Medicine 2018?

[Katisha]

Is there already a thread for medicine applications for 2018 entry?
If not can I start one?
Wondered if anyone knew about the Birmingham GCSE situation as DS has A stars and As at GCSE and likely to be predicted A stars at A level but is coming up on their offers calculator as unlikely to get an interview.
Is it pointless to apply to Birmingham if not all stars at GCSE? Didn't get a star in biology.

Pixel has apologised can we move on? Pixel don't feel you can't post here any longer.

Delivering UKCAT Results to Universities
After the UCAS application deadline has passed (15 October 2017), we liaise with UCAS and obtain from them information regarding the Consortium Universities you have applied to. We then communicate your test result directly to your chosen Universities usually during the first week of November. You do not need to pass your test result to your Universities yourself.

Please read my post again 'swingofthings', and ask yourself whether your comment was needed or indeed constructive?
There is no issue with pixelchicks response to mine, no hint that we can't move on (that is inflammatory), and there is certainly no suggestion that pixelchick should feel that she can't post here any longer too (also inflammatory).
pixelchick has responded to my comment following her post responsibly.
My response was to Abra1d post (which I did feel and still maintain was ill-judged).

Over 40 years ago, when I spent time with my cadaver, we were instructed, in much more certain terms than would be used these days, about respect and gratitude for the families who had made these gifts. I still have a tug of guilt when I remember how some of us might, very very privately, on especially demanding days, speak to 'Fred' about effectively what were our own struggles. I don't recall sharing these with my parents because I would have had very short shrift, and have only talked about it with my DC so they have some prep.

Given our easy ways nowadays, I do wonder whether the UKCAT SJt should be used to cull anyone under band 2 and especially scrutinise anyone under band 1. Medicine is not difficult intellectually, it can often be extremely demanding of the person mentally and physically. Better to have moderate UKCATs and BMATs with rock-solid judgement. If that means older candidates, so be it. I agree that to intimate that anyone would be put off this thread is inflammatory. Threads are for learning and sharing.

Maryso, quite a lot depends on whether you believe SJT is a good test of empathy and judgement. From observation, the results were quite random, with one of DDs more gauche friends getting such high marks even he was amazed.

Also despite all the hurdles they have jumped, I think the first anatomy lecture is quite a shock for some. DD found it fascinating, and was impressed that they had access to 'real human' in her first week. Luckily in her case sections, not a body. She did not have a problem but thought a few looked a bit pale. It's odd. It's obvious dissection would be an important part of the course, but I had never really thought about the implications.

Poor girl. Both parents have economics backgrounds so we regularly discuss elements of his course with her economics student brother. But I have no wish to discuss anatomy with DD however much she wants to share her enthusiasm.

Thank you maryso. Your post was reassuring in that you I feel that you understand where I am coming from (hence my need to comment in the first place). I fear, however, that the initial point I made in response to the post and it's insensitivity is going to be 'lost' by those who are not in the trade (so to speak). In other words, it is very easy to see (from comments) those parents that are medics or allied health professionals and those that are not.

Maryso - it was very clear to DD last year before dissection classes started, what the expectations were around showing respect and dignity for those that made such a gift. This was monitored constantly, with one student was roundly told off for resting a book on one of the cadavers. Also students were not permitted into the dissection room unless the supervisor was present.

All students are required to attend a memorial service for their respective deceased person next month, which I think is a very fitting touch for someone who gave such a precious gift.

In terms of SJt, I think roughly half of the MMI stations during the interview process, were geared towards testing these kind of attributes. SJt testing also forms part of the progression from year to year too, at least at my DD's medical school.

soapybox I feel that you may have misunderstood Maryso's post and/or taken it out of the context of the issue at hand- my comment (I quote) 'when it comes to all matters involving dissection, it would be wise that the parents of medical students exercise the same caution and respect too.....'. and by showing the example '... one student was roundly told off for resting a book on one of the cadavers....' you have missed my point completely. Casual anecdotes about cadavers etc are (in my opinion) both inappropriate, unacceptable, and disrespectful.
Wasn't this a thread about Medicine 2018?

Don't go !
You are right this is a supportive thread for prospective medical students parents . I was so grateful for last years thread, daughter now in first year studying medicine . We can all help each other .

read a review of this recently that suggests it might be a interesting read for prospective medics www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(17)32555-2/fulltext?elsca1=etoc

No idea what the fuss was about but posts have been withdrawn and it's time to put that to sleep.

UKCAT results are out. Hope your DD & DS's got what they wanted. Results fell far enough that we made the 7 the decile so breathe a sigh of relief here. Need to choose the last Uni now then.
Scores slightly higher it would appear but feels like we could be in with a chance.
Will be glad to submit & sit back.

First time posting but this thread has been so useful, my son has missed the 7th decile as has 2660: has applied for UEA and Birmingham (seems like everyone applying there this year!). Also applying BSMS and Lancaster as has averageish BMAT score (4.7, 5.1, 3.5A) he has done his best to calculate his chance of interviews. He was a late bloomer and decided on medicine late Year 11, we encouraged home to do Catering GCSE as we thought it would improve his career prospects☺️ No doctors in the family but both nannas were nurses! Really hoping he gets a least one interview but he is realistic about his chances and will reapply next year if A levels are good. Looking forward to few weeks respite before applications get processed. Mostly just so relieved no London medical schools, have had to bite tounge on this topic for 18 months as we would struggle financially.

Let's keep each other posted on their progress!

Sorry he has 2640 and 660 average (SJT1)

Was thinking of you Somerset! Breath of relief here too! We thought great, Manchester it is then, but I suggested to DD to contact them about the sjt just in case... good think she did because even though they don't mention anything about it at all in all their documentation, they do take it into consideration all through the selection stage, so that was good bye to Manchester, Thank God DD called.

So she's looked at the other options and made her final decision and it will be Bristol, BSMS, St George and Exeter. She would have got definite interviews to 3 out of 4 last year with her scores, so can only pray that it stays the same of goes down this year.

Welcome proudwhatever! Brilliant results on the BMAT, he is just about guaranteed an interview at Brighton and I think Lancaster cut off is actually lower. His UKCAT is very competitive too, so with good A levels and GCSE, he has very high chances of 4 interviews. No medics at all in our families either!

That's that for DD now and I was looking forward to some mental respite until December, but Bristol was actually sending their first invitations to interview on 4th November last year, it feels like tomorrow already!

Sorry to be thick, but where are you finding all these cut off points?

www.ukcat.ac.uk/media/1198/2017-ukcat-test-statistics-oct-2017.pdf

Thanks yes I've got that one. But people seem to know individual course cut off points?

Katisha, that's from trading my bedtime novel for tsr reading!

And me. I've read more posts on TSR than is healthy for any adult. Google TSR with medicine & your chosen Uni - read what past students have to say.

Hit us with your choices & we can share what we know!

We are still struggling with number 4 Swing. I hadn't grasped Manchester were too worried about SJT. As you say good jog she checked. I'm hoping my due diligence has been adequate!

Welcome Proud - my DD not sitting BMAT so I'm not well informed about their results but that's a good UKCAT score.

Can't wait to know firms been posted and have a few weeks off.

Next Q will be - what to wear for interviews? I've promised DD something smart & comfy at half term so we all ready. She does have nice blouses & some modern trousers (wex type clothes) but I've "heard" they usually wear suits.

They gave a lot of the last few years cut offs at the open days. Obviously no one knows the actual cut offs this year as it depends on who has applied where. But hopefully last few years figures will give an idea. A lot of Unis have them on their websites - look for selection process (can be well hidden)

I'm hoping my due diligence has been adequate!
I know I will laugh at it one day, without a doubt, but when I realised that all that research could have ended up leading to an immediate rejection because of not doing that last check would have certainly given me nightmares!

It's got me to back and reading any admission criteria documents I can find with her other choices feeling paranoid that I could have been missing something. I think I've calculated her GCSE points at least 5 times to conclude that yes, with 2 A* and 6As, she really did have above an A average taking her best 8 GCSEs!!

If I were your DD, I'd go for Manchester rather than Southampton because I don't trust their lower UKCAT result last year. It's too far off what their cut offs have been for the previous years, and suspecting that it could very well have been someone with a WP flag. At least with Manchester, she is guaranteed an interview, and in the end, if somehow it was her only offer, she could then decide whether it's worth taking it or waiting another year.

DD's got to wear a uniform of black skirt/smart trousers and black blazer with nice shirt for her school (not private), so I expect she'll just wear that. What I heard is that schools are too fussed as long as they don't look scruffy.

That's pretty well what my daughter wore to interviews. Black trousers, smartish shirt, jacket. All chainstore. Most girls were similarly clad.

For some MMI stations they were carrying out particular 'activities', probably shouldn't say more, so you don't want be in anything too tight or awkward.

Thanks Abra - we had already discussed it should be practical & comfortable. Ours wear jeans for sixth form so we need to buy something. Yes but nothing fancy - New Look/ Zara etc hopefully.

Manchester. I know it's the safest option but she's SO not keen. Sheffield is preferable to her but historic cutoffs been in the 660's.
Could be a long discussion tomorrow.

DD has had a setback this week. She was told at school that she wouldn't get into medical school because she hasn't been able to get any work experience (being one of the youngest in her year she has been rejected as being too young to do any shadowing work). She also has some health issues and might find the course too demanding physically and mentally.

She has applied for some voluntary work in a nursing home, but it is probably too late for this year's applications. The good news is that with the final UKCAT result she has just moved up a decile.