Premed at Cambridge

mjscal
Wed, 20 Apr 2011 03:13:56 +0000

I pretty much agree with cadriethiel. I had a great time in Cambridge but I am not sure it is the best way of getting into medical school in the US. Three years for a degree will be no problem and the cost of three years at Cambridge will be significantly less than Stanford etc. This is of course assuming the UK government does not change the costs for international students in any significant way in the near future. I am assuming your parents would be footing 100% of the bill with any of your options. I do not have a current Tripos to view courses but I think you can take chemistry, physics, math and biology courses to complete your pre med science requirements at Cambridge. You would have to take any non science liberal arts courses in the US, possibly in the summer. Some medical schools may require you to take a year of University in the US but I suspect you might be able to get out of this in some cases.
Now it used to be very difficult to get a First in the Oxbridge system but apparently there has been significant grade inflation in the UK as well in the US according to an article I read last year.
Do not remember what the source was but I think it was in the Economist but could it could have been in the Telegraph. There did seem to be a many First flowers being worn in Oxford last year when I visited in June. If you get Firsts your grades will be fine. Am not sure how US medical schools will view Seconds or Thirds.
My opinion, which is not based on any experience ( as you would be a novel candidate )
is that you would be fine with Firsts from Cambridge, a mid 30’s MCAT, and some time in a US university to finish up requirements. If you do not get Firsts I am not sure how Seconds and Thirds would be viewed. It would therefore be safer to go the US route where say a 3.6 at Stanford etc would be a more known quantity.