Medicine 2018 part 3

[SomersetS]

Hope you all find this - didn't realise I took 999! Whoops.

Thank goodness indeed 😀 @muddlethro Feeling very lucky!

@watfordmummy the B was in Chemistry, sorry 🙁 - got to be worth a call to Admissions (despite rejecting them) for your DS? Our plan this morning was to ring Sheffield (who she rejected) if Southampton had also said no. DD was very torn between the two as her insurance.

Place in clearing for pharmacology with drug research at UEA. Going to school to see breakdown of papers to decide about possible remarks but it not likely to change current plans. Hardest thing is she is suddenly going having planned a gap year - nothing booked as such but mentally. But this course appeals to her and it still keeps doors open - although I can’t see that far ahead now. Being brave for her but mocks, past papers etc all suggested she was on track. Dh very unimpressed with school but I know that bio and chem can be tricky. Ds2 involved in organising pre season rugby for elite freshers and a huge number on science courses failed to get the grades. Bio chemistry and bio med in clearing at Southampton Amongst others - all with lowered entry requirements.

Congratulations to those who made it . Daughter sadly didn’t make it either. Has two offers for biomedical and biological sciences where one can convert after first year but can be tough.. but also has a place to do medicine if she resits two A-levels and achieves an A at one uni and don’t have to resit UKCAT etc ... what do people think is the best option ?

Go for resits, I would say. Especially if no UKCAT is required. Head down and go for if. Good luck to her 💐

Think I would go for resit. Risky trying to get on from another course

Sorry to hear about your DD Esussexmum 😒. I think if my DS had been in the same situation last year, I’d definitely discuss doing the resits, especially if he felt he could probably nail the exams second time around! Also, the fact that they wouldn’t expect your DD to redo the UKCAT (or another interview, I presume?), would reduce the pressure somewhat....🤔

Thank you all. Exactly all the extra things wouldn’t be there. Very hard isn’t it .

DS in to BSMS ironically Biology was highest grade! Good luck to all DCs on stage 2 on the journey to medicine I’m sure they will succeed!

Congratulations proudwhatever... had been wondering how your DS had got on.... 👏 😊

Hi guys! Congrats and comfort to all who need either, or both! Or even neither.

We got first choice and I do mean WE, there is no way she would have got there without a s* ton of help from the family and friends. Still reeling from all the stress. Going up Sept 8 to Edinburgh so very soon!

Question from new parent of Vet Med student (yay)- I suspect this applies in some form to all medical students - she needs a standard form letter now from the GP about general health with the practice stamp- does this require an actual appointment? Or just a rubber stamp. Luckily for her she doesn’t need to darken their doors as a rule. She’s going away for a few days for well earned hol with a friend, and it’s hard to get an appointments so I need to sort for her if so.

Doesn’t seem to need the extra hep etc vaccinations as will be handling critters not humans, and has had the meningitis one I believe.

Congratulations Au , my dd has just finished first year vet in edinburgh.
Re letter from GP , I seem to remember it did not need face to face appointment but it did incur a hefty charge.
Edi vet is great.

Congratulations to your DD on securing a place at vet school Au79...👏🎉.
Re the general health form, it’s probably best to just ring your GP surgery to ask whether or not they’ll need to see her first. Last year the med school needed details of all my son’s vaccinations to date. He went to the reception at our surgery, and was given a print out (on headed note paper), there and then, for a small fee of £10. 😊

Our GP did it for free ! Although proving she's had chicken pox is impossible as I never took her to the doctor. She rang Notts and they said don't worry, they'll just jab them with anything needed in the first week 😂😂

Au79 - A word of warning. Just to let you know, DD had to send GP medical form off, when deciding on firm choice. Our GP charged £69.00 and would not deal with this "face to face". We were told that it could take 20 working days, for standard service and 14 working days for the "express" service. Standard was £49.00, express was £69.00 - it still took them nearly 3 weeks to do it!!! Lively conversations with receptionists and medical secretary. With this in mind, i would probably make a sneaky appointment with your GP and push it under his/her noses, they are likely to react quicker, especially with a medical student.

Sussexmum _ my Dd does dentistry and a friend did bms and after 1st year acieved over 70% in first year exams and will start dentistry course next year. Think they have 2 places to give out, is it Cardiff offering the resit place becaua because they did similar for dentistry which I thought was very fair,

Hi thank you . No not Cardiff for the offer though and option for biomedical science. The place is elsewhere and the biological sciences is somewhere else where you can convert after a year but also have to apply and resit UKCAT FOR THAT ONE.. just seems a huge risk.. which is riskier resits with a guaranteed place or the biological sciences and resit of UKCAT now and hope for interview and gain at least a 2.1 in first year... I think advice is swaying to resits unless anyone else has other views?

Essex mum that is a good place to be in and think resits best option. Went into school with dd for breakdown and discovered dreadful biology results for whole year group, one other potential medic also missed out but is near enough to give a remark a go. First two medic offers and neither got the grades and no contact from the department. Schools response is ‘it was a new spec’. Dd feels some relief that it wasn’t that she wasn’t able, but that they weren’t taught to answer in the way the exam board were looking for. Feel for the other student who is so hardworking and bright and hanging on for urgent remark to work. But dd seems ready to move on rather than resits. Pharmacology & drug discovery here she comes.

2B1GMum - that’s not really an acceptable response from the school. Biology was not a new spec - this was the second time through! I really feel for your DD but pleased she is happy with pharmacology- I am sure with such a positive attitude she will be very successful whatever she chooses

Thank you MovingMountains, I feel the same, also odd that the teachers that did turn up came with small children making it difficult to talk for dd who was sobbing in front of toddlers. And at lower sixth I distinctly remember asking biology teachers whether they were sure they knew what the new spec. Was looking for. Sadly the teacher who reassured me was the one who left under strange circumstances, and replacements were not up to his standards. You live and learn and I should have known to get some outside advice, but I did email my friend a parent governor about it who tried to reassure me. Ce la vie. Accommodation angst now, but we will get there.

Have been thinking of you and your DC today Watford mummy, SomersetS, Essexmum, 2B1Gmum and anyone else whose DC didn't get what they needed. Hope today is bringing a bit of clarity and you are able to focus on all the has been achieved.

Glad your DD has found another course she likes 2B1Gmum. It must be so hard to be positive when you're disappointed. Sorry that the school haven't been great either.

Wondering how things are for you and your DD today Somerset

For those considering resitting A levels, Julian has just posted on tsr to say that Sheffield will accept resits next year for the first time (AAA). Sheffield has been quite popular here so thought I'd share for those who hasn't read the same thread.

2B1Gmum, I'm pleased DD has come around and decided to go for the Pharmacology degree. So many opportunities of onward studies and career opportunities, the world is her oyster.

@adrinkofwater thank you.

DS went out last night clubbing and slept most of the day .

Mentioned Southampton to him but he was adamant that he was happy with his Bio Chem choice st Nottingham and when he thought about preferred not to go to Southampton.

I think he is happy with his choice but is still talking about doing graduate medicine. I think they all go their own journey and A's month as they are happy with it that's he main thing. This is probably e first big decision they have made as adults and as I to my team at work. Make your decision and own it!

He has and I know it will be right for him x

DN didn't get grades a few years ago and resits weren't possible. He was gutted. Did Biomed as was told some could transfer after a year. Yes about a dozen out of a course of many 100s. Enjoyed his uni experience. Completed the course, got the 2:1 did a gap year for rest and work experience and travel. Applied for Med with grades and experience. Nailed the interviews and got 4 offers. At 22 he said he was far more ready and that in hindsight not getting in at 18 was a blessing. His advice. Don't tie yourself down to Med at 18 it's far too young. Med should be a graduate course. His words not mine. If you didn't get in this time try not to worry. This is another was of looking at things.

mumwah, my friend's DD who didn't get a place after A levels, did a degree and then applied as graduate said exactly the same than your DS. She said that she felt much more mature and prepared starting Medicine 3 years later. She is in her 3rd year and loving it.

wardfordmummy, well done to your son for owing his decision indeed. This thread really shows what amazing kids we have. What lesson in resilience and strength of character!

This thread is a real show of confidence in our future with dedicated, caring and positive minded young adults.

Am glad decisions have been possible for everyone. It's been a tough few days for some kids but I've been so impressed with their maturity (ones I teach, not my own).
Just a note on graduate medicine for anyone new reading this - you can not get funding !!!! So was never an option for my DD as no way would we have £9,250 a year for fees on top of feeding her. In the 'old days' you could get loans for 2 degrees but not any more. So for many it's not an option . Thought it worth pointing this out as it scared the poop out of me when DD looked into it just in case. We had to tell her it wouldn't happen unless I sold both kidneys and my soul. Sad isn't it that it all comes down to parents income ☹️.