RE: Potential Applicants 2010 - Potential Information?

[cheesecake01]

Hi Guys,

I applied to the following universities and I may have useful information that may help in terms of trying to secure an interview....but I suggest you do lots of research before you apply...

My application in a nut shell:

BSc (Hons.) Genetics and Microbiology - QMUL
MSc Molecular Medicine - Imperial
2 year working for as a rep for Thermo

Work Experience:
1 week A&E department Barnet Hospital
1 week summer school at Luton and Dunstable hospital
Ward Volunteer for a hospice from March 2008
2 days over Christmas working with homeless people for Crisis
Fund raising for the hospice

Social:

Travelled to over 35 countries

I applied to the following:

Warwick GEP - Offer

Warwick this year they had around 1500 applicants (please don't quote me but the admissions on the phone quoted a figure around that). In order for them to select the applicants to the selection centre they have a UKCAT cut off they place huge emphasis on. I believe it is around the 690/700 mark (I asked the admissions but they didn't disclose it but speaking to people who got invites to the selection centre) and I believe they also look at each application above the UKCAT cut off to make a decision as well. I had friends who applied and had around 640/660 and applied and got rejected without interview.

So if you are going to apply make sure your UKCAT score is as high as possible...

Warwick invited around 400 applicants over 4 days to the selection centre for around 180 places.

Barts 5 yrs - Offer

This is an interesting one. After attending the post offer day we was told that Barts choose the top 700 applications and interview them. Out of 700 interviews they offer 650 places.

For graduates this year they made around 70 offers. I am not sure what type of graduates they go for but 4 people including myself that are currently studying our MSc in Molecular Medicine got interviews and offers with the UKCAT score of around 640/660.

Kings 5 yrs - Rejection without interview

I believe King's are very selective as well as competitive...

Kings and Imperial 4 year GEP - one of my friends secured interviews with a UKCAT score of 700

Southampton 5 yrs - Rejection without interview. My personal statement was traditional it mentioned academic, work experience, what I learn, my travels e.t.c... and I got a rejection along with a letter claiming they had around 5000 applicants for I around 200 places. From what I have read and heard from others I have no idea how they select applicants....?

I hope this helps. I would advise you to make sure you personal statement and references are beyond outstanding. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

Warwick GEP 2009 - Firm

If anyone has information that may help others it's always good to share with others...

Good luck

Xxx

[shadowy1]

oooh that was very helpful thanks!
Esp as i'm considering both/one of bart's and kings. Kings seem to have lower requirements but more people seem to offered places at bart's. I'm going to so my ukcat then go from there! argh so nervous! a lot seems to rest on the ukcat and i really want kings!

[cheesecake01]

Hi Shadowy1,

Try and find out what other Kings applicants have in terms of grades, CV, reference, work experience.

Barts gave out too many offers this year! And had to email everyone offering a scholarship if they would defer their place until next year...

Good luck with the UKCAT if you could sign up to courses I would strongly advise you do so.

You will be fine.

Xxx Good luck xxX

[xylophonefairy]

Apparently Southampton choose applicants that they don't think will get offers from other places. Which is why you quite often see people who have offers from places like Cambridge, Imperial, UCL, that are usually quite tricky to get into, but are rejected from Soton.

Though in my rejection they basically told me that I was a bit inferior and they thought I'd make a crap doctor. As it was the first one I'd got I was a bit like "oh cheers guys", though at least it was after I'd gotten my Leicester interview so I didn't feel too unloved hahaha.

[iheartmedicine]

I got an interview and offer from King's for the 5 year, with an A in Chemistry and conditional on my achieving a pass in Biology. I was rejected from the 4 year on the basis of my UKCAT, the score for which was 672.5. I hope that helps.

[shadowy1]

rejected on your ukcat?! with that score?? they must want really high from graduates.
can i just ask..did you use 2 of our options on kings, the 4 and 5 year? or did you only put down the 4year and they offered you the 5?

[iheartmedicine]

You are only considered for the five year if you get to the interview stage of the four year. For this reason, I applied to both the four and five year courses. I also applied to UCL and Barts (five year). I had offers from Kings (5 year), UCL (my firm choice) and Barts (5 year).
Let me know if you have any questions or want any help. It is a long and stressful process.

[shadowy1]

You are only considered for the five year if you get to the interview stage of the four year. For this reason, I applied to both the four and five year courses. I also applied to UCL and Barts (five year). I had offers from Kings (5 year), UCL (my firm choice) and Barts (5 year).
Let me know if you have any questions or want any help. It is a long and stressful process.

That's seriously impressive!! Which are you attending? I'm considering applying for just the 5 year and leaving out the 4 year and applying to bart's 5 year. I don't know if my history is good enough though.
I may hold you to your offer of help! im all confused and bothered already, i've not done my ukcat but think my ps is coming along nicely!

[iheartmedicine]

Shadowy1,

Perhaps wait and see what your UKCAT score is before making any decisions. If you can manage to find the money/find a bank to loan it to you, then the five year is less of a gamble. If you get an amazing UKCAT score, then I would perhaps reconsider the four year programme at King's. What type of degree do you hold?

For the PS, I am happy to have a look at it or you can go on to the studentroom, where they offer a free PS service.

[shadowy1]

Shadowy1,

Perhaps wait and see what your UKCAT score is before making any decisions. If you can manage to find the money/find a bank to loan it to you, then the five year is less of a gamble. If you get an amazing UKCAT score, then I would perhaps reconsider the four year programme at King's. What type of degree do you hold?

For the PS, I am happy to have a look at it or you can go on to the studentroom, where they offer a free PS service.

That'd be great! I just need to tweak it abit and go over it. I'm in my final year of Biomedical Sciences, aiming for a first!