What should I do to study in Oxford university or cambridge university?

Oxford and Cambridge university to study medicine?

• Im in year 10 going to an all girls school in london and since I have started year 10 and began thinking about the future I have realised that it is my dream to be accepted into one of the universities either oxford or cambridge. I have done a lot of research on both universities but all the stuff written on the website just seems too complex and i would like to know what are the exact requirements in terms of grades in subjects to get into the university. I would love to study medicine which is quite uncommon for girls my age so im finding it hard to get help on what exactly I need to do for example: what subjects in A levels and what grades in GCSE's in specific subjects. I realise that in reality we don't all achieve our dreams but this is a dream I really am hoping for and could do with the slightest bit of help so I can do everything from the beginning. Any help would be much appreciated, thanks

• Answer:

  Hello! The first thing you need to realise is that this ambition is not at all uncommon. there are thousands of people thinking just the same as you. Medicine has something like 50% of applicants every year not getting accepted into med school. and everyone who applies will have lots of A*s at GCSE and at A-Level. Not to mention work experience, voluntary work and extra things such as clubs, teams e.c.t. There is also the UKCAT admissions test required for most unis (Oxbridge require the BMAT test) Oxbridge is also mega oversubscribed. Dont let yourself get too focused on going there just because of its reputation. Yes it would be amazing to do this, but a lot of amazing people wont get accepted because the competition is so so strong! You need to focus on the subject more than the uni and when something is so competitive (medicine really is) your priority must be getting a place at medical school. Having said this, if its your dream and you have the grades and other requirements then go for it! People do get in, it just requires alot of determination and you need to be prepared to accept rejections as something to be expected regardless of how amazing your application is. If you want to go for it, then you need to get as many A*s as possible at GCSE. You need to take Chemistry alevel (grade A is essential) and at least one other science. Some but not all med schools will ask for biology , but most only require it for AS. I do think its a good subject to have though! You need to research the type of course you want to do, PBL, Traditional,Integrated. You have time to do this so dont worry too much just yet. For now i would advise that you just do as much research as you can. I am currently a first year medical student at Leicester, so i know how the system worked! I actually applied to oxford too but was rejected. It was my dream to study medicine there so i dont regret applying, but equally i am amazingly happy to be at med school now, i dont mind where and i love it!! You would also need to get practise interviews nearer the time but you have a few years to go yet. I found this website pretty helpful to start out. Some of its a little outdated but usually gets updated soon. Alot of the med schools on now require AAA but it still says AAB on there. (by the time you apply they will be making A* offers at alevel.) http://www.medschoolsonline.co.uk/ good luck!!