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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Medicine 2022 entry

999 replies

Monkey2001 · 25/09/2021 17:50

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.

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Monkey2001 · 02/10/2021 11:30

I will watch Birmingham with interest. I think it is super hard for people without any contextual points, I think the cut off might be very close to 8. I also agree that the Newcastle cut off could go down, but the vast majority of applicants are not on TSR and there are people like @SandyBayley DD who would have chosen Nottingham if it did not feel like a lottery with no historic data on current system.

I agree that it is getting harder to find strategic choices. The people who struggle with UCAT will have to do BMAT or get lots of work exp in a gap year and apply to Keele/Sunderland. Your next job might be to steer them firmly away from a plan for grad medicine unless they really need to get away from home. It is sad to see the number of grads who thought they had a plan, but nobody has told them how difficult it would really be.

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Chilldonaldchill · 02/10/2021 11:59

Yep I have managed to get the "8 choices over 2 years" message across I think. Many of them did outstandingly at UCAT but then think they don't need to apply strategically or are applying to mainly BMAT unis (🤷‍♀️ so I just hope they don't get burnt) but a few really struggled...

LaLaFlottes · 02/10/2021 12:23

Sending positive vibes to those submitting UCAS forms already and over the next couple of weeks!

For anyone still deciding, and considering Sheffield, I thought I’d add a few bits seeing as it’s been mentioned Smile

DD has just started at Sheffield and as previous posters have said, their process during the application and interview period was very good, transparent and engaging.

This has continued I’m happy to say - their accommodation process is also brilliant - after you firm you can log on and literally choose you room, reading bios of other students already in the flat to help find like minded people. Then on results day, you just pay your deposit - all sorted!

Freshers had a lot going - there are so many clubs and Medsoc clubs and the older Medics in these clubs are apparently very friendly and helpful.

The course structure seems great - DD will be on placements very soon, which is what she ultimately wanted when she was deciding where to firm.

As far as I know, everything is face to face, twice weekly lateral flow tests and masks to be worn. So very happy about that.

DD is loving it so far - but I really just wanted to say that the professionalism and straightforwardness of the application process definitely also extends into the actual course when they arrive - phew!!

Wishing you all the very best of luck. I don’t always comment as there’s normally many more knowledgeable people on here than me, but thought this could be useful.

Solarlantern · 02/10/2021 12:58

What's everyone's views on Leicester this year? My DS thinks it's going to be massively oversubscribed because of the guaranteed interviews for students with achieved A levels over a certain decile - seems like every achieved applicant is applying there! He'd be guaranteed an interview himself and is very tempted (and the open day was v useful) ...but they are very vague on what the knock on effect will be if they are inundated with applications so he's thinking of applying to Birmingham instead..just waiting for his reference now and then sending off in the next couple of days so crunch time for his decisions I think!

Monkey2001 · 02/10/2021 14:14

@Solarlantern I think we are going to see lower offer to interview ratios across the board this year.

Leicester website still says they are planning to interview 1100 applicants and make 850 offers for 290 places, but I doubt that. I think that last year they used the QR score of the UCAT for one of the stations, so the UCAT may not be just to get an interview - you should be able to find out more on the TSR 2021 Leicester thread.

Birmingham - their weird shortlisting thing means that there will be very few non-contextual candidates interviewed. No idea what impact that might have on interview marks, but there may be fewer people who have been supported with preparation, so it may be easier to shine.

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mumsneedwine · 02/10/2021 18:27

I agree with Monkey. I think there will less initial offers as Unis can not afford another year paying for deferrals. But think there will be lots of waiting list places which will be used to then offer as people turn things down. I'd be prepared for a long wait and keep fingers crossed.
So offers will come to usual number of students eventually, but might be a bit more drawn out process. Although obviously some will get offers lovely and early (& I hope it's all of you - and some of mine).🤞🤞🤞😊

Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 03/10/2021 08:52

My ds has just started his medical degree. Despite a stellar UCAT score and achieved A*s in his A levels he only had one offer (okay, he was waitlisted for the others, but as he said, it still came down to 3 rejections).

However he also applied to Irish universities. Their application process is really simple. Fill in form (no personal statement necessary), sit whatever the Irish medical test is called, and wait for all A level and medical test results which are then added up, a final score given, and places allocated. It was fairly expensive, but did give ds a back up option. He didn’t use it in the end.

Monkey2001 · 03/10/2021 09:34

We investigated the Irish option as DS1 was in same situation for 2020 entry, but you had to have a language GCSE which you had done with your other GCSEs, so wasn't an option for him. I think must countries do it on pure academics.

Well done to him, you only need 1 offer and if he was waitlisted for the others, in a normal year he would probably have for 4 offers. Are you willing to share which medical schools they all were? Did it come down to a better offer to interview ratio at the one he got or did he just do be better at one interview? Hope he was happy about where he ended up.

For DS1's first application round he did a dreadful interview at Newcastle (he travelled up on the day and should have stayed the night before). Cambridge interview was OK, but not good enough due to nerves. Leeds interview just missed an offer as they had a very low offer to interview ratio. Sheffield one was baffling as he failed in the knowledge of course and city station which should have been one of his best.

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DuaLipaSuction · 03/10/2021 12:15

So sorry I've not been back, the last few days have been quite hectic.

I just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who has replied so far. The time you've taken and the knowledge you've shared is hugely appreciated.

We are currently waiting for an appointment for DS to be assessed for inattentive ADHD which might explain why things are so last minute.

DuaLipaSuction · 03/10/2021 12:29

And thank you too @LaLaFlottes. That is indeed very helpful abs it's so good to hear that the Professionalism has been carried across to the course and that your DD is enjoying it Smile

flamingo40 · 03/10/2021 14:03

My daughter is only in year 11 but we are planning a levels currently I hope it's ok to jump on here to ask a few questions....
She wants to study medicine, going into surgery.
Gcse predicted grades all 7s and 8s.
She was thinking of a level chemistry and biology along with psychology.
However reading uni websites and the info on here it's looking like she will need maths instead of psychology?
I know we are a few years behind most of you on here but we want to get the a level choices right.
Any pointers would be good

mumsneedwine · 03/10/2021 14:18

@flamingo40 psychology will be just fine (except for a few colleges at Cambridge). No one needs maths. What age needs are the best grades possible in GCSEs and A levels.

mumsneedwine · 03/10/2021 14:19

What she needs ! Have a dog on lap

flamingo40 · 03/10/2021 14:27

Thank you! It would be a shame for her to drop
Psychology as her grades are higher and she loves it, plus her brother is at uni doing psychology and counselling so he's a great help to her.

Needmoresleep · 03/10/2021 14:56

DuaLipaSuction do pursue the SEN. DD is very dyslexic, and got a poor UCAT score, but luckily she was the last year where Bristol did not require UCAT or BMAT and instead relied heavily on personal statement, which was her strength.

Once she got to interview, she thinks that medical schools were positively interested in people with SEN (I don't know the right terminology but it was all properly documented and submitted) but who would be able to keep up with the academics. There were only a handful to start with, though some have been diagnosed since.

He might phone them up, say he is being currently accessed, and that it impacted his GCSE grades and ask whether it would be possible to submit any report after the October deadline.

I would say that you need to be quite organised for Bristol as so much is done via placements etc, and the admin interface between the medical school and hospitals can be imperfect. A good training for future work in the NHS, but students need to be self starting. Oddly more academic courses like Imperial might be easier for the less organised.

We also looked at Ireland, though this was a few years back. At that point you needed 4 A levels as well as a language GCSE. You got extra points for Maths. It was possible to take the Irish equivalent of UCAT in January. I don't know what fees will be like now we are no longer in the EU. My guess is that fees are higher, but competition lower. Some, like RCSI, only take international students. US drug companies have invested a lot in medical research in Eire. If DD had needed to reapply she almost certainly would have had a go.

Another alternative, if you have the money, was Buckingham, the private University, which gave you a Leicester qualification. Too lazy to look it up, but you used to be able to apply in August post-results to start in January.

DuaLipaSuction · 03/10/2021 15:02

My DS did take Maths @flamingo40 but that was his best subject. I'd go with her strengths, particularly as grades are so important.

DuaLipaSuction · 03/10/2021 15:07

Thank you again @Needmoresleep. We are trying with the diagnosis but school aren't interested in the slightest so having to go through the GP which is taking time. He has been diagnosed with a genetic micro-deletion that affects skin but can also be associated with ASD and ADHD. Still haven't managed to get formal genetic testing either as yet.

Glad to here your DD managed to get to Medical School. That is fabulous.

opoponax · 03/10/2021 15:18

University of Buckingham fees are an eye-watering £38,000 per year, over £170,000 total for the course!

Monkey2001 · 03/10/2021 15:19

@flamingo40 there is some variety in subject requirements. Not doing 3 maths/science subjects makes Cambridge difficult, but makes no difference anywhere else.

The most important thing is that she gets 3 As. If she struggles to get top grades in either Bio or Chem I would advise people to consider which 3 subjects that are confident of A/A* grades in. Doing both Bio and Chem keeps most options open, but getting AAB closes more doors than dropping Biology.

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opoponax · 03/10/2021 15:20

I know this because my DS knows someone who had gone there and was incredulous at the cost and kept quoting them.

DominicRaabsTravelAgent · 03/10/2021 15:24

University of Buckingham fees are an eye-watering £38,000 per year, over £170,000 total for the course

We saw that a few weeks ago. Ok for those who can afford it but it's definitely not something we could ever look at.

Monkey2001 · 03/10/2021 15:27

Yup, that is why it is always in Clearing! On the bright side, it takes 6 months less, so if you have a decent job and add the saving in maintenance for 6 months, it is probably only £90k more in total and is still cheaper than a boarding school.

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Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 03/10/2021 15:39

For the purposes of medicine, UK students are treated the same as EU students - cost will be 3K euros, yearly. I don’t have all the information as ds organised everything, including sitting the medical test online. I do know that he would have got a place on any Irish undergrad medical degree, and got a place on his first choice course, which was good for his confidence.

If you are a little weaker on interviews/have limited work experience, it might well be worth looking into the Irish universities.

Needmoresleep · 03/10/2021 17:56

I suspect it is always in clearing because the course starts in January (or used to, again too lazy to check) and recruitment carries on until August of the year before. So essentially clearing is a form of advertising.

Yes a huge amount of money, but I was just throwing out there for anyone without a place in August. Take off the almost £40K that would be spent anyway on fees, plus some living cost saving from the fact that the course is 6 months shorter (four terms a year). London day schools can be as much as £33,000pa so for some parents there is not a big difference. Perhaps granny left something, perhaps the mortgage is paid off, so some can be raised that way. Not an option for everyone, but it will be for some. It is probably less than overseas students are paying, and an awful lot less than Americans pay to qualify as a Doctor in the US.

DD's plan B was to take a gap year, sitting BMAT which she probably would have found easier than UCAT. Ireland and Buckingham were possible Plan Cs to run in parallel with Plan B. Very luckily she got two offers at the end of March during her first year of application. It was difficult and tense, but for her at least it was worth feeling that not getting an offer during that year was not the end of the world.

mumsneedwine · 03/10/2021 18:19

@Monkey2001 'only' £90k more 😳. I had a little sit down when saw how much it costs.

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