Graduate chances of an offer?

[Ooh Matron!]

Hello all,

I've been looking at medschoolsonline again (fantastic site) and am trying to understand what the chances of getting an offer are, for graduates. Apparently, there are 9.7 applicants per graduate place, or 262 people competing for 27 places! I assume these figures are from before they've filtered out who doesn't have the grades and so forth?
Medschoolsonline - Medical Course Guide for Graduates - Standard Medicine Courses

I know this is a lot of applicants for so few places, but I have my heart set on Aberdeen so much. I already volunteer at ARI with the hospital radio (presenting and request collecting) so should I specifically give them a mention in my PS, just to craftily sway it in their favour?

Any other tips much appreciated

[Kensei]

Hey there Ooh Matron,

Thanks for this link, a very neat page with clear formatting and good information - exactly what some people are looking for here.

As for your chances as a grad student, I'm afraid there aren't any secret tips which would give u an edge over everyone else.. The main point is to show through your PS and your work/volunteering experience that you were commited to doing this course long before applying, and are well informed about what's involved academically and career-wise. If you can, do HCA work and try to show them you're involved in the community or sports, anything that shows you've worked in a team. Any first-aid courses you did are well worth mentioning too.

Personally, when I applied I had 3 years of HCA experience and 2 years of volunteering done, and an international first aid certificate, on top of being involved in a few university sport clubs.. I think what they want to see in graduate applications is the ability to cope with multiple tasks (not only academic) simultaneusly (i.e. being active), while still enjoying the 'fun' side of life and developing your personality through a network of social contacts... (just a lil tip towards your PS )

I think you should mention the volunteering you're doing in ARI, but don't overemphasize it, since this type of experience looks good regardless of where you got it from.. being involved 'locally' isn't such a big thing, methinks.

PS. 10 people per seat seems like quite a challenge, but once you're through this, you notice it wasn't as bad as they make it look :]

Good luck

[elz]

yea i dont think it would sway you in their favour. can i ask why ur working at the hosp radio? i would say u defo need some care experience. it would be good to talk about working on a ward at the ARI. im not saying it would swing it in ur favour because it all comes down to how u put it across, and what u say u got out of it, but if u said it well it would look better.
i think theres about 30 grads on the course? and i think thats what the med school said to me, about 30 places, but iwouldnt focus on that too much, if u get an int u have a good chance if u talk well.

[Racster]

Hi everyone, I've been a NMM lurker in last year's application cycle and thought this year I might post and ask for some much needed advice! I've just got a question for any Aberdeen students already on the course or for those who have been successful...
I actually made an application to Aberdeen last year and was unsuccessful so am a bit apprehensive about giving them another whirl...they say that they can consider an application from me but I don't know if this is just to be considered....to the dreaded no pile!
I have a 2:1 in Philosophy and Religious Studies and then when I decided to go for medicine I got an overall distinction in the year long Durham Science Foundation Programme. I couldn't go for the Durham medical course as they wanted 9 distinctions and I have 8 distinctions and 1 pass. The pass being a module that was 100% exam in Chemistry. Aberdeen say they can consider me as I have a 2:1 and they look to my Foundation Programme for the necessary Chemistry. I know they do a summer school for those without the necessary Chemistry, but my question is, am I destined to never get past the academic scoring because of this pass in a Chemistry module? If that is the case I just can't afford to use it as a choice. I know they also score on work experience alreadly completed, of which I didn't have a great deal in my last app. At least this has improved as I'm now a Phlebotomist and I work as an HCA for 9 months upon application. I like them as I know it's a fantastic course and I know they are 25 year old friendly, however, I'm just wondering if they are looking at my 2:1, then my science course and just seeing a pass. They other Chemistry modules I got distinctions in however. I'm just wanting your advice as I have to be cold hard and calculating this year and if that means choosing a course that concentrates on my 2:1 and arty A Levels then that is what I will have to do, I just wanted your advice before making a decision. Hope anyone can help. Thankyou!

[Kensei]

Hey Racster

I can't say much about your case specifically, because they try to assess every graduate on an individual basis... however, I can say that I had a 2.1 in Psychology (which isn't really a science degree IMO, despite the BSc that came with it) and my chemistry background was not impressive at all - yours looks sufficient to me. Therefore, with the accumulated work experience and a pimped-out personal statement, I can't see why they wouldn't strongly consider giving you an offer. The competition is a bit stronger for the 20-ish graduate places, but you did everything they asked for. Even if you do get a conditional with summer school as a requirement - so what? It's a piece of cake You should also know that they like persistent applicants. Giving up after one try is not what they'd call a conviction about career choice :]

Whatever you decide is best for you, I wish you good luck with your application

[Racster]

Hey, thanky ou so much for your replies, I really appreciate it, hopefully I might make it through the screening to then be judged on the personal statement and reference. I'm working full time as a Phlebotomist in a medical research project, and as they are 12 hour shifts I can also juggle being an HCA in my local hospital day and night shifts and then am a HCA in various night sexual health clinics over the north east on my days off, so I've tried to cane the work experience! Slightly worried about the voluntary side of things, I've got Hospice volunteering but not for as long as my jobs, so if they have a bone to pick I reckon that'll be it, but hopefully I might have a slim chance! My application is going 1st September and not a day later, I go to bed re-drafting my P.S in my sleep, it's ridiculous! !

[shadowy1]

hey guys!

Just a couple of questions!

To apply to aberdeen must you have completed your degree or can you apply in your final year?
Also how much weighting to aberdeen put on the ukcat?

Thanks

[Doms]

Hey guys,

Just to reinforce the grades situation. I have an 2:1 in Business and Management Studies but my A levels are much worse than anyone on here (I got ABCCC my A being in General Studies with my only mitigating circumstances being my discovery of alcohol and women) so I don't think Aberdeen look further than the 2:1 on the educational front.

I applied after my degree as it gave me chance to work as HCA so I had something to say in my interview, although I know people who have applied during there final year but you will still need the work experience. At university, I was vice captain of my rugby team and on the committee as well as volunteering for the Samaritans so had a lot of team and leadership stuff on the side which I believe they liked.

I don't have a Chemistry A level so had to sit Aberdeen's Summer School in Chemistry passing with a CAS 20. This was really more of an inconvience than anything else. Any questions about this then feel free to pm me.

Good luck to anyone applying. It's a great place..... at least in the summer!!!

[Kensei]

hey guys!

Just a couple of questions!

To apply to aberdeen must you have completed your degree or can you apply in your final year?
Also how much weighting to aberdeen put on the ukcat?

Thanks

Hey shadowy,

I applied in my final year, giving them the 'predicted final mark',as estimated by one of my professors - they're happy to wait for your graduation and official marks, and if the situation requires it (just as was the case with me, Doms, and many others) - they might throw in a second condition (i.e. getting at least CAS 18 in summer school Chemistry).

Work experience is important just as Doms said, but there are ways around this problem (for example,I was working part-time as care assistant for 3 years when I was doing my first degree).

UKCAT score is not very important in Aberdeen, it will probably account for 4-5% of your overall application point count. It will not be a decisive factor in whether you get in or not (i.e. many people get accepted despite having < 600 points in UKCAT)

[sre]

I am a student studying Biomedical Sciences at Aston university, and I am predicted a 2.1. I also did my A levels and achieved ABB in Psychology, Biology and Chemistry respectively. I am planning on applying to the five year medical programme at aberdeen, and I wanted to know what are the GCSE admission requirments are? I realy wana go here, but my ukcat is pretty crap with an av of 535.

Do u think i have a chance?