Medicine 2025 entry - part 2

[HGC2]

Not sure how to link old thread, can anyone help me do this?

Onto UCAT and personal statements now - good luck everyone!

And am I right in thinking "For UCAT results, we will look at an applicant’s overall cognitive subtest score" on the Cambridge website means that they only look at the 3060 score in its entirety and not at how the score is broken down? She scored very highly on VR and QR and not well on AR. She was keen on Imperial but I have said don't apply there because they appear to be looking at each subsection and I don't think her AR score will be high enough.

Cambridge isn’t for everyone. The two closest members of my family who went there (not medicine) both wished they had gone somewhere else.

@MauveMoose no one knows exactly what Cambs will do as first year of UCAT, but the overall score will be most important. None of her scores can be that bad ! If VR high then Notts a v good choice.

Thanks. Do you have any info on how to tailor the personal statement if she does go ahead for Cambridge? I am concerned if she tailors it for them e.g. perhaps by talking more about supercurriculars rather than work experience, that it will alienate the other 3 choices. What are peoples thoughts?

Depends on her other choices @MauveMoose - from what I remember last year, only a handful actually used the PS as part of selection for interview and they were generally clear about this on their website (Cardiff was one, think Keele and Sunderland were others). If her other choices don’t use it (and some will explicitly say that), then she can crack on.
My DD didn’t apply to Cambridge but I heard that they’ve introduced some patient contact now in the first 3 years for the 2025 cohort (probably not as much as others, but still better than nothing at all imho)

I think it is crazy that UCAS don’t allow you to submit separate personal statements for each course. It is not like they are still photocopying a paper form like they did in my day. If you are after a competitive fifth choice that is distinct from medicine (eg engineering) then, even if you submit a separate statement, the fact that the university sees a very medicine-specific statement won’t help convince them you are passionate about engineering.

What about UEA or Newcastle.

UEA base offer 50% on ucat and 50% interview ( with sjt as a virtual station)

strategically, high ucar scorers choose it due to their scoring system for offers

Newcaste use ucat 50% now as well I believe o

To be fair, many universities don’t even read it or perhaps a cursory glance at offer stage at best

I got 4 uni offers with super similar stats and my friend also did including an offer from Cambridge

Firstly the course isn't for everyone I would really not like it for lack of patient contact and higher expectations perhaps but if your daughter thinks she will like the course may aswell apply since can near enough guarantee the other 3 interviews

Cambridge don't hide the fact they pretty much only care about academics. The interview is heavily based on answering academic questions as if we haven't already been tested on those enough!

For the personal statements some Unis say they don't even read them/ score them. Take that with a pinch of salt of course but I would still focus largely on work experience and motivation for wanting to be a doctor etc

Just make sure to include a good part about academics

The format has changed this year, I'm not the biggest fan but I believe a section is academics so that is a benefit for you in a way

Cambridge also look at student ranks in school so will judge academic performance from that so don't worry about having to fully show all academic achievements in the personal statement

Good luck

The format has changed this year,

Not this year.

I got 4 uni offers with super similar stat

One thing it is important to remember is case studies sit at the bottom of the hierarchy of evidence. You cannot generalise from them.

Oh sorry, your right I was helping my brother who applies next year and it has changed for that I believe. But as you say not this year which is fine, I overall prefer this format

In terms of 'case studies' yes you shouldn't generalise but I think my advice here is okay I am sharing factual information.

In case anyone was wondering, UCAT Twitter account says preliminary results will be released this Weds (18 Sep)

The final ones are usually 40-60 lower than the interims.

Some good news for our future resident doctors 🙌
www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy5yy13ng33o

Mmm. It's not 22%. It's more like 4% extra this year. Still earn the least on Xmas day as an F1.
But it's a start.

One last request for advice

gcse 9x9 2x8
a level predicted A, A,A EPQ A*\A tbd
UCAT 2670
SJT B1
not WP/ or contextual
plans to repeat UCAT next year but I am pushing to get application in this year - just in case

is this even worth trying

exeter
birmingham/leeds/liverpool
? cardiff
? Edinburgh
queens

are these just not realistic?
she is adamant about not going to some of the more accessible ones

any thoughts very welcome -very despondent young person in my home😒

@Niceday203 definitely worth an application this year - even if interviews are received for unis that she’s not as keen on, and a gap year is being planned, the interview practice will be invaluable.
With those stats, I would look at Leeds, Notts, Leicester and QUB - should definitely get interviews at QUB and Leicester and think the SJT1 will be a big help for Notts (but score it with the UCAT subset scores as that’s what’s most important. Newcastle also possible but riskier.
Need all Astar predictions for Exeter, Edinburgh depends if Scottish (if not, i’d avoid), Cardiff can be risky if not Welsh (so I’d avoid unless there’s no other reasonable options), UCAT low for non-contextual Birmingham. Don’t know much about Liverpool except that they interview a lot so offer rate is low.

Liverpool close but more than 50% chance of interview.

Thank you Mumsnet gurus- no clue how we would navigate this without you
so grateful!!!🙏

@Niceday203 just to add to the above recommendations - if the score for Notts doesn't come out around 130, consider Lincoln as they use the same scoring system but lower cut off. Agree that QUB and Leicester are good options with those GCSEs.

I get the disappointment with the UCAT score, but definitely apply this year. There is no guarantee of a better UCAT score next year; a bird in hand is worth two in the bush. She may well be successful if she chooses carefully and if she is happy with a gap year and reapplying she could risk a couple of ‘stretch’ options. At worst she gets rejected which puts her in the same place as not applying.

I would try to persuade her to look at some of the newer schools as opposed to getting fixed on a place or where she thinks she is not good enough for
she could always go for a couple that might fe el aspirational and a couple do ‘I don’t want to go there but I will use the interview practice’ by the time she gets to results day she will be delighted wherever she is - medicine is full on, strong student friendships as spend so much time together and socialising often quite tight too. Lots of med schools have their own sports teams etc so even if she doesn’t like the city she can have a fantastic time
and it’s all the same degree no one ever asks where you trained

I agree with @ipredictariot5

Look at some of the newer schools. It doesnt matter which med school she qualifies from.

worst case is she applies to some of the new schools, nothing to loose if she doesnt get a place, but lots to gain in terms of interview experience if she wants to apply again next year.

SJT would score full marks at UEA who use it as a virtual station

Lincoln would love the SJT1

Lancaster may be worth a punt as its first year of Ucat.

Plymouth

Bangor maybe

Keele/ Sunderland/KMMS

Happy to help by PM if she fancies UEA.

If it helps with the same stats (but AAA predictions for A level and slightly less good GCSEs) we’re looking at Notts Leicester,UEA, keele, Lancaster KMMS. Sunderland and Bangor were also options. Maybe hull-York for your DD with the better gcse results?
Exeter will honestly be a waste unless A level predictions can be raised to all A and I think Cardiff want flawless GCSEs if not Welsh but this may be an option for your DD (mine ‘only’ got 999998877765).
hope she feels better about it soon - one day nobody will care what they all got in their UCAT!

It takes out the stars! Dd has A star A star A predictions for a level