BMAT at Imperial

[Miggles]

I think that Imperial is kinda handicapped by being a member of the University of London and as such it has to give the same standard offer to study medicine as all the other London medical school. So where they might like to change the standard offers to AAA, QMUL and St.Georges would prefer ABB, thus AAB is the comprimise. So if Imperial does seek a more efficient method of selecting candidates, the BMAT seems the only solution as if it is properly prepared for by all student, it would result in the academic potential they are looking for standing out more easily. QMUL are probably doing it as they feel it is a more efficient means to identify potential (and I guess it probably is) than A-levels.

[mike1986]

Imperial is one of the top medical schools in the country it deserves th ebest applicants. I was speaking to a guy i know who lectures there and is involved in the admissions procedure and e says that the way he thinks IC will really push itself forward is by being more selective in its intake. He says that a major issue for the school is that they lose applicants to oxbridge and this is one way of raising their game and therefore attracting them.

I guess they just want to make sure they stay at the top of their game. I think BMAT is an excellent way of selecting people and detecting potential. Its fair, thorough and tetst a range of skills so that if u fail in one part you can make up for it in another.

[chiggy]

The only problem is that though the BMAT is meant to be testing your thinking skills so not about revision, i know some private schools do coaching for it which could disadvantge people at places where this does not happen. At my college they had never heard of the BMAT.

[mike1986]

that might have been true last year...but now there is a cheaply available book which gives u lots of practise (im told). Im a big BMAT fan! Go BMAT!!!

[elles]

Originally Posted by mike1986

He says that a major issue for the school is that they lose applicants to oxbridge and this is one way of raising their game and therefore attracting them.

don't quite understand how this logic works?

if anything - the oxbridge candidates might not want to risk applying to Imperial - putting all their eggs in the BMAT basket so to speak thus this could actually reduce the "top" applicants even applying to Imperial?
whereas previously candidates might be more likely to apply to both, so a decent number at least would end up with Imperial as CF?

[mike1986]

But that is the very problem they are trying to tackle...that the top flight of applicants see IC as the 'easy insurance option'. The BMAT changes that perception and challenges them to consider IC as their first choice institution. The best are not going to worry too much about underperforming against theor peers - i do ot think it will scare away good applicants.

I think that makes sense...

Basically he's saying that they have an image problem, an outstanding course to rival oxbridge and excite the best applicants but not the entry requirements to sure up that image....

I reckon IC will go for AAA soon

[elles]

Originally Posted by mike1986

But that is the very problem they are trying to tackle...that the top flight of applicants see IC as the 'easy insurance option'. The BMAT changes that perception and challenges them to consider IC as their first choice institution.

i still think most of the 'top flight' of applicants will still see IC as an insurance option, albeit not easy. & don't see why they'll suddenly think actually IC is better for them because they selection now seems a tad more stringent!

re. 'the best' & underperforming - given the BMAT is a one shot, one exam that can't really be prepared for - i think it would be prudent for anyone with some common sense not to place all their eggs in that basket. so certainly if i were applying these days i'd be reluctant to apply to more than one BMAT uni.

Basically he's saying that they have an image problem, an outstanding course to rival oxbridge and excite the best applicants but not the entry requirements to sure up that image....

hmm, i think they should go the more tempting scholarships approach..

suppose my thoughts are just you can't really force your way to being a first choice just on the basis of selection type issues & image.
& i think if this is their intended tactic then there is the risk of it backfiring with those 'top' applicants deciding they wouldn't provide an 'insurance' so not bothering to apply there & this would disadvantage IC because obviously not everyone gets into Oxbridge & i know quite a few people who went their after being unsuccessful at oxbridge - so people are forced to make them their firm anyway by circumstances.

[mike1986]

If you think that the BMAT is hard enough to make oxbridge applicants think twice about applying to two BMAT institutions, then how can you think that oxbridge applicants will see IC as an insurance place?

IC think tey are good enough to be these people's first choice....the BMAT:

1. reinforces that image since it is a requirement of the 'top' unis
2. challenges people to consider IC their first choice, if, as you propose they would not like to apply to two - However I do not think that people will think this.

I hadnt considered ur edited point....that's a good one. I hope IC are willing to take that gamble because they should get rid of the 'oxbridge rejects' image they have...certainly in my old school.

[elles]

Originally Posted by mike1986

If you think that the BMAT is hard enough to make oxbridge applicants think twice about applying to two BMAT institutions, then how can you think that oxbridge applicants will see IC as an insurance place?

insurance wasn't really an accurate word - more just not their first choice & even less reluctant to even apply because of the BMAT.

2. challenges people to consider IC their first choice, if, as you propose they would not like to apply to two - However I do not think that people will think this.

i was just saying that i certainly would have! & given i applied to both Imperial & Oxbridge back in the day, my take on the issue might be representative of the mindset of a few applicants out there unless you've all become much braver/reckless/more arrogant/self assured in the past few years!

I hadnt considered ur edited point....that's a good one. I hope IC are willing to take that gamble because they should get rid of the 'oxbridge rejects' image they have...certainly in my old school.

i can understand why they would want to shake that - although TBH i thought Bristol had it worse in general. but I just think as a strategy it is a gamble & moving up to AAA offers would be even more so - because it could be argued 'oxbridge rejects' are still better than the rest if you're talking 'top' applicants. (obviously i know a number of people choose not to apply to oxbridge / love imperial & it's always been their 1st choice, but am just continuing the original idea here. & of course 'top' is subjective etc, but within the context of this thread..)

hmm, perhaps Imperial should start wooing oxbridge preclinical medics instead to enhance their rep? by laying on fabulous open day lunches & handing out goody bags..

i

[mike1986]

Originally Posted by elles

hmm, perhaps Imperial should start wooing oxbridge preclinical medics instead to enhance their rep? by laying on fabulous open day lunches & handing out goody bags..

i

Aaah the voice of self interest...i like it!!

Where are you going for ur clinicals? Do any oxford medics go to cambridge for clinicals?

U are a third year ox medic right.....lol