Posts Tagged ‘Bristol’
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 »All of your eggs…
Posted on January 18th, 2009 by Matt
Don’t put all of your eggs into one basket
Well, I didn’t. My application started out being spread evenly between four good medical schools. Then, on 16th December last year, I got the email from track@ucas.ac.uk informing me that my status had changed – as it turned out I was rejected; one down, and three to go. It was only 2 days later that I got the next email from UCAS Track, and once again the nerves kicked in as I found yet another AS4 (rejection letter) waiting for me.
Last week, the same thing happened to me. Ironically, I got the email less than 5 minutes after saying goodbye to my Connexions PA, when I was telling her how I was still waiting on decisions from 2 medical schools. 5 more minutes of typing web addresses, application numbers, usernames and passwords on the tiny keypad on my phone, and I’d discovered the change. It was from the Univeristy of Southampton medical school, telling me that unfortunately my application to study BM Medicine (A100) had been unsuccessful.
So, here I am, blogging on one screen, a pretty disheartening Track on another. Like a few medical applicants, I’m now waiting for that fourth and final medical school to consider my application and make their decision – whatever that may be. I’ve applied to do Medicine (A100) at the University of Bristol, and I know that they interview their applicants. I’m getting some pretty tough-going practice at questions from Rob, just in case I need it. At the moment, I’m checking my pigeonhole at halls as soon as I can every day, and silently hoping for that letter…
Matt plans to write to the medical schools that rejected him, and hopefully gain an insight into what he needs to do better if he is unsuccessful this year!
1 Comment »I’m popular!
Posted on October 20th, 2008 by Matt
Yes, indeed. For the first time, my pigeonhole at halls is filled with lots and lots of external mail. For once, somebody loves me.
Or not. I have a UCAS ‘AS2′, which is the Welcome Letter. I also have an ‘AC20′, wich is the Change of Address form, although I never changed my address? Oh well…
There was one more as well, it was The University of Bristol thanking me for my application, and advising me not be worried if they don’t communicate very often. They claim to expect 4,000 applicants and offer around 750 interviews, and will be giving equal consideration to all those who applied by the 15 October deadline.
Matt is not loved, and won’t be expecting another pigeonhole full of post anytime soon!
No Comments »The send-off
Posted on October 13th, 2008 by Matt
Well, I’m pleased to announce that I was able to send off my UCAS application tonight. After many weeks of entering details, writing statements, chasing references, and the rest, I’ve finally done it.
?17.00 on the credit card later, and my application is being processed by UCAS before being sent to the 4 medical schools I have applied to. BSMS, Bristol, Sheffield and Southampton – let’s hope they’ll like my application!
Now, like many others, I’m eagerly watching the postbox, waiting for details about how to logon to Track. No doubt I’ll become more addicted that than I am to Facebook…
Matt is happy now, and semi stress-free.
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