Medicine 2022 - Decision time!

[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.

Lots of interviews now done, fingers crossed for lots of offers, but we know it is a tough year and that most applicants will have a bumpy ride. Best of luck everyone!

Previous thread - www.mumsnet.com/Talk/higher_education/a4358647-Medicine-2022-entry?msgid=114590369#114590369

2023 applicant thread - www.mumsnet.com/Talk/higher_education/4459778-Medicine-2023-Entry

@Kidsandcat well done to your DS.
Any questions about Sheffield do let me know as DD is currently a first year.

LaLaFlottes - thank you. How does your daughter find it? Was my son's favourite since the open day so he was so happy to get the offer Obviously still a lot of work to do with a levels firs!. Where does your daughter live and what would she recommend? Thinking of booking endcliffe, probably standard room.

@Kidsandcat she loves it so far! I’m sure your DS will too.

It’s been very supportive, the older students help so much and it seems a very nice atmosphere. Lots of lectures, small group work, they are in small groups with a GP every second week, visit patients in the community and have anatomy which is full body dissection twice a week. So nice and varied.

DD has a standard room which is in a flat of 11 with an en-suite bathroom. It’s in Ranmoor which she chose as it’s meant to be a little quieter than Endcliffe and she’s not really a party animal!

The rooms are a little tired but fine with plenty of storage and nice to have your own bathroom. She would definitely recommend either Endcliffe or Ranmoor as most first years are there. I’m
pretty sure they always make sure there are two medical students in a flat together which is good.

Has your DS looked on line at the rooms available to book yet? I think they release them steadily over a period of time but if he fancies a specific block he’s best to keep checking for flats being released. DD was keen not to be on the ground floor! I think there are some blocks in Endcliffe that are known for being party blocks and I can ask her if that would help - so you can avoid or choose depending on your DS!

And we're done. Offers from Oxford, Leeds and Newcastle and a rejection after interview from Bristol. Plus a non-medicine offer from Edinburgh.

DD will firm Oxford but not sure about insurance. Probably Leeds. Will encourage a quick decision to release a place for those waiting.

Thank you and your dd for being considerate. Fingers crossed that if she rejects Newcastle, the place will come out to one if our DC on the hold list x

That's great news @HoneyMobster - has she seen Leeds yet?

No @KingscoteStaff 😂 She hasn't seen Leeds or Newcastle! I think she'll choose blind...

I think she has so much margin in the predictions v the Oxford offer that it is not worth putting too much work into choosing the insurance! Leeds is historically a very common insurance for Oxford as the shortlisting uses the same metrics.

I have heard of another local friend with offers from Glasgow and Newcastle who is planning to reject Newcastle. Hope there will be some movement soon, but REALLY wish they would be a bit more transparent about numbers so that people could get on with planning their lives!

Hello - is anyone's DC still waiting on KCL (King's College London) for a decision on their medicine interview? I think they've given out a few offers just before Easter but not sure if that's it? Thanks

I think lots of people on TSR are waiting for KCL. Several have withdrawn whilst waiting as they have offers elsewhere and want to firm.

@Angharad01 I have quite a few still waiting to hear from KCL. Holding up a lot of firming as it's first choice for most of them ! They've said 'by May' so could be a while yet.

UEA offer came through this afternoon

I also know a Scottish DC firming Edinburgh and rejecting Newcastle. I really hope there is some movement soon for those waiting. It's too long to have to wait, particularly with A Levels approaching.

@Monkey2001 is a standard offer from Oxford is A A A and Cambridge higher at A A* A? We have visited both over the holidays.

Sorry my stars got all mixed up with 'bolding'. What I wrote was A star, A, A for Oxford and A star, A star, A for Cambridge

@kackle congratulations 🎉

@opoponax - that's right. But it's worth being aware that the odds of getting an offer from Oxford are lower than for Cambridge so it's not an 'easier' option.

Thanks @HoneyMobster. Yes, DD knows that the overall odds are lower for Oxford and also that the culling points are different. I'm just double checking her facts and figures spreadsheet for her while she concentrates on prep for her Year 12 exams.

Well done @kackle. My DS is just finishing his FY1 year (first choice deanery) after graduating from UEA. He really enjoyed the course and has transitioned to work very easily as the course prepares them well. Let me know if you want any info.

Thank you. Not sure we are going to accept it.

@Monkey2001 - I rang Newcastle today and said that I was aware at the open day they had said they were going to do more offers. The lady I spoke to flatly denied this.

Really? I think they must have to make some more offers. So frustrating!

My DD is very lucky with three offers - from Leeds, Sheffield and Birmingham. She had originally thought Leeds was her first choice - but has been really put off by the way Leeds ran the interviews and has had no offer day. We have visited to walk around the campus/city. She had been thinking Sheffield was going to be a insurance, but at the offer day she really loved Sheffield ( and less so Birmingham). My personal view is she should go where’s she feels happy and likes the course ( Sheffield) but she thinks Leeds or Birmingham are more “prestigious” choices. Ultimately obviously it’s her decision- but she wondered if anyone had advice or experience of those Unis?

@dustybee prestige isn't a thing for medicine, when you apply for F1 jobs I don't think they even know where you trained, just your position in your cohort. She should go for the course structure and place she likes best.

@dustybee congratulations to your DD she has done very well.

Last year my DD was in a similar position with offers from Sheffield, St Andrews, Leicester and UEA. She chose Sheffield as she decided she liked their course structure, intercalating options, the fact the do full body dissection.

It’s certainly living up to her expectations and she’s loving the course. She says the full body dissection is an excellent way to learn and they have two sessions a week. I’m not sure if Birmingham and Leeds do this or not.

I hope I’m describing this correctly but they do systems based learning - so the modules cover a certain body system and then they move on to the next one which she likes.

There is early patient contact which she likes too.

There’s a lot going on in Sheffield and the older students she’s met at some of her clubs have been so helpful. It seems a very friendly place/course.

During the holidays she’s been on lots of on line revision sessions run by various Medical Societies which has been good.

Any questions do ask as she’s home at the moment (goes back tomorrow) so I can easily ask!

Also as @Monkey2001 says prestige doesn’t matter at all so don’t worry about that!

DS received offer for UEA! He has anther offer but for 2023 start from Liverpool.
He’ll go and visit Liverpool.
My questions now are does he apply for student finance and accommodation or do we wait? He is yet to decide on firm/insurance.
And how does it work with deferred offer? Can it be withdrawn? In his deferred offer e-mail it states if there are places in June and then also in August he may be offered a place for 2022 start- it seems very uncertain and late to sort out accommodation and finance in September. When this was his only offer it was easy decision-wait and see. This is my first child applying to university and people here have been so helpful- thank you!