SGUL GEP Open Day

[lawyertodoctor]

Went to the SGUL open day yesterday which I found v useful... How did everyone else find it? Was good to meet you all, whoever you are!

I have one Q though, I wasn't quite clear on how the interview and gamsat scores tie in when they decide who gets an offer. In the 2007 SGUL entrance guide, they say that gamsat scores will only come into play when SGUL are considering the last few places, and therefore the interview score is the sole criterea for the rest (95%(?)) of the candidates. But at the open day, I got a different impression i.e. that GAMSAT scores would be considered for deciding more than just "the last few places." Anyone know the definitive answer? I only ask this because my GAMSAT score was towards the lower end of the 61-87 scale!

Cheers and good luck all GEP interviewees!

[frenchtoast]

yeah me too! I think that they will look at your GAMSAT as a filter if your interview score isnt rpetty much perfect. Then someone at same level interview score but higher level GAMSAT will get it.
eeek!
Am just in state of mind that we all just need to go do our best, and stop worrying about GAMSAT. Its not gonig to improve just by thinking about it! I wish!
Also, I met some really nice girls when we were being shown round (Group 6/9) and just wanted to wish them the best of luck with all their courses - esp Swansea, but hope we all see each other at St G's!
roll on the end of all this....

[lawyertodoctor]

Looks like we're in similiar boats Frenchtoast, like you say, there's little point worrying about GAMSAT, we've done brilliantly well to get through it!

I checked out the GEP 2007 notes though and they do say:

"Candidates will be ranked on their performance in interview, and GAMSAT scores will only be considered if we have to decide between candidates who perform equally well in interview in allocating the final few places"

So we just need to make sure we get ourselves in the top bit of the interview score sheet!

[Philosoraptor]

Goodness me, Graduate entry doesn't sound half stressful!

[lawyertodoctor]

Agreed, we're all holding down full time jobs too, and some people, families! Madness. But we've chosen to do it.

[montreux]

I have one Q though, I wasn't quite clear on how the interview and gamsat scores tie in when they decide who gets an offer. In the 2007 SGUL entrance guide, they say that gamsat scores will only come into play when SGUL are considering the last few places, and therefore the interview score is the sole criterea for the rest (95%(?)) of the candidates. But at the open day, I got a different impression i.e. that GAMSAT scores would be considered for deciding more than just "the last few places." Anyone know the definitive answer? I only ask this because my GAMSAT score was towards the lower end of the 61-87 scale!

I wasn't at the open day as I haven't applied this cycle but I did sit GAMSAT so I was keen to know the answer to that question too. I was at a GEM event organised by University of London Careers Service the other week that Professor McCrorie was speaking at so I took the opportunity to ask him.

The answer I got back was that during the interview there are about 25 different areas that you get a score of 1 to 5 on (5 being the best). The overall score is then turned (averaged I guess) into a score of 1 to 5 and everyone who scores 5 gets offered a place. They then rank the people who scored 4 by their GAMSAT scores and make however many offers it takes to get to their quota (taking into account that some people will turn down the offer from George's). Professor McCrorie didn't give any stats as to how many people who score 4 get offered a place but he did reiterate that GAMSAT score wasn't used to decide many places.

Hope that helps.

[jasmin_101]

that is uesful actually...any hints as to what the 25areas may b?sounds like a lot of areas!

[Dick Cheney]

that is uesful actually...any hints as to what the 25areas may b?sounds like a lot of areas!

You have to use your ingenuity to work the scoring system. That is part of the test.

[montreux]

that is uesful actually...any hints as to what the 25areas may b?sounds like a lot of areas!

Unfortunately no idea! Somebody who went through it last year and got in posted the following on another thread:

Giving any clue as to questions is not in anyone's best interests, but I would say just 3 things, which they told us last year in the pre-interview GEP Open Day, so I hope I'm not giving anything away:

1. They are not trying to catch you out, nor are they after clever answers, just be yourself. They will recognise that people get nervous, and my interviewers were very kind when I first opened my mouth and nothing much came out. A sip of water helped! If you can coherently explain why you want to do this, they'll listen.

2. Everyone gets exactly the same interview, with exactly the same questions, so don't post them up after you've had yours. Anyway being overprepared sounds false, and they'll see through it.

3. Expect to be questioned about your work experience. I'm fairly sure I'm not giving anything away with that one. They DO NOT read personal statements, so it's your only opportunity to sell yourself.

Good luck everyone.

[lawyertodoctor]

Thanks Montreux, that is useful... I guess therefore that allot of people score the coveted "5" points overall which suggests it is do-able! The last few places are then decided by GAMSAT (as stated in the admissions guide).