Medicine 2025 entry

[HGC2]

Inspired and slightly terrified reading the 2023 entry threads and how much prep has to go into a medicine application!

DC wants to do medicine, probably in Scotland as a Scottish student, doing well at school but this doesn't seem to be enough! School has little / no experience of applications for medicine as a not fantastic state school!

Can anyone advise what work experience / volunteering they will need (currently volunteering at sports club with hope of job)
what are the spreadsheets that people talk about?
How do you strategically apply?

I have one child at uni and they just applied and got a place, this seems like a whole other level!

If that image isn't clear, there is a link to admission statistics at the bottom of this page https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/medicine/mus/admissions/

Thanks @Fiftiesishard I think that is the doc I was talking about yesterday but I couldn't work out how to upload it.

Just checking in and wondering how everyone is doing? DD is as stressed as she gets - she's a pretty cool customer normally. DH and I have been given a very clear steer to back off a bit (I thought we were fairly 'backed off', but it seems not!), so trying to keep out of the way as she does final preparations before sitting it next week.
It's a stressful process this, isn't it?!

Good luck to all. My daughter just took her first full practice run through after a couple of weeks studying and got 2400 with 4 weeks to go :-/ AR is definitely the Achilles heel.

We are in the exact same boat.

@SoTiredNeedHoliday - it's not easy! Good luck to your DD. Looking forward to the UCAT being over this week, at least.

@ElaineC77 Same. AR definitely DD's weakest section. 2400 sounds like a solid place to be for a first mock. It's a long slog, isn't it.

Good luck with those UCATs. Once they've got the scores (handed to them as they leave so at least no waiting) the good news is they can start shortlisting possible Unis. Here if anyone needs a hand.

Yay! That is DC Highers ticked off. Scottish Unis offer to Scottish students based on Highers - they make conditional offers for S6 exams but these tend to be Bs just to ensure they continue to work.

We’re the same here, such a relief! UCAT in a couple of weeks, the plan was to cancel if she failed highers!

Congratulations to both your DC! Another hurdle cleared...onwards to UCAT...

Can I just say well done to everyone's DD and DS for all the hard work they put in and congrats. My DS got 4As ( Maths, Bio, Physics and Computer Science) and 1B ( Chemistry) for Highers today. 7As ( including all sciences and maths) for Nat 5 last year and currently doing volunteering in a hospital. Can I ask you wise mummies here, if he should still carry on preparing for UCAT and apply for medicine? I am under the impression that as it's very competitive, anything less than 5As, chances are very low? I really don't want him to work so hard and get rejected 😪. Any input is much appreciate. Thanks in advance🙂

My understanding is that some unis accept 4A and 1 B, in fact my daughters friend had that and has offers for St Andrews and Dundee. Focus on UCAT now and hopefully he can get a good score

Just looked at Aberdeen, Dundee and Glasgow entry requirements and they all suggest AAAAB is enough. A good UCAT score would help - Aberdeen weight academics and UCAT in deciding to interview. (Not looked at the others). So it definitely isn’t a write-off.

@greenskylark don't listen to anyone telling you they need to be perfect for medicine. His grades are enough. Smash that UCAT !

@greenskylark here is Glasgow's for your peace of mind 🤗

Thank you @HGC2 @mumsneedwine and @Sloejelly much appreciated xx

@greenskylark glad you've had some reassurance here. On to the next bit...

DD smashed her UCAT. So pleased and relieved for her. She even got SJT1, when she was mostly getting 2s and the odd 3 in practice.

@mumsneedwine any thoughts or advice for DD now we have her stats? I think they are good enough that she can take her pick, so I apologise if this is an annoying post for anyone, but not sure if we're missing anything. Favourites are Oxford and Leeds atm. She's also keen on Manchester, Cardiff, Sheffield. (I think Cardiff is risky as we're English?!)

9 9s at GCSE
UCAT 3200-3300 range, SJT1
Contexutal: Polar 2 home address; state school (Negative progress8 and below average attainment8 this year)
Solid hospitality work and hospital volunteering experience

She's worried that she hasn't got enough GCSEs for Oxford. I think they'll see them in the context of her school and it'll be fine, but not sure if I'm giving her bad advice.

Thanks, and best of luck to anyone else sitting it soon. It's been a long morning here...

@maybemedmum wow well done to your daughter - with her stats she can apply anywhere!
I’m a year ahead of you and my daughter is awaiting A level results - she got 4 offers from Sheffield, Newcastle, HYMS & UEA and her stats were good but nowhere near as good as yours

@maybemedmum huge congratulations. She's smashed it !

Good enough to try for Oxford - with that UCAT I'd be pretty surprised if she didn't get an interview (especially with contextual flag). UCAT new to them this year so bit unclear but I think over 3,000 should do it

Leeds - again, should be enough if predicted 3 A stars (should be with those GCSEs).

Manchester - they take a more all round look but again has good stats and work experience I'd be surprised if no interview

Cardiff - honestly, I'd not waste a spot as being English cuts get chances

'Guaranteed' interviews if want to play safe - Sheffield (SJT scored at interview so gets full marks), Bristol, Liverpool, Southampton, Brighton, Notts, Birmingham, Leicester, Newcastle, UEA (& half final score is UCAT after interview)

She should manage to get 4 interviews !!

GCSEs:

@maybemedmum sure she's read this but helps (especially when writing her PS). Tailor it to their requirements- most others do t read it (Manchester looking for similar !).

www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/study/medicine/pre-clinical/requirements

@maybemedmum here you go. Knew I had it somewhere. Oxfords selection process - your DD will be fine 😊

Thank you @Sloejelly and @mumsneedwine . I guess the graph is the thing that's concerning her, but sounds like the school context should mitigate. So relieved!
(I will mention the risks of Cardiff again; it's super-popular with kids round here but, as ever, medicine is a different ballgame!)

maybemedmum your DD's statistics put her in a strong position for an Oxford offer. She'll be offered an interview at her chosen college plus another - choose the first college with some care, as the vibe definitely differs (aware that you're a grad yourself but some things shift across the years).

Incidentally at Oxford they'll prefer 9 9s to 10 9s and an 8. She should put any thoughts of inadequate GCSEs right out of her mind - a complete non issue.

Good luck to her.