Ucas and university

**English assassin** · 11-17-2005, 14:57

@ BKS and the other medics: the editorial in the lancet this week (Nov12 http://www.thelancet.com/ you have to register but its free) is about Herceptin and NICE appraisals. Puts a very different view to the red top "NHS denies patients life saving drug" story. I was talking to a cancer nurse this morning and she was furious about the whole thing, as its not reported that, eg, only about 21% of patients are suitable for treatment, only half of them respond, the drug has major issues with cardiotoxicity (and prognosis from heart failure is far worse than breast cancer) etc. But because of the news coverage all her patients think they are being denied a life saver.

I reckon its well worth a read, could be used to answer all sorts of questions, topical story, NICE, role of politicians or accountabuility generally in the health service, patient demands vs clinical reality/availability of funding, the need to evaluate all the risks associated with a treatment etc etc.

If I'm not tied up at work I'd buy you a beer to hear how the interview went, but, if you are going to wear that green lantern outfit from the superhero thread, forget it. Even in London that would raise eyebrows.

**Big King Sanctaphrax** · 11-17-2005, 18:11

Thanks very much for the article EA.

**Big King Sanctaphrax** · 12-01-2005, 22:07

I don't normally like to ressurect threads, but I got an interview at Oxford. Wooh!

As well as Merton, I'm being interviewed at St. Hugh's. Anyone know anything about it?

**Divine Wind** · 12-02-2005, 01:02

Ahh nice too see the Oxford posse is ever growing in the .org

Congratulations on your interview BKS, i myself had to go through the ordeal 3 years ago but its well worth it! I remember as i walked into the interview room one of my interviewers looked me up and down and stated "Are you sure your here for mathematics?" obviously trying to see how i would react, and i think i did the right thing by laughing and saying he looked far to young to be an interviewer. Definitely hit the right cord.

Im in my final year at Trinity college studying mathematics now and ive loved all three years. Oxford is a fantastic city, with everything a student needs (including legions of intelligent rich ladies

)

I cant really say much about Merton or St Hugh's as ive never been inside only walked past. I have met students that go there but you tend to just mix with the people in your own college, well thats been my experience anyway.

Somebody Else has summed up the interview technique pretty well. Theres no way you can be 100% prepared for the interview as from what ive heard from my friends, everyones tends to be different and varied. Just be confident and talk enthusiasticly. Look the interviewers in the eyes, dont gabber on and just say you dont know to questions you dont know!

Good luck

**Somebody Else** · 12-02-2005, 02:03

I was at St Hugh's.

**JAG** · 12-02-2005, 02:09

Good luck lads and - if there is any - ladies! Ucas was a peasy for me both in the working out what the hell they were on about and getting into the Uni's, though I did pick Uni's which were guaranteed to accept me.

Feel sorry for you Oxbridge people, why put yourself through all that elitest crap? Go as far away from all for as long as possible, find a good department for your chosen subject(s) and go from there. I wouldn't be able to stand it in any of the 'established' up their own arses Uni's, which is why I avoided them :p

**Somebody Else** · 12-02-2005, 02:27

Originally Posted by JAG

Feel sorry for you Oxbridge people, why put yourself through all that elitest crap? Go as far away from all for as long as possible, find a good department for your chosen subject(s) and go from there. I wouldn't be able to stand it in any of the 'established' up their own arses Uni's, which is why I avoided them :p

Not that I really want to get into this, but it's not quite like that. Sure, there were people who had clearly had a more privileged upbringing, but no more so - in fact, less than where I am now.

And, as most people here seem to be doing them, sciences are particularly unfashionable amongst the elite - so plenty of 'normal' people to do the whole prole solidarity thing with, if that's what's wanted.

But honestly, at the uni - most people get along perfectly well, interact socially with everyone etc. etc. Yes there are some 'rahs' who only associate amongst each other, but then again - it's the same the other end of the scale - only slightly dirtier and not so well spoken.

**Big King Sanctaphrax** · 12-03-2005, 02:40

Originally Posted by JAG

Good luck lads and - if there is any - ladies! Ucas was a peasy for me both in the working out what the hell they were on about and getting into the Uni's, though I did pick Uni's which were guaranteed to accept me.

Feel sorry for you Oxbridge people, why put yourself through all that elitest crap? Go as far away from all for as long as possible, find a good department for your chosen subject(s) and go from there. I wouldn't be able to stand it in any of the 'established' up their own arses Uni's, which is why I avoided them :p

Well, Oxford has quite a good medicine department...

I'm a bit confused, though. You decry the 'elitism' of these unis, but isn't your refusal to even consider going there only propagating that elitism?

**Strike For The South** · 12-03-2005, 19:02

geez JAG dont get yer knickers in a twist

**thrashaholic** · 12-04-2005, 10:17

UCAS are a bit cheeky, asking for a fee when you send the stuff off... never mind.

I've got my interview at Cambridge (Sidney Sussex) tomorrow for Economics

so I'm just brushing up on the stuff I've said I know and enjoy. My practice iterview at school went well, so I'm fairly confident. I'll be mortified if I don't get in though (despite having plenty of other good offers), so fingers crossed. (I got straight As at A-level in Maths, Further Maths, Economics and Communication Studies - so I'm hopeful)

Oh, King Malcolm, if you want to go to Cambridge (or Oxford for that matter), start reading books about the subject you want to do now, and if possible do some work experience in that area, oh and make sure you have a list of other interests as long as your arm.

**Big King Sanctaphrax** · 12-07-2005, 18:25

AAB offer to UCL for Medicine! Hurrah!

Now at least I have somewhere to go if the Oxford interview doesn't go so well.

**Somebody Else** · 12-08-2005, 01:46

Hey, Big King - I'm afraid I don't know the medical tutors at Hugh's, and the students I know are third year now. It's a great place, hasn't got anywhere near the prestige of some of the other colleges, and is a bit farther out than most - but does have a very close-knit community.

The food's not brilliant, but there are a couple of great baguette shops nearby... and the kebab van belonging to Chemical Ali? Brilliant!

**BDC** · 12-08-2005, 17:00

Had the Cambridge interview, wasn't too weird at all. I was expecting more banana questions and throwing things at me. They didn't even ask me why I wanted to do medicine...

Everyone else is still ignoring me! Even UCL who claimed they would definately interview if you get above a 19 in the Bmat...