Question to all the 2007 entry applicants to Birmingham!!

**-Petrie-** · 25-09-2007, 02:58 AM

Hello!

From some of the threads on here, I've kind of got the feeling that Birmingham are very stingy with their grades - anything from 5A*s to 8A*s minium has been mentioned, to even get an interview, as well as the rumour that you have to have at least an AAAa predic. to get an interview (even though the offer they give is AAB!).

As a 2008 entry applicant (and a reapplicant to med after being unsuccessful last year, didnt apply to Birm tho) I'm very very worried! I was thinking of applying to Birmingham but have 7A*s/AABaab at A Level!

So my question is, to the people who applied to Birm last year:

What was your A Level predc?
How many A*s at GCSE did you achieve?
What was the outcome of your application to Birm (interview? offer?)?

I don't mean to be nosy, it's just that I get the feeling that applying to Birmingham will be a lost cause and I might as well apply to somewhere that wont reject me because I dont have AAA!!

Many thanks!

(P.S. emailed that Chris Lote guy and he said I could apply (but obv. didnt say I may just get rejected straight away!) and that you need 6A* minimum to apply).

**dsn** · 25-09-2007, 03:06 AM

Well, I had more than what you have in your first paragraph, so I suppose it doesn't help.

If Lote said you can apply, I think that's the best advice you're going to get. If you have really good PS and reference than you might be ok.

By the way, how is Lote pronounced?
Lowt ot Low-tay?

**-Petrie-** · 25-09-2007, 03:35 AM

ahh no that does help! Thanks!

and my guess is Lowt, but seeing as people have mispronounced my name my whole life, I'll call him whichever! lol.

My feeble attempt at payback to the world - to mispronounce every name I can

**ree2605** · 25-09-2007, 04:00 PM

hey

right where do i start??

i applied last year after being predicted AAB and receiving my 7A*

i was unsuccessful..i emailed chris lote and still have email as proof that you need 7A* and predicted AAA to be considered.I felt very hard done by and complained because i knew that i was never goin to get AAA and felt that i wasted an application on bham bcoz of them misleading us innocent ppl =)

rant over =)

hope that helps

xx

**ree2605** · 25-09-2007, 04:01 PM

From : Christopher Lote <c.j.lote@bham.ac.uk>
Sent : 16 February 2007 09:24:43
To : "ree smyth" <ree_2605@hotmail.co.uk>
Subject : RE: Medicine Interviews

Go to previous message | Go to next message | Delete | Inbox

This year we have had the highest standard of applications ever - and a
record number of applicants, and it is for this reason that our
requirement is AAA A level predictions and a minimum of 7 A* at GCSE. If
you obtain at least AAB A levels, you can reapply for next year.

Professor Chris Lote
Associate Dean (Admissions)
Professor of Experimental Nephrology
Medical School
University of Birmingham
Birmingham B15 2TT
Tel: 44 (0)121 414 6921
Fax 44 (0)121 414 6919
-----Original Message-----
From: ree smyth [mailto:ree_2605@hotmail.co.uk]
Sent: 15 February 2007 14:38
To: c.j.lote@bham.ac.uk
Subject: RE: Medicine Interviews

**-Petrie-** · 25-09-2007, 04:56 PM

Thanks for the info.

It just confuses me because Lote said I could apply with AAB at A Level, but is he just saying that 'cus he can't say that I'm not allowed to because that's their minimum offer (even tho they want more than that?!). Gah I'm so confused!

Think I'm gonna give Birmingham a miss

**Alaina** · 26-09-2007, 12:59 AM

Originally Posted by -Petrie-

Thanks for the info.

It just confuses me because Lote said I could apply with AAB at A Level, but is he just saying that 'cus he can't say that I'm not allowed to because that's their minimum offer (even tho they want more than that?!). Gah I'm so confused!

Think I'm gonna give Birmingham a miss

Petrie!! You would still be in with a fighting chance because they go off PREDICTED A level grades - i.e. since you have already ACHIEVED A level grades - as long as you've got their minimum (AAB) then they can still consider you! They only put the AAA prediction thing up to try and get the best academic candidates to try and cut numbers (and the ones most likely to chieve at LEAST AAB at A level).
Basically, you'd probably get the same score as someone 'predicted' AAA because you actually have 100% certainty that you've got their minimum, with everyone else, there is no certainty - just predictions!

But if you're still worried about it, because all they seem to care about is academic stuff at first, then so you don't feel like you've wasted a place - find somewhere else that you'd be more comfortable and positive about applying to

Hope that helps!
xxxxxx

**-Petrie-** · 26-09-2007, 04:44 AM

Thanks for the advice (it was very sweet of you!), but I honestly can't face another 4 rejections. This is my last chance to do medicine, and can't just throw it away at the off chance that Lote will be okay with my grades.

Thanks for the advice

(and good luck with your application!)

**infinity** · 27-09-2007, 11:11 AM

Originally Posted by -Petrie-

What was your A Level predc?

had my a-level results already when i applied...4A

How many A*s at GCSE did you achieve?

5A*

What was the outcome of your application to Birm

accepted da offer

**Dr Jayakody** · 27-09-2007, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by -Petrie-

Thanks for the advice (it was very sweet of you!), but I honestly can't face another 4 rejections. This is my last chance to do medicine, and can't just throw it away at the off chance that Lote will be okay with my grades.

Thanks for the advice

(and good luck with your application!)

Hey I don't know if this is going to help. If Prof. Chris Lote said that it was OK, I would go for it.

Your GCSE's and A/L grades seem fine to me. As Alaina said, after all you have their expected minimum and again as she said you have already GOT the grades, whilst others have got predictions. Don't forget that Birmingham is a really good uni AND it doesn't ask for any UKCAT or BMAT or any other thing. And you have got a really high chance of getting there.

Hope this helps!