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.

[swingofthings]

So that's it, DD signed up for the UKCAT first week of August and BMAT 9th of September... and driving test in between. Ouch, that's me wallet emptied!

[Abra1d]

Get in lots of alcohol, swing for your own nerves.

Good luck to your daughter. First week of August for UKCAT will give her lots of time for practice.

[RedHelenB]

If you are on a low income BMAT and UKCAT are free.

[swingofthings]

I did wonder how families on very low income managed to afford it, glad to read that it's free for them. Not the case for us, just a lot in one go!

Ha ha, thanks Abra1d. She started to practice now. She never seem phased about anything, which is great, but indeed, it leaves me with the nerves that she isn't doing enough!

Anyone else with children applying in 2018? Loved to believe that competition is about none existent this year, but realistically, rather being able to share the journey with fellow stressed parents!

[JulyAphrodite]

Hi

My DS is applying this year.

He is taking his UKCAT early September as we are away in late August and he has some work experience early August and BMAT in November.

Have looked at the 4 universities that he is keen on and looking forward to when the UCAS form is submitted!

[swingofthings]

Welcome JulyAphrodite!

What work experience is your DS doing? Has he started practicing the UKCAT? Is he doing so independently or with a course?

I looked at one of the courses offered and considered it for DD, but for one, but it certainly wasn't cheap, especially as would have had to travel quite a bit, and read that you could very much revise just as much on your own. I suspect they probably provide some worthy tips, but hopefully, she will pick these up herself with practice.

[JulyAphrodite]

Hi DS has a week with a chest consultant plus a week in trauma in August which is he is looking forward too.

He is not doing a course for all the reasons mentioned and is yet to start but wlll soon - I hope!

[adrinkofwater]

Hello everyone,

My DD is also applying for medicine this year. We've been to see a few medical schools - her favourites so far are Cardiff and Bristol. UKCAT is booked for the day before AS results, but there's not a whole lot of practising for it so far!

[swingofthings]

Welcome a drinkofwater. That's a great choice of schools, although very different I believe?

Great opportunities, July. DD did a placement in Haematology last year and absolutely loved it. This experience was the moment she knew for sure she wanted to become a doctor.

She doing a week placement at two different GP practices next month. Now in the mist of UKCAT. She's practicing, but effectively or not, not sure, can't ask too much for risk of nagging!

[adrinkofwater]

I think Cardiff and Bristol used to be quite different, but from what we understood from Bristol's open day, they are changing their course from this year and it will be fairly similar to Cardiff's. She does need to find a couple of others that she really likes - with early patient contact and clinical skills. Birmingham seemed very lecture based and hardly any clinical skills until year 3, from what we could gather from the open day. Any ideas? And also not in London! Thanks

[swingofthings]

I have to admit that DD hasn't looked much at the study type, I think she'd be happy to get one offer and having more than one and being able to select would be a massive bonus! She didn't do well enough in her GCSEs to select those who put a lot of weighing on them.

She's just been selected to do a 4 day placement at a GP practice, so very excited about that!

[swingofthings]

Thread has gone very quiet! Maybe still too early or will it be a handful of us mums tearing our hair out?

How are your DC doing with UKCAT practice? DD only has a bit more than a week to go. She assures me she'd done a lot of practice and says it's not so bad, which would be great news except that she has a tendency to be bit too positive about everything! I don't know if she's done a mock yet or not.

On a positive note, she got a predicted A in Biology and A in Chemistry, and awaiting Maths and FM AS, but expected a A prediction too, so at least that one more thing out of the way.

At least they know they UKCAT results on the day, so they can start filtering med schools from there and focus on fewer possibilities.

[JulyAphrodite]

Hi SOT - my DS also seems very confident about the process.
I don't think hes started UKCAT at the moment but its not until mid September.
Has your daughter started on her personal statement as of yet my DS hasn't.
He is going to apply to BSMS , Southampton , Bristol and Exeter unless there are any hiccups along the way.

He has done same a'levels and is awaiting maths/further maths AS levels too

[imokit]

When I applied (a decade ago), I applied very strategically. 1 BMAT uni, 2 UKCATs, 2 which didn't look at either. 1 place which didn't interview (there were 2 or 3 when I applied).
I also looked at where different places focused. Oxbridge loved scientists, UCL liked people with broad interests and a mix.
It was a balance of picking places with a variety of application processes which matched my skills as a candidate.
Also if you're DC is applying for an extra non medical school, don't alter your personal statement to get points with them. I got a history of medicine place, I mentioned history in the showing I'm balanced part of my personal statement, but did not adapt it at all for that. Focus it all on the medical schools and get lots of people to read it.
Good luck! I think my mum found the process as hard or harder than I did and it doesn't end once you're DC is in

[swingofthings]

Hi JA, DD choices are also BSMS and Bristol so far, so will have plenty to share!

DD has started to work on her PS, but still a long way to go for the final product. Essay writing is not her forte, let alone writing anything about herself! She has been taking notes of what she'd done and learnt, her struggle is to go from bullet points to expressive writing!

Thanks Imokit for your advice. What I've learnt so far is that the application process is a real minefield and quite demanding to get one's head around especially for very busy young people. I can understand why those who attend schools who can provide them with knowledge and support are more likely to get in.

[swingofthings]

I meant to ask JulyA, has your DS visited any of his preferred schools? DD hasn't been to any open days. Too busy but now thinking maybe should have made the time.

[JulyAphrodite]

HI SOT
Yes he has looked at them and liked them all so that was a relief.

I hear you re the essay writing ;/ I think he is going to make a start today with what he wants to include.

My DS only has a couple of weeks to crack on with UKCAT revision, BMAT (not until November) as he has a couple of weeks work experience as mentioned from 4 August and then we are away for a couple of weeks. With the UKCAT in early September fast approaching!

Time is flying by unfortunately!

He can take the revision books with him on his hols. I am just worried hes forgotten to do something other than PS, UKCAT form , BMAT, UCAS.

[adrinkofwater]

I am also getting worried about the UKCAT. DD has done a bit of practice here and there, but not much, and its definitely not the kind of test she finds easy! She is very social, and so has been "enjoying the first few days of her holidays"! which would be fine, but she's off early Friday morning for a camping trip for 6 days! It is hard to know how much to "nag" and how much to let them get on with it (or not!) I tend to decide to not say anything, and then blurt something out unhelpfully anyway! Its great when they're confident, but does also mean you actual have no clue how they are really doing!

[JulyAphrodite]

I know what you mean I keep getting its fine.....

[Katisha]

These medic portal expensive UKCAT courses - are they worth doing?

[JulyAphrodite]

My DS is not doing any he just has a book with the new section that has been added this year and when he does that will do the Medic Portal free questions

[adrinkofwater]

My DD also has the book, which has some explanations in too. Then we will pay for a couple of weeks of medify which is on line and you can do times questions (I think).

[swingofthings]

Well DD did a mock yesterday and it wasn't as bad as I feared, but still some practicing to do! Ironically, she did very poorly in the Quantitative Reasoning, ie. Maths, which is ironic since Maths is her very strong subject, considered G&T all through the years, always found it easy, got A*s at Maths and FMs and expected as much at her A levels!

I think it is because of the very restrictive timing and DD is practicing with Medify which is supposedly quite harsh for that part of the test.

She did okish on Verbal R (although could do with improving), very well on the Abstract and the Logic, and got band 1 in the 'whatever it is called' other part!

Only a week to go for her and hopefully she is still practicing although she is busy every day until Monday, so not sure when she will do so.

Katisha, I'm not sure these are of much benefit (at least not for the cost) as everything they will provide is available online and it's very much about practicing.

I think it is also important that they don't let stress get to them on the day, so trying not to bring it up too much!

[adrinkofwater]

Swingofthings, glad your DD has done a mock and it wasn't too bad. My DD is also finding the QR tough despite being considered really good at maths. I think it is the time pressure that makes it hard.
Had a bit of an argument about it all yesterday when she announced too many full day fun plans for after the camping trip! I said I wanted her to do a mock today so she could see how she is really doing. Interestingly she spent a couple of hours practicing this morning (not happened before). She is doing a mock now, so we shall see!

[swingofthings]

adrinkofwater, it's good your speaking out prompted her to do a mock. I think this does give them the kick they need, either to realise that it is not an insurmountable task if they lack confidence, or a reality check if they have too much! It's probably a good thing though that your DD is going on a trip. A lot of the exam is about mental concentration and the more they rested they can be, the better their chances I would think but yes, not easy not to worry they are not doing enough practicing.

I try to be subtle when gagging how much DD is doing, but I know she knows what I'm doing and she just takes me as I am and go along with it! She said she'd done about 3 hours yesterday and also been doing further reading on tips. I forget that she is up for another 3 hours or more after I go to bed!

DD isn't planning on applying to UKCAT heavy schools so will remind her the day before that it's not a life of death moment in her life!