Bristol vs Southampton

[Raindroppe]

I applied last year (to Cardiff, Cambridge, UCL and BSMS) but I didn't get in so I'm taking a gap year reapplying this year. My other choices so far are UCL, Cardiff and St George's.

For my last choice I can't decide! As a reapplicant, I'm wondering whether I should put down a 'softer' option, and because Soton don't interview (which is where I think I fell last year) I thought maye they'd be a good place to apply? Of course this means there's going to be LOADS of applicants applying there, but I have the advantage of firm grades and a gap year, which I've heard Soton prefer?

However, I'm deciding between Bristol and Soton because I prefer Bristol! But I hear Bristol's more competitive!

So my main question here is what are the pros and cons of each place? And which place do you think I have a better chance at?

If grades help sway your opinions at all, I got 3 As at A level for Chemistry, Biology and Psychology and at AS I also got As in Maths and General Studies, with a B in Critical Thinking. At GCSE I got 10A* and 2A. I haven't done my UKCAT/BMAT yet, but last year I got 20.1 for BMAT and 677.5 for UKCAT.

[cyrusd1]

I'm also deciding between the two.

I really liked Bristol on the open day, but because they don't ask for applicants to do an entrance exam they'll probably have a load of applicants who didn't get a particularly good UKCAT score but are equally strong candidates in other respects - basically they'll probably be very competitive.

I haven't visited Southampton but their course looks really good from the prospectus. They'll probably have loads of applicants because they don't interview, but my good ukcat score and exam grades should give me a better chance of getting in there than Bristol. You probably have a good chance at Southampton as well with your grades and scores, Raindroppe.

I'm really unsure which to apply to mostly because I really liked Bristol and haven't visited Southampton. Bristol probably has a better reputation for medicine and as a university generally as well.

Any advice anyone?

Thanks!

[Randolf_Rolm1919]

I really don't know who tells you that Bristol has a better "reputation" for medicine. I suppose as a university in general it is more popular, but that can be debated too. For someone in the EU, Bristol is far more popular but this may change from country to country.

The reputation of Bristol being better than Southampton for Medicine is very biased and untrue. They are BOTH EXCELLENT medical schools for anyone, and which are highly competitive to get into. So be proud of both.

I said this to someone else earlier, but in the end you want to be a doctor is it that important where you end up studying?

[S4INT]

Does Bristol have a similar course style to Southampton
e.g. Integrated learning style and early patient contact?