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.

Hello Preeti74. It's very early days yet, medical schools interview up until March. Some of our DC from the UK are having to be patient and remain positive - the interviews for international applicants are even more unpredictable - some unis see them last. Try not to panic just yet, although we all know that this is easier to say than do!! Welcome to the thread of the anxious parents - we are all in the same boat. Good luck and keep us updated 😃

Thank you so much😊

Peer to nothing here at all either but not worried as her choices have either not send any offers yet or have done so in dribs and drabs.

I can understand though that the wait must be especially tough when coming from so far away and having to plan flights around it.

Thanks,one of her classmates got offers from imperial and Bristol so was just wondering ☹️

Preeti74 - not sure about Imperial, perhaps one of the others know??? But BRISTOL!!!!!!! Goodness knows what goes on there, we have all given up trying to work out how they give out interview offers. The best thing is that our DC also understand it's a bit of an unknown what Bristol want, so don't get stressed. Like I said, very early days, don't measure against others, that would drive you insane. My DDs headteacher told her that there is a degree of luck in getting a place at medical school. Chin up and hang in there. I find wine and cake helps 😂😂😂

Will definitely try that over the weekend 😂😂😂

I would be very surprise that anyone got offers for Medicine already, even interviews. Imperial might have sent invites to those who took the BMAT in September and scored very high. Bristol interviews only started this week I believe.

They might have had offers for biomedical science.

Bristol send invites in three batches. It would appear that they do so depending on when applications were received so those in the first batch are those who sent them at least a week ahead of the deadline or so. Second batch will probably come out early-mid December. They claim that you have as much chance of an offer whichever batch you fall under.

Hi Preeti74, my DD decided against Bristol but I do know two lovely students there, one is an all rounder, academic, drama, sports and has loads of personal experience in hospitals as well as volunteering so unsurprisingly got 4 medicine offers - he is also very smiley and chatty. Other also very chatty and good work experience, not a genius but bright and personable and I could see him as a GP. But how that comes across on a P.S. in order to get an interview is a mystery! Plenty of people are waiting to hear from all or at least majority of their choices, all the medicine schools work at a different pace and as has been said some will offer international students last - possibly to help with travel if needed or organising interviews overseas - others may like to get that organised early on. The Medic Portal is a useful resource and may have info. This whole application process throws up surprises for all, fingers crossed for good ones!

Yes this girl who got an interview offer from imperial,travelled all the way to the Uk to give her bmat in September. Thank yo so much for all the info,will check the medic portal😊

DD has a UEA interview 😃

Wow... that’s great... congratulations 👏🏻👏🏻

That's great Mommymoomitzi.
Let me know if I can help with anything UEA. My DS is a second year medic there.

Lovely to see these interviews coming through, I can remember the thrill of it all.
Early days yet though so no-one should be panicking at this stage.

Thanks sluj! Will need to stay overnight - any hotel suggestions? What did you do, whilst DS had interview? How long did interview last? What made your DS pick Norwich over other unis? Many thanks. Thanks to Preeti74 too.

Congrats Mommymoomitzi to you and your DD - I think a few of our DC's put UEA, Medic Portal says they interview strongest candidates first so great pat on they back for your DD. If you go with, do put aside some time to wander round the Sainsbury Centre in the Uni grounds - I remember when it first opened - it is a lovely space.

Hi Mommy.
We didn't stay as we are only 1 hour 40 away. A friend stayed at the on-campus B and B and said it was good but noisy. Possibly better to stay off and travel in. Leave lots of time to find a parking spot on campus. I think the MMI interview was about an hour and we actually wandered over to the Sainsbury Centre mentioned above and had a coffee and a cake there with a quick look at the exhibitions. They have a spitting image puppet display on at the moment which could be good.
We then wandered back to the Medical building and joined in with post interview group tour of the campus with the other parents and candidates.
Lots of places to have coffee or browse in Waterstones if you prefer that.
DS was lucky and got three AAA offers and UEA was his preferred choice for several reasons including
Wanting a campus
Teaching hospital right next door
Literally talking to patients in week one
Lots of practical sessions including 4 week hospital placements 3 times a year and a weekly day spent in a GP practice. He was giving flu jabs in week 6.😯
Logical course programme in modules
The friendliest staff and students we saw anywhere and of course....

A John Lewis in Town! Or was that on my list??

😂😂😂 👍 Thanks for that. Looking forward to seeing the spitting image puppets and of course - cake! Thank you again 😃

Mommymoomitzi congrats is that interview 3? UEA sounds great! Sluj making me wish DD had considered it.......

Yes, 3 now, DD is a bit shell shocked! Panel and MMI interviews to gen up on. I think of all the hotels and shopping 😬 DD and I did spend a lot of time visiting the unis, to get good information and applied quiet tactically, based on her strengths (high GCSE scores, not the highest UKCAT) Also, the schools she applied to have been quiet quick with interview offers - nothing from Bristol, but she's not stressing. At least the Next suit will earn its corn! Good luck to those of you still waiting. 👍

That's amazing Mommymoomitzi, you and she must be frilled. Shows that a tactic approach does pay off!

How did it go yesterday adrinkofwater? One down, 3 to go!

Congratulations Mommymoomitzi - great news. Where is her panel interview?

I hope everyone who sat the BMAT is happy with their results today!

DD came out of her Bristol interview feeling fairly happy yesterday. She said that she felt she could definitely have answered a few of the questions better, but I think it helped her to feel OK that the last station went well. One earlier station she felt she did really badly on though!

On the clothing front, she said she was really happy that she had worn the dress and jacket (even though she hadn't been convinced before hand!) Most girls were wearing trouser suits or dress and jacket, so she didn't feel over dressed which had been her fear!

They were told that Bristol received about 4000 applications, would interview about 900 and give out about 300 offers. I'm not sure how that compares to other years. They were also told that they might not hear whether or not they have an offer until MAY!!!

Mommymoomitzi, it just goes to show that time spent on research, Uni websites and visits where possible pays off. There are still so many myths about applying for medicine and sadly many schools that repeat them - thank goodness for mums taking the time to sort out the fact from the fiction and help our DC to make realistic choices (after, in my case as in many others, trying to put them off!). DD second practice interview she said had tougher questions but the interviewer was much easier to talk to, a local GP who loves her job but says the NHS is a shambles. A friend with DD medicine applicant got in touch yesterday, no interviews, no news - I know Bristol was one choice and possibly Southampton, not sure of the other two. Lots of nervous waiting for several more weeks for most I suspect.

Oh, and just read your latest post Moomymoomitzi, glad she came out feeling 'fairly happy', a tough one to start with so it really helps if she feels good - and thanks for update on the dress code front. Bought DD a dress in Sainsburys (smart, good length, easy to wear and cheap - yeh) and that she is actually happy to wear with a navy jacket... shoes are the next purchase and won't be an easy one as we never agree on shoes. Bit mean of Bristol to say they might keep some waiting until May - but they were the slowest when my DS2 applied for Phil & Pol - by the time they offered (unconditional as he was on gap year with grades in hand), he had said yes to Durham, and no to Bath and Exeter. Although tbf 4000 apps. is a lot to deal with.

meant tbh - to be honest - dreadful typing, need another cup of tea!

Oh god, need new glasses to, sorry last comment to 'drinkofwater' - going now to clean glasses and make a cup of tea....

Hi agree with researching but also combining with can DC see themselves studying in city for 6 years so have taken that into account for choices anyway. Also with BMAT as it was taken after submission in November you just have to hope for the best if opting to take that!