Bristol 2010

[CmatteRN]

Not that I know of, but I'll find out from a friend of mine who's at Bristol. She's not a mature student, but she is graduating next year and may have some inside scoop that I haven't run across yet.
I've seen a few things that would lead me to believe that it's an honor system, so you put down your grades for your applicable classes and then I'm assuming they ask for transcripts once you get in? It's what I've been led to believe. I'll see if I can find where I saw that and post the link.

[dotvicky]

I'm applying to Bristol because I've read that they are a bit more liberal with...non-traditional applicants.

Hmm - can I ask where you've heard this? I found them to be quite unaware of non-traditional stuff when I spoke to them.

(Mind you, I've also heard from matures on the course who say that the teachers on the course are great and appropriately flexible to the needs of matures, it's just my experience of the admissions guys.)

Cheers
Vicky

[Jawalmsley]

Sound, good choice.

[CmatteRN]

I've read it on a couple of different "mature", "non-traditional" threads, as well as on some of the sites that review admissions procedures for med schools. I'm looking through that stuff now in an effort to be able to provide something here that's more concrete than that.

That said, I find most of that sort of info frustrating. It's funny how you can see patterns of people disseminating information in a frenzy--much like on this site with UKCAT scores--and you can find conflicting information given at every turn within a single thread. It's interesting to hear you say they were unaware...I've not received a response yet from my correspondence with them, other than one that told me to stop into the office for a chat if I happened to be in the area. But if you found that through personal experience, I'm guessing it's true? Although I'll try to ascertain for myself what the deal is if I get the chance, after all, what have I got to lose (aside from another year)?

With only 4 applications possible, it makes it all kind of daunting really. I've been poring over websites and books for weeks now trying to figure out where I have the best chance of getting in (and doing well), but no place has led me to believe yet that they are "the one".

hmm.

[Nomad314]

Hi
I'm applying to Bristol this year too. Got my acknowledgement yesterday.
I'm kind of scared of getting an interview and a thorough grilling. Obviousy an interview would be great! but still... :s
Emma x

[Crims]

Applying to Bristol too! I hope they like the IB

[dotvicky]

'CmatteRN' - you got invited to go in and see them? I would kill for the opportunity to meet them face-to-face before they go through my application. Darn it - now I'm worried that I managed to come across badly on the 'phone so they didn't offer (or maybe I wasn't untraditional enough - heheh.)

Either way, that sounds really positive for you. I do hope you get your interview. Good luck!

Cheers
Vicky

[CmatteRN]

Yeah--I actually went in last week on Thursday. I was in the UK all week driving around to different schools seeing who would chat with me about my application.

I met a really nice guy in the admissions office--Mitchell I think he was called--and he talked to me a bit about the grade requirements, and told me they'd not be looking at quite the same materials since I have an unusual background. He also told me not to worry about NARIC and getting an assessment from them, they would figure out what my classes were on their own.

I had asked if they wanted a CV on account of my length of time working in the medical field and he said to not bother, because they try to have a level playing field insofar as what they look at from each candidate. That scared me a little, but he said they would take my age and experience into account and if it was a concern, they would ask me to bring a CV at interview, if I were to get one.

He also took me on a tour of the classroom building, which was very nice of him since he seemed kind of busy. Nothing fancy--just showed me the lecture halls and library, and the way to the other building I'd been looking for.

I really like it there. Probably helped that the weather was great. When I went up to Manchester it poured with rain the whole time!!

[dotvicky]

I think Bristol (both the city and the university) are lovely. I went there first time around and live here now (and so it's obviously my top choice by a large margin!)

Cheers
Vicky

[CmatteRN]

Well I hope you get in sounds like it would work out really well for you!!

--cam