College of West Anglia - Access to Medicine 2012 Entry

[OllieF]

Well, since the 2011/2012 course starts tomorrow, I thought I'd start the 2012/2013 thread!

Most, if not all, of the questions people may have can be answered by looking through the previous thread, but I thought I'd collate common questions/answers in this first post, to make things easier for people.

Course Information: The best post I've found on general course information can be found at Sammy's Guide to the CoWA Access to Medicine Course.

Entry Requirements: Though I'm sure most people who're looking at this thread know it already, this is a link to the CoWA A2M (Access to Medicine) course entry requirements: Access to Medicine - Entry Requirements

Accepting Medical Schools: The following medical schools are down on the CoWA website as accepting the A2M course:

1. University of Aberdeen
2. Brighton and Sussex Medical School
3. University of Cambridge
4. Cardiff University
5. Durham University
6. University of East Anglia
7. Edinburgh University
8. King's College London
9. Hull York Medical School
10. Keele University
11. University of Leeds
12. Leicester Medical School
13. University of Liverpool
14. University of Manchester
15. Newcastle University
16. Oxford University
17. UCL
18. Sheffield University
19. University of Southampton
20. St. Andrews

This thread is very much a work in progress; as the academic year rolls on, I'll try and keep this initial post as up-to-date as possible with information from past and present students at CoWA.

Best of luck to the 2011/2012 cohort!

[Michaelrobinson]

just thought id take a break from the masses of work i have, to update any perspective access to medicine students for the 2012-2013 cohort.

The course so far is really quite enjoyable, in my opinion. The work is non stop and it promises to only become more intense after the Christmas break. This half term really isn't a half term for access to med students as we have to prepare a literature review for our Projects, which is mostly self directed.

my advice to all perspective students is get the "head start to a level..." books for each of the core subjects, bio, chem and physics. it will prepare you for what you will be learning from the get go. also if you are feeling a bit more adventurous get the OCR physics books, Jim the physics teacher teachers pretty much directly from this book.

Helen the course director is a really nice lady however don't get on her bad side as it wont be pleasant. you really need her to endorse you otherwise its not good news for you. one final piece of advice, get cracking with UKCAT prep now, Helen will tell you straight up your likely hood of getting into medical school if you get a poor UKCAT score... basically unlikely. i would aim for a score of 700+ but 600+ will put you at about average.

Best of luck to everyone, its a great course, great people and lots of fun. let me know if you have any questions.

[yamazaki]

just thought id take a break

you don't have time to break! get back to work

[Danhutton88]

I received my letter offering me a place on monday. As soon as payday rolls around ill be sending that badboy off. Along with my hard earned pennies quick question though, if i am going to CoWA 2012, to apply that year for entry to uni 2013, when should i be taking the UKCAT? i can't find any clear answers ;S

[Michaelrobinson]

when should i be taking the UKCAT? i can't find any clear answers ;S

You need to take the UKCAT before October 3rd 2012. i would recommend you take it in mid august before you come to COWA.

[Danhutton88]

Oh thank god. I thought i had missed the deadline. Thats a load off.

[OllieF]

Got my letter too Dan, also waiting till payday to part with the hard-earned cash!

[Danhutton88]

This year cant pass quickly enough. I applied in 2010 after thourough research, nd now i have the letter and the place, its all so real! Next big step is actually getting into uni. But we shall take these things as we come. When should be the right time to start looking at accomodation for the year?

[delta9]

I have just applied to start in 2012 have many other people applied yet.

[CJT]

Hi delta9, I've applied for 2012 entry too (submitted Thursday 10th November, if memory serves). They say that they will get back to you within 4 weeks of submitting your application, so I guess that means by the 8th of December at the latest for me. Which interview slot did you select? I went for January.

CJT