Is it worth applying to Oxford for medicine?

**Profanius** · 28-01-2011, 09:18 PM

Hello Amber

Don't worry, you didn't sound vain, but it does sound like you already know the answer to your own question; you're just looking for some reassurance.

Yes, you should definitely apply to Oxford if that’s what you want. Don’t let anyone stop you following your dream. However, don’t get too caught up in that dream. A medical degree is a medical degree… it doesn’t matter where it’s from. All medical degrees have to reach the same standard and it’s the GMC the sets the bar. Oxford has a superb academic reputation but for medicine they’re not that great. Better facilities can be found at other Unis: e.g. Barts has the largest A&E department in the country and a world famous tropical disease department. Your career certainly won’t suffer for going to another Uni. But choosing another degree for the sake of going to Oxford sounds a bit daft.

There’s very little difference between getting 10 A*s or 12 at GCSE. A superb PS and better work experience will make much more impact than a 5th or 6th A-level. As for competing against the “popular pretty girls”, it sounds like you just need a bit more self confidence. Such people can often come across as vacuous and arrogant, while quiet and introspective people can appear more mature and focused. And besides, you’re hardly a swamp-donkey

**ejb17** · 27-02-2011, 04:59 PM

I'm in the same sort of situation-- same GCSE grades, a levels blah blah blah. When it comes to it, Oxford is all about academic ability, but it’s not only your grades that count, they may also look at how you did in the context of your cohort. Oxford only interview people who have a very good chance of getting in, so it is normally 2 or 3 people for every place kind of competition once you have been shortlisted for interview. Primarily, the most important factors they look for are good BMAT score and excellent grades when short listing.
After this, a lot of emphasis will be placed on interview….if you get that Nuffield bursary then you’ll have a lot to talk about.
Also, have you applied for the UNIQ summer school Oxford runs? It is very competitive (esp. for medicine) but I am sure it will eradicate any concerns you may have on whether to apply there or not.

**ejb17** · 27-02-2011, 05:28 PM

Oh and by the way, don't worry about the girl who got 12 A* and 2As at GCSE as she has a lower proportion of A *s than you do and its %A* Oxford look at!

**JulseyP** · 11-03-2011, 09:13 PM

In terms of doing the 4 year course - no it isn't if you are a graduate unless you went to oxford or cambridge for your first degree. They have 30 places. 10 go to graduates, 10 go to people returning to medicine and 10 go to people with PHDs. I got rejected without interview and when I asked for feedback they said they didn't know why I was rejected I ticked every box they were looking for and it seems form talking to others that the only reason i didn't get an interview is because I went to the Univerity of Liverpool.

**klg** · 11-03-2011, 10:23 PM

You should always go for the course you want, not just pick somewhere because you like the location and do a course you are not so interested in!

**Small_cog** · 12-03-2011, 06:47 PM

JulseyP, where did you get your information from about how they divide up the places? I can't remember seeing that on any of the Oxford admissions info.

**Profanius** · 08-04-2011, 04:16 PM

Originally Posted by JulseyP

In terms of doing the 4 year course - no it isn't if you are a graduate unless you went to oxford or cambridge for your first degree. They have 30 places. 10 go to graduates, 10 go to people returning to medicine and 10 go to people with PHDs. I got rejected without interview and when I asked for feedback they said they didn't know why I was rejected I ticked every box they were looking for and it seems form talking to others that the only reason i didn't get an interview is because I went to the Univerity of Liverpool.

I agree with smallcog, that admissions info certainly doesn't match up with any info I have from Oxford. Also, "talking to others" is not a reliable source of information. I've found that 90% of the rumours about Oxford are invariably horse***t.

Of all the admissions departments I've spoken to Oxford have been the friendliest, the most helpful and the most open-minded.

As a GEP applicant Liverpool won't consider me because I don't meet their GCSE requirements, exams I took 20 years ago, and they don't accept resits. Barts won't acknowledge my degrees (double first in biology and chemistry) because I took a BA degree 15 years ago, and they only acknowledge your first degree. Birmingham doesn't recognise Open University degrees etc. There seems to be far more snobbery outside Oxford than there is in it.

Just because you ticked all the boxes it's no guarantee that you'll get an interview. I know just as many people who ticked all the boxes for Southampton, Bristol, Warwick etc. and didn't get interviews either. To imply it's because there's a prejudice against Liverpool (a Russell Group university) is unfounded innuendo and just sounds like sour grapes.

From a graduate perspective getting into Oxford is no more extra work than most GEP's. You either meet the grade or you don't. They're also a lot more holistic and far less dogmatic than most other GEP universities.

**AmberB** · 22-04-2011, 01:58 AM

Originally Posted by House Jr.

Also, if your teachers are already predicting you A*s for A2 before your January AS modules, I would be very worried about who is teaching you.

In my January modules I got 5 As, so hopefully they still think that!!

Originally Posted by ejb17

Also, have you applied for the UNIQ summer school Oxford runs? It is very competitive (esp. for medicine) but I am sure it will eradicate any concerns you may have on whether to apply there or not.

I applied for the biomedical sciences one and got rejected... probably not a good sign!

**tatowen** · 04-05-2011, 06:04 PM

Hey, definitely worth you applying. Ultimately it comes down to the interview ( as long as you have the grades!)

And in the interview the most important thing is whether the tutors like you and think you are eager to learn. Obviously you have to do some reading beforehand and go past a-level stuff, but it is always worth a go. Even just for the experience.

I got in, and had help from www.oxbridgemedicicine.com, but honestly, the most important thing was to let my personality show and if they think you fit the bill, they will find a college for you...

**RamuV** · 04-06-2011, 01:12 PM

Those grades are great! You should definitely apply if you have your heart set on it. When I applied three years ago, they basically looked at your BMAT and GCSE scores (percentage A*s), and I think it works roughly the same. So the better your gcses, the lower the bmat score you need to get shortlisted (interviewed). I got in with 7 A*s and 4As. Your GCSEs are really good so with a good BMAT you'll get shortlisted! Even if not, they then look through personal statements to choose a few more people for interview.

As someone said earlier, once you get an interview your gcses and bmat don't count for a great deal. Selection then goes mainly on the interview and personal statement. I think they want at least an A* now at A level, but not entirely sure. I got 4As, but that was before A*s came in. You have plenty of extra-curricular things too so that will help!

What you get asked at interview depends on which college you go to, but a lot of the questions are science based, so you should go over your a level stuff (particularly chemistry and biology if you did it), and some standard things like ethics thrown in too. There's not a whole lot of preparation you can do, but you don't have to get all the questions right. They mainly look at how you go through a problem, and will help you if you get stuck!

The other thing to look at is whether you enjoy this sort of course. I'm in second year now, and there is very little patient contact in the first couple of years. All the science is really interesting though, and will provide a useful base for when we go into hospitals later! It's quite traditional with lectures, but we also have tutorials with the college which are really helpful, especially if you're not quite clear on something. The work load can be heavy at times, although it's hard to know exactly how it compares to other medical schools. There are plenty of other great med schools around though!

You may want to look at the biomedical science open day, and ask how they handle personal statements from medics. Some universities are quite used to it, but I don't know how they handle it here.

Good luck!