Oxbridge Medicine

Hi

I'm in Y12 and am planning to apply to Oxford (or Cambridge) Medicine. I was just wondering what I could do to strengthen my application at this stage? I'm doing 3 A-Levels (Biology, Chemistry and Maths) and am currently predicted 3A*s (I'm aware this can change) and I achieved 9x9s at GCSE. I've done work experience and volunteering and can reflect on these, and I'm doing scientific research with a local hospital and university, and am projected to complete more in the summer.

Will I be disadvantaged by only doing 3 A-Levels, or having 9 rather than 10 gcses? How can I strengthen my application and what do they look for? I also haven't been accepted onto any programmes like UNIQ, will this affect me?

I'm aware of the rather scientific nature of the Medicine degree at these universities and the course structure, but it's what draws me to them more, however I'd still be happy to do Medicine at any universities, as it's still Medicine.

Reply 1

stilllearning123

Original post by unanswered-brain

Hi
I'm in Y12 and am planning to apply to Oxford (or Cambridge) Medicine. I was just wondering what I could do to strengthen my application at this stage? I'm doing 3 A-Levels (Biology, Chemistry and Maths) and am currently predicted 3A*s (I'm aware this can change) and I achieved 9x9s at GCSE. I've done work experience and volunteering and can reflect on these, and I'm doing scientific research with a local hospital and university, and am projected to complete more in the summer.
Will I be disadvantaged by only doing 3 A-Levels, or having 9 rather than 10 gcses? How can I strengthen my application and what do they look for? I also haven't been accepted onto any programmes like UNIQ, will this affect me?
I'm aware of the rather scientific nature of the Medicine degree at these universities and the course structure, but it's what draws me to them more, however I'd still be happy to do Medicine at any universities, as it's still Medicine.

I don't know this for sure, but Oxford usually ask for 10 gcses at A* so this might impact your chances.
I think the thing that matters far more than any of this is how well you do in the ucat, so if you are really set on Oxbridge, you should get familiar with it as they usually ask for a very high ucat. You could still find out that you don't perform well in the ucat so Oxbridge would be out of the question, but as you said, medicine is medicine.
Oxford specifically state they don't ask for any more than 3 A-levels, but if you care that much you could do an epq to supplement your 3.
Best of luck!

Reply 2

nusaybahyrb

If your school only offered the 9, don't worry about your gcses as they're done now and you may as well still apply to the uni you prefer. Also I personally recommend oxbridge essay comps, and watching lectures from oxbridge specifically and linking this to work experience or books you've read. goodluck!

Reply 3

BlueTiger55

hey, got interviewed for medicine at oxford this year. my gcses were 999999988 (i did nine gcses), predicted A*AA in chem, bio and history and did a week long placement at a local hospital. there’s nothing else you can do for oxford, you’ve done more than enough, put a good personal statement together and you’ll do great. You don’t need any additional programmes or anything like that, you’re already doing wayyyy more than I did so don’t worry. Do well on UCAT too, as this is how oxford seem to weed most people out at the beginning. Best of luck!!