IB application

**sradoja** · 30-10-2009, 06:57 PM

So, why are you in Canada then? Are you on a gap year or at Uni there?
Ohhh, Leicester, that's where all my relatives live. I thought about applying there but I didn't want to stay near my family

Do you need the BMATs for any of those Unis? I'm not ready for mine at all. eek...

Anyone got offers for interview yet? I'm getting so nervous just waiting.
Choices below...

Crims · 01-11-2009, 01:12 AM

Hey everyone,
I was just wondering... How do you IB students feel about the BMAT? Been doing some practice questions and idk... I mean not having taken physics, physics for me is just a no go...but bio and chem aren't too hard and maths is doable. The essay I haven't tried, but with 2 A languages and english at A1HL how hard can it be? Section 1 is gonna be a bitch tho... Need at least 5.0 5.0 9.0 ... I just hope I ace it so guaranteed the interview at UCL!

**flarestar** · 02-11-2009, 08:00 PM

Lol yeah I'm on my gap year at uni here and if I fail to get in again then I'm set for here atleast.

Yeah I took the BMAT last year. Did really well. Don't worry about the physics too much I hadn't done it in two years and just revised GCSE physics instead for it. You only need GCSE level science knowledge (or so they claim) but you need to be able to read fast cos they give a ton of useless and boringly long information for you to read for every 5-6 questions. If you took the UKCAT the BMAT makes it look like a joke (I took the UKCAT like a joke too so that didn't phase me really). The science bit honestly isn't that hard and neither is the aptitude bit. Most people struggle cos they don't finish it on time (I never had the problem if you work fast in exams you'll do well). The essay bit was my favorite they give such awkward questions and so limited space and time. Organizational skills for that and grammer are very important as well as making sure you put only the important bits in since you don't have space for anything else and make sure you back up your opinions. I was not looking forward to that bit and thought I did badly but I got 10.5 which I was really happy with.

All in all, you need to work fast, revise GCSE Sciences (there's loads of web-sites for that), stay calm and enjoy (I loved it).

Oh one more thing if in doubt select B. You'll notice it yourself that more often then not you'll end up picking B

**sradoja** · 04-11-2009, 11:30 PM

lol, on nearly all the questions I wasn't sure about, B always seemed to be the most likely choice =)
So I ended up taking your advice and picking it lol

**flarestar** · 05-11-2009, 07:45 PM

Well as long as it all works out I'm happy. If it doesn't then I cannot be held responsible in any way under either courts of the UK or Canada. Just sayin lol

**alee92** · 16-11-2009, 12:58 PM

Don't worry about your marks. I am predicted a 31 + 2 and I received an offer from HYMS

**FailureByDesign** · 05-12-2009, 01:14 AM

Originally Posted by Jawalmsley

Bristol and BSMS were very similar, the typical sort of interview questions, Why medicine/a doctor/ not a nurse etc. Bristol seemed a bit more intense, they asked more science based questions about stem cells and things, but nothing to heavy, both panels were really nice. As for advice, you need to show them that you've got a good personality, (i.e that your: interesting, easy to talk to, have a sense of humour). Don't over prepare or your answers will look rehearsed, re-read your personal statement so your prepared for any question about it, pause and think before answering questions, don't rush into them etc. Part of what they look for in a Bristol interview is 'ability to cope with stress" which means they will ask you to state an opinion about a controversial situation. In my interview they asked me what I'd do if a co-worker at my hospital came to work drunk the day after his wife had left him, I said that I'd ring him a taxi and send him home. They like you to have an opinion, they might disagree and even argue with you, but stick to your arguments, they like that sort of thing.

Good luck, I'm sure you'll do fine, at my interviews there were loads of IB students, Medical schools love them.

I haven't used this site for a while, so this is a very late reply but...

Thank you!!! The information about your experiences was very useful and your advice was very good! I feel more at ease about interviews now so thanks.
I'm actually having an interview at Bristol soon, so if everything goes to plan (I get an offer & make the grades - easier said than done) I'll being seeing you there in 2010!
Have a fun gap year and take care