Advice For Aspiring Oxbridge, Medics, Vet

and Dentists

Monday January 27th 2014

This Evening

• Delivering the facts and dispelling the myths

• Explaining the admissions process

• Examining entrance requirements

Oxbridge

Some General Information• Oxford and Cambridge are the oldest and

most prestigious universities in Britain.

• Tuition fees at Oxford and Cambridge are almost certain to be the same as other good universities, at the maximum (£9,000 per annum).

• By no means all subjects are offered, e.g. neither offers Dentistry, Politics (on its own), or Marine Biology, to name just three.

• Many combinations of subjects are offered, but others are not, e.g. you can study Philosophy & Physics, but not History & Chemistry.

• Oxford and Cambridge are NOT the best universities for every subject.

• The courses on offer may have particular emphases which set them apart from other university courses, e.g. Oxford Law concentrates on topics of intellectual rather than practical importance.

• There is no such thing as an Oxbridge type in terms of personality (as a survey of teaching staff who attended there would prove!).

The Difference Between the Two

Oxford rather than Cambridge- Offer joint honours - More emphasis on GCSE results- Don’t look at module scores (Cambridge do)- Have to sit aptitude tests- Much more centralised: University makes the

initial decision rather than the college- Interviews last for two days

Subject Choices at GCSE and A Level • Currently keen to increase ‘accessibility’

from the maintained sector.

• Students will not be rejected due to their schools not offering specific subjects.

Some examples:

Classics: neither Latin nor Greek A level an absolute requirement.

Similarly for modern languages only ONE ML A level is required. However, it doesn’t exactly show much commitment and enthusiasm if you are only doing one language.

Similarly for subjects where Further Maths is recommended: Cambridge Engineering says:

‘Colleges are aware that not all schools offer Further Maths A-level, and will not discriminate against applicants who have not had the opportunity to take it. However, if your school or college is able to offer Further Maths, you are strongly encouraged to study this.’

Important to Remember that…

Entry for all subjects is extremely competitive. If you choose NOT to take a subject which is officially described as “Desirable” or “Recommended” you will clearly be putting yourself at a disadvantage compared to other candidates who will be doing these subjects.

A Levels

The vast majority of applicants across all subjects at Oxford and Cambridge will be predicted (or have achieved) straight As at A level, and/or one or more A*.

Last year Oxford and Cambridge each turned down 5,000 applicants who went on to get 3 As or better.

Standard Cambridge offer is A*AA (but not counting A* in maths for candidates also doing further maths.)

Oxford offers for most maths/science subjects will now include an A* in a maths/science subject.

AS Levels

Cambridge’s application form now asks for all module results, including UMS scores to be declared. CU reckons that UMS scores are a very good predictor of degree results and so take them very seriously, and are probably looking for averages of over 90%. Oxford’s application form does not ask for module results.

GCSEThe norm for those gaining a place: 7 A* at GCSE, with the rest at A grade.

Prospective medics will almost certainly need more.

This does not mean that there is a formula, especially since Oxbridge admission is for a particular subject at a particular college.

Beyond Getting the Grades Shortage of places even for those who achieve straight As at GCSE and/or A level.

What else you need: Passion for your subjectAmbitionAn intellectual curiosity

Check you are doing the right subjects:

Not totally obvious:e.g. Law A-level certainly not an advantage for Law. Oxford PPE (philosophy, politics, economics) does not require P, P or E, but does require mathematics.

Cambridge Economics requires double maths.

What you don’t need:

The official policy : academic potential only.

Therefore extra-curricular interests or achievements are given no official importance.

Again, however, it will vary from tutor to tutor, and fulfilling a large range of commitments may be taken as showing that one could cope well with the pressures of short but busy terms.

What we have planned

Jan. 2014: Oxbridge Information evening (Y11 & 12)

Feb. 2014: Begin EPQ (Y12)

March 2014: Visit to Oxford (Yr. 11 and 12) Admissions to Oxford conference (Y11 & 12)

April 2014: Residential taster days at Cambridge (Y12) Visits from speakers (graduates) (Y12)

July 2014: Higher Education week (Y12) & weekly meetings with Miss Regan

November 2014: Mock Interviews

What you can expect

• Support and guidance from current Oxbridge tutors and admissions staff

• Strong links with many colleges

• Oxbridge interview preparation by experienced external staff

• Subject preparation by Curriculum specialists at STAGS

Everything you need to know about applying to

medical school

So you want to be a doctor?

• Why?

• Consider the advantages and disadvantages...

DISADVANTAGES • Hard work for both GCSEs and A levels• Stressful application procedure• Competitive course• Long course + life time commitment to learning• Stressful and emotional job• Constantly watched by the press• Family balance

DUTIES of a DOCTOR (GMC)‘Patients must be able to trust doctors with their lives & health’

Patient care/1st concern

Protect & promote health

of public

Good standard practice and care

Treat patients as individuals/

respect dignity

Work in partnership with

patients

Be open and honest and act with integrity

ADVANTAGES • Helping people!• Rewarding job• Job security• Applying science in a clinical environment• Variety everyday• Opportunities • Elective• Teamwork• Opportunity to work anywhere• Constantly advancing

Where do you want to study?• Location -Close or far away from home? -Hospitals -Cost• University itself -Campus v city -PBL v traditional course -Integrated degree -Early clinical experience -Entrance requirements/exams/interviews -Year abroad

BMAT universities-Oxford-Cambridge-UCL-Imperial

No exam universities-Liverpool-Birmingham-Belfast-Bristol

No interview-Southampton-Edinburgh

Foundation courses-Bristol-Cardiff-Dundee-UEA-Keele-Kings

-Liverpool-Manchester-Nottingham-Queen’s Belfast-Sheffield-Southampton-St Georges

PBL courses-Manchester-Liverpool-UEA-Glasgow-Queen Mary-Peninsula -Sheffield -Keele -Hull and York-Barts

UKCAT• UK Clinical Aptitude Test• All universities bar 4 require it• Taken at test centres, same as driving theory, July to

October• 4 sections: Verbal reasoning, Quantitative reasoning,

Abstract reasoning, Decision Analysis• Score out of 3600• Some universities have a cut-off but most don’t

BMAT

• Oxbridge, UCL and ICL only• All candidates take test together around beginning of

November• 3 Sections: Aptitude and skills, Scientific knowledge and

Application and Writing task• Three sections marked out of 9, 9 and 5A

“Medicine is the art of amusing the patient whilst nature cures disease”-Voltaire.

Explain what this statement means. Argue to the contrary, that medicine is more than just amusement. To what extent do you agree with Voltaire?

How to get there!• Work experience• Volunteering• A levels• Read around• Extra curricular• UCAS p/s• BMAT/UKCAT

SOCIAL SKILLS! Empathetic, caring, unerrstanding

Selection criteriaAcademic: Check requirements for individual medical schools

GCSEs: -Predictors of academic ability & breadth of knowledge-Ability to organise and be successful at many things at once- A* and A grades

A LEVELS: A*AA AAB-Chemistry always a subject requirement, Biology often-Third A level?

Non-academic: personal statements and/or interview

• Health care career awareness/insight & understanding• Caring contribution to the local community• Excellent communication skills (reflection)• Team work • General Interests• Knowledge of the programmes• Motivation for studies and future career• Honesty and Integrity

Selection criteria

Long term

Caring

http://www.rnoh.nhs.uk/health-professionals/work-experience

http://www.enherts-tr.nhs.uk/get-involved/volunteering/

Work Experience

COMPLETING THE UCAS FORM

• You can only make four choices for medical courses

• The closing date for applications is 15th October for Medicine

THE INTERVIEW• Procedures and Policies vary between medical schools• Find out about your choices

• Academic knowledge ( not at Liverpool )• Communication skills• Healthcare awareness/insight• Caring contributions• Ethical Issues• Motivation• Team work

Important points to remember:

• Your GCSEs and A levels will be SO important-work really hard for them but at the same time don’t give up if things don’t go too well

• Start now! It is definitely not too early to start preparing. Get your work experience/voluntary work now and start looking at unis this summer, just to get an idea

Important points to remember:• Being a doctor isn’t just about medicine-you need to be a

person. Make yourself well-rounded by getting involved in anything and everything you can in and outside of school. Sport and music are both great, plus unis love to see you being a leader, so try to do some form of coaching or take a position of responsibility of school. Becoming house captain/prefects and running sports/drama clubs are great fun and easy to do!

Additional Information

Good Medical Practice

www.gmc-uk.org/guidance/good_medical_practice/index.asp

Tomorrow’s Doctors

www.gmc-uk.org/education/undergraduate/undergraduate_

policy/tomorrows_doctors.asp

Dentistry

Dentistry – Typical Entry Requirements

• 6+ GCSEs at A/B grade

• 3 A2 levels: Grades AAA/AAB (must include grade A in Biology and Chemistry)

• UKCAT (most, but not all Dental Schools)

How competitive is it?

• Nationally: < 2.5 applicants for each place. (UCAS Website)

• Those with predicted minimum requirements is probably less than 2 applicants per place.

• What is the problem?

• Approx 1400 applicants for 85 places (81 Home/EU; 4 International).

• Therefore the selection procedure is tough and sometimes blunt.

At Sheffield…

• Over 1000 applicants for 75 places.

At Sheffield…

At Leeds…

• 1000+ applicants

• 300-350 interviews

• 200-220 offers

• 100-110 accepts

• 75 meeting the requirements

Selection for interview: • GCSE Results• Predicted A2 grades• Academic Reference• Personal Statement (non-academic

achievements)• Academic Potential • UKCAT (not currently required at Leeds)

Facts and Figures& Figures

Personal Statement

• Demonstrates knowledge of profession, work experience.

• Demonstrates leadership skills, team working.

• Demonstrates motivation: Sports, work, voluntary work, dedicated to interest or hobby.

The Interview• 15 mins; structured.

• 3 panel members.

• Predetermined list of questions (motivation, social awareness, responsibility, interests).

• Opportunity to ask questions

• Panel scores individually and then agree an overall subjective rating for the applicant.

Motivation to study Dentistry at a particular School

• Understands the demands of HE• Can demonstrate self motivation• Explains why this School is their

preferred option.• Is knowledgeable about the course,

school, university and city.

Communication Skills

• Answers questions• Articulate• Engaging• Can argue when appropriate

Next Steps

• Work experience

• Paid work

• Consider a project qualification

Veterinary Medicine

GCSEs: A* and A grades, Aas well as minimum of a B grade in English Language and Mathematics.

A–Levels: A*AA-AAA (tends to be Biology, Chemistry & another subject)

Entry Requirements

Cambridge & RVC asks applicants to Veterinary Medicine to sit the Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT)(www.bmat.org.uk).

Two hour test (three sections)

• Aptitude & Skills• Scientific Knowledge & Applications• Writing Task

BMAT

Personal Statements

Show don’t tell!

80% should demonstrate commitment and dedication

• What drives applicant to follow this career path

• Experience (What did & what learned from it)

• Knowledge of subjects – journals, books etc

• Interest – Current affairs

Personal Statements

• Remaining 20% should show that you are a well rounded individual

• Activities• Positions of responsibility • Volunteering

Interviews (January)

Questions Motivations for becoming a vet Work experience – in detail as will be pushed Knowledge of current issues Ethics

What we’re looking for: Commitment/Dedication KnowledgeCommunication Skills

Offers: March - April

Amount/range variable, but all beneficial.• Not stipulated- Cambridge, Edinburgh & Glasgow• 2 weeks- Bristol & RVC • 6 weeks- Nottingham• 10 weeks- Liverpool

Aim for variety:• Work in a veterinary practice• Lambing, milking or helping out on a farm• Work in stables or a livery• Animal rescue centres• Research work in a lab• Abattoir

Work Experience

Expect rejection, but keep persisting

Keep a diary/Journal

Get references

Work Experience

Resources Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons www.rcvs.org.uk

To be a Vet•www.tobeavet.com

Biomedical Admissions Test•www.bmat.org.uk

Courses in Animal and Veterinary Education•www.cave.ac.uk

RVC Podcasts – Interviews•www.rvc.ac.uk/schools/RVCpodcasts

Next Steps

• Work experience

• Paid work

• Consider a project qualification

rachelle.regan@stags.herts.sch.uk