Medicine Applications 2017

[adski]

As UKCAT season is in full swing and I can't find a thread anywhere else I thought I'd start this off. This is for parents of children looking to apply for Medicine at University with courses starting in 2017. UCAS application is only a couple of months away. It is hard to watch our kids put themselves through so much to work in the hardest profession imaginable and I thought it might be useful to start some sort of discussion here.

Oh Power a hold list seems so cruel but at least M1 knows he's got what it takes and can do it. He's sooo close. Would your mentees be able to try again next year if they don't get a place?

Yes they've both planned on this being a 2 year process. But I think they are really disappointed. As an outsider I can see how much more experience they could gain by working for a year and reapplying but I suppose when you are 17 and have worked hard for 2 years the disappointment can be crushing. They both seem keen to crack on with the rest of the year.

I wonder why unis have so many on waiting lists? Why keep 150 kids waiting? Surely they don't expect that many not to firm them as a choice?

Which Uni is he on the hold list for?

Brighton.

The hold list seems long. However lots of mn kids have gone from hold list to offer. Hope someone with more info can come along with some advice.

I assume things will start to clarify in April, as those who have heard from all their choices will then have decided who they firm and insure. Its really difficult for medical schools as they are aiming to be spot on with their numbers, yet it is the students who are making the decisions.

It does mean he is very close, so considered good enough to do the course. Its now down to luck, and hoping that others with offers decide to firm elsewhere.

Waiting lists are really torturous. They are a mind fuck for young people who have spent 2 years working their socks off. They tell them, you're good enough to have a place but we can't accept you yet. I understand the unis can't over our under subscribe but being on the waiting list is really difficult. However there is so much moving and shuffling of medical students from now until August that those on the waiting list have a chance. This year I think there will be tons of movement on results day will many many students not meeting the requirements to get onto their medical degree.

Really hope your mentee gets a place.

Rejection received from Bristol this morning on April Fools day of all days! She does have two other offers so she can't be too upset but she really wanted to go to Bristol. Hope others have had better news this week.

Same with us Ness. Ds got his rejection from Birmingham literally last minute of the working day on 31st. It was his first choice but like your dd he has 2 other offers so not too bothered and I'm not so secretly pleased that he's now firmed my first choice for him.

It's quite exciting to finally be able to talk about accommodation and train journeys. Perhaps it will now spur him into starting some revision.

Haffdonga Yes, they can now get on with booking accommodation etc, where has your Ds decided to go to and how did he decide on which offer to accept? Definitely good to have a choice!

My Ds too has two offers Liverpool and Leicester,he is going to Leicester offer holders day next week to get more information and will see the accommodation.His heart is set on Leicester but will wait to firm after he has visited.

I just wondered how everyone is. I remember from last year's thread that there was at least one late offer. I hope the same is true this year.

DD returns from her ski season in a weeks time, and will then need to sort out all her University stuff before heading off to Camp America. Apart from a short tour after her interview, she has not seen the University, so I am hoping we can visit both city and campus. I suspect school now seems a long time ago, and it would be good for her to have a more concrete idea of what happens next. DD, I suspect, will just want to sleep. Chalet hosting is tough, and hopefully the knowledge that she can survive will help her when she is a junior doctor. (And that any interest in pediatrics is now long gone.)

A friend mentioned her 15 year old is thinking of medicine and asked me about the process. I'm not sure she expected a full briefing on work experience/volunteering/good GCSE grades/good A level choices/UKCAT preparation/interview preparation/strategic med school choice etc and a pile of books. At least she is warned. But then, as various younger doctors have warned DD, getting in is only the start...

My DS and I went to offer holders day at Leicester university it was was very informative and useful. Trying to get my DS to go to Liverpool offer holders day too before he firms Leicester. But his heart is set on Leicester, the only thing concerns me about Leicester is their drop out rate which is about 4 to 5% looking at there progression rate on website. Through the years students keeping dropping out. Liverpool is only 2% drop out .Anyone know anyone more about this very much appreciated.

I've a friend who had no interviews for his four medicine applications last year. He nailed his A levels at 3 x A* and has been really proactive with useful volunteering this year and reapplied. He is currently sat on three offers and had all four interview - he's awaiting the final decision before he makes his choice.

So, it can be done if they miss out this year.

Kez100 you are absolutely right, my DS was rejected by all four universities last year, he too worked very hard and smashed his A levels 3 xA* and this year got some offers. His Gap year was very exciting did some hospital experience in a third world country for three weeks and continued with care home volunteering. He also had a part time job at primark.

OK Kdasani I thought your A level revision link was helpful on another thread and came here to post it but now I see you are actually advertising courses.

If you were genuinely trying to support people on this thread you would know that UKCAT courses are well done and dusted by now.

I think it says something, not very positive, about a training provider that they need to spam a dozen of so MN threads in the hope of getting custom.

PP's brother may think "medicmind" is fab. But perhaps a reason for others to avoid. And good evidence of the industry that has built up around medical applications.

Powergower and others, any news?

How is everyone?

And how are the MN med school applicants?

We have ups and downs. A bit of late-night weeping over Chemistry and feeling stressed. Then fairly cheerful.

Poor things.

Same. + heavy cold. Shame about the new exams with no past papers to add to the stress. Like you say, poor things!

Oh having a bad cold is too unfair!

Sorry just spotted your message. All is fine here, DD has finished her exams and is reasonably confident she has the grades she needs. She has a fairly achievable offer for her fist choice university which she has Firmed.

So now she is lying about the house being bored and complaining she is broke. To which we smile unsympathetically and say "so get a job" .

Lucky her finishing her exams, my daughters exams don't start for a couple of weeks so the stress levels are rising! Good luck to everyone.

So cruel, Coral.
😃

She's just texted me at work to say she's cut the grass and watered the pots and can she have some ££££ ?