Reapplicants 2010

[eli-hoping]

I'm a reapplicant this year, hoping that its going to work out better than last yrs 4 rejections w/o interview. Got my ukcat tomorrow can't help thinking its going to go a lot worse than last years. Good luck to everyone with their applications!

[American Kid]

Reapplicants-The first year I applied I got 4 rejections

The next year, I had exactly the same Ukcat and personal statement I got 3 interviews and 2 offers, a lot of it is based on a stroke of luck, don't give up, there is still hope! :-)

[rharrold1]

eli-hoping, I had exactly the same feeling about my UKCAT. I did mine on Tuesday, and felt through all the practise that it was going much much worse than last year, but managed a significantly higher score second time round, so don't panic!

The biggest problem right now is deciding where to apply this year. . . .

Good luck!

[eli-hoping]

American Kid, thanks for that, its very reassuring!! rharrold1, you were right i shouldn't have panicked so much, managed to increase my UKCAT score by 25, which doesnt sound much but i was pleased, especially as i got my VR up from 480 (last years disaster) to 630 this time. You're right the biggest problem is deciding where to apply, I'm definate on hull york and nottingham but can't decide the other 2. Where's everyone else considering at the moment?

[rharrold1]

I'm considering Notts, HYMS, Sheffield and Leicester.

Also trying to find a job, which is proving quite difficult, lol. What's everyone else doing for the year?

[eli-hoping]

Yep I get the job thing, its a nightmare! Im trying to get on the staff bank at a hospital as a HCA so that i can keep my job in the supermarket as well. Also doing loads of different voluntary work at the moment. One problem i'm facing as a reapplicant at the moment is references from school, (i'm still doing ucas through school) basically my head of sixth form was unaware of the grades i'd achieved this yr, unaware of what subjects i had taken and unaware of the fact i wanted to study medicine at all despite this being the second time applying!! anyway she reckons shes just going to copy and paste last years references instead of getting new ones from my teachers, i'm very worried about this as the scores i achieved on my references from some of the feedback i got from unis last yr was quite low. Should I challenge this??? i mean personally i think its quite lazy that they arnt going to get new ones. Any suggestions?

[skittles87]

Yep I get the job thing, its a nightmare! Im trying to get on the staff bank at a hospital as a HCA so that i can keep my job in the supermarket as well. Also doing loads of different voluntary work at the moment. One problem i'm facing as a reapplicant at the moment is references from school, (i'm still doing ucas through school) basically my head of sixth form was unaware of the grades i'd achieved this yr, unaware of what subjects i had taken and unaware of the fact i wanted to study medicine at all despite this being the second time applying!! anyway she reckons shes just going to copy and paste last years references instead of getting new ones from my teachers, i'm very worried about this as the scores i achieved on my references from some of the feedback i got from unis last yr was quite low. Should I challenge this??? i mean personally i think its quite lazy that they arnt going to get new ones. Any suggestions?

I think you defo should. Maybe organise a meeting with her to discuss the matter??

[rharrold1]

Ye I would seriously challenge that - deffo take the suggestion from skittles87 and organise a meeting with your head, because when it comes down to it this is your future and you don't want it messed up because your references aren't up to scratch!

In terms of jobs I've applied for loads of HCA posts, about 15 in total, and still waiting to hear from most. Ye I've got quite a lot of volunteering stuff going on, care homes, etc.

Which hospital are you applying to for the jobs eli-hoping?

[eli-hoping]

Yes im definately going to challenge it now, at the end of the day its their job and they shouldn't be cutting corners!

I tried Northampton but when i enquired didnt recieve any information about it for 3 months, then was told that they were looking for 'qualified' HCAs at the moment, or those who had been before and now the staff bank is full apparently. I'm trying Milton Keynes at the moment and hoping to have some more luck. I am really enjoying volunteering at the moment but money is definately becoming an issue i've even resorted to selling paintings lol. Which hospitals are you applying to?

[Ellie22]

My teachers said exactly the same! You just need to be really forceful and explain how important it is, because my teachers didnt seem to understand much about applying to medicine.
This year, Ive got a job in a pharmacy in quite a disadvantaged area, and this includes dispensing methodone and needle exchanges. Then I'm keeping a saturday job on at links of london. Im going to put lots of money into saving for uni and in the summer im going to travel canada/ north america for 6 weeks which should be unreal.
Im applying to Liverpool, Birmingham and Bristol with UKCAT average of 630 and gcse's: 8A*, 5 A, A2- AAA. Anyone have any suggestions for my 4th choice?