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Biochemistry supercurriculars?

I'm a year 12 student studying Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Maths. I'm predicted a grade A in all of them (A-level predicted grades to be determined after AS exams) and in my GCSEs I achieved grade 9s in 9 of my 11 subjects (including the science subjects I'm currently studying) and grade 8s in the other two, those being Eng Lit and Maths, as well as a grade A in additional maths. I am hoping to be able to study biochemistry at a university like Imperial or Oxford, though my list of supercurriculars is rather thin, given many of the opportunities I found had closed rather recently, and as it stands, I only have perhaps 2 ongoing readings of biochem books and a few UCL taster lectures. I was wondering, are there any other opportunities I could try for to better my chances?

Reply 1

Original post
by industrialized-b
I'm a year 12 student studying Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Maths. I'm predicted a grade A in all of them (A-level predicted grades to be determined after AS exams) and in my GCSEs I achieved grade 9s in 9 of my 11 subjects (including the science subjects I'm currently studying) and grade 8s in the other two, those being Eng Lit and Maths, as well as a grade A in additional maths. I am hoping to be able to study biochemistry at a university like Imperial or Oxford, though my list of supercurriculars is rather thin, given many of the opportunities I found had closed rather recently, and as it stands, I only have perhaps 2 ongoing readings of biochem books and a few UCL taster lectures. I was wondering, are there any other opportunities I could try for to better my chances?
Take a look at this document, it's Cambridge, however the resources listed are suitable for Biochemistry as well.

super-curricular_suggestions.pdf

Reply 2

Original post
by thegeek888
Take a look at this document, it's Cambridge, however the resources listed are suitable for Biochemistry as well.
super-curricular_suggestions.pdf

Thanks! I have looked it over and I am intrigued by the crest gold award. I do wonder, however, how I might do it if my school does not provide it. Am I able to do so independently? I've also noticed many of the other opportunites don't seem particularly significant. Should I do them regardless?

Reply 3

Original post
by industrialized-b
I'm a year 12 student studying Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Maths. I'm predicted a grade A in all of them (A-level predicted grades to be determined after AS exams) and in my GCSEs I achieved grade 9s in 9 of my 11 subjects (including the science subjects I'm currently studying) and grade 8s in the other two, those being Eng Lit and Maths, as well as a grade A in additional maths. I am hoping to be able to study biochemistry at a university like Imperial or Oxford, though my list of supercurriculars is rather thin, given many of the opportunities I found had closed rather recently, and as it stands, I only have perhaps 2 ongoing readings of biochem books and a few UCL taster lectures. I was wondering, are there any other opportunities I could try for to better my chances?

hey i have an offer for UCL biochem still waiting for imperial and I would strongly recommend doing the imperial science in medicine school teams prize competition as it gives you some really valuable skills - problem solving, teamwork, research!

Reply 4

Original post
by penguin30
hey i have an offer for UCL biochem still waiting for imperial and I would strongly recommend doing the imperial science in medicine school teams prize competition as it gives you some really valuable skills - problem solving, teamwork, research!

Thanks! I just took a look at it and it definitely seems like the kind of thing I'm looking for. I'll have to ask my school but I think this does appear to be a very nice opportunity!

Reply 5

Original post
by industrialized-b
I'm a year 12 student studying Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Maths. I'm predicted a grade A in all of them (A-level predicted grades to be determined after AS exams) and in my GCSEs I achieved grade 9s in 9 of my 11 subjects (including the science subjects I'm currently studying) and grade 8s in the other two, those being Eng Lit and Maths, as well as a grade A in additional maths. I am hoping to be able to study biochemistry at a university like Imperial or Oxford, though my list of supercurriculars is rather thin, given many of the opportunities I found had closed rather recently, and as it stands, I only have perhaps 2 ongoing readings of biochem books and a few UCL taster lectures. I was wondering, are there any other opportunities I could try for to better my chances?

If you are 16 still next year then I'd recommend you compete in the Young Science Writer of the Year Award. It's an amazing opportunity for those interested in writing or science, and shows research skills and an interest in science outside of school. The winning essayist has their essay published by the BBC, along with other prizes.

I won this in 2024 for my essay on insulin pumps and their role in type 1 diabetes management. Since you can write about anything in science for this competition, you could relate it to biochem.

It could also open up some other opportunities. For example, I have been interviewed by Diabetes UK and the Week Junior, and I was awarded a Parliamentary Commendation.

https://www.absw.org.uk/pages/yswa-2024-apply

BBC News - A life-changing device for diabetics
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c75nq69yy22o

Reply 6

Original post
by industrialized-b
Thanks! I have looked it over and I am intrigued by the crest gold award. I do wonder, however, how I might do it if my school does not provide it. Am I able to do so independently? I've also noticed many of the other opportunites don't seem particularly significant. Should I do them regardless?

CREST Awards have successfully been run in the following settings:

1.

Museums and libraries

2.

Work experience placements, internships and apprenticeships

3.

Business and Universities outreach days

4.

Uniform groups (cadets, brownies etc.)

5.

Saturday clubs

6.

Home education

7.

Pupil referral units

8.

SEN school

https://help.crestawards.org/portal/en/kb/articles/faq-5-do-i-need-to-complete-crest-as-part-of-a-school
(edited 8 months ago)

Reply 7

Thanks! I definitely think I will attempt doing the Crest Gold Award and Imperial Science in Medicine prize, though unfortunately I won't be able to do the Young Science Writer's Award, but I have also managed to find a few other activities, like a work experience placement at Cardiff. Would this be particularly helpful? Is there still anything else I need?

Reply 8

those sound really good, try and ensure you also read around your subjects in general. if you have any questions about the imperial comp let me know as me and my team mate placed 1st for vasculitis last year!

Reply 9

Original post
by Anonymous
those sound really good, try and ensure you also read around your subjects in general. if you have any questions about the imperial comp let me know as me and my team mate placed 1st for vasculitis last year!


Absolutely! What would you recommend in general in terms of formatting and how detailed should the poster be?

Reply 10

Original post
by industrialized-b
Absolutely! What would you recommend in general in terms of formatting and how detailed should the poster be?


because they are posters they really want them to be visual with drawn diagrams and illustrations they don’t have to be perfectly artistic just very clear - on the website you can see previous years entries so try to follow those examples! they also want the poster to be accessible to the public so everything needs to be able to be understood without needing expert knowledge

Reply 11

also they understand we are doing these from school so unable to do extensive testing into efficacy - so as long as you are able to enforce your idea with suitable research and logic it good

Reply 12

Original post
by Anonymous
also they understand we are doing these from school so unable to do extensive testing into efficacy - so as long as you are able to enforce your idea with suitable research and logic it good


I see, and what constitutes the “evidence of teamwork” category?

Reply 13

when you write the names of people who took part you can break down what the job roles of each person were, and if you make it through to the presentation round make sure each person speaks equally for me there were only 2 of us so it easier to demonstrate. out of curiosity what category are you thinking of entering for? i think they may have changed it up a bit

Reply 14

Original post
by Anonymous
when you write the names of people who took part you can break down what the job roles of each person were, and if you make it through to the presentation round make sure each person speaks equally for me there were only 2 of us so it easier to demonstrate. out of curiosity what category are you thinking of entering for? i think they may have changed it up a bit


I was considering the RAIRDA or Cardiovascular prize as I already have background knowledge on immune disorders and heart health

Reply 15

Original post
by industrialized-b
I was considering the RAIRDA or Cardiovascular prize as I already have background knowledge on immune disorders and heart health

nice :smile:

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