Graduate Applicants

[Kensei]

Mr Tickles - yeah I'm curious about that too... from what I understand, they don't need to reorganise the whole course for the 09 entry, just early phases (I, possibly II ?). Basically how the Systems are taught... I think we (08 entry) are a kind of hybrid between the old and new system, having bits and pieces of the revised curriculum incorporated. I hope that will not make us dispensable ;-P

However, I seriously doubt they would start clinical teaching in year 1. Neither the students nor the teaching physicians will be ready for this sudden jump. Of course by 'clinical teaching' I mean being actually *taught* on the wards, not just visiting the ARI once in a semester

[ilove_mrblair]

well played!

[McWiseguy]

Aw man! Nice one Mark! I'm so wishing I was in your situation right now! I'm getting so frustrated of the wait even though this is the third time I've been through the UCAS cycle! Someone give me an offer!

[Frank E]

What is this summer school?

[Kensei]

Yeah , for example in my case it was the Polish chemistry qualifications that they simply didn't recognize so to b on the safe side, they asked me to get 18/20 (A-) at the Summer School. It didn't take too much effort, really. It's a 2 months long course that takes u through basics of most topics u should have covered (possibly more than what u should know, since everything that matters is repeated again during biochem part of Phase I - imo, chemistry excellence would not contribute in any way towards final grades in 1st year.. )

[Frank E]

Ouch, that could hurt financially if one was planning earning over the summer to reduce dependency on loans.

[Ooh Matron!]

I'd like to know, how are Highers/A-levels valued between graduate applicants? For example, if two candidates both had a 2:1 degree, and the same UKCAT score, but one of them had AAB at A-level and the other had CCC, would the Aberdeen admissions team favour the one with the better grades?

Ideally I want to apply to med schools that have all graduates on a level playing field (like St Georges), since my school grades were pretty crap.

[Kensei]

Pardon my poor language skills, but what does "level playing field" mean? do u mean - all graduates at similar level in terms of their chem/biol background? If this is what you meant - it won't happen, mainly due to the fact that grads come from so many backgrounds (biochem, biomed, genetics, pharmacology, physiotherapy, nursing, even social sciences or psychology) - it's highly unlikely that all of them are equally prepared to deal with the requirements of this degree. Additionally, the grads are not perceived as a separate group in lecturers' eyes, so we all have to learn at similar pace (for some of us it's just revision in 1st year, but hey, no-one said its going to be all fun n games, right? )

As for the A-levels scenario you described - if those two grads were interviewed (and I presume they would if they met the criteria), majority of their points would come from the interview+PS. Much weight is also given to work experience, but once all those are considered (together with their previous degree), both UKCAT and A-level grades play a relatively insignificant part.

Therefore, I expect that in a draw-scenario between two grads who somehow managed to get equal number of points (but low enough to actually fight for the *last* grad spot on the course) - I presume they wouldn't pay too much attention to A-levels (since both those individuals already met minimum entrance criteria) - they'd probably look back at their interview notes, and decide which one fits better into their 'model' of a med student. However, this is just my opinion of how the system works

[Ooh Matron!]

Thanks Kensei. Sounds like I have a decent chance then


(By "level playing field" I just meant are all graduates treated the same regardless of their A-level results, as is the case at St Georges where they only look at the GAMSAT for academic scoring).