People with offers??

[2009?]

Hi everyone

Birmingham is one of the medschools im almost certain on applying to this year but the only thing that worries me is the GCSE requirement. I just wondered if it would be possible for people with offers to post what GCSE grades they have.

Thanks
Well done to you all

[melanz]

apparently this year u needed at least 6/7A*s i think. they use your gcse grades to shortlist you for interview.

[waveygravey]

for all we know they might notch up the requirements again. only way i found out last year the gcse requirements was by going to the open day. (might be because i never looked on the website) one is coming up soon, check out the website.

[Andrea90]

I had 7A*s and took a gamble by applying to Birmingham - I got an interview and an offer though! They interviewed me quite late and I suspect it could be because I was 'borderline'.

They thought that it could go up to 8A*s requiremement and it didn't so who knows for next year. I would expect that anyone with 8 or 9A*s would have an excellent chance of getting an interview =]

[waveygravey]

to clarify then i had 7A*'s which was 08 entry's going rate

[2009?]

ooh i have 7 so it sounds like it myt be quite a risky choice for me?
have you heard of anyone who got an offer or an interview this year with less than 7?

yeah, ive booked to go on the open day in june.. so hopefully it will become clearer there

thanks for all your replies

[Andrea90]

If you already have your A Levels then they decrease the GCSE requirements by a bit I think. Also, having a grade 8 on an instrument would also count as an A*. (I think it's grade 8...)

They also ask for AAA predictions I believe. At the end of the day applying with 7A*s was a gamble for me, but it was one that paid off! If your dead keen on applying then go for it, but if its a 'maybe I'll apply... maybe not' then its probably best to go for a med school with not so high demands - many would view the 7A*s as a very high academic record.

The admissions tutor would know the general trend in the standard of applicants. Its possible that only a few of us 7A* candidates were interviewed with emphasis put on other aspects of the application - but birmingham are academically minded when shortlisting for interview.

Good luck and sorry for the essay!!

[waveygravey]

yeh im pretty sure its grade 8 andrea90.
its a brillaint place but only apply if your definetly sure.
cardiff for instance is a very good traditional med school, and for 08 (correct me if im wrong andrea90) but you neededed at least 21 points based on academic score (/25) to get an interview.
i.e (i think it was) it was 3 points per A*
2 per A. 1 per B. (check on the cardiff interview thread)

[Andrea90]

Yeah that requirement for Cardiff does change... although this years was higher. They take your top 9 GCSEs and use that scoring system and you mentionned wavey.

Mine were 7A*s and 2As so a total score of 25.

xx

[waveygravey]

thanks for confirming that andrea, wasnt quite sure if i got it right!
i had 7A*'s and 3A's but it thought i only just got an interivew, maybe i got the scoring points wrong........(im not sure)
any way good luck with cardiff andrea!

and good luck with choosing your choices 2009?!
(birm is awesome)