Going for the hattrick

[Giggy of Telford]

Remember that UKCAT test I was going on about last year? I'm going to have to do it for a THIRD time.

First time was 2007 for my initial application to medical school, didn't get in but heard I could transfer from Medical Biochemistry if I did well enough in my first year and pass the interview, however as it only lasts for a year I would have to take the UKCAT again. I interpreted this to mean taking it in 2008 so did it last summer. I have now got my exam results back with an average of 77% (a first) this year so I am elligible to apply for the transfer, however I've been told we were meant to take the UKCAt for the 2009 cycle, therefore I am doing it again on 16th July.

Last two times it seems to have gone ok so hopefully with some work I can pull it off again, however I am out of practice so need to get back ready for it. I have written my first draft of a new personal statement out and will journey back to Leicester (I'm back in Telford now) to hand that in on the 17th, deadline being noon on the 20th but I'm busy that day. Then go on holiday the Saturday after that, getting back 1st of August. If I do get an interview it's early August so shortly after I get back. If I pass the interview (was 3 marks off an offer last time, got 43/48 when I needed 46/48) I get the chance to transfer into the first year of the medicine course for next year.

So wish me luck......again.

[Sultan of Cannock- SRFC]

Good Luck again but i can't understand why they keep making you take the same thing over again once you've passed it so recently

[robotsmfc]

Good luck

I can't believe the interviews are "marked" - how can they expect it to be standardised when different interviewers have subjective views on how well it went?

[ambersalamander]

Wish you the best of luck Giggster - after all thah hard work, nobody deserves it more than you do! Well done on the 77% - that's awesome

[Giggy of Telford]

Very overdue update; UKCAT went pretty well. Once again scores can be from 300-900, 500-700 is considered the normal range while 600 is considered the average score.

Verbal Reasoning: 700
Quantitative Reasoning: 830
Abstract Reasoning: 870
Decision Analysis: 740
Non-conitive: Only gave me one paragraph this year, though it was exactly the same as one of last year's:

Compared to the responses of other people, your responses suggest that you place a higher value on the needs, well-being and rights of the individuals. This approach may cause you a dilemma when they appear to conflict with the expectations of society. In such circumstances you may be more likely than most to support the rights and beliefs of the individual over those of society or community

I have sent my UKCAT score report, alongside a personal statement and two references to the medical school. The good news is that I have an interview! ;D

The interview is next Monday at 11:15 and with it closing in I'm getting quite nervous about it. Leicester Medical School were the ones who interviewed me last year and that's where I messed up last time. I scored 43/48 last yearand needed 46/48 so was only 3 marks off an offer. I am a much stronger applicant this time (well I think so) but need to be able to prove that to the interviewer.

Not sure how many people they are interviewing (except not everyone got an interview) and how many places they have on offer so don't know what my chances are one way or the other.

So wish me luck.........yet again.

[Sultan of Cannock- SRFC]

Consider it done.

[robotsmfc]

Good luck, again

You certainly deserve it after all your hard work.

[Meadow]

Good luck Giggy, I wish my offspring were so concerned about their futures.

[robotsmfc]

Try the carrot and stick method.

Feed them only carrots and beat them with sticks until they comply with your wishes.

[Giggy of Telford]

Got an email today to tell me I hadn't gotten in, in fact I scored worse this year on the interview than I did last year.

Absolutely gutted.

[Col ISIHAC.]

That, Giggy, is a travesty.

Sympathies mate; all this bl00dy hard work has to count for something, right?

What happens next.

[robotsmfc]

Keep going Giggy. Is it going to be 4th time lucky or will you try another route?

[Giggy of Telford]

The next move from here is to finish this degree (2 more years) and then apply to medical school as a graduate. When applying I'll be able to choose 4 medical schools to apply to and the plan at the moment is to choose 4 different Universities next time. Leicester have now turned me down twice so I have no intention of wasting an application on them again. I will also avoid Liverpool as I haven't forgiven them for messing me around last year.

I need to get a 1st or a 2i in this degree to apply as a graduate though so even though 2 years of Biochemistry is probably about as much fun as it sounds it will have to be the priority for now. However given my track record with interviews so far I have a horrible feeling that even if I pull off getting a 1st I'll manage to screw up the next interview anyway.... maybe I'll get better at them with practice?

As you probably guessed I'm not feeling great at the moment, hopefully I'll be a bit more positive about it in the morning. I start back in just under 2 weeks so need to get ready for that now.

[Meadow]

So sorry Giggy. Just keep going, and pushing, and eventually you'll achieve your dream. Why not head for St Georges when you've completed your degree? Plenty of friendly football fans down in SW London.

[Sultan of Cannock- SRFC]

Verily it is a sickener but well done to you for keeping positive and looking for another way forward.

I wish i could instill in a similar attitude in my son. He's just started 6th form college and seems more intent on awarding himself days off than actually getting things sorted.