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.

@Lottsbiffandsmudge point your DS to Newcastle's medsoc - they have a Medics Musicals soc!

Sounds like he is doing loads of stuff he can draw on in interviews. Will just have to avoid med schools which are looking for hospital work experience, which will be fine.

@Monkey2001 and Notts. Massive medics musical society and the 4th year musical is a tradition. Even during covid.

...... Oh, and don't get too bogged down in PS until after UCAT and shortlisting as many medical schools don't use it at all.

Not a medic but my daughter is just finishing her dental course. Get main difficulty was finding somewhere to get the 10 days experience with a NHS dental practice as she had no link s. She dropped a mini CD in around 30 places and only one would take her on. Something to think about early for those watching the thread with Y9s.

@NoNotHimTheOtherOne thank you for forwarding the link. Very helpful.

@mumsneedwine we had no idea Exeter would need 3 A stars (criteria is AAA). We were interested in this school. We better look elsewhere. This is an eye opener thanks.
What schools should we look at with 1 A star and AA predicted grades, assuming he gets a good UCAT and BMAT score.
(No EPQ and we established an extra A level completed in Year 12 doesn't help. But he has all 9s from 11 GCSEs) We will check TSR as suggested as well.

@Cratos those predictions mean you should not consider Cambridge, Exeter, Edinburgh and possibly Aberdeen. Until he has a UCAT score, it is not possible to say where he has the best chance of interviews.

Thank you very much. 🙏🏼

Thanks @Monkey2001. Only just got home from school. Sooooo glad exams are over 🥳

@Cratos don't look at admissions criteria. You need to find how they select for interview. It differs for every Uni.

@Cratos sorry, meant to add, a good UCAT is different at different Unis. Over 3,000 should get you an interview at most places, over 2,900 still a lot of choice, but once get to 2,700/2,800 lots are ruled out. 2,700 is still a fantastic UCAT, and there are still lots of options, but good is very subjective.

@mumsneedwine thanks a lot for the advice. We need to more research and understand the selection criteria for interviews. I will share the UCAT score after he has done it. You must be very relieved that exams are over 🥳 I cannot imagine what state we will be in next year. Enjoy the weekend 🌷

Went to Sheffield yesterday. Was anyone else there?

Was a bit when they were talking about Selection Criteria.

Once you've met the admission criteria they then select interviewees on UCAT scores. They said the minimum has already been set at something like 2420 for the next applicants and when questioned further they didn't know what the actual cut off ended up being this time.

It was 2790.

Is it me or is that a bit wrong to give all the students with a UCAT over 2420 hope they get an interview and possibly waste one of their 4 applications when they might be nowhere near the actual cut off?

How did you find Sheffield otherwise? We had a clash with Brimingham (which DS2 has typically fallen in love with even though it will be so hard for him to get in to)
I went to Sheffild and loved it as a city. But no idea about the medicine side.
The whole admissions thing us so hard. Glad I found this thread. Just need to wait for UCAT score I guess.
And yes I agree the unis should really know their own admissions criteria/ thresholds!!!!

DS is still in love with Sheffield and still wants to go.

Sheffield are super transparent usually over admissions. Just thought it was odd that they'd do a Q&A session for prospective med students and not know what their cut off was this year, especially when they use they as selection for interview. If it was 2790 this year, it's likely to be higher next.

I heard that a high proportion of the admissions for September at Birmingham are contextual so it might be worth looking to see if your DS fits their criteria.

@PritiPatelsMaker many Unis use that model. If you fulfil the minimum requirements then you pass on to the next stage. Selection for interview will be the top 900 scores, which will vary every year. Sheffield are very clear about their criteria but can't give an exact score as they don't know who will apply each year.
It's why reading the selection rules is so important. No Uni interviews everyone who meets the minimum criteria - they just don't have time.

@PritiPatelsMaker and no reason why UCAT cut off will be higher next year, it goes up and down a bit every year. I suggest not applying there unless UCAT is 2780 - it's a bit of a punt any lower than that.

No Uni interviews everyone who meets the minimum criteria - they just don't have time.

I get that totally mums. Just thought it was a bit odd that the line was set over 300 points below their cut off for this year and that they did t know what this years cut off had been when questioned by a student.

But yes, you're right. That's why you have to read very carefully and why these threads are so useful

@Lottsbiffandsmudge for Birmingham he'll either need to have a contextual flag, or have perfect scores (all 9s, A stars and UCAT over 3,000). And even then it's not a definite for interview. Unless they change their criteria for next year - watch websites carefully as things do change. Notts changed their scoring last year and caught many students out.

@PritiPatelsMaker they probably don't want to give this years cut off just yet as they need to clarify the 3 different scores - contextual, international and the rest. Each has a different cut off - just to confuse things further 😊.
What they are saying is they won't look at your application if you score less than 2480. If you get more then you make the ranking list, but where the top 900 score ends up is a mystery to even though each year.
A lot of students get caught out by this. Plymouth used to guarantee an interview to everyone over their cut off, but this year has to say they couldn't as too many people had applied there.
UCAT is so important these days as it gets you on that interview list.

According to website they use GCSE weighted 45% (which I find slightly odd considering it was TAGS for his year group and a lot will have straight 9s which DS 2 has) UCAT 40% and contextual 15% DS2 scores 0.6 on this based on postcode so yes UCAT is all that's going to count really.....
They don't mention predicted grades at all.....

just popping on as I see there is interest in Sheffield 😊.

DD has just finished first year so please do ask if you have any questions she can help with.

She absolutely loves it there!

It was the cut off that they'd used for this years intake of A100 for home students that they were asked for though mums. No Open Day is going to be perfect but just felt that was something that at least one of the 5 people giving the presentation should have known

@PritiPatelsMaker I assume the wonderful
Julian wasn't there 😊. They usually post the cut off on their website a week before they give out interviews (it's a v nice thing to do). But this year has been v v unusual. In last few years it's ranged from 2,690 - 2,850 if that helps.

Hi there @LaLaFlottes. Great to hear that your DD is loving Sheffield. Can't believe they will be second year medics soon! Agree that Sheffield was excellent with their comms when DS was applying two years ago.