Access to medicine, where to start, no qualifications

[BigV]

yeah, that is pretty much what I thought........

I don't know why though, I mean if you cover the correct subjects then I assume all the courses are fairly similar......

[Mamba]

Hey Big V
Im on the foundation. Access To Medicine is more than just covering the subjects. The fact that you do all that in on year and stick it out tells the Unis that you are serious and dedicated. Access To Medicine is A level standars in 6 subjects in 36 weeks. About 20 assignments and around 25 exams. That doesnt include 4 months of I.T. Add to that the arduous application process and it takes real inner strength to get through it. Read Dr Doo-littles thread. Its very accurate.

The reason I know the Unis want to see how u cope with the pressure is that Access To Medicine can be done part time, but no Uni will accept it. They want to know its been a hard year and yet you pass with whatever they ask for..... Usually A* or a Distinction.

There are a few options : A levels = 2yrs of your life
A2M = 1 yr of your life

I am 27 so the choice was easy for me to make. In adition to this the A2M courses have a very good relationship with universities.

You can just do the subjects and hope to get in. But remember there are only 16 places on the Cardiff Foundation Year and I was told thousands applied.

Go for it, follow your dreams. Work hard and be sincere and you will have a place waiting for you !

[BigV]

I'm still not sure that really answers my question to be honest.

ALL access courses take you from zero to A-level standard in 1 year. They are all intensive and require hard work.... now obviously some subjects are 'easier' than others; less fact based perhaps?

However I still don't understand (for example) why one university will accept the MANCAT access to medicine , but it would NOT accept another access to HE course from a different college - Even if you have still covered the same core subjects of biology, physics, chemistry (to level 3), maths and english, just like on the ''medicine'' access course.

Seems like snobbery to me?

I mean I have been accepted on an access to radiography course, which I may still complete - but during the interview process the course tutor admitted that although his course is very good and well respected, it is essentially just biology and physics combined (which obviously you need for radiography or radiotherapy)................................. when I later mentioned I wasn't sure if I wanted to do radiography after all he said I could switch to general science after enrollment, and that would still be good enough to get me into radiography should I change my mind?

So why does the same not apply to medicine?

[Mamba]

Dont get me wrong, essentially u are right, physics is physics and biology is biology. You can go and do them then apply for medicine no problem. I believe you will have less chance of getting in tho.

An A2M course is examined by the med schools, curriculums are sent to them. They ask for one result, Its a neat tidy little package. They get references from A2M tutors that have med schools in mind. What do I mean ? Well a college doesnt want bad students getting into med school and giving that college a bad name.
There are many factors. But essentially you arwe still correct. Most med schools work on a point scheme at application. Points for GCSE's, Points for A levels or A2M, points for personal statment and application, points for secular experience and voluntary experience. If you have enough points you get an interview.

If you want medicine GO FOR IT. You will regret it if you dont.

[BigV]

OK thanks, that makes a bit more sense............

To be honest I am not 100% sure I want medicine anyway, I'm not sure if it is the thought of helping people that appeals to me or the idea of a high status job and salary.............................

I want to try and get some experience in a hospice over the summer, which will tell me all I need to know..................... I'm pretty sure it is the helping people thing, I have always been interested in medicine, but obviously I need to understand my own motivations better before trying to go down that route............................ because pharmacy for instance has a similar appeal to me.

[Jimco]

Can anyone advise me of what to do after having applied for A2M.

Do I need to sit the UKCAT now or later? Is there anything that I should keep in mind, I feel like I am forgetting somthing.

Any kind of adv would be really appreciated If anybody wants to ask me anything ur welcome to do so:P

Thanks!!!

[Mamba]

If I was you, use the time well.

Y~es do the UKCAT now so you dont miss any lessons. Also the UkCAT is a bugger so you dont want to be messing around with that whilst trying to figure out what the hell is going on in Physics. Do your voluntary work now. You need at least 2 weeks worth by application. You begin your applications in week 2 of A2M so u really dont have time then.

With heindsight I personally would have used my time to strengthen my Physics and Maths.
Here's a tip for you.... Re-arranging equations ! GO LEARN.

If i think of anything else ill mention it.

[Jimco]

really appreciate that!! I live in London & I will be getting on the whole voluntary work 2day.

I have got a few questions and any advice given would be really appreciated

1. I have applied for 5 access courses all in total and I have yet been to 2 interviews:

Lambeth: Didn't get a spot, wasn't really on point on the day of the interview but I have got myself to blame for that!

Birkbeck: Uncond. offer! Great! My question here is that even though I got an offer and a letter asking how I wish to pay for the course. Should I reply or wait until I am certain of which school I will be attending? I am a little bit confused because there seems to be nobody who can advise me of which schools their students tend to go or what their success rate is? A little bit less confident even though I have got a spot that I am overoyed with. Any adv?

COWA: Been harrasing Shelley Fitzgerald from admissions and unfortunately she is on holiday until next week monday so I will call back and ask how things are going then Really worried as I would really like to get a spot here.

MANCAT: Got a letter of confirmation stating they have rec'vd my app.form and called them today but no answer. Will call them soon again. Any advice on how to go about this, who to ask for or anything similar?

City College of Norwich: Called them today and they advised me that they are setting the dates for interviews and will be contacting me shortly.

Sorry there wasn't much question in regards to that:s But please any advice or comments would be highly appreciated, both negative or positive.

My next question is, I have now been adv to take the UKCAT by a fellow member here at NewMediaMedicine as well as MAMBA
Any adv on which books to buy or what to look out for or anything that will stand out that has not been highlighted 1001 times before. I am sorry if you've answered this before.

What are the next steps after this? Sit tight? Any adv on what to do or read? I really want to go on to med school, Lifelong dream and I will not be giving up anytime soon.

Thanks in advance!!!!

[Mamba]

I wouldnt start paying up just yet. You are worth a considerable fee to these colleges. If they have accepted you, slow down. Wait and see what else comes along, you wont lose your place.

You can ask for success rates and most importantly Medicine offer stats, how many get in ? Ask to see a list. Because they will play with the numbers. They will include dentistry or pharmacy, or may give you interview figures. But you want to know how many students will be walking into medical school 08.


Next question... Mancat, wait it out, I loved it, the tutors are great. They see the course as their baby and nurture all the students in a very accomodating manner. I will owe everything to them for a long time.

The UKCAT... what can I say ? Well take the online practice exam. You will see that you can neither prepare or beat the exam. Its actually a very very poor system. As is it multiple choice people can score highly quite by chance. I personally thought the emotional and personality questions were accurate in their result but I wasnt overly impressed. I scored highly without books or any of that nonsence. In fact the only book i advise you to purchase is the Collins Biology book that will be suggested to you. Going back to the UKCAT its basically maths (GCSE) level and English (GCSE) so really dont worry yourself at all. Its one of those tests that you just have to take it and see. Trust me on this.

Dont stress too much. This year is tough, but it is very do-able, go to every lecture, go home and do the work every night all year and you will pass no problem. As for getting into the UNi interviews its the personal statment and voluntary experience. Get at least shadowing for voluntary experience. Mention names in the personal statment so they know its not BS. Also MAKE SURE your PS is personal, make sure its different to everyone elses, I wrote mine from the heart. Despite poor GCSE's I got 2 Med school interviews, one leading to a place. I was just honest and spoke from the heart. But anyway dont worry about that now.

Finally for anyone that gets asked to attend Mancat for the entrance tests/exams just expect GCSE maths and GCSE English. Dont be worrying too much but have your basic algebra and numeracy warmed up.

PM me if you have any issues, I can paticularly help MANCAT students. But I am happy to help anyone. When the applications begin I hope I can be of more assistance than now.

Take care and enjoy it. This time next year you will all be helping people in the same position as you are in right now. x

[Jimco]

Thank you really!!

I am so happy for your reply and really appreciate it, thanks for the offer of PM:ing u, I will prob. be harrassing u

Thanks again!!