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.

[SomersetS]

Perfect. Mocks end today to so DD can let off some steam this weekend.

[2B1Gmum]

Liverpool - yeah DDs favourite when we visited, she is booking a slot in half term. I tentatively suggested day after Manchester as were are staying over but she didn't think she would feel able to focus on Liverpool straight after - so a couple of days break and trying to do the trip in one day. Somerset, agree with all you said - at one point DD was advised to do at least one BMAT choice but she preferred the courses at others and luckily UKCAT went her way. We did avoid some that she might have considered with just a couple more A* at GSCE but not worth the risk, sensible realistic choices but also great courses etc. I love every University I have visited with DD and my 2 DS!

[Movingmountains]

Well done to all the Liverpool interviewees! My DS also got an interview - he's picked a date for half term so we can all go this time (had to send him to the others by himself!). Its his favourite so very pleased for him. I agree about applying to your strengths - but you need a degree in applications to med school to wade through it all. Its a minefield - my DS had a very high UKCAT so didn't do BMAT as he felt it would take too much time up from A levels. Newcastle would have been a good bet but it is too far so we put Nottingham as a risky choice - this is the only interview he hasn't had so maybe that was a mistake (but he liked it!).

[2B1Gmum]

Stevie3 and Somerset (well done both), did you both visit Liverpool? We drove up last time and stayed over, but had awful traffic so not much time to explore Uni. I believe it is a very short walk from Lime Street Station hence going by train this time. I also remember hearing the crypt is interesting but cold, so layers for the interview! And rumours of a maths station...

[2B1Gmum]

Sorry, Movingmountains too, well done. It is worth having some spare time to explore, I plan to go to the Tate as I we arrived too late last time, also we made a detour to see where DH grandfather was born, now part of Anfield Stadium it appears! Also impressed your DS went to others on his own, I did debate it with DS but I have used it as an excuse for day trips so I saved some annual leave, they are all cities I fancied a trip to! Tesco vouchers saved for a meal out too....

[2B1Gmum]

Moving... having a moment, I meant my DD not DS. As with your DS it is her favourite - not sure of her reasoning but just getting an offer from any would be amazing. We met a current student on the open day who got three offers and chose Liverpool, he seemed very pleased with his choice, I liked the way they had students on stage answering audience questions, the only Uni that has done that of those we visited.

[SomersetS]

Yes I went to Open Day with DD. I was worried about Liverpool as a choice so decided to visit as I'd never been to the city.
Concerns unfounded. Loved it!

20min uphill walk from station. Very easy to find. Uni is next door to John Moore's & Hospital. Easy walk from Uni or station to fabulous shopping centre! We didn't have time to go to Albert Dock etc so am going on a Sun to do this before a Mon interview.

Halls there were the best we saw - though bit pricey. Student village cheaper but we didn't get there either.

Avoiding half term as DD is 18 that week but left a full week after Sheffield to recover & later kind-set. We will be all done & waiting by Half-Term.

Didn't dare send her to any on her own as all have required overnight stay. She's quite wordly wise & independent but too nervous to be on her own overnight. DH has been taking her as he's more flexible with work & less prone to stress!

Fabulous news, so many I/views. Good luck all.

[Movingmountains]

2B1GMum - also well done to your DD. I also liked the students as well - though I also liked Nottingham for same reason. I'm also unsure why it is my DS's first choice - think he just loved the excitement of walking off train at Liverpool Lime Street - we also did the coach tour and he was really impressed with it. Funny how they make initial decisions - he hated Leicester within 5 minutes of being there and it was pretty much the same with York. I so hope he gets an offer from Liverpool. Felt awful sending him to Sheffield on his own especially as he was really unwell but we're teachers so can't take time off. However its good prep for next year (hopefully!!!). Fingers crossed for everyone

[specialted]

Well done on all those who have Liverpool interviews! Great news. My friends who's DC are not applying for medicine don't understand why we get so excited about just getting an interview! It's a real achievement when you think how many apply. Good luck to you all.
DD getting fed up with everyone asking if she's had any offers. All her non medic friends have all their offers in and now sitting comfortably. DD slightly losing motivation to study as has no incentive as yet.

[LoniceraJaponica]

Returning to this thread which I dropped out of because both DD and I thought she had a slim chance of any interviews.

She has an interview for Leicester! I am so happy for her.

Any tips gratefully received.

[2B1Gmum]

LoniceraJaponica, welcome back and with good news too. Specialted, it is hard but hope she keeps up with her motivation - going for medicine will mean rejections are more likely too which is hard when friends are getting offers. I am sure one friends DD is still waiting to hear on two interviews still, and it appears offers come at all different times as well. Really pleased for DDs non selective school, only third year of sixth form and 8 Oxbridge offers (160 in sixth form). No one applied for Oxbridge medicine - actually this is the first year anyone has applied for medicine at all and there are four this year - not much overlap of choices so it will be an interesting few months.

[LoniceraJaponica]

Wow, that's impressive 2B1Gmum. DD's 6th form had 11 Oxbridge applicants - the most they have ever had, with only 2 being successful. Both of them were to study history, the rest for STEM subjects. I wonder if history is less heavily subscribed at the Oxbridge universities?

[adrinkofwater]

Well done to everyone who got Liverpool interviews! Nice when there is some good news

I was wondering about you and some others who were around earlier in the thread LoniceraJaponica . Great news about Leicester! My DD had an interview there on the Monday of the really snowy weekend and we thought we wouldn't make it but we did! All I know is that of the 3 interviews she's had, she seemed happiest when she came out from Leicester! How much that was to do with the actual MMI and how much the stress of getting there I don't know! She really likes Leicester too, but no news so far!

[SomersetS]

Lonicera that is fantastic news! So pleased for you & DD.
We thought Leicester was too risky for us but it came through before Christmas. DD quite "enjoyed" her interview there I think. Nothing awful to phase her apparently though proof is in the pudding as they say. She went just before Christmas. Spent quite a long time on the "poster" but it wasn't overly complicated. She really liked the Uni and the people there. She said the interviewers etc were very nice. I'm sure your DD will be as nervous as the others but hopefully as soon as it starts she will take a deep breath and relax into it a little. I think my DD really liked the small groups and the ability to "relax" and chat with another applicant between stations. I also think they admit into the interview bit by alphabetical order. There was a tour of the medical facilities involved too which gave them a chance to laugh, cough and ask questions of existing students.
My DD & DH stayed at the Premier Inn if you need an overnight - it was very close to the Uni.
I wish you the best of luck!!!!!

[LoniceraJaponica]

Thank you Somerset. We are at the back end of the alphabet so that makes sense. We could do Leicester in a day trip, but the stress of finding parking or relying on the trains (especially as there are no East Midlands trains from us due to the Nottingham fire) means we may look at overnight. Thank you for the recommendation.

[2B1Gmum]

I was curious Lonicera re. history versus STEM, so I did a quick bit of research . The school my boys went to is highly selective and regularly gets 12 ish in for STEM subjects and another 8 humanities, but this is a school where getting an A in maths at GSCE is a huge disappointment! 27 got A in Further Maths A level last year and 47 for Maths, so I imagine 27 got A in Maths, Further Maths and Physics and also sat STEM. Around half the year apply for Oxbridge. A large number in DS2 year applied for history also, only one got an offer and he wasn't the one the school predicted would! DHs godson is studying history at Oxford, in his first year and we have promised to visit and take him for lunch; he says it is really hard work in terms of workload but I think he is happy there. DS2 good friend in Masters year of engineering, hard working but exceptionally clever, 100 ums in every paper he ever sat and got a prize for exams after his first year at Cambridge - also a Cambridge blue. A lovely young man - he is planning a well earned gap year after his finals! Don't know any medics though.

[LoniceraJaponica]

DD's school is a comprehensive - a rather good one, but one where there is a bit of a brain drain at 6th form to an exceptional 6th form college in the next town. There are bright people in her 6th form, but I expect only a handful of people will achieve A* in maths and/or further maths.

DD has just had all her mock results back and got As for all of them. I hope she hasn't peaked too early.

[2B1Gmum]

Great mock results, well done her, and good to keep the confidence up, I am sure she will continue on track. DD's school do mocks very late, so not on the horizon just yet. Just as well, third new biology teacher since September started this week (and was ill for the first lesson). I get in a panic every time she tells me about her lessons, one Chemistry teacher still refusing to teach, the class have complained to head of year! DD does have a tutor (because of issued with the dept last year too) but that isn't the point. Parents evening coming up, I usually say at least one embarrassing thing in front of DD... I have a feeling I will remain true to form. I do see teacher's perspective too, five teachers in my family, one is now a chief examiner! (not sciences though).

[SomersetS]

Wow those are big %s!

Our school also comprehensive. Again quite good mostly due to good catchment area - mainly small rural feeder schools.

3 total Oxbridge applications. 1 successful in law. 1 unsuccessful in Art. None for Medicine. Last year 1 student to Oxford for English. Not really a "STEM" school but not much other choice for sixth form due to rural location & poor public transport!

Living in a city will be a shock. We can't even get a takeaway delivery & it's a 20min drive to pick one up!

[2B1Gmum]

Boys school very selective so they know they are getting a high calibre of student from the start, having a whole class who understand every subject and always do their homework makes life easier, my DS2 was a bit rebellious and was 'on report' several times for handing in hw late and questioning the odd teacher! They also will ask boys to leave who are not up to scratch or particularly disruptive (2 in DS2 year).

My SIL grew up in a village about 10 miles from Wells, got married there and had lovely wedding reception at a vineyard. She said her first boyfriend really did take her for a ride on his tractor! All my uncles (4 of them) were farmers in Suffolk and I grew up in Suffolk and Norfolk. I do miss it at times but know what you mean about takeaways etc.

[SomersetS]

Spooky. Wells is our nearest "city" & we live on the Mendips. I know which vineyard you mean! Kids here do indeed get their tractor licenses at 16, ready to get a car at 17 - always drive them to prom, take their girlfriends to prom in them, often drive them to school and definitely park them at the pub!

[LoniceraJaponica]

"I usually say at least one embarrassing thing in front of DD."

So do I

"Our school also comprehensive. Again quite good mostly due to good catchment area - mainly small rural feeder schools."

That describes DD's school to a T.

[mumsneedwine]

Think we need a new thread !!! No clue how to do that - anyone ?? Have booked hotel and train for Liverpool and looking forward to our third trip (Open day and Taster day). I love the city and be so happy for DD to be there - it's a 4+ hour trip each way but such a lovely place and lovely people. Just waiting for Southampton now but don't think that's going to be any time soon. 2 interviews done but oh how I'd love just one teeny tiny offer for her. March can't come fast enough

[LoniceraJaponica]

New thread Here