as long as you can show you have skills that are useful in healthcare like interaction with customers/patients.
One thing you can do it start preparing for interviews. You seem like you can easily get interviews if you are thinking of applying to Cambridge, assuming a decent UCAT, so interview is often what will make/break it. Start researching ethics and how you would respond to different situations, and practice verbalising answers. I struggled with this the most, as I am more introverted, but still managed to get 3/4 offers with lots of preparation (unfortunately Liverpool interview cutoff was very high).
It's your choice about maths or physics, whatever one you feel you'd do best in. I would lean towards maths ever so slightly due to very minor applications to chemistry (log graphs) but this difference is minor it won't make much of an impact. Physics can be more interesting due to more applications.
For UCAT, you have a full year until you have to do the test so make sure it is VERY light work, to avoid burnout. I can give tips for it if you'd like, as I got a very high score (3410). I did my revision in the 2 months before my test.
Volunteer work I did in end of year 12 summer so you still have lots of time, see if there is anything your school does, like working in care homes. I also did some online work experience from medic mentor in addition to shadowing doctors over the summer. Hopefully an opportunity will present itself, and it doesn't have to always be healthcare related, as long as you can show you have skills that are useful in healthcare like interaction with customers/patients.
One thing you can do it start preparing for interviews. You seem like you can easily get interviews if you are thinking of applying to Cambridge, assuming a decent UCAT, so interview is often what will make/break it. Start researching ethics and how you would respond to different situations, and practice verbalising answers. I struggled with this the most, as I am more introverted, but still managed to get 3/4 offers with lots of preparation (unfortunately Liverpool interview cutoff was very high).
What were your GCSEs? If you don’t mind saying x
Original post by Chiwen123
Ok thanks so much for the reassurance and tips! You'll be a great doctor. Feel free to post ur Ucat tips aswell. Dw ull get 4A*s or whatever ur aiming for.
Also is there a particular way u asked care homes for experience, like via person or email?
Also is there a particular way u asked care homes for experience, like via person or email?
Sorry but I can't help you much there, as my school did a thing every week where you could do sport or volunteering in the afternoon, so that's what I did. I did do volunteering in my local hospital in the A&E serving food and drinks though, which just involved filling out a form and attending training sessions. However I needed to be over 16 for that, and it is different with different trusts across the UK, so you could look into that for your area.
Original post by Anonymous
Firstly, massive well done! Getting into any medical school let alone Cambridge is such a big achievement!
I’m in year 12, I did my UCAT a few days ago and got 3420, my predicted a levels are 4 A* but my GCSEs are 999999888777 ( but 3 of my 9s are resits 😭) do you think I could still have a chance of an interview despite my below par GCSEs ?
I’m in year 12, I did my UCAT a few days ago and got 3420, my predicted a levels are 4 A* but my GCSEs are 999999888777 ( but 3 of my 9s are resits 😭) do you think I could still have a chance of an interview despite my below par GCSEs ?
I am 90% sure you are guaranteed an interview, especially with that UCAT score (congratulations on it!). Cambridge interviews around 75% of all applicants, and gcses are only a very small factor in this decision. Even despite that, your gcses are still about average, as 8s and 9s are considered equal and they don't mind resits, if I remember correctly, so it should still be fine.
Original post by Jasmine6789
What were your GCSEs? If you don’t mind saying x
12 9s but 3 of them were taken very early (Maths, Further Maths and Mandarin in Year 8, 8, 9 respectively) and resat Maths as got an 8 the first time in year 7. I really shouldn't have gotten a 9 in mandarin but covid happened and I was predicted a 9 since I was learning mandarin out of school.
Original post by Anonymous
Hi, this is not relevant to your post but I am literally in the exact same position as you are. I'm also 15 (I turn 16 on results day), I'm struggling with volunteer work and I haven't started ucat prep yet but hopefully I can soon. I'm also struggling on whether I should do physics as a 4th a level - it seems like way too much stress and I'm not naturally good at it so
I would not do physics as a 4th A level, medical schools only care about 3 and if you do badly in it then this can affect your predicted grades, as A*AA is better than A*A*AB, not to mention the stress and focus over physics could cause neglect of your other subjects. You can try it at start of year 12 and then drop it, so you can get a feel for the workload and make a more informed decision then.
Original post by Anonymous
Firstly, massive well done! Getting into any medical school let alone Cambridge is such a big achievement!
I’m in year 12, I did my UCAT a few days ago and got 3420, my predicted a levels are 4 A* but my GCSEs are 999999888777 ( but 3 of my 9s are resits 😭) do you think I could still have a chance of an interview despite my below par GCSEs ?
I’m in year 12, I did my UCAT a few days ago and got 3420, my predicted a levels are 4 A* but my GCSEs are 999999888777 ( but 3 of my 9s are resits 😭) do you think I could still have a chance of an interview despite my below par GCSEs ?
Just found this freedom of information request:
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/average_gcse_grades_of_applicant
It says that in the application years of 2020 and 2021, average gcse grades of offer holders were 9.35 and 9.69 A*s respectively, so you are only slightly below average (8 and 9 are considered as A*). You are still above average gcse grades for the average applicant, which was like 7.6 A*s. Keep in mind these gcses will have been done in 2018 and 2019, so not sure about now since gcse grades may be slightly inflated though.
Original post by Chiwen123
Ye I have, if ur rlly gd at maths tho u could swap phys for further maths. I was gonna do that but my parents won't let me for a dumb reason.
Hold on this is not related to maths or physics, it's just that so far you seem very similar to someone I know for school
Original post by Razzledazzle310
I am 90% sure you are guaranteed an interview, especially with that UCAT score (congratulations on it!). Cambridge interviews around 75% of all applicants, and gcses are only a very small factor in this decision. Even despite that, your gcses are still about average, as 8s and 9s are considered equal and they don't mind resits, if I remember correctly, so it should still be fine.
Tysm!
Do you think if the interview went well I would have a good chance of an offer provided with my academic credentials ?
Original post by Anonymous
Hold on this is not related to maths or physics, it's just that so far you seem very similar to someone I know for school
u never know lol
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