Safety Choices for Medicine

Hi, I'm a year 12 student applying for Medicine. I am wondering if there is any point in applying to universities which are slightly easier to get into as a "safety" choice (e.g. Lincoln). Since Medicine is already so competitive, should I just apply to the universities which appeal the most to me?

Reply 1

d_edi

14

Original post by Ifan Noushad

Hi, I'm a year 12 student applying for Medicine. I am wondering if there is any point in applying to universities which are slightly easier to get into as a "safety" choice (e.g. Lincoln). Since Medicine is already so competitive, should I just apply to the universities which appeal the most to me?

I’m not 100% sure but when I was looking the lowest offers I saw were AAA but some unis have slightly less requirements for things like GCSE grades or they have slightly lower cut off points for the UCAT so I would maybe have a look into the other requirements other than a level grades and see if there’s any that seem a bit easier to get into. But also remember at the end of the day you’ll be going to that uni for 5 years so don’t just pick one that you don’t actually really want to go to, have a little look around and see which ones appeal to you x

Reply 2

chewy55555

6

Original post by Ifan Noushad

Hi, I'm a year 12 student applying for Medicine. I am wondering if there is any point in applying to universities which are slightly easier to get into as a "safety" choice (e.g. Lincoln). Since Medicine is already so competitive, should I just apply to the universities which appeal the most to me?

As d_edi said, the actual A level requirements are all the same. It really depends on your UCAT and percentage of offers after interview.

It really depends where you live as well. Plymouth is known for having a lower UCAT cut off so you are much more likely to get an interview but that is far away for people who don't live in the South West.

Its very important you apply tactically, if you don't get a high UCAT don't apply to places with high UCAT cut offs, if you don't have good GCSEs don't apply to places that value them (eg Cardiff).

Ideally you want to be trying to secure as many interviews as possible. Most universities will ignore all the other academic requirements once you have got to interview so then it is a level playing field.

At the same time if you do have very good academics, consider applying to unis that consider them throughout the whole application. I have just got an Edinburgh offer where 50% of it came from my UCAT and predicted A levels. (Oxbridge do the same)

At the end of the day, you get the same medical degree from any medical school you go to so its about choosing the ones you like the most and you think will suite you the most.

Reply 3

FiBox

8

Remember those that accept marginally lower grades or UCAT scores have very high numbers of applicants with lower grades and UCAT scores. The competition is still there just you are competing against a slightly different field so not ‘easier’ to get in. The main thing is not to apply to those where you don’t stand a chance and a lot depends on the UCAT for this as some have very high cut-offs.

Reply 4

McGinger

20

Original post by Ifan Noushad

Hi, I'm a year 12 student applying for Medicine. I am wondering if there is any point in applying to universities which are slightly easier to get into as a "safety" choice (e.g. Lincoln). Since Medicine is already so competitive, should I just apply to the universities which appeal the most to me?

YES.

Because it doesn't matter where you qualify as a doctor - all Med degrees follow the same syllabus and all are accredited by the GMC. The NHS is not going to be bothered about 'which Uni' - and neither will your future patients. No-one curtsies to you in the corridor just because you went to Cambridge.

Unis like those in London will always get thousands of applications - and there is nothing wrong with having a couple of ambitious choices, but ultimately its about getting a place for Medicine and 'being a doctor' isn't i? And if that matters to you, then spread your choices and include a couple of the less glamourous ones as well.

Safety Choices for Medicine

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