Getting into Manchester?

[fantasystar38]

Hey I'm applying for 2009 entry, I'm a Year 13 atm and just wanted some advice.
Im dead set on Manchester, as a mancunian born and bred I don't want to leave and to go to the med school is my ultimate ambition!

I got 9A*'s and 2A's at GCSE, AAAAB at AS (resitting the B), probably predicted AAAA/AAAB at A-level.
UKCAT is
VR:720 QR:740 AR:630 DA:850 giving me 2940 total 735 average.
I've had 9 months in a special school, a week at Trafford General and 3 days at Wythenshawe, plus 4 weeks in Manchester's Cardiovascular Research department helping out a clinical research fellow.

I know obviously I've got to demonstrate what I've learnt (mainly that playdough is fun and that old ladies can drink infinite amount of tea!) but on paper, whats my chances of getting to interview?
Any further stuff needed?

Cheers!

[Davsky]

I'd say your chances are very high of getting an interview (relatively), with a good personal statement. Lots of people on this site will be willing to help you with that if you ask, and your UCAS referee will help you - people with a lot of experience in the field, so make the most of that help. Of course, some things are a matter of opinion, and everyone you turn to will have a different view on what you should write, so don't be scared to make your own decisions, if anything, it allows YOU to shine through in your personal statement.

Make the most of your interview, assuming you get one (no reason you shouldnt really), and prepare well for it. With regard to your work experience, you will 100% be asked about it / have to talk about it at interview, as you'll already know, so its important to have stuff to say about it. There must have been things you liked/disliked about certain things, you have to relate your experiences to WHY they made you certain medicine was right for you.

Anyway, I suppose we're getting a little ahead of ourselves here, enjoy what you have left of the summer hols, you can prepare a 'first draft' of your personal statement ready for when you go back, so you can make an early start on your application. After you've applied you should look at getting some practice interviews to see where your weak areas may be (I had a mock interview with an extremely harsh UCAS referee at my school, it really knocked my confidence at the time but it helped me in the long run).

Good luck, hope you get what you want.

P.S: I know you have your heart set on Manchester, but you have to face the reality that every applicant (no matter how good) cannot say for sure they'll get an offer from everywhere they apply to, so do not neglect the other 3 universities you must apply to, and take the time to decide where you would like to go, other than Manchester. Not that I'm saying you will, just be sure not to fall into that trap.

[theatrical]

Manchester score your appliaction (grades, PS and reference) under the following criteria. They don't differentiate between those who exceed the entry requirements and those that just meet them, i.e. they give everyone who meets the minimum academic requirements 20 marks - so it really is your PS that will dictate whether you get an interview. For 2007 entry, when I applied, you needed to score 77 (if I remember correctly) for an interview.

Academic ability - 20 marks
Determination - 20
Reasons for choosing medicine - 20
Work experience -10
Leadership/Team work - 10
Intepretation of experience - 10
Hobbies - 5
Communication - 5

Remember to put lots of reflection in your personal statement - what you've learnt from your experiences and how they've confirmed/reinforced your determination to be a doctor. Also, remember that your UCAS application is only used to decide whether to interview you and isn't looked at again at or after interview. Your interview score determines whether you get an offer - so don't forget to read around current medical issues and practice your interview technique. Good luck!

[bigdog]

Originally Posted by theatrical

Manchester score your appliaction (grades, PS and reference) under the following criteria. They don't differentiate between those who exceed the entry requirements and those that just meet them, i.e. they give everyone who meets the minimum academic requirements 20 marks - so it really is your PS that will dictate whether you get an interview. For 2007 entry, when I applied, you needed to score 77 (if I remember correctly) for an interview.

Academic ability - 20 marks
Determination - 20
Reasons for choosing medicine - 20
Work experience -10
Leadership/Team work - 10
Intepretation of experience - 10
Hobbies - 5
Communication - 5

Remember to put lots of reflection in your personal statement - what you've learnt from your experiences and how they've confirmed/reinforced your determination to be a doctor. Also, remember that your UCAS application is only used to decide whether to interview you and isn't looked at again at or after interview. Your interview score determines whether you get an offer - so don't forget to read around current medical issues and practice your interview technique. Good luck!

Hi, im a grad doin biomed predicted 2:1hopefully at the mo...did my ukcat the other day got 660, while a-levels are CHEM A, BIO A, PHY B maths as b, gcses are 1 A*,5 A'S 2B's and a C lol, i have volunteered for the last four years durin the school holidays (easter and summer) for children with cebral palsy, among numerous other work experiences at hospital and a gp surgery.

I know its ridiculous to ask you to give me mark, but looking at these do u rekon, i have a good chance to be interviewed by manchester (obv provided my ps is top notch)? And how do you mark for an individual subject like academic ability, do u get the full 20 marks if you get what the minimum requirements that the uni wants?

Thank you....

[Bambi]

Originally Posted by bigdog

Hi, im a grad doin biomed predicted 2:1hopefully at the mo...did my ukcat the other day got 660, while a-levels are CHEM A, BIO A, PHY B maths as b, gcses are 1 A*,5 A'S 2B's and a C lol, i have volunteered for the last four years durin the school holidays (easter and summer) for children with cebral palsy, among numerous other work experiences at hospital and a gp surgery.

I know its ridiculous to ask you to give me mark, but looking at these do u rekon, i have a good chance to be interviewed by manchester (obv provided my ps is top notch)? And how do you mark for an individual subject like academic ability, do u get the full 20 marks if you get what the minimum requirements that the uni wants?

Thank you....

No you don't get 20 if you have the minimum requirements, with your GCSE grades you wont get 20.

What is the rest of your work experience like? From grads they expect more and they expect it to be a bit more varied and interesting than shadowing GPs etc.

What about general extra curricular stuff?

[bigdog]

Originally Posted by Bambi

No you don't get 20 if you have the minimum requirements, with your GCSE grades you wont get 20.

What is the rest of your work experience like? From grads they expect more and they expect it to be a bit more varied and interesting than shadowing GPs etc.

What about general extra curricular stuff?

thanks for the feedback,

well...i have worked in a&e dept for 2 weeks( both portering and shadowing), gp surgery was two weeks( shadowing mostly), and the work( worked as a personal carer) with disabled childreen that i mentioned earlier, ive been doin 5-6 weeks full every year for the last four years.Apart from that,I have more clinical setting based volunteering set at uni which i will be doin, the only other types of work experiences, i have had is work in non-clinical settings, as a clerical assistant etc...when u mean they expect a bit more varied, in what sense would u say?because i thgt i had the work experience base sufficently covered.

Outside the curricular studies, i usually play in local football 5-a-side league and play other sports such as cricket and rugby. i am also a keen coin collecter lol seriously and am learning card magic as a hobby.I am also part of the biomed society at uni.

thanks for your feeback...academically would u be able to tell me how much u think, id be given. Thanks

[bigdog]

Originally Posted by Bambi

No you don't get 20 if you have the minimum requirements, with your GCSE grades you wont get 20.

What is the rest of your work experience like? From grads they expect more and they expect it to be a bit more varied and interesting than shadowing GPs etc.

What about general extra curricular stuff?

Hey sorry also the note above by theatrical says that manc give everyone who gets the minimum requirements...the full 20 academic marks, i understand that may be for undergarduates...but theiir graduate requirements are

Degree Class Required:


Prediction or achievement of at least a 2.1 degree is essential.

Subjects Accepted:


Any degree subject

A-Level Requirements:


BBB at A2 is required. Subjects taken should include Chemistry, one other science plus one other academic subject.

GCSE Requirements:


We expect at least 4 GCSE at A grade. Minimum grade B in GCSE English Language and Maths also required.

Evidence of Recent Study:


Not known

Entrance Exam:


UKCAT

so im a bit confused please let me know Thanks...

[Bambi]

Well I was a grad, I more than met the minimum requirements, and I didn't get 20. I saw my score so no, I can safely say you don't get 20 for meeting the minimum requirements. In fact I know of quite a few people that saw their scores and didn't get 20. It would be stupid to give everyone 20 for just meeting the min as almost everyone if not everyone that applies would have the min requirements so it would be a pointless thing for them to mark if they were going to give everyone the same anyway.

As for work experience, yeah you have a lot and Manc are particularly keen on long term stuff which you have so that is good but it's all very same-y. They prob wont care that much but if you want to stand out something more interesting would be good. For example- I worked with young offenders and volunteered in the Ukraine at a hosp for Chernobyl victims. I had a lot of other, more normal stuff too but the only thing they asked about at interview was the Chernobyl thing because it was different. Generally it's what you get out of it rather than what you have done that they are keen on but it shows that you have put in the effort if you have loads of different things. It doesn't have to be medically related.

[bigdog]

cheers, ill def look into thaat!...may i ask what your academic mark was and what kind of grades did yaself achieve...Thanks

[Bambi]

Originally Posted by bigdog

cheers, ill def look into thaat!...may i ask what your academic mark was and what kind of grades did yaself achieve...Thanks

Don't remember my mark, was a few years ago now, might have it somewhere still so if I do I will let you know. My GCSEs were better than yours, my A levels were a little bit lower but I have very serious special circs so not sure how much that would affect it. Was predicted a 2.1 too. Your score wont be crazy low or anything, it just wont be 20.