Applicant
What happened to Matt?
Posted on March 21st, 2010 by Matt
For some reason today, I figured I’d have a look on this blog, and find out what my last post was. It dawned on me that it’s almost been a year since I last spoke to you.
Well, I did get the grades that I needed to be accepted onto the BSc (hons) Biomedical Sciences programme at the School of Applied Sciences in Northumbria University. I started studying back in September, and have already achieved 73% in both Cell Biology and Professional & Transferable Skills. They’re the only completed modules so far, each worth 10 credits; but, as far as I’m concerned, hitting firsts, even at this very early stage, can only be considered a good thing!
It’s a three year programme, which means that in 18 months time, I will once again be filling in my UCAS form, and sending it off. In 12 months time, I will have plans to visit around 6-8 universities that I’ve shortlisted from reading all 32 prospectuses (remember, I can now apply to Warwick and to Swansea, the 2 GEM only medical schools), and various recommendations, from other websites, and speaking to medical students and recent graduates. I can only apply to 4 medical schools again, and, speaking honestly, right now, I’m sure what Plan C will be (Plan B, of course, is what I’m doing now).
Another thought I’m having, is whether I should run in the Students’ Union elections next year. I know I’ll not run if I’ve already applied to medicine, as I’ll not have any decisions back in time to plan a proper election campaign, so I’d have to do it before I start my application. I wonder if it’s worth it, though. How will being the President of a Students’ Union, a successful business and charity, with a multi-million pound turn over, a membership of over 34,000, and a staff base of more than 200 employees, actually benefit my application to do medicine? And ultimately, how will it make me a better doctor at the end of it?
Sure, the large annual salary could be saved up quite nicely to provide me with a good start when I do get to medical school. But, aside from that, how will it help me?
Anyways, this is most likely the last you’ll hear from me for another year. When I’m back, I’ll either be running for the position of President, or I’ll be telling you all about my plans to visit university open days!
No Comments »The fourth and final nail in the coffin
Posted on April 12th, 2009 by Matt
I knew from the last post I wrote that it wasn’t likely to be my year. I’m now a majority statistic: the 2 in 3.
So, after holding out for almost 3 months since my last rejection, I got the dreaded email. “UCAS Application Status Notification” came from the usual “track@ucas.ac.uk” address to my mobile at 17:01 on 08/04/2009. I’m at my Gran’s house at the minute, and happened to be updating this very website from her computer at the time. I wasn’t sure what to do, and I certainly wasn’t sure if I really wanted to know what it meant.
Initially, I continued what I was doing – typing about 50 questions into the Question Bank. But then, I realised that no matter how long I put it off, that screen was still going to be the same. I launced the website, https://track.ucas.com/ucastrack/Login.jsp and entered my now familiar UCAS number. After passing that wretched screen about Route B courses, and clicking on the Choices button, I had my worst fears confirmed. The University of Bristol Medical School have considered my application to be unsuccessful.
I’m now in the unlucky position of having to follow Dr Rigley’s advice. I have still got my letters to write, I was holding off to see if I had four rejections before I sent anything – just so I can add that line into the letter. As the page says, it’s almost impossible for me to clear medicine, especially with my chemistry results. Of the 4 options listed, I’ve applied to do a BSc (hons) in Biomedical Sciences at Northumbria University starting in September 2009 – so I made that my ‘Firm’ choice.
Do you really want to do medicine? If you do and you have met the academic criteria you will get in eventually.
Yes, I really do. I’m still hoping to meet the academic criteria. And I’m now even more determined than ever to work hard for the next three years – so much so that I will be disappointed if I don’t get a first (although I know full well that a 2:i will do)!
Matt is natually disappointed that he was totally rejected, and that he has another 3 years to wait…
1 Comment »Bristol Admissions 2009
Posted on March 23rd, 2009 by Matt
I suppose it’s my own fault for making the phone call. I know I wanted to know so badly what it was, but in a lot of ways, I’d rather have found out via Track, if you know what I mean?
It’s not official yet, but I was told “it doesn’t look like you will be getting an interview with those scores.” Unfortunately, he didn’t say what scores they were, or what they meant. What I will be doing, is one of the things listed on our Rejection page, ‘write to all 4 admissions tutors for feedback’. Or, at least have the letter ready to send off when it officially comes through.
However, I did get something quite useful from the Admissions team – they confirmed to me that they will have another interview date in April (either the week beginning the 6th, or the week beginning the 20th), but couldn’t confirm exactly when. They also said that if you don’t have a letter about an interview this Wednesday, the 25th March 2009, then you won’t be getting interviewed this Wednesday.
Basically, keep hoping. From myself and everyone at MedicalAdmissions.co.uk, good luck if you’re still waiting on a decision!
Matt is feeling a bit gutted.
2 Comments »Results in March
Posted on March 12th, 2009 by Matt
Ok, so, I’ve just got my results, and how am I feeling?
To be honest with you, pretty shit, actually.
As a medical applicant, you’ll know that you need AAB, including Chemistry, to study medicine almost anywhere in the UK. Well, let’s just say that my chemistry grades aren’t looking too clever. I got a C average for last year (206/300), even after resitting 2 of the modules – I went up a single mark, and grade, for each. But, in Chains, Rings &? Spectroscopy, I got 61/90 – which is 2 marks from a B.
I’ve done some quick calculations, and, assuming my math is correct, I can only get a C overall for A2. Shit. That’s no good. So, what do I resit? Well, I got a B in HFHF, a B in FC, and a C in CR (after resits), so I don’t really think that resitting either HFHF or FC would be advantageous. But, maybe resitting CR or CRS (the first A2 module) would be alright. Problem is, at ?17 per resit, I can only really afford to resit one of them. I think, because of how recently I’ve done it, I’m going to have another pop at Chains, Rings & Spectroscopy.
My math wasn’t too bad, I got 71%, which comes out as a B for Core 1. Keep that up, and I get a nice 50 UCAS points to keep me happy! I was aiming for an A, but a B isn’t too bad. I could even make up those lost 9 points – from 2 remaining exams (each worth 100), I need 169 to get an A – that’s only 84.5 on each paper!
HEFC Human Biology was best, though, I got a Distinction in my first module, Cell Biology, and I think I’m on track to continue the high standard of work in this module, Human Physiology.
Matt needs to figure out a way to increase his grade average in chemistry – and fast!
1 Comment »Exam time
Posted on January 25th, 2009 by Matt
Most of you reading this will be in the middle of yet another stressful A Level exam period, whether you’re in Year 12 doing the “new” AS Modules for the first time, or in Year 13 doing A2 modules and possibly the legacy AS resits. My college caused a bit of controversy last year, when it decided to scrap the idea of students doing January exams, except for where subjects had a proven record of better overall performance by doing them. This seemed to leave all but the physicists worried about how many exams they had to do in June. After representation from the Learner Forum, the college revoked its decision, and allowed January exams this year.
There were many compelling arguments for not letting students sit exams in January. One of the main ones is that you could have potentially 2 three-hour long exams on the first day back at Christmas; common student feeling in the college appeared that most students didn’t fully revise over the festive season. Another concern for the college was the attendance level of ordinary classes – a lot of students would skip 3 morning lessons to prepare for an afternoon exam, for example. Statistics were sometimes quoted, for example a subject’s performance in January/June compared to just June.
Equally, the students had their own very strong arguments for being allowed to take some modules in January. The reason often cited was that it placed students under a lot of stress. In a lot of cases, they we having to revise the entire one-year syllabus for 3 hour-long exams taking in the morning sitting, but then also needing to know another year-long syllabus for 3 hour-long exams in a different subject in the afternoon sitting. Increased time in the exam hall means less time between exams, so most people couldn’t spend an hour or so doing last-minute cramming. Also, a lot of students were worried about resits; if you don’t quite get the grade you want in January, you can apply to retake it in June (the same academic year), but if you need to retake following the June series, you have to wait until January (the next academic year). This could have adverse effects with a UCAS application, because if your predicted grade is an A, but your AS is only a B or a C it doesn’t look as good – and UCAS has no way of telling universities that you are planning to resit that module you got a C or a D in!
I’ve found that by going along to extra study clinics, or extra lessons offered by your subject lecturer is a great way to prepare for forthcoming exams. Every lecturer I know has a different style when it comes to running these – some prefer to work on basic practical skills, some will take any questions from students, some hand out past exam papers, and others facilitate small group discussions amongst the students. For me personally, I can sometimes find it hard to make time to revise, especially when there is so much going on around me all the time, so by going to these sessions, it’s like adding guaranteed revision to my timetable. Attending these should be supplemented by individual revision, for example doing a past paper one night a week, and asking your lecturer to mark it for you – most will if you have made the effort, and will listen to their feedback. And that feedback is often invaluable, because it highlights your weaker areas in the subject, so you know where you can then concentrate your revision.
Finally, best of luck from all of the MedicalAdmissions.co.uk team with all of your exams!
No Comments »MedicalAdmissions.co.uk Blog is powered by WordPress.