Beta Testers Wanted

**FreakaZoid101** · 08-04-2008, 01:06 PM

Not a bug, more of a suggestion. Perhaps there could be something about PBL preference.

**bpr** · 08-04-2008, 01:11 PM

Its a nice program, but somewhat redundant if you have non-standard results/qualifications because you then get a list of places you should apply to, and half of them wont take whatever combination of results you have!
It would be far far to complex to add in an "insert your results" bit, and then have to keep updating as med schools changed their guidelines, but what about allowing people to select 4/8 med schools (ie the ones they are applying to, or have offers from) and go through the test ranking just those schools in order?
Then it would be handy for those who have offers (so qualifications aren't an issue) but are struggling to choose between two or more uni's courses.

**Fried_Rice** · 08-04-2008, 01:24 PM

Mmm, it works reasonably well, it got the four medical schools I chose within the top 8, and one or two of the others it got wrong would have been dealt with if a PBL preference thing would have been added, as that was one of my main exclusion criteria back in the day.

This could be a useful tool, except I think you should maybes put a disclaimer on the 'low number of applicants' bit and say something about that there is absolutely no guarantee that the numbers of applications will be low this year and that lots of people base their decisions on such stats and as a result they wary very much between years, especially for places that had a low application ratio for the year before.
Or something along those lines anyhow, as that sort of thing is generally true, from what I've seen.

But generally it works well, so could prove useful to applicants in the future.

**Fried_Rice** · 08-04-2008, 01:33 PM

When it says about the 6 year courses, what does it actually mean, is that a medicine with a foundation year for people without the right Alevels or is that meant to be only for oxbridge (they take 6 years right?) or is it any medical school that allows/forces you to intergrate, thus making it to 6 years.

That could possibly be clarified, unless I was just being stupid and it is obvious to everyone else.

Perhaps an option about intergration options could be included in the algorithm, whether it is always included in the course, or there is the option to, or no option to (I don't know if there are any medical schools that don't allow you to, but it would be useful to know which ones typically give you a second degree like nottingham and such.)

Another thing is, would it be possible to put a map in, showing the different areas of what is considered north and middle and south, that might help internationals as they may not know where scarborough is.

Also if it fits into the algorithm, would it be possible to allow for a choice of two areas (back when I applied I looked at middle and northern england/UK) but as of now there was not that option of chosing two, so I did not specify an area instead.

That's all I think!

**Singh.Simran** · 08-04-2008, 01:47 PM

One last comment; the extra information on the UK medical schools info could do with a rewrite. Comparing Ox and Cam, the first looks like an advert and the latter more like the sort of informative thing that's being looked for. And some are noticably short relative to the others...

I'm happy to make more specific comment on actual wording if asked

**agneishd** · 08-04-2008, 02:30 PM

very accurate indeed, could do with some more positive stuff on imperial

**Jhesam** · 08-04-2008, 03:06 PM

I'd have to agree with bpr regarding the non-standard applicant problems. I'm not actually sure what the A-level system currently is so some of the questions were redundant for me. Interestingly it did pick three of the choices I would have made if my application had been standard and I were not an arts grad with crap A-levels (including number one, my beloved hometown of Mankchester).

Some specifics regarding PBL and non-PBL would be nice but included with it a small description for those who havn't done their homework.

Off to college to blitz that homeostasis essay as I'm finding excuses not to again.

**Singh.Simran** · 08-04-2008, 03:47 PM

Maybe a larger starting section where you set out what subjects and at what level you were doing, / if you had done them whether you were a GEPer with what qualifications etc.

That way it could give more relevant advice.

**Singh.Simran** · 08-04-2008, 04:01 PM

Originally Posted by agneishd

very accurate indeed, could do with some more positive stuff on imperial

I think really less positive stuff on oxford etc:

For example, Ox/Cam/Imp all have the swapaeroonie halfway.

In ox's " This new medical school then continues the student’s pastoral and academic development. This means that whether staying on at Oxford or moving on to other institutions, students will meet a fresh group of colleagues from these other schools."

In Imp the possibility isn't mentioned, and in Cam it's merely described without the positivity. In cam's description, "As is the case at OxfordMedicalSchool" or wtte occur not once, not twice, but three times!

Im sure there's such inequality in the others as well, i only looked at my top 3.

edit: Oh and i note the algorithm spelling mistake has been corrected, but not the 1000minds' one. Does someone not believe me? The possessive apostrophe is certainly needed...