Student’s hopes of training to be a doctor on hold (From This is Hampshire)

Having just sweated through the summer with two of my family going through this same process I can sympathise. But why has James set his heart on Southampton alone - especially knowing he did not have an unconditional offer? All students are encouraged to go out and get two or three offers during the spring - it is no good trying for just one then having to rely on other dropouts especially if you know you have not been made an unconditional offer. Southampton is a good uni for medicine but it is not the only one and there is the UCAS system as well to act as a safety net for those in James position. It sounds as if he has put all his eggs in one basket, which is not a good strategy even if you are a straight A student.

And I should add my very best wishes for his success too. hard work like that deserves to be rewarded.

I really feel for students of today. The system has failed. Ultimately the root cause of the issue was the Labour government trying to force more people through university than universities could cope with, but the recession has resulted in more people choosing to study due to a shortage of jobs. It is more heartbreaking when the cream of the crop students who really have it in them can't get university places.

“Although a high level of academic achievement is important, we also look for other qualities in candidates so to ensure they will be able to cope with the challenges of the profession and become successful doctors in the future.”

Yeah they look at whether the applicant is from abroad and can therefore charge them a fortune to study here rather than collecting peanuts from any UK based students!

See - as i always said.

NOBODY LIKES A SMART ARSE.

Good luck in getting a place at university though.

No wonder our country is going down the pan if a proper swot can't get a place anywhere.

Andy Locks Heath wrote:
And I should add my very best wishes for his success too. hard work like that deserves to be rewarded.

Agreed, my best wishes go to James too. Keep determined and never give up. See this as a hiccup rather than a fait accompli. Determination goes a long way and you've done the right things. However, I know the NHS is fab for students but have you considered training in another country? consider all the options, and if the worst comes to the worst take a gap year and apply again!

The legacy of Labour is finally seeing the light of day. I wonder whether media and fashion students are having the same problems, or perhaps that's where the funding is going.

Still this misunderstanding about overseas students persists.

Foreign students do not enrol at the expense of British nationals. Universities are allowed to recruit specific numbers of home-grown students. Overseas students have zero effect on this figure.

Elgy wrote:
The legacy of Labour is finally seeing the light of day. I wonder whether media and fashion students are having the same problems, or perhaps that's where the funding is going.

You're actually wrong there because medical students places are funded in and handled in a different way and don't 'compete' with other university places. Kings I think it was is offering a year catch up to 'non-traditional' students showing outstanding capability. He could apply there.
What I like about this country is that young people are able to 'choose' their carer. Media is one which has had a HUGE growth industry with the internet, mobile phone technology, TV technology etc and the jobs are there, so has fashion. So why are you slagging off young people who want to make a career out of it??

I wonder what school he went to prior to college? if it was a state school it's not surprising. Unis are operating social closure to keep the professions 'for the likes of them'.

freemantlegirl2, there are plenty of degrees on offer that quite simply shouldn't be degrees, as they are a waste of time. Much better for these students to just go straight into a job and get proper work experience and also not get into debt. I will also say though, looking at the University of Southampton, isn't the Boldrewood Campus for medicine, the delapidated partially demolished one, and aren't engineering students living out of portakabins because their building has been mothballed? That's a nice way to treat students on more nationally valuable courses.

he will get a place somewhere in clearing.... Southampton is not great compared to other places.... a lot of the profs are a**holes in my experience...

For medicine his four A-levels are not enough. All applicants must also provide a personal statement, undertake the UKCAT and/or the BMAT tests (and pass them of course) and perform well at the interview.
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He obviously failed at one or more of these - there was no discrimination based upon his Country of origin or college attended or even his apparent upper middle class background (I am sure him mum agrees) - only on ability.

MGRA wrote:
he will get a place somewhere in clearing.... Southampton is not great compared to other places.... a lot of the profs are a**holes in my experience...

You sound like a loser. Soton is well respected.

s/w = lose-path - seems like you lost yours.

Condor Man wrote:
I wonder what school he went to prior to college? if it was a state school it's not surprising. Unis are operating social closure to keep the professions 'for the likes of them'.

I will guess Romsey - he lives in West Wellow and went to Peter Symonds.

SotonNorth wrote:
freemantlegirl2, there are plenty of degrees on offer that quite simply shouldn't be degrees, as they are a waste of time. Much better for these students to just go straight into a job and get proper work experience and also not get into debt. I will also say though, looking at the University of Southampton, isn't the Boldrewood Campus for medicine, the delapidated partially demolished one, and aren't engineering students living out of portakabins because their building has been mothballed? That's a nice way to treat students on more nationally valuable courses.

Well my son is doing Sports Media and he was told that he wouldn't get in unless he had a degree first, even though he'd done work experience. He did his homework and actually went and saw employers and took careers advice. As do a lot of young people! Have you 'evidence' that these courses are a waste of time and rubbish? If a young person wants to do fashion design for a career why shouldn't they? many have made a success out of it! I think that there's a myth that courses are a 'waste of time' and the media's distortion of people doing PhDs in things like Star Trek or whatever. There are some rare people like Richard Branson who don't got that route but they are rare and I really admire him and others like him.

Boldrewood is having asbestos removed and being re-vamped. This has been on the cards and planned for many years, even when I worked for the Uni. Students on those courses have been moved to other 'new' buildings during the meantime! Can't comment about engineering but will ask my bessie friend who works in that School's management.

Condor Man wrote:
I wonder what school he went to prior to college? if it was a state school it's not surprising. Unis are operating social closure to keep the professions 'for the likes of them'.

Your inference is the complete opposite of the truth. Are you suggesting the universities should operate a simple results based placement scheme based purely on academic merit? If that happened I think you'd find there was a lot less scope for the kind of interfering "social engineering" that Ed Balls Hazel Blears and co have been trying to foist on our universities.
Perhaps you could explain who "they" are, which professions they control, which universities are engaged in this sinister plot and what evidence you have.

Andy Locks Heath wrote:
Having just sweated through the summer with two of my family going through this same process I can sympathise. But why has James set his heart on Southampton alone - especially knowing he did not have an unconditional offer? All students are encouraged to go out and get two or three offers during the spring - it is no good trying for just one then having to rely on other dropouts especially if you know you have not been made an unconditional offer. Southampton is a good uni for medicine but it is not the only one and there is the UCAS system as well to act as a safety net for those in James position. It sounds as if he has put all his eggs in one basket, which is not a good strategy even if you are a straight A student.

Applying to medicine is a tough job. I wasn't expecting to be unsuccessful but I knew that the competition for places is high.

After rejections from Nottingham, Imperial and Cardiff, my hopes rested on a reserve list place at Southampton.

There are hundreds, if not thousands of people who have not managed to secure a place at university - my best option is to distinguish myself among them for entry in September 2011. I am hoping to work as a HCA to build on the experiences learned through volunteering, work experience and paid employment.

I would send a note to Michael GOVE MP and new Minister of Education.

Education like health shouldn't be cut and this is half your problem.

Good luck

IMHO if the government want to save money they should decimate local and city councils- hiding places of thousands of jobs worths.

JamesThorne wrote:

Andy Locks Heath wrote: Having just sweated through the summer with two of my family going through this same process I can sympathise. But why has James set his heart on Southampton alone - especially knowing he did not have an unconditional offer? All students are encouraged to go out and get two or three offers during the spring - it is no good trying for just one then having to rely on other dropouts especially if you know you have not been made an unconditional offer. Southampton is a good uni for medicine but it is not the only one and there is the UCAS system as well to act as a safety net for those in James position. It sounds as if he has put all his eggs in one basket, which is not a good strategy even if you are a straight A student.

Applying to medicine is a tough job. I wasn't expecting to be unsuccessful but I knew that the competition for places is high. After rejections from Nottingham, Imperial and Cardiff, my hopes rested on a reserve list place at Southampton. There are hundreds, if not thousands of people who have not managed to secure a place at university - my best option is to distinguish myself among them for entry in September 2011. I am hoping to work as a HCA to build on the experiences learned through volunteering, work experience and paid employment.

"I wasn't expecting to be unsuccessful"
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OK, maybe at interview they reckoned you were too confident or in other words your head only just fitted through the door.

Elgy wrote:
The legacy of Labour is finally seeing the light of day. I wonder whether media and fashion students are having the same problems, or perhaps that's where the funding is going.

this is the legacy of the tory government of the 80,s.

southy wrote:

Elgy wrote:
The legacy of Labour is finally seeing the light of day. I wonder whether media and fashion students are having the same problems, or perhaps that's where the funding is going.

this is the legacy of the tory government of the 80,s.

Spot on!! Thatcher wrecked society as we knew it, and promoted the filthy rich and greedy yuppies (eg son Mark).

The majority of hospitals and educational establishments have been repaired and restocked by labour and that's a fact.

redsnapper wrote:

southy wrote:

Elgy wrote:
The legacy of Labour is finally seeing the light of day. I wonder whether media and fashion students are having the same problems, or perhaps that's where the funding is going.

this is the legacy of the tory government of the 80,s.

Spot on!! Thatcher wrecked society as we knew it, and promoted the filthy rich and greedy yuppies (eg son Mark).

The majority of hospitals and educational establishments have been repaired and restocked by labour and that's a fact.

I thought there was too much sense being talked here before Dumb abd Dumber joined us. The Tory Government of the 80s had to deal with the legacy of the Winter of Discontent - but no doubt Dopey's tired illiterate old goldfish brain blotted that memory out. I didn;t think it was possible to eclipse dopey in the same thread but basing your rational assessment of policy and competence on your hatred of one person who was nothing to do with politics anyway and whose mother left office 20 years ago is just fantastic. Shall we elect our next leader based on who wears the cheapest suit or would you prefer to use something like accent or where they were born instead? And which person shall we use to help us decide policy - someone from the Big Brother House maybe?
PS Dopey - "Sailsman" - go on tell us that one again - hilarious!

southy wrote:

Elgy wrote: The legacy of Labour is finally seeing the light of day. I wonder whether media and fashion students are having the same problems, or perhaps that's where the funding is going.

this is the legacy of the tory government of the 80,s.

Your Marxist friends had 13 years to right the wrongs - fool.

MartinWellbourne wrote:

JamesThorne wrote:

Andy Locks Heath wrote: Having just sweated through the summer with two of my family going through this same process I can sympathise. But why has James set his heart on Southampton alone - especially knowing he did not have an unconditional offer? All students are encouraged to go out and get two or three offers during the spring - it is no good trying for just one then having to rely on other dropouts especially if you know you have not been made an unconditional offer. Southampton is a good uni for medicine but it is not the only one and there is the UCAS system as well to act as a safety net for those in James position. It sounds as if he has put all his eggs in one basket, which is not a good strategy even if you are a straight A student.

Applying to medicine is a tough job. I wasn't expecting to be unsuccessful but I knew that the competition for places is high. After rejections from Nottingham, Imperial and Cardiff, my hopes rested on a reserve list place at Southampton. There are hundreds, if not thousands of people who have not managed to secure a place at university - my best option is to distinguish myself among them for entry in September 2011. I am hoping to work as a HCA to build on the experiences learned through volunteering, work experience and paid employment.

"I wasn't expecting to be unsuccessful"
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OK, maybe at interview they reckoned you were too confident or in other words your head only just fitted through the door.

And if he'd said he was expecting to be unsuccessful, you'd have no doubt congratulated him on his humility.

LennyValentino wrote:

MartinWellbourne wrote:

JamesThorne wrote:

Andy Locks Heath wrote: Having just sweated through the summer with two of my family going through this same process I can sympathise. But why has James set his heart on Southampton alone - especially knowing he did not have an unconditional offer? All students are encouraged to go out and get two or three offers during the spring - it is no good trying for just one then having to rely on other dropouts especially if you know you have not been made an unconditional offer. Southampton is a good uni for medicine but it is not the only one and there is the UCAS system as well to act as a safety net for those in James position. It sounds as if he has put all his eggs in one basket, which is not a good strategy even if you are a straight A student.

Applying to medicine is a tough job. I wasn't expecting to be unsuccessful but I knew that the competition for places is high. After rejections from Nottingham, Imperial and Cardiff, my hopes rested on a reserve list place at Southampton. There are hundreds, if not thousands of people who have not managed to secure a place at university - my best option is to distinguish myself among them for entry in September 2011. I am hoping to work as a HCA to build on the experiences learned through volunteering, work experience and paid employment.

"I wasn't expecting to be unsuccessful" . OK, maybe at interview they reckoned you were too confident or in other words your head only just fitted through the door.

And if he'd said he was expecting to be unsuccessful, you'd have no doubt congratulated him on his humility.

Something like that - all students looking to read medicine know that only 4 out of 10 get a place. So on balance he should have prepared to be unsuccessful.
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Perhaps he should do a course in IT?

James I think you will go on to be a great success so don't let this get you down. You need to distinguish yourself and despite this setback you have succeeded already. Self confidence is one of the best weapons you can have and you seem to have plenty of it. Just remember to use it as a precision weapon and not as a force field!
Apart from that the only other advice is always have a Plan B because if you never need it you are one lucky person!

Andy Locks Heath wrote:
Having just sweated through the summer with two of my family going through this same process I can sympathise. But why has James set his heart on Southampton alone - especially knowing he did not have an unconditional offer? All students are encouraged to go out and get two or three offers during the spring - it is no good trying for just one then having to rely on other dropouts especially if you know you have not been made an unconditional offer. Southampton is a good uni for medicine but it is not the only one and there is the UCAS system as well to act as a safety net for those in James position. It sounds as if he has put all his eggs in one basket, which is not a good strategy even if you are a straight A student.

Agreed. In fact, unless the system has changed since I went to Uni, your fee to UCAS is good for applying to six different institutions. I had my heart set on a particular university, but filled in 5 others more or less at random, just because I'd paid to. Lo and behold, I ended up preferring, and ultimately going to one of the alternatives, despite getting offers from 5 out of the 6, including my initial preferred one.

freemantlegirl2 wrote:

Andy Locks Heath wrote:
And I should add my very best wishes for his success too. hard work like that deserves to be rewarded.

Agreed, my best wishes go to James too. Keep determined and never give up. See this as a hiccup rather than a fait accompli. Determination goes a long way and you've done the right things. However, I know the NHS is fab for students but have you considered training in another country? consider all the options, and if the worst comes to the worst take a gap year and apply again!

Taking a gap year isn't necessarily a last resort. A bit of life experience goes a long way, and with him not having to wait until his results come out next year, he'd be well-placed to get applications in early, get unconditional offers on the table before the results are even out, beat the queue AND get first pick of the decent accommodation wherever he goes. A large number of university intake every year doesn't come straight from A-levels at all, and it's a real advantage not having to wait for your results before you can get the ball rolling. Plus, he'll have a year to save some decent money up.

MGRA wrote:
he will get a place somewhere in clearing.... Southampton is not great compared to other places.... a lot of the profs are a**holes in my experience...

Ah, but it is a great university. It's viewed as such by industry, and by the professions, and that's what actually counts. Not what some random on the internet thinks of a professor. Plus, of course, it actually is a university, not a jumped-up polytechnic.

Victorian Principles wrote:

Andy Locks Heath wrote: Having just sweated through the summer with two of my family going through this same process I can sympathise. But why has James set his heart on Southampton alone - especially knowing he did not have an unconditional offer? All students are encouraged to go out and get two or three offers during the spring - it is no good trying for just one then having to rely on other dropouts especially if you know you have not been made an unconditional offer. Southampton is a good uni for medicine but it is not the only one and there is the UCAS system as well to act as a safety net for those in James position. It sounds as if he has put all his eggs in one basket, which is not a good strategy even if you are a straight A student.

Agreed. In fact, unless the system has changed since I went to Uni, your fee to UCAS is good for applying to six different institutions. I had my heart set on a particular university, but filled in 5 others more or less at random, just because I'd paid to. Lo and behold, I ended up preferring, and ultimately going to one of the alternatives, despite getting offers from 5 out of the 6, including my initial preferred one.

We had words yesterday - and you are wrong again today.
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Reading medicine follows a different and unique pattern.
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There is no clearing process and you can only apply to four institutions each year. You can apply to a fifth institution, but only for a non-medical course.
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The chap here would have known all this in advance, it would have been repeated if he had attended Medlink and frankly he was on a reserve list before these A level results were announced.
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Total non-story.

Victorian Principles wrote:

freemantlegirl2 wrote:

Andy Locks Heath wrote: And I should add my very best wishes for his success too. hard work like that deserves to be rewarded.

Agreed, my best wishes go to James too. Keep determined and never give up. See this as a hiccup rather than a fait accompli. Determination goes a long way and you've done the right things. However, I know the NHS is fab for students but have you considered training in another country? consider all the options, and if the worst comes to the worst take a gap year and apply again!

Taking a gap year isn't necessarily a last resort. A bit of life experience goes a long way, and with him not having to wait until his results come out next year, he'd be well-placed to get applications in early, get unconditional offers on the table before the results are even out, beat the queue AND get first pick of the decent accommodation wherever he goes. A large number of university intake every year doesn't come straight from A-levels at all, and it's a real advantage not having to wait for your results before you can get the ball rolling. Plus, he'll have a year to save some decent money up.

I wasn't implying that Gap years were a waste of time at all. But deferring a uni place and taking one there are rules attached. Obviously this case is different and I agree he could use it wisely to gain some more experience. Waiting a year would certainly show you are willing. Sorry you've been caught up in the usual Tory v Socialism debate James. My view is, although I'm left of centre is we ALL should take responsibility for the futures of our young people and not blame one government of another!

Victorian Principles wrote:

MGRA wrote: he will get a place somewhere in clearing.... Southampton is not great compared to other places.... a lot of the profs are a**holes in my experience...

Ah, but it is a great university. It's viewed as such by industry, and by the professions, and that's what actually counts. Not what some random on the internet thinks of a professor. Plus, of course, it actually is a university, not a jumped-up polytechnic.

hilarious.... southampton is notorious for profs who are lazy and have no life skills.... I went to a proper red-brick and not some jumped up "newbie".... anyone who has dealings at a professional level with southampton knows what I mean... perhaps you are familiar with the legendary "fitzsimmons" , or "smith" ,,,,
nuff sed , this guy would be better off at a proper red brick and he will get there thru clearing...

Try the Carrabian thats where American students go if they are unable to get into an american Uni or even somewhere like Spain

MGRA wrote:

Victorian Principles wrote:

MGRA wrote: he will get a place somewhere in clearing.... Southampton is not great compared to other places.... a lot of the profs are a**holes in my experience...

Ah, but it is a great university. It's viewed as such by industry, and by the professions, and that's what actually counts. Not what some random on the internet thinks of a professor. Plus, of course, it actually is a university, not a jumped-up polytechnic.

hilarious.... southampton is notorious for profs who are lazy and have no life skills.... I went to a proper red-brick and not some jumped up "newbie".... anyone who has dealings at a professional level with southampton knows what I mean... perhaps you are familiar with the legendary "fitzsimmons" , or "smith" ,,,, nuff sed , this guy would be better off at a proper red brick and he will get there thru clearing...

I'll bite - which "red-brick" did you go to? There are only 19 others in the Russell Group.

MartinWellbourne wrote:

MGRA wrote:

Victorian Principles wrote:

MGRA wrote: he will get a place somewhere in clearing.... Southampton is not great compared to other places.... a lot of the profs are a**holes in my experience...

Ah, but it is a great university. It's viewed as such by industry, and by the professions, and that's what actually counts. Not what some random on the internet thinks of a professor. Plus, of course, it actually is a university, not a jumped-up polytechnic.

hilarious.... southampton is notorious for profs who are lazy and have no life skills.... I went to a proper red-brick and not some jumped up "newbie".... anyone who has dealings at a professional level with southampton knows what I mean... perhaps you are familiar with the legendary "fitzsimmons" , or "smith" ,,,, nuff sed , this guy would be better off at a proper red brick and he will get there thru clearing...

I'll bite - which "red-brick" did you go to? There are only 19 others in the Russell Group.

Mr Wellbourne. You're quite a dislikable character.

I think it's rather unjust to call someone a loser because they have an opinion about Southampton University (MGRA, for example).

If you work there, perhaps it's time you conducted some postgrad research to establish why so many of your ex-students are disgruntled. If you don't work there, what's your beef brother?

jimbobbo wrote:

MartinWellbourne wrote:

MGRA wrote:

Victorian Principles wrote:

MGRA wrote: he will get a place somewhere in clearing.... Southampton is not great compared to other places.... a lot of the profs are a**holes in my experience...

Ah, but it is a great university. It's viewed as such by industry, and by the professions, and that's what actually counts. Not what some random on the internet thinks of a professor. Plus, of course, it actually is a university, not a jumped-up polytechnic.

hilarious.... southampton is notorious for profs who are lazy and have no life skills.... I went to a proper red-brick and not some jumped up "newbie".... anyone who has dealings at a professional level with southampton knows what I mean... perhaps you are familiar with the legendary "fitzsimmons" , or "smith" ,,,, nuff sed , this guy would be better off at a proper red brick and he will get there thru clearing...

I'll bite - which "red-brick" did you go to? There are only 19 others in the Russell Group.

Mr Wellbourne. You're quite a dislikable character. I think it's rather unjust to call someone a loser because they have an opinion about Southampton University (MGRA, for example). If you work there, perhaps it's time you conducted some postgrad research to establish why so many of your ex-students are disgruntled. If you don't work there, what's your beef brother?

MGRA became a loser when he resorted to four letter words to describe people at the university. He/she/it talks about experiences there. Big deal.
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He then goes on to talk about the "red brick" he went to, inferring that Southampton is a "newbie". Clearly it isn't - the "newbie" in this city is Solent. Perhaps he has them confused. Whatever the case we can safely ignore his rants.
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You can dislike me all you like - but the comments I have made above are based on fact.
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I am still waiting for MGRA to confirm where he got his degree.

MartinWellbourne wrote:

jimbobbo wrote:

MartinWellbourne wrote:

MGRA wrote:

Victorian Principles wrote:

MGRA wrote: he will get a place somewhere in clearing.... Southampton is not great compared to other places.... a lot of the profs are a**holes in my experience...

Ah, but it is a great university. It's viewed as such by industry, and by the professions, and that's what actually counts. Not what some random on the internet thinks of a professor. Plus, of course, it actually is a university, not a jumped-up polytechnic.

hilarious.... southampton is notorious for profs who are lazy and have no life skills.... I went to a proper red-brick and not some jumped up "newbie".... anyone who has dealings at a professional level with southampton knows what I mean... perhaps you are familiar with the legendary "fitzsimmons" , or "smith" ,,,, nuff sed , this guy would be better off at a proper red brick and he will get there thru clearing...

I'll bite - which "red-brick" did you go to? There are only 19 others in the Russell Group.

Mr Wellbourne. You're quite a dislikable character. I think it's rather unjust to call someone a loser because they have an opinion about Southampton University (MGRA, for example). If you work there, perhaps it's time you conducted some postgrad research to establish why so many of your ex-students are disgruntled. If you don't work there, what's your beef brother?

MGRA became a loser when he resorted to four letter words to describe people at the university. He/she/it talks about experiences there. Big deal.
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He then goes on to talk about the "red brick" he went to, inferring that Southampton is a "newbie". Clearly it isn't - the "newbie" in this city is Solent. Perhaps he has them confused. Whatever the case we can safely ignore his rants.
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You can dislike me all you like - but the comments I have made above are based on fact.
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I am still waiting for MGRA to confirm where he got his degree.

And your factual information for calling MGRA a loser is based his use of "four letter words"?

Do you know who Harry Redknapp is? What do you think of him?

Degrees in medicine, dentistry, vetinary, and law are the ones with many times more applicants than places available. Medical degrees are the most academically challenging of the lot. There is also an "old school ties" culture at a lot of the top medical schools. Your life experience, and how well you interview, are often as important as your academic results. I have friends who sit on the interview boards of medical schools, they are increasingly frustrated by the candidates who come for interview with more than 3 A grade A-levels, but haven't got a clue about how to speak to people or demonstrate common sense.

James i am also on the reserve list-we cant lose hope.I understand that last yr at least 10 ppl were given places wheras this yr not even 1,even though i know ppl who didnt get the grades.Contact me if you have any news.I think we should complain-its not fair tbh.