HORRIBLE DECISION (accept Kings Lynn or stay at Uni)

**sliding_doors** · 11-08-2006, 07:46 PM

Hi - this decision is driving me crazy and I going to start prematurely greying soon!

Basically I have just finished my first year of an arts degree at Cambridge (Geography). After taking a GAP year I began thinking about medicine and got a place at King's Lynn for this September. I have just spent the last two months contacting my shortlisted medical schools but their responses have not been particularly positive as many "do not look favourably upon individuals starting degree courses and not completing them" (email from St George's). From the start, I realised that this would be a problem but I hoped that there was a reasonable chance given that King's Lynn only accept people that they believe can get into medical school.

Admittedly, I have received a few encouraging replies, two of which even put in writing that "the decision to resign from your current degree and persevere with the access course would not affect your application in any way." However, I am VERY aware that the people in the admissions office are NOT those who will be making the decision and it will completely depend on the opinion of the Admissions Tutor as to whether they see me as either i. lacking 'stickablility' as changing so early "suggests an uncertainty in career intentions" (Leeds) or ii. that I am VERY committed to medicine given that I am willing to give up a good degree at a good university (something which I think is true!)

Therefore, I really have no idea whether Universities are going to seriously consider my application and I dont want to leave Cambridge with little to no chance of getting into medical school. However, apart from my unconventional route of entry I think my application could be quite strong:

Work Experience: Done a reasonable amount with GPs and consultants and worked in a nursing home for 1+ year. Spent three months in disabled children's orphanage in Mexico and just got back from a month volunteering in Mexican hospital (got to deliver two babies - neither were named after me though!)
Academically I am supposedly quite intelligent (or just good at taking exams): GCSE's: 9A* 1A, AS Level: 1A, 1B (Maths taken a year early), A-Levels: 3 A in Economics (100% - top 5 in country), History, Latin. At Cambridge: got a 1st in end of year exams and was given some exaggerated scholarship.

Overall I would definitely leave Cambridge if I thought I stood a reasonable chance of getting a place at medical school. I dont particularly want to do graduate entry as I dont like the idea of wasting two years studying something completely irrelevant (many doctors have told me that completing my degree would not benefit my career prospects in anyway). Cambridge have give me a deadline of Monday 14th August to tell them whether I will be leaving and I still have NO IDEA which way to jump - the arguments are so finely balanced. As the date gets closer I am annoyingly erring towards staying as after talking to so many medical schools I am not confident that I could get a place without completing my degree (however, ask me in 5 minutes and I will probably have changed my mind again

).

ANY advice on which way I should jump would be REALLY helpful. Thanks for reading my essay

**DH2005** · 11-08-2006, 08:07 PM

Yikes...

Well, personally, I think you stand a very good chance of getting into medical school. But what a thing to give-up...

I suppose the key question that I asked myself, before going to King's Lynn and leaving my previous life behind, was - do I have any interest in being anything other than a doctor? The answer to that question was no, and so, I was able to give-up what I was doing without further consideration... it's, without a doubt, the best thing that I ever did.

**Meg01** · 11-08-2006, 10:40 PM

I don't know if this is feasible - but is there anyway you could take on A-levels whilst at Cambridge - you're obviously pretty bright, and it would be a strain, but if you're goal is ultimately med, you should have a strong focus on the A-levels.

The reason I suggest this is because you will be entitled to apply to med school next year, yet would not have to leave your uni. If you didn't get in, then you'd have A-levels and a degree under your belt, and could apply again. I studied 2 scottish highers whilst working full time, with loads of other commitments, and it was totally fine. (Admittedly these are equivalent to ASl-levels, and there is a greater a leniency when you're a grad on this), but it's a possibility ....

Coincidentally I have a friend who graduated from Cambridge in, also I think, Land Economy she also left at the end of her first year for medicine. She had science A-levels which helped, but she graduated last year as a doctor. HOWEVER ... she never said that she did a year at CAmbridge, instead it was assumed that she'd had a gap year I think ..... hmmmm...

**Jonathan Ford** · 12-08-2006, 01:31 PM

What's the logical outcome of your Land Economy degree? You do the course and then...?? Is it a vocational course that has a natural progression into a job that you would be happy to do both spiritually and practically? Or is it a degree for the sake of having a degree? If it's the latter, then the choice becomes quite easy. If the former is true...you're on your own, mate!

**annaspanna** · 12-08-2006, 07:04 PM

Finishing your degree would not be a waste as long as you enjoy it and both paths could theoretically get you to be a doctor in the same amount of time if you got on a GEP.
You seem to be able to explain your reasoning for switching to medicine really well, so that will help you when writing UCAS forms and at interviews if you do choose to drop your degree.
Good luck in whatever you choose.

**atugbat** · 12-08-2006, 08:05 PM

i know somebody ( a friend of mine) that put himself in a weaker position because he left his biomed course for an access to med course.

they Got low A levels... went to do biomed... left for an access course to med.. got the distinction.. applied to med but never Got in.

your oviously not in exactly the same boat... as your A leves are very good.. but your A level subjects are in arts or their non traditional science subjects

what i advice and im positive this would work because of your grades.. is that you stay at cambridge for this year and while your there you apply for the six year med course... i know Kings... Cardiff... etc.. do it. this course is specifically for poeple like you who are just as smart as those who did science a levels... but did ARTS or social science subjects instead...(you will have to think whether it will be wise telling them your at cambridge as uni's like to see people finishing their degrees, but it may be an adveantage because of the high mark you acheived in your first yr

if that doesnt work, a GOOD degree at CAMBRIDGE plus the access course will put you in a very strong position from my experience of a place on the graduate course.

**Meg01** · 12-08-2006, 08:46 PM

That's a good possible option too ... Dundee and Edinburgh also offer the 6 year course, and others I am sure. Passing the first year will guarantee you a place on the 5 year course, with greater security than many access courses. Have you checked clearing - or whatever the equivalent is for people who didn' apply through UCAS this year - not sure? (A highly highly unlikely possibility it's true, but you're academically in a strong position).