Accomodation in KL - Eastfields close - Mrs Tann

[Abbsie]

DH

When you start the course, Derek will have put up a full break down of how many applications, interviews and offers were gained from each Med School in 2005. There are 80+ people on the course, so can't remember them all off-hand.

A word of caution though - don't base everything on Derek's list, as med school admission policies and admissions tutors change from year to year. Also - other than UEA, I didn't go for the med schools which everyone else was going for; partly because we have some very strong candidates on our course, and if they have a quota (official or unofficial), then you don't want to be up 'against' (in the nicest possible way) too many of them.

Further to Marc's advice, get your personal statement done (although you'll more than likely need to change it further when you get here); and spend time when you're here (and everyone else is starting their personal statements) to contact med schools, speak to Derek, and generally do loads of research.

It's definitely worth going to open days and making yourself known to admissions tutors - generally, they will give you an indication of whether you'd be wasting your time or not.

Re: Manchester - not many people applied there, but I think the response was good. I try to keep out of the chinese whispers, mutterings and gossips - so I'm not best placed to help you there. Good luck!

Adam

[DH2005]

Thanks for that Adam, and Marc also. Between the two of you, you've answered my question comprehensively.

I've been staggered how other attempts to ask this question have been met with a wall of silence. What do people think - that medical schools will see you commenting on how they've been unsupportive, before kicking off a national conspiracy to prevent you from getting into medical school?! Jesus, people... this is a place to exchange information, after all.

Adam - I was particularly interested in your comment on choosing less popular medical schools to avoid direct competition with the more impressive candidates. That's shrewd thinking... out of interest (and I know the competition will vary from one year to another) but what do the most impressive candidates in your intake have to offer? Are we talking *Nightmare Competition*? - 6 As at A level, double-hard First in Physiology from Oxford and nine months full-time work experience (I haven't plucked those stats from the air - I know a guy with that profile... very, very scary - I wouldn't want my UCAS form to be the one they read after his!).

[Abbsie]

DH

My other (not Marc) flatmate has received four offers, inc an unconditional from UEA. He has good A level Biology and Chemistry grades, and a 2:2 in a BSC. UEA gave him the unconditional because of his A levels, whilst other med schools wouldn't even look at him because of the 2:2! It's a minefield to be honest - you need to choose Med schools whose criteria you fit the best - to one you may be the best candidate, whilst to another you may be the worst!

In answer to your question about the wall of silence.... I would have said that was more due to the time it takes to give you a decent answer than anything else! Marc and I helped because we are both pretty damn good at procrastinating!

Adam

[DH2005]

Yeah - this is all good advice.

I suppose what I was angling for, very unsuccessfully, was a comment on whether or not people with a background similar to mine are considered to be impressive or run-of-the-mill. I have AAC in arts A levels from 1998 and a 2.1 in law from 2001... for many applications this would be considered a good profile, but not having any science beyond GCSE is a definite handicap.

[Abbsie]

Oh... I can answer that one.

2.1 in Law is excellent
AAC in arts A levels is good

You don't need to have done sciences before - and both your degree and A levels are to good standards - you'll pick up the science here.

I'd say you are better than the average candidate (I didn't even do chemistry at GCSE!).

[DH2005]

Is that because you went to a school where the three sciences weren't madatory? My housemate has Physics and Biology but didn't take any Chemistry beyond the age of 14.

[christie]

Hi Abbsie,

Do you mind me asking, your friend who got offers with the Bsc 2.2 and good A Level Biology and Chemistry grades, what kind of A level grades were they...higher than a C?

[Abbsie]

Is that because you went to a school where the three sciences weren't madatory? My housemate has Physics and Biology but didn't take any Chemistry beyond the age of 14.

Long story... basically I was an expat brat at an international school that wasn't forced to follow the national curriculum. Biology was my only science.

[Abbsie]

Hi Abbsie,

Do you mind me asking, your friend who got offers with the Bsc 2.2 and good A Level Biology and Chemistry grades, what kind of A level grades were they...higher than a C?

Hi Christie

He did get good A-level grades; so some Med Schools (evidently) thought he was a good candidate. However, my main point is - to some Med Schools he was a candidate they wouldn't even look at; whilst to others, he was worthy of an unconditional. The conclusion being: it's all about choosing the right Med Schools.