1. Advice For Aspiring Oxbridge, Medics, Vet and Dentists Monday January 27th 2014

2. This Evening Delivering the facts and dispelling the myths
Explaining the admissions process
Examining entrance requirements

3. Oxbridge

4. 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).

5. By no means all subjects are offered, e. g
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.

6. 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!).

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.’  

11. 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.

12. 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*.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. GCSE
The 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.

16. 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 subject Ambition An intellectual curiosity

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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

20. 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

21. Everything you need to know about applying to medical school

22. So you want to be a doctor?
Why?
Consider the advantages and disadvantages...

23. 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

24. 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

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

26. 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

27. BMAT universities
-Oxford
-Cambridge
-UCL
-Imperial
No exam universities
-Liverpool
-Birmingham
-Belfast
-Bristol
No interview
-Southampton
-Edinburgh
PBL courses
-Manchester
-Liverpool
-UEA
-Glasgow
-Queen Mary
-Peninsula
-Sheffield
-Keele
-Hull and York
-Barts
Foundation courses
-Liverpool
-Manchester
-Bristol
-Nottingham
-Cardiff
-Queen’s Belfast
-Dundee
-Sheffield
-UEA
-Southampton
-Keele
-St Georges
-Kings

28. 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

30. 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

31. “Medicine is the art of amusing the patient whilst
“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?

32. SOCIAL SKILLS! Empathetic, caring, unerrstanding
How to get there!
Work experience
Volunteering
A levels
Read around
Extra curricular
UCAS p/s
BMAT/UKCAT
SOCIAL SKILLS! Empathetic, caring, unerrstanding

33. Selection criteria
Academic: 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?

34. Selection criteria 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

35. Work Experience Caring Long term

36. COMPLETING THE UCAS FORM
You can only make four choices for medical courses
The closing date for applications is 15th October for Medicine

37. 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

38. 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

39. 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!

40. Additional Information
Good Medical Practice
Tomorrow’s Doctors
policy/tomorrows_doctors.asp

41. Dentistry

42. 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)

43. 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?

44. At Sheffield… At Sheffield…
Approx 1400 applicants for 85 places (81 Home/EU; 4 International).
Therefore the selection procedure is tough and sometimes blunt.
Over 1000 applicants for 75 places.

45. At Leeds… 1000+ applicants 300-350 interviews 200-220 offers
accepts
75 meeting the requirements

46. Selection for interview:
Facts and Figures& Figures
Selection for interview:
GCSE Results
Predicted A2 grades
Academic Reference
Personal Statement (non-academic achievements)
Academic Potential
UKCAT (not currently required at Leeds)

47. Personal Statement
Demonstrates knowledge of profession, work experience.
Demonstrates leadership skills, team working.
Demonstrates motivation: Sports, work, voluntary work, dedicated to interest or hobby.

48. 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.

49. 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.

50. Communication Skills Answers questions Articulate Engaging
Can argue when appropriate

51. Next Steps
Work experience
Paid work
Consider a project qualification

52. Veterinary Medicine

53. Entry Requirements
GCSEs: A* and A grades, A
as well as minimum of a B grade in English Language and Mathematics.
A–Levels: A*AA-AAA (tends to be Biology, Chemistry & another subject)

54. BMAT
Cambridge & RVC asks applicants to Veterinary Medicine to sit the Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT)(
Two hour test (three sections)
Aptitude & Skills
Scientific Knowledge & Applications
Writing Task

55. 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
(self praise = no praise / referee = praise)

56. Personal Statements
Remaining 20% should show that you are a well rounded individual
Activities
Positions of responsibility
Volunteering
(self praise = no praise / referee = praise)

57. 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
Knowledge
Communication Skills
Bristol:2 weeks.
Cambridge: N/A
Edinburgh: n/a
Glasgow: n/a
Liverpool: 10 weeks
Nottingham: 6 weeks
RVC: 2 weeks.
Offers: March - April

58. Work Experience 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

59. Work Experience Expect rejection, but keep persisting
Keep a diary/Journal
Get references

60. Resources Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons www.rcvs.org.uk
To be a Vet
Biomedical Admissions Test
Courses in Animal and Veterinary Education
RVC Podcasts – Interviews
ADD ORBIS WEBSITE

61. Next Steps
Work experience
Paid work
Consider a project qualification