Oxford or Cambridge for medical school?

I would like to apply to either Oxford or Cambridge as I prefer the traditional teaching method for medicine, and they are the only two universities that do this.
I originally wanted to apply to Cambridge, but I'm not sure now because of the preliminary deciles (my ucat is 2910 band 1). I have good gcses (99999999998 with 8 in history) that could give me an advantage at Oxford, but I know Cambridge looks at everything holistically, so I don't know whether I should just take my chances and apply there.
My predicted grades are A*A*A*A in physics, biology, chemistry and maths respectively, and I have a good personal statement and references.

Reply 1

Idk23323_school

10

Original post by gjgndkgna

I would like to apply to either Oxford or Cambridge as I prefer the traditional teaching method for medicine, and they are the only two universities that do this.
I originally wanted to apply to Cambridge, but I'm not sure now because of the preliminary deciles (my ucat is 2910 band 1). I have good gcses (99999999998 with 8 in history) that could give me an advantage at Oxford, but I know Cambridge looks at everything holistically, so I don't know whether I should just take my chances and apply there.
My predicted grades are A*A*A*A in physics, biology, chemistry and maths respectively, and I have a good personal statement and references.

I feel like you should only apply to Oxford if you can handle the workload. I’m not sure about Cambridge but I know that for Supervisions you have to write 2 essays every week whilst also reading 2 books at the same time. Also, if you want to do a full body dissection, then apply to Cambridge as I do know they allow students to perform a full body dissection. It shouldn’t be a problem with your GCSEs as you have mostly nines and that one 8 won’t be a problem for any of the two universities. I would really recommend visiting both universities if you haven’t done already to get a feel what the uni is like. But overall it’s just down to personal preference about which uni you want to apply to.

Reply 2

Scotney

20

Original post by gjgndkgna

I would like to apply to either Oxford or Cambridge as I prefer the traditional teaching method for medicine, and they are the only two universities that do this.
I originally wanted to apply to Cambridge, but I'm not sure now because of the preliminary deciles (my ucat is 2910 band 1). I have good gcses (99999999998 with 8 in history) that could give me an advantage at Oxford, but I know Cambridge looks at everything holistically, so I don't know whether I should just take my chances and apply there.
My predicted grades are A*A*A*A in physics, biology, chemistry and maths respectively, and I have a good personal statement and references.

If you do not have the deciles required apply to Oxford

Reply 3

BugsBunny1940

12

Original post by Scotney

If you do not have the deciles required apply to Oxford

These are my GCSE Grades (999888766)
And I've participated in many maths challenges, and have achieved a bronze certificate in the JMC 2021, and a silver certificate in the IMC 2024, as well as completing and receiving the Duke of Edinburgh Award
So far, am I good enough to apply to Cambridge (or at least in the top 5 universities)

Reply 4

Stiffy Byng

19

Original post by gjgndkgna

I would like to apply to either Oxford or Cambridge as I prefer the traditional teaching method for medicine, and they are the only two universities that do this.
I originally wanted to apply to Cambridge, but I'm not sure now because of the preliminary deciles (my ucat is 2910 band 1). I have good gcses (99999999998 with 8 in history) that could give me an advantage at Oxford, but I know Cambridge looks at everything holistically, so I don't know whether I should just take my chances and apply there.
My predicted grades are A*A*A*A in physics, biology, chemistry and maths respectively, and I have a good personal statement and references.

Both Oxford and Cambridge look at applications in the round. Both consider GCSE results, but only as one factor amongst many. There appear to be persistent myths that Oxford requires near-perfect GCSE results and that Cambridge doesn't care much or at all about GCSE results. Neither of these myths is true. Each university explains on its website what is taken into account when assessing candidates.

Reply 5

Stiffy Byng

19

Original post by BugsBunny1940

These are my GCSE Grades (999888766)
And I've participated in many maths challenges, and have achieved a bronze certificate in the JMC 2021, and a silver certificate in the IMC 2024, as well as completing and receiving the Duke of Edinburgh Award
So far, am I good enough to apply to Cambridge (or at least in the top 5 universities)

You ask this question over and over again in many threads. The answer is yes, no, or maybe. Does that help?

The only person or organisation which can tell you whether you are good enough to get into Cambridge is Cambridge, speaking via one of its constituent colleges. The only way to find out if you can obtain a place at Cambridge is to apply for one.

PS: Well done re the DoE Award, but Cambridge won't take that into account.

Oxford or Cambridge for medical school?

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