Oxbridge - applying to both - any success?

[samuk1000]

I just found out that there is no BMAT or other aptitude test requirement to apply to Cambridge. Also it is possible to apply to both Oxford and Cambridge universities. Has anyone done that and got a place or offer from either one or even both (if that is possible).

[Kinkerz]

I just found out that there is no BMAT or other aptitude test requirement to apply to Cambridge. Also it is possible to apply to both Oxford and Cambridge universities. Has anyone done that and got a place or offer from either one or even both (if that is possible).

As an undergraduate (not sure about graduate entry) you can't apply to both Oxford and Cambridge.

[don'tbelievethehype]

you can as a GEM and I'm sure if they like you enough to offer a place they won't care where else you applied.

[samuk1000]

Thanks, I was referring to GEM. Sorry for not being clear about that.

[Chwirkytheappleboy]

Samuk1000, I've applied to 3 out of the 4 Universities you did (King's instead of Leicester), and to the exact same colleges at Oxford and Cambridge! So I guess we're in fairly direct competition with each other

[samuk1000]

I was going to apply to King's instead of Newcastle. There may be room for the two of us, you never know. Great minds think alike. My UKCAT score was fairly average because the night before my test I was "on-call", another member of staff got sick and I got called in for a 26 hour shift right before my test, however I have a literal wealth of experience. How was your UKCAT?

[Chwirkytheappleboy]

It was ok but not spectacular; average of 702.5 (VR 700, QR 710, AR 710, DA 690). Seems to be fairly average for Oxford applicants.

I have much less experience than you (just a year as a First Aider) but I'm kind of hoping that my academic history will make up for it. I got straight As at A level (Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry, Physics and General Studies) and have a 1st class degree in Maths & Physics. Given that Oxford is renowned for its emphasis on academic science, I'm basically counting on them allowing my academic results to make up for my lack of experience.

Having said that though, I've been getting seriously worried about work experience recently. I'm thinking I maybe should have left it for another year after hopefully getting some hospital work experience, but I suppose there's not really anything to stop me applying again next year.

[samuk1000]

Your record of academic excellence and UKCAT will surely get you an interview at the least? I think you will be fine. I have had offers from medical schools before - just requires confidence, self belief and a showing that you know what the career entails and are committed. Leicester previously offered me a place on 2 A's at A level alone (5 year entry) and I got an unconditional with those grades. I don't think it is as hard to get in as it is made out. I got another unconditional before as well. I recognise the academic focus of the Oxford course - and especially the self directed learning aspect - which is a major reason for my applying, even on a UKCAT score which is too weak to print. My results are respectable, but not flawless. I am pretty sure that Oxford does have the sense to take individual merit in to account across the board and not just in one area such as UKCAT/personal statements/first degree though. Trust the process. Work experience was hardly a consideration 10 years ago. For me it is a selling point, but only because I have basically done first two years of medicine in my bachelor's degree. For you, you will elegantly get the right place for you. You can be sure of it with those results, provided you're going in to medicine for some of the reasons your interviewers will look gladly upon. You could try to get a contact at your local hospital in a specialty you think you might be interested in and ask the reg. or cons. if you can shadow him or her for a couple of days per week over a few months. You can then use that in your interview if you are worried about work experience. Hope that helps.
samuk

[ghettofabulous]

*also a Magdalen Ox GEM applicant...!

[Chwirkytheappleboy]

Heh, has everyone applied to Magdalen? They only have 4 places, and there are 3 applicants posting in this thread! They must have a ridiculous number of applicants per place. How confident are you feeling ghettofabulous?

Samuk, thank you for your encouraging words. If I may ask just out of interest, why didn't you take up the unconditional offers you had previously?