non-acdemic criteria importance in medical schools

[hopefull_mcer]

I am planning to apply this September having just done my AS exams and i am just wondering the weighting of academic ability, and non-academic ability. A lot of med school websites explain that they give equal ranking to both aspects of a candidate, but are there med schools which look more at the type of person you are through your personal statement, rather than ure grades.

I myself will probably be applying with AAB and just want to check if anyone knows of any med schools which want some one with a greater academic ability compared to anything else. I believe I am clever enough to handle medicine, but not the sort of person who gets full marks in their modules in chemistry.

I know there isn’t much difference between med schools, and there are ones which want AAA, but it is the academic ratio compared to the other things I would like to know.

I’m sorry about all the waffle, if anyone understands the point i am trying to get across then any answers would be much appreciated.

Thanks

[Evolution]

Some med school assess the candidate on:

• 25% Academic (Grades)
• 25% Understanding of Medical Career (Work Experience)
• 25% Well Rounded Person (Non-Curriculum Activities)
• 25% Current Knowledge (Ethical Situations, Knowledge of Current Affairs and stuff)

This is a rough guide but academics is only a small part in comparison to the rest of the application. You want to be a well rounded individual not some geek.

[hopefull_mcer]

cheers, thanks for that info

im just wondering if anybody knows any specific universitys that are more academically weighted e.g oxford, cambridge etc. if anyone knew any specifics that would be great

thanks

[terpineol]

If what you're getting at is say 'are there any that don't give a stuff about the academics', then no where will offer you less then AAB.

The mainly academic ones from what i've heard are imp, oxbridge, and to all intents and purposes aslong as you can make your PS convincing those that don't interview.

Though wherever you apply you'll have to at least claim to have a good idea about the job, and have done some voluntry work really. Even oxbridge require it.

[hopefull_mcer]

oh no, im not looking for an easy route or anything and im not looking for trying to get an offer of low grades as there arnt any. i just wanted to know what students diffrent unversitys liked, as im sure diffrent universitys look for diffrent things in a student. But as i said, i dont believe there is an easy route to medicine and wouldnt want someone thinking that getting in is a simple, because i really dont think that it is.

[Evolution]

if you want a student's view you will have to go to university open days, read the prospectus and ask in the individual uni sections if u have specific questions about uni life. Also don't forget that search function and it's wonderful ability.

[loratwopointone]

Reading up on the websites and prospectuses is your best bet. Obviously don't apply to the one's that want AAA if you think you're not going to get it. Also look at the GCSE entry requirements to make sure you have them. Each uni's different on academic weighting vs experience/extra-curricular so it's down to you to research it. E-mail admissions tutors by all means but make sure you've fully read the prospectus and website first as med admissions are busy little bee's and you don't want to irritate them =]

[jxh487]

Look every clown in the race has got the academics, they aint to concerned bout that (yeah they've all got the best mark in the country as well, according to kidsters on this site). Wateva you do make everything positive...no regrets, no buts. Do this, not only will you impress them with your lack of weaknesses (even if really you have loads, like me and most of the rest of the humans!), but you will leave them with an impression of an upbeat and confident applicant.

Academic criteria is the easiest thing to fulfil (you just have to do the revision). Related extra-curricular activity is the section that requires the most physical effort on your behalf. Exhaust all possibilities, but don't write any letters (if a place wants you to write a letter it's usually because they don't want to help, just go in to places like hospitals and ask...much easier, much quicker, much more effective). The most important thing though is understanding medicine as a medic should. Know every step of your future career pathway as a doctor, know every choice open to you. Know the issues concerning medics and healthcare in that week and on that day, know bout MTAS and MMC, know about F1 and F2, know about targets, and preventative medicine, about EBM...know evrything you can find out...absorb it like a sponge. It sounds exhausting...and it is...but its addictive!

Goodluck!

[jxh487]

BHAM is more academically weighted by the way. They judge you on GCSEs as well as A-levels (apparently you have to have a minumum of 7A* now). I don't know why they count them so much. I'd wipe my backside with my GCSE certificates...mind you the highest I got was a B, lol

[hopefull_mcer]

ye, ure right, just got to put on a positive spin on everything. ANd thanks for the info on looking at uni's prospectus.

Thanks for all the help guys, good of you to answer