Maximizing my chances at med???

**Sebastian9014** · 06-10-2009, 04:16 PM

I'm a non-EU international applicant from New Zealand and I want to know what med school best maximizes my chances?

I am currently doing the First year of a Health Science Degree (required by all NZers if they want to do med) and I got an A+ average so far.

UKCAT: 700
SPM (equivalent to GCSE): 9A* 1A

I've been thinking about manchester and hull york (but then found out they only offer 1 place!). Can someone name some universities pls? and what are my chances?

Much help would be needed!! THANKS!

E-mail: bluish_lantern@hotmail.com

**FLmedicine20** · 07-10-2009, 01:46 AM

hey, welcome to the forum!

There aren't too many applicants on here that international, so I'll give you some advice from what I've picked up, one international to another!

I'm from the U.S....and I scored a 640 on my UKCAT! Your score is really good, especially if you are applying to GEP's (grad. entry programs). Apparently Sheffield has a cut off of 675, so you're okay. Check out this website, should give you some answers:

Medschoolsonline - A Guide to Getting into Medical School in the UK

It helped me get started. Check out school websites and email admissions (or call if it's cheap!) and see their requirements (varies from country to country). Your UKCAT should definitely be fine, don't know what SPM are, and your degree seems relevant. But definitely check out the website, should give you a list of schools to apply, then break them down into chances of getting in, location, etc. If you need help let me know!

**krazyfish** · 07-10-2009, 05:49 AM

Hey FLmedicine20, were you thinking of Leicester?
They want a 3.6 GPA..
Just in case you didn't already know..
I was gonna apply there, but my GPA was 3.55 .......................................

**Sebastian9014** · 07-10-2009, 08:18 AM

aw thanks FLMedicine20.

My UKCAT score is alright, though one of my sections is just above 500. GEP sounds nice but I'm thinking about applying into a 5 year course because i want to get into Medicine asap. haha

Too bad they don't reveal the chances for int students though, but it looks pretty intense..

**zhangyuzhi** · 07-10-2009, 03:48 PM

competition is intense indeed.

**FLmedicine20** · 07-10-2009, 04:32 PM

I'm not applying there, I got a GPA of 3.415, damn organic!

**McGiller** · 07-10-2009, 04:49 PM

Originally Posted by FLmedicine20

I'm not applying there, I got a GPA of 3.415, damn organic!

Do they look at your cumulative GPA over the 4 years, or just the most recent x number of semesters? To me, it sounds a bit unfair to require internationals to have a consistent GPA when the UK degree classification is done on the grades for the last year...

**FLmedicine20** · 07-10-2009, 05:32 PM

they look at the cumulative GPA...I didn't know they only look at the last year for UK students...that's not fair! hahaha...it's all good..I just hope I get into a school!

**McGiller** · 07-10-2009, 06:26 PM

Originally Posted by FLmedicine20

they look at the cumulative GPA...I didn't know they only look at the last year for UK students...that's not fair! hahaha...it's all good..I just hope I get into a school!

My English friends tell me that there 1st, 2:1 and 2:2 degree classifications are based on the marks achieved in their last year of studies. So essentially, they can just pass the first two years and do awesome on their last year...