What Does It Mean to Apply Strategically?

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With only four UCAS medical school choices, it’s important to think carefully about where you apply. Applying strategically means understanding your own strengths and choosing universities where their selection process aligns with your profile.

It’s not about applying to the universities with the lowest requirements. It’s about understanding how different medical and dental schools assess applicants and using that information to make informed choices.

Start With Your Strengths

Different universities place different levels of emphasis on different parts of your application.

For example, if you have strong GCSE results, you may want to research universities that give significant weight to GCSE performance during their selection process.

If you have a strong UCAT score, you may instead want to explore universities where UCAT performance plays a more significant role in shortlisting applicants.

The key is to understand what each university values and how that matches your profile.

Understand How Universities Select Applicants

Before choosing a university, look beyond its minimum entry requirements.

Ask yourself:

  • How are GCSEs used in the selection process?
  • How heavily is the UCAT weighted?
  • Are predicted or achieved A-level grades considered?
  • Are contextual factors taken into account?
  • Does the university rank applicants before interview?
  • Are there specific requirements or restrictions that apply to me?

Meeting the minimum requirements doesn't necessarily mean that you will be shortlisted for interview, so understanding the wider selection process is important.

Build a Balanced List of Choices

Strategic applications should also consider balance.

Rather than making all four choices highly aspirational, consider creating a mix of universities where your profile is a strong fit alongside choices where you may be more competitive based on their selection criteria.

Your choices could include:

Aspirational choices
Universities where you meet the requirements but where selection may be more competitive for your profile.

Strong-fit choices
Universities where your academic profile and UCAT score align well with their published selection criteria.

Safer choices
Universities where your profile is particularly well aligned with the published requirements and selection process.

This doesn't guarantee an interview or offer, but it can help you create a more considered application strategy.

Your UCAS Choices Should Work Together

You don't need to choose a university simply because it has a high reputation or because someone else is applying there.

Think about your profile, the university's selection process and how the two fit together.

The goal is to use your five choices thoughtfully and give yourself the best-informed range of options possible.

Not sure which universities may suit your profile?

Our University Calculator allows you to enter your UCAT score, GCSEs, predicted grades and other relevant factors to explore universities whose published criteria may align with your application.