Medicine 2022 entry

[Monkey2001]

Support thread for aspiring medics.

We want all our DCs to succeed, whatever their school type. We share knowledge to help them to achieve their goals, celebrate success and support if things don't go well.

As we press the "send and pay" buttons on UCAS, we wish all our DC the best of luck in this tough year with so much uncertainty.

I rarely use capitals but I thought the occasion merited it. I'm sure it was marginal but for now I'm going to delight in the moment!

And now I've posted twice!

@SandyBayley fantastic news

Great news @SandyBayley! Well done that girl!

Interestingly I've seen the email DD got from Oxford. They didn't use GCSEs to shortlist. They only used BMAT scores and contextualised them by school....

To arrive at our initial shortlist, therefore, we used contextualised BMAT performance instead of performance at GCSE and BMAT combined as used in pre-pandemic years. We do realise that a subset of applicants experienced varying amounts of disruption during the computer-based delivery of the BMAT this year. However, where we received special considerations information from Cambridge Admissions Testing (CAAT, the test organisers) this was noted at the appropriate stage of the process.

Sadly, it was a no from Oxford for DD
If they only used BMAT then I can understand as DD’s section 2 BMAT score was iffy. DD says that once she got her BMAT scores she knew that it would be marginal. Still, one down, still to hear from the other three choices.

Not sure how they contextualise BMAT scores by school if none or one do it per year as has happened for DD’s school over the last few years.

Sorry to hear that @notmedicmum - DD's BMAT was a bit spiky 6.6 and 5.2 so I'm wondering if they spotted the 6.6 and thought it was interesting. 3 applicants from her school got interviews (including her). I think the other two had slightly weaker BMATs. From what I can make out I'm guessing you probably needed about 5.7/5.8 average across the two sections?

Definitely did not get 5.7 average although S1 was strong. It’s a shame as she was getting 6s when she did timed past papers.

@notmedicmum sorry to hear she didn't make it. If it is like Cambridge they contextualise the school by external exam results. There are performance league tables available at a detailed level to universities.

@Monkey2001 - do you mean they use data from A Level and GCSE performance s as bd then adjust the BMAT score rather than looking at historic BMAT results from the school?

[quote SandyBayley]@Monkey2001 - do you mean they use data from A Level and GCSE performance s as bd then adjust the BMAT score rather than looking at historic BMAT results from the school?[/quote]
That is what Cambridge do - contextualise your results within school published results.

I think it would be odd to do that especially as the email said that they are disregarding gcse results from 2020 and we know that GCSEs weren’t the usual ones this year - unless they are using contextual data from 2019, which doesn’t seem right either.

Just seen posts by someone called "worried dad" on TSR. His daughter got 3130 and AAA predictions and has 3 rejections so far - Edinburgh, Dundee and Glasgow, just waiting for Oxford. So sad to see un-strategic choices spoiling the chances of a really strong candidate. Edinburgh was unwise with the predictions, Dundee only have 15 places but Glasgow v unlucky as she was rejected for not doing AS or A level Biology, which is not actually listed as a requirement on the website!

It is a horrible process!

It is isn't it?

That poor girl. DS was given equally dodgy advice from his school. Luckily I'd found this thread and we knew to completely ignore it and follow the advice on here.

DS has 2 interviews so far. Still waiting on Bristol, which we're sure is a rejection, and Plymouth.

As long as Plymouth stick to just UCAT selection he should hopefully get an interview there as well.

Congrats to @SandyBayley's DD and commiserations to @notmedicmum's DD. I've been there twice @notmedicmum (with DS1) and know how painful it is to relinquish an Oxford dream.

Does anyone know if worried dad's DD's got an interview? That poor girl so deserves a change of luck!

DD got hit in the face with a squash racket at school today and is sporting a large bruise on her chin which will be quite colourful tomorrow when she has her Exeter interview! The boy who hit her knew about her interview and was terribly apologetic - he gave her a chocolate bar to say sorry which is rather sweet.

Best of luck to your DD for the Exeter interview @MidLifeCrisis007 - DD's friend has one so it will be interesting to hear how it goes (although I guess she'll be sworn to secrecy).

I feel so sorry for that poor candidate @PanicBuyingSprouts - with that UCAT they could have definitely got interviews elsewhere.

DD is feeling so much happier tonight. It's like a cloud has lifted in our house.

Would be grateful for thoughts. DD has an interview from Cambridge next week. She had a really disrupted BMAT, so her section 2 score isn’t great - the school applied for special circumstances consideration (she got 5.7, 4, 4A, so I’m glad she opted for Cambridge!)

The college has offered her the chance to resit section 2 on Friday, but she doesn’t have to. I think it’s a question of how prepared she feels. There is a risk she may score lower as she’s not as prepped, but I think it’s worth it.

Any thoughts?

Personally I would.resit. It's a chance to show Cambridge what she can do and differentiate herself from other candidates.

I agree with Sandy, with a score of 4. I would also advise my own DC to resit. To be honest, not taking the opportunity might look a bit weak.

Yes, agreed, thanks.

I would agree on the resit. I know from experience that they use BMAT score post interview.

Glad to say Worrieddad's DD got an Oxford interview - very unusual to manage to get 1/4 offers and that 1 to be Oxford!

How bizarre! That poor child could have got 4 interviews if they'd been better advised. Horrible pressure to be under.

Fingers crossed Worrieddad's DD gets Oxford. Belated congratulations to mini Sandy on her Oxford interview too Also hope all went well for mini MidLifeCrisis in her Exeter interview today

Liverpool interview secured 👍

Hurray @Ijw2025 - when is the interview scheduled for?

I see from TSR that Leeds interviews are expected in 'mid December'.

DD has a practice interview at school today. But heard back yet though as to how it went.

Manchester interview booked for 14th Dec.