COWA Access to Medicine 2010/11

**KID1987** · 23-10-2010, 03:30 PM

Dear avocado,
I think it would be a great idea to start a new thread - the earlier the better really. I am sure it will not go against you, I think it is important to realise that plans do not always go as you would like them and sometimes have to rethink your plans for the benefit of the longterm. If you do not mind me asking, what is your academic background; have you previosuly studied for a degree.etc?

**avocado** · 23-10-2010, 03:39 PM

Well (hopes nobody from COWA reads and recognises!) I got A/A* GCSEs (2002) but I was really ill during my AS level year and had to drop out. Not due to lack of ability but I was in hospital for months. I did sciences because I wanted to study medicine. However being 16/17 I was too stubborn to go back and be a year below my friends (I kick myself still for this decision) so I went travelling and did a law degree. I haven't actually finished the degree, but I could as I haven't run out of time yet. I'm worried I'll look a bit flakey for not finishing it! It's just so not what I want to do it makes me cry!

**avocado** · 23-10-2010, 03:41 PM

Basically I have GCSEs + a 'diploma' (about half a degree)

**KID1987** · 23-10-2010, 03:41 PM

Can I ask, what kind of points did you stick to in where it asked about your career intentions and wanting to study medicine; I am worried about either adding too much detail or not enough - does it need to be a reflective piece like the UCAS personal statement? though 250 words doesn't leave much room for this kind of prose.
Thanks
KID1987

**avocado** · 23-10-2010, 03:53 PM

I am so bad I didn't even do a word count. The form seems to expand a bit. I also messed up my punctuation because I used lots of ';'s and things which it didn't seem to recognise so I am going to look like a total idiot this time around haha

The first time I applied I think I did a really great application. I used a different name though back then (another long story), so it won't be linked. I recall only briefly summarising my past in a very very small paragraph ie I was unable to complete my A levels but have always wanted to study medicine (or some other cliche). I concentrated that time more on why I wanted to study it and I commented on my personal experience and why that is why I wanted to pursue medicine as a career. I wish I saved it!

This time I think I made it too waffly actually. I tried to briefly summarise my educational background (one sentence) then I went on to say I want a career change. I didn't detail this because there's a section on 'employment' and things in the form already. I then just stated that I'm really passinate about it, would love the opportunity to succeed on the course. I gave a few examples of areas of medicine which interest me but I think it's silly to be too commital at an early stage so I was a bit vague with that too!

**avocado** · 23-10-2010, 03:57 PM

I probably included as many typos as I do in my posts!

I definitely think my first application packed more of a punch because I wrote it after quite a dramatic few months and I was all 'inspired'.
This application may not sound as driven but I hope I have given a good yet rather brief overview of my reasons for applying. I didn't specify things like ' I want to go to X university, I want to specialise in XXX and want to be a consultant by X' because I thought it was better to give room for me to learn and change my opinions on things like that as I progress (Ha! if)

**avocado** · 23-10-2010, 04:04 PM

KID1987 I started a new thread- highly unimaginitive title..!

**Michaelrobinson** · 31-01-2011, 09:00 PM

Hey, i just had my interview on Friday and i got accepted, really excited! next major thing is the UKCAT, which im nervous about but i have time to prepare.