Medicine 2025 entry -part 3

[HGC2]

Will try to add old threads, maybe good for us to give an update of where our DCs are at

I have heard advice on previous years' threads that tactically it can make sense to firm and insure both med offers even if they are the same grades as there may be leeway with one or both if a grade is slipped. Is the paramedic course likely to go into clearing as that is another consideration? Clearly it depends on individual circumstances though and you've said that the fact that DD has taken a gap year is a consideration. Just thought worth mentioning.

My DD had 2 med school offers last year and missed grades. She’s determined to go to uni this year and wants to train in something health related and have the option of grad medicine later. She hasn’t enjoyed this year of repeating and she so so needs to go to uni now !

@opoponax I didn't know you can firm 2 medical school offers that are the same grade requirements - that seems a bit unfair for those on the waitlists?

The universities will have factored into their algorithms that some students will use them as an insurance, particularly those who have a reputation for being more flexible on offer day. Ultimately the universities are wanting to fill all their spaces with the students they think will do best on their course, ideally without being in clearing so they have to rush to make a decision.

It’s a good idea to have a chat to the admissions team on offer holder days too. We found out at one of them that they would accept DD even if she dropped to a B in one of her subjects (as long as not Chemistry)! We were really surprised but wouldn’t have known this if we hadn’t chatted to them after the presentation. Obviously this doesn’t happen at every medical school but certainly worth investigating for those with more than one offer on the table.

It just means firming one and insuring another so standard UCAS practice but they just happen to be at the same offer grades. If a DC only wants to study Medicine and nothing else and are okay with reapplying the following year if they end up with nothing it can be a good option. In the PP's case her DD is already on a gap year and really doesn't want another one so it doesn't work for her circumstances. For others, it's also worth taking into account that places for grad med are at another level of competitiveness.

Though the decision to accept a dropped grade would likely depend on how their predictions work out. They may rather accept a dropped grade from an applicant they have carefully assessed and offered a place than making a rapid decision on clearing, and may regularly have done so in previous years. But if an unexpectedly high number of applicants meet their grade then they may not be able to accept a dropped grade.

my DD would have got into at least one of her choices with one dropped grade unfortunately she dropped to B in 2 of her subjects. Her firm would defintely have taken her

I didn't know you can firm 2 medical school offers that are the same grade requirements - that seems a bit unfair for those on the waitlists?

Reserve lists (waiting lists) are operated outside UCAS processes. This is a device medical schools have introduced themselves to try to fill places with suitably qualified students who just missed an offer without having to use Clearing, which is utterly chaotic. UCAS published some guidance on good practice for HE institutions using reserve lists a few years ago but there are no "rules".

So, yes: you can hold two medicine offers with the same conditions. In fact, you can have one with an AAA offer as firm and an AAA as insurance if you know the AAA choice never accepts dropped grades but the AAA one sometimes does, particularly if you know you're iffy in one subject and might end up with two A*s and a B.

@ipredictariot5 I’m keeping everything crossed for your dd to get her firm choice this year.
She has shown such resilience and strength of character. To be so close once and have to do it all again is incredible. 🙏🤞

Sorry, rookie error in my previous post regarding * symbols.

Same. I remember her. Best of luck x

How do you know they will definitely accept a lower grade? Should DD be asking someone? Not that she's planning on a lower grade!

You don’t, it would never be definite. But to find out if they regularly do exercise discretion around grades you would need to speak to someone in medical school admissions informally - possibly at an open day. It would be unlikely to be put in writing (email) as it could come back to bite them.

3rd rejection here - from Liverpool. And QUB isn't looking likely. Bit demoralising.
What's the odds anywhere would be in clearing?

Last year Newcastle and Leeds were in clearing - I think St George’s usually has some places too. The grades weren’t lower though

Ah sorry about that @Optimum19- if DC gets good grades maybe they can get a place in clearing - and you don’t know that QUB will reject.
No news from Liverpool here.

Thanks for that. Like you say @sproutsandparsnips suppose not all lost yet...
Thought all Liverpool decisions were out- my DD just saw on ucas - didn't get email

DD got a Liverpool offer. 4/4 offers now so thanks everyone for your help, especially @mumsneedwine .

That's amazing @JuMcGoo Very well done to your DD. Does she know where she'll firm?

Thanks . Did you DC get Liverpool? It was all going crazy on Student Room last night as UCAS crashed! We didn’t find out until today. I think k she’ll firm L’Pool and insurance will be Leicester. I think she prefers the Leicester ethos but she is just drawn to Liverpool and can see herself there for five years.

@Optimum19DS rejected from Liverpool too.
Offer from Birmingham and Cardiff though.
well done @JuMcGooDD!!

No unfortunately she got rejected (third one and wasn't in first batch of offers for her 4h option)

Ah I’m sorry to hear that but hopefully she will get an offer. If the 4th isn’t a straight out rejection yet, it’s all to play for x

Really sorry to hear that, @Optimum19. I'll be crossing my fingers she's in the next wave of QUB offers.
Congratulations to your DD @JuMcGoo. Four offers is a real achievement!
DD having a bit of a wobble about Oxford as her firm choice so is going to sit on it for a few weeks and see how she feels then.