Medicine 2023 Entry

[opoponax]

Hi all,

I don't think there is a Medicine 2023 Entry thread yet, so it might be an idea to get one started.

Anyone out there with DC applying or reapplying for Medicine 2023, please join a friendly thread for mutual support and useful advice from those who understand the UK Medical School application process.

@thefamilyupstairs make sure he contacts the WP dept at his chosen Unis. They are very good at advising how to get it shown on the application. It will only matter if a contextual offer is possible - FSM in itself doesn't guarantee one I'm afraid.

@GANFYD lovely to see you here. Can I think you for all the help you give on TSR - it's been invaluable this year ! Whoever gave the heads up about HYMS I am indebted to as one of our students got in because of it 😊.

Hello @GANFYD , I have just been reading you I think on the student room - on the Edinburgh last year thread - in shock at all the stratospheric UCAT rUK students being turned away. It doesn't seem fair somehow.

It's weird because the narrative up here in Scotland is that the Scots universities want rUK/EU students because they get more money, but that isn't borne out by the entry stats which some of them publish is it? I spent a fair amount of time trawling TSR on Friday and there seem to be lots of places for Scottish students even non contextual, and being given interviews with lower UCATs than rUK? But the urban myth is 3 places only etc etc. Which is true (surely the official uni stats?!) and if a myth, how has it formed, do you think?

Thank you too for your reply to @anonforthis1 which will help my DD as well.

I am a bit of a lurker, now, as have little to add - you and Monkey have things covered! I drop in with the more esoteric or niche queries, but am always happy to chip in if people have questions.
So pleased to hear your students are doing well - due in no small part to your input, especially with strategic applications, I'm sure

Almost certainly me - been hanging around on TSR for years now 😂😂
The Scottish government have previously had strict caps on RUK places for medicine, to encourage local applicants, who are more likely to stay local after graduation.
These caps were apparently removed during covid, and are meant to be gone now, but there still seemed to be far higher requirements for RUK applicants than Home last year, so that would suggest they were in place in spririt, if not via government edict!
Edinburgh is crazy for RUK. Every year, I say this cannot stay as their requirements, and every year, it does!
I suspect for other subjects, unis do try and attract the higher fee paying students, but it is the same for Internationals in England - the government has capped how many places are available for medicine as they do not want everyone disappearing off after qualifying leaving our current Dr shortage getting worse

@anonforthis1
Had another thought - score her UCAS tariff points for Barts, as Scottish qualifications always score well, and I assume she has some music grades in there, too, given her Conservatoire place? Her points may well offset her lower UCAT

My DD was sadly one of those turned away by Edinburgh without an interview. UCAT of 3190, SJT band 2. Achieved 4 A stars in her A levels this Summer too. Galling.

But she did interview at St Andrews (who typically give offers to 80-90% of those they interview). I told her all she had to do was avoid being terrible and she'd get an offer. The interview went really well, but she must have been really terrible. Rejected by them too!

Anyway she can't wait to start at Exeter next month. On the plus side, it's much warmer down south and she can understand the local accent....

@MidLifeCrisis007 I think the offer rates for RUK at St Andrews have fallen significantly since 2019. Will be interesting to see stats for 2021 and 2022 as they are revealed.

That is grossly unfair, @MidLifeCrisis007 . Although in theory it benefits us as Scots, I don't like the implications; I feel it's nationalistic and myopic.

I know quite a few people who were at uni up here, fell in love with it and stayed, so I'm not sure the argument that locals are more likely to stay even works.

I'm glad your DD got a place at another great med school (how could she not with those stats?!). I never quite get the love for Edinburgh as a city; I think it's a bit like Bath in the UpsideDown.

Sorry, will stop diverting now.

My brother moved up to Scotland about 20 years ago to work for Standard Life and has never left! He loves it up there! And I know DD would have too!

Edinburgh is the most popular uni destination of DD's friends this year (although none for medicine), so she's sad not to be joining them. But it would have meant a 6 year course rather than a 5 year one so there are many positives from being south of the border!

Thank you so much for your support and infinite patience on TSR @GANFYD . DD has just lurked but it has been so useful in narrowing the options. @Monkey2001 table has also been invaluable in making decisions. We are just waiting on Exeter open day to finalise the list (lucky UCAT dice and worked hard last year for predicted grades). Currently crunching Lovebear's interview/offer ratios to improve chances of converting one to a place. Fortunately she doesn't want to do BMAT, just wants a friendly, supportive course.

@MidLifeCrisis007 would be interested to hear how she gets on at Exeter.

Anyone with Exeter experience, are all classes on the St Luke's campus but medics live on the main campus in the first year DD is keeping an open mind about Exeter as it suits her A Level predictions, unless they change the formula this year.

@Unexpecteddrivinginstructor what is Lovebear's interview/offer ratios and does it let you look at several years as I understand it can fluctuate significantly from year to year?

@opoponax we went to Exeter open days. All classes are at St Lukes and that is where first year accommodation is too. They don't live on main campus. The St Lukes accommodation is about a 10 min walk from St Lukes campus in the direction of the hospital. The lad who showed us round was a medical sciences 1st year. So it's not just medics. Their sports science is also at St Lukes. It does feel a bit remote from main campus which my DS is a it unsure about. But if they stick with predicated grades as a big element of interview criteria it would suit DS as he has 3 A stars.
Also bear in mind they have to go to Cornwall for 2 years of the 5. They can elect which years and can go as groups of friends.

I'd love to see that Lovebear table too please

@opoponax Hopefully this works, or search for Lovebear2951 on TSR. It has about three years worth. Obviously last year was a bit odd for Exeter, but although they offered a lot fewer places they also interviewed fewer.

I think that they can express a preference for either halls on St Lukes or the main campus which is a 30min walk if they want to be more involved with campus life.

Ah that is useful @Lottsbiffandsmudge , I was basing my answer on the online open day. Shows how useful it is in person.

There are four years of data and Exeter offers between 66%-78% of interviewees whereas Liverpool interview ratio is much lower.

Thank you @Lottsbiffandsmudge and @Unexpecteddrivinginstructor . Really helpful. DD is not keen on separate accommodation from main campus either. It is sometimes difficult to know how strategic to play it.

@Lottsbiffandsmudge a friend's DD finished the Exeter course 2 years ago and only did 1 year in Truro (her 5th), but that worked well for her as it was much cheaper and that is the year with lower funding (part NHS, part loan)

@opoponax apply as strategically as possible ! Getting interviews is now the next hurdle, so if you fit the stats then apply there.
I wouldn't worry too much about different campuses as students find each other in towns at night time. And societies and clubs will be at either campus.
Wherever they go for medicine they'll have placements away from the main centre. DD has been in Derby, Mansfield, Boston and Lincoln, as well as the 2 hospitals in Notts.
And Truro is lovely 😊

I hear you @mumsneedwine . She loves Cornwall so that's a plus.

Just found this thread and it's really informative. Hope you don't mind me joining . My DS sat his UCAT today and scored 2770 band 2 . He got all grade 9s in GCSE although not sure medical schools will look at these as obviously they didn't sit the exams . Predicted 4 A stars at A levels . He just sat AS FM this year and achieved an A ( can't obtain A star at AS level ) .
He's thinking of applying to Birm , Notts , Manchester as his UCAT options . He has his heart set on sitting the BMAT and trying for Cambridge although is well aware this is a long shot .
Would really appreciate any advice on his options please .

Medicine is not like other subjects, the most risky one on your list is Nottingham, Cambridge should be fine, they interview 80% of applicants, pretty much anyone they believe will achieve 2 A*s and an A, although the BMAT is significant post interview. Unless Nottingham have changed their algorithm, a band 2 is risky unless he has done very well in VR. Manchester should be fine and I think Birmingham will be - did he attend a state school from their list? I assume he does not want London? With those A levels Exeter and Barts could both be good options. Leicester, Sheffield, Southampton should all be OK.

Thanks for your reply .
He scored 620 on VR . Are Notts only looking for band one ?
He is on Birm contextual schools list .

@Hopeful646 Notts score each section of UCAT separately but give double weight to VR. You get a lot of points for SJT 1. Look at their website for the scoring - I'll see if I can work yours out.