Only 4? Which ones?

[rgerwin]

So, I've just discovered that you can only apply to 4 uk medical schools. And I thought 6 was too few. So, I'm wondering which ones? Here are my stats, can people suggest the most productive choices? Thanks!

4.2 highschool GPA, 3.0 undergrad (Smith College)
1350 SAT, Ap score of 4 for BIO
5 years of research experience
Shadowing, great letters of rec.
Medical advocate for a rape crisis center
Volunteer tutoring
Tons of leadership activities in college

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[Waiting4Ganong]

Advice withdrawn.

 

[rgerwin]

Hi, Thanks for the response. Yes, my research was full-time. I'm 26 yrs. old and have 2 publications. I have 2 questions. First, as a mature applicant, does my like/work experience hold any weight. 2nd, could I do a foundation program? I have no problems with that. My reasons for coming to the UK are personal one.

I'm sorry but I know many UK schools have a GPA cutoff of 3.5 for NA applicants. I don't think the UK is a good option with your stats. By all means try but don't expect too much.

Might a US DO school be an option? Or a big name Carib school? If you are committed to coming to UK for personal reasons then coming across and taking some A-levels or doing a foundation course (= Post-bacc in US) may also be an option.

Sorry to be a downer but I've just seen too many people hurt by having unrealistic expectations. I think it is better to be cruel in the short term to be kind in the long run. (by all means feel free to shoot the messenger - thats what anon internet forums are for!)


As a rule of thumb, as a US applicant, if you can't easily get in at least a couple of US MD schools then you don't really have a shot at UK schools.


P.S: Unless your research was 5yrs 100% full-time I'd be carefully describing as such on your UCAS form. You'd have to make clear the level of time spent on it.

 

[eastofnorth]

We are somewhat similar applicants. (My stats are a bit higher, I'm a bit younger, etc..) Even so, I'll explain a bit of my structure to applying. =)

I do have an increasingly personal bias towards the UK, and I held off applications this fall to do more research into the programs. So very glad I did, because I've learned loads about the UK healthcare system. It stings a little that I'll have to pay through the roof to become educated in a country I may end up residing in (when current residents will pay much less). But, if I wanted it cheap and easy, I would apply to NJ schools. =)

I believe that, if you are a strong, confident candidate who is passionate about medicine and has definite goals regarding their career and life, it is in your best interests to find a school that fits you, not find a way to fit into a school. If you want security, be the kind of person that people want to hire, make contacts, invest in the field you are interested in.

We could stare at stats all day, but the truth of the matter is: brilliant stats and a well-known name help strangers the most. Don't plan on being a stranger (a generic student in the crowd), and then you can focus on more rewarding aspects of what an education has to offer you. For me, that is integrated clinical and classroom work. Well-funded research programs in areas of reproductive medicine and endocrinology. Thriving artistic community. Bodies of fresh water. Trees on hillsides. Friends.

I'm basing my 4 choices on everything above. Becoming educated on UK healthcare and research opportunities is helping to narrow them down. Cost of living comparisons doesn't hurt. I'm also attending a post-bacc program next year to finish US school prerequisites and make contacts in the philadelphia area (which I am also seriously considering). This will boost my stats, but also make me a better candidate for schools like Cambridge and Oxford (which generally like more traditional strong applicants).

I have a white binder filled with information on fellowship programs in reproductive endocrinology, residency programs in ob/gyn, and medical schools with women's health programs -- all in the US. Then, there's a section for Irish schools. And, I have a list of UK schools waiting to receive printouts. I'll be happy to share information as I collect it, if I knew more specifically what you wanted to know. =)

Until then, try these:

http://www.britishcouncil.org/usa
http://www.cs.man.ac.uk/mig/links/NHS/nhs2.html
http://www.bmjcareers.com/cgi-bin/section.pl?sn=gradinfo
http://www.bma.org.uk/ap.nsf/Content/BecomingDoctorSpecialties

And keep me updated!

 

[Mike MacKinnon]

eastof north

Wow. What a great resource! You should look into scanning some of that stuff. im sure alot of people would be interested in learning about how things are in a little more depth.

 

[eastofnorth]

eastof north

Wow. What a great resource! You should look into scanning some of that stuff. im sure alot of people would be interested in learning about how things are in a little more depth.

Well, I doubt most people would be interested in my stash -- it's heavily biased towards women's health issues and education.

Here are more sites for links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_school_(United_Kingdom)
http://www.geocities.com/alexism1974/maturefaq.htm

You may be interested in this snippet, Mike:

Brunel University are thinking of hosting a private medicine course in 2006, the med school will be called "The Hunter School of Medicine" and will be based at its Uxbridge campus (reference: http://society.guardian.co.uk/NHSstaff/story/0,7991,1392332,00.html and http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/4181579.stm). This would be a three year course, open to nurses and paramedics, with tuition fees of approximately £20,000/yr.​

Also this list has general information on 4-year courses.

University
# Places
Degree Restrictions
Other Qualifications
Entrance Exam

Birmingham
42
Life science 2:1 [mostly 1sts]
Chem 'C'
None currently, considering GAMSAT

Bristol
19
Life / medical science 2:1
"applicants must have covered a substantial component of Cell Biology and Mammalian Physiology in their previous degree"
None

Cambridge
20
"good degree in any discipline"
Complex
BMAT

GKT(kings)
24
2:1 arts or science
-
MSAT

Leicester
64
2:1 health science
-
None

Liverpool
31
2:1 in biological / healthcare
"Taken into consideration"
None

Newcastle
25
2:1 [almost all 1st]
Any within last 2-3 yrs
None currently

Nottingham
90
2:2
-
GAMSAT

Oxford
?
Life science / chemistry "usually 2:1 or better"
2 science A-levels or equivalent; if degree is Chem, must have GCSE/O-level Bio or better.
Oxford GEP entrance exam

Queen Mary
40
2:1 in science or health-related subject
-
MSAT from 2005

Southampton
40
2:1
GCSE passes English, Maths and Science; AS Chem & Biol OR A2 Chem
None

St George's
70
2:2
-
GAMSAT

Swansea
70
2:1
Chem OR Biol at AS/A/degree level
GAMSAT (only used as part of their scoring system)

Warwick
164
2:1 bio sciences
?
MSAT from 2005

α "Supplementary Application Form" used. See http://www.lwms.ac.uk/mbchb/SAF2002.doc

(This form is worth looking at even if you're not applying to Warwick. Many of the issues mentioned on it may well come up at interview, whichever universities you apply for)

β "Science" here is very liberally interpreted. Bart's seem happy to consider Computer Science as a science, for example.

γ Numbers data unconfirmed / conflicting info. Please contact me if you know the number of places for these courses.

δ For 2004 and 2005 entry, 14 of these places were earmarked for Queen Mary's biological science and engineering students. It's not clear whether this can be expected each year.

ε Notts and George's use a shared interview process. This means that you will be interviewed by one or the other, and then usually offered a place or rejected by both. So applying to both of these unis is something you should think over carefully.

ζ Their website or prospectus imply that this course is willing to take on Overseas applicants for the GEP course. If you are an Overseas applicant, I recommend you contact any GEP course before you apply.

η This course is always very heavily oversubscribed (even compared to other GEP courses) due to the lack of entrance exam and liberal requirements.
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Note that you can still apply to 5 year programs with a college degree.

 

[Mike MacKinnon]

interesting stuff thank you!