Hmm, have just found out that some universities in the Republic of Ireland do the GEP course. Gives me more options in case I don't manage to get a place here. Bad side is their fees are something like 25 000 euros. Arghhh, not sure what that is in real money, but guessing it's probably between £15 & £20 K. Why is nothing ever easy? Do they think we're made of money
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My other sort of back up plan is genetic counselling. However, it's not much of a back up plan as it seems to be harder to get into than medicine, if that's even possible! It doesn't feel right having a 'back up' plan. I mean, if it's medicine I want to do then I should stick at it, right? But I don't want to be studying for the rest of my life. Assuming I get in next year, I'll be 27 when I finish, and 29 after the foundation training. I mean I would like a family and a life sometime!
Actually, genetic counselling wasn't always my back up plan, it's been my main career goal for a few years. But I've been talking to some genetic counsellors recently and they all love their jobs, but there isn't really enough new posts coming up for all the newbies being trained. I can't face the thought of training for two years and then no having no job at the end of it(yes I know it's only two years, but you get no help with the £4000 year fees).
That doesn't mean I don't whole-heartedly want to do medicine though, I do, but until recently I didn't think I could face the length of the course and the fees. Seems like this application business has overtaken my life at the moment, trying to decide where to apply, looking into bank loans, etc. Should really be revising for my finals next week. Toxicology & pharmacology on Saturday 26th, then population & conservation genetics on the tuesday, and gene expression and developmental genetics on the wednesday. I can't wait to have my life back again
