Wanting to start a career in medicine please read! :D

[PaulBradford]

Hey Guys and Gals,

Hi, I've just joined the forums so hey everyone. I'm interested in starting a career in medicine specifically a doctor duh :P The problem I have is my qualifications aren't exactly great, I have GSCE 7 passes at D to A but no A levels i'm 25 and I feel i'm too old to be doing A-levels so I'm hoping to get access to a foundation degree or an access course in science, does anyone have any experience which is similar to mine also if anyone could tell me the process of going from student to doctor (resident etc) that would be great thanks in advance!

Paul.

[Gizmo says -]

well pal, you 'ave the makings of a good doc already, i reckon.

[xx-emz-xx]

hey paul i had the same problem as you. i left school with just three GCSE's due to illness. i then attended college at night a built up a few more GCSE's. i then had given up all hope of becoming a doctor and undertook an Access To Nursing Course. But then i realsied there were access courses for medicine. im doing an pathway to medicine course in Perth where you study HNC Applied Sciences. St Andrews and Perth College interview you. theres only 5 places for the medicine option so its hard going. but its worth a try! it worked for me! i start in august! so dont give up hope. if ur passionate about studying medicine your determination will get you there. good luck! Emma x

[Gizmo says -]

you may not ave an easy route like some peeple macca, but i expect to keep a seat spare for you at med skool in one or two years from now, macca.

[louise colette]

Hey Paul! I wasn't in your situation exactly, but my qualifications weren't particularly relevant for medicine. I did the COWA access course - where there were many people similar to you - and it was excellent. I didn't need to complete the course as I was lucky to get an unconditional offer because of my degree, but an access course is probably the right way for you to go.

Do your 7 GCSEs include maths and english? Most (if not all) med schools will expect a B or C - you'll have to check - in these. COWA certainly ran GCSE English and maths for those who needed to improve.

Best of luck xx

[PaulBradford]

Hey, thanks for the replies guys, my GCSEs in Science (double award) Maths, English (Lang and Lit) are all a C+ level I also have an A in chemisty (took it again in college figured I could do better than I did but I don't know if a college will look at that as a seperate GCSE considering I did the double award at school), I'm fairly new to the boards but I hear the words COWA a lot I tried googling it ofc! but I couldn't find any info, given the context its used in i'd say its a college but I could be wrong it could be a course, Thanks again guys.

[louise colette]

Sorry! It's the College of West Anglia - based in King's Lynn, Norfolk... Does an excellent Access to Medicine course specifically for mature students wishing to become doctors. And it's free!

[Felixthecat]

Hi Paul,
Have you considered the Foundation for Medicine year at St George's? It is created for people like you (and me without A-levels or degrees. The beauty of this course is that if you get a place and do well (average of 60% for the year) you are garanteed a place on the 5 year course AND you can get support from LEA. It is a brilliant prep couse for med school. I did it last year and have just finshed 1st year. Have a look at this:
Foundation Year Medicine

[Jimco]

Hiya, Sorry to disrupt ur flow but it's very interesting here

I was just wondering really quickly in regards to COWA. I have upon 2 people going for interviews this week and they both said that they had to kick up a 'fight' to get an interview or make themselves 'known', can somebody please elaborate on this?

And to ask Felix, the Foundation for Medicine year at St George's is closed for this year, rite?

Thank you and sorry again for interrupting

[Felixthecat]

"And to ask Felix, the Foundation for Medicine year at St George's is closed for this year, rite?"

Yes, you apply via UCAS, so it is the usual October date