I'm new here!!

**haroon_20** · 05-03-2010, 03:41 PM

Hi to everyone!!

I have read a few threads on this forum and the amount of advice offered to those researching around medicine is immense, yet at the same time quality of that advice is first class… The forum is a credit to the regular posters who give up their own time to help others... Thank you and much appreciated

Apologies about the long post.

I am currently a second year Law student at University of Birmingham and am seriously regretting my career choice. My family wanted me to do Law and I foolishly followed what they wanted me to do. I struggled through the first year, not because it is difficult quite the opposite in fact, but I just can’t motivate myself to work, I hate every aspect of the degree, I am just not intrigued or interested by it.

Fast forward two years and my two closest friends are doing medicine at Newcastle and Leeds following gap years and are thoroughly enjoying it. While on the other hand I am not enjoying my degree which is having an affect on my performance.

I have done some research and am considering applying for access to medicine, before I send out e-mails to all the admission tutors out there I feel it is better if I get a general consensus of how my application would stand up to other A2M applicants.

My GCSE’s were four A grades and 7 B grades including Maths, Science and English. At A level I achieved AAB in English, Law, and Maths.
At University I got 58 in my 1st yr which is a 2ii, however that doesn’t count towards our degree, this year is (worth 25% overall) and I am on course for a mid 2.1.

In terms of extra curricular, I am a volunteer generalist adviser at the Citizens Advice Bureau, (about 8 months so far) I advise vulnerable members of our community (elderly, mentally ill, single mothers, ethnic minorities with language problems etc) on issues such as debt, housing, benefits etc..

In my spare time I invest in the stock market and have made a significant amount of money from this, it is a passionate hobby and I thoroughly enjoy the thrills from trading the markets, currently learning how to trade currencies in the foreign markets. It is all self taught and self funded.

I have been working as a sales assistant in a part time role since November 2007.

I also have a few weeks of legal work exp within a firm and will be shadowing a barrister this summer.

In terms of medical exp, I will look to work with disabled kids 1 day a week over the summer, and also get a weeks experience at a hospital/GP surgery, and 1 week at a pharmacy.

In terms of the future I am thinking of applying to pre med to commence in September 2011, just after I finish my degree, The law degree will be a safety net in case I don’t get into A2M and I can then reluctantly pursue a career in Law/finance or whatever.

I am extremely motivated to make this work and will try my hardest to succeed, if I do get in I will be extremely grateful that I have been given this second chance, and feel a sense that I am one of the lucky ones. I just know that a medicine degree is the catalyst for me to achieve my potential.

My friends have recommended that I have a look at
- City college Norwich
- College of West Anglia

What are peoples views as to the strength of my application, and the two colleges outlined above, are they respected?

Thank you for any replies, much appreciated!!

**cocopop** · 06-03-2010, 02:47 AM

Academically you've got nothing to worry about, as long as you achieve at least a 2.1 in your degree,
and even if you don't it's not the end of the world. Your extra curricular activities seem pretty good too,
as long as you can talk about particular areas in which you've achieved, and you are able to demonstrate personal
qualities the medical schools you eventually apply to are looking for (leadership, teamworking etc).

It's obviously a good idea to get some medically related work experience. Work with disadvantaged children is a
good idea as well volunteering on a hospital ward. A long term volunteering role is preferable (a few months), but generally
the length of time you volunteer for isn't as important as what you learn from it, as you'll need to be able
to demonstrate a realistic understanding of what a medical career entails.

If you plan to do an access to medicine course then the courses at the College of West Anglia and
Sussex Downs are probably the most reputable. I think Sussex Downs had a progression rate of 100%
last year, and COWA claims to have a progression rate of over 80% and is accepted at 20ish medical schools
across the UK.

Hope that helps.

**haroon_20** · 08-03-2010, 02:53 AM

Thank you.

Considering my academic and general non-science background do you feel it is better for me to apply via an access course or try graduate entry into one of the non-science graduate entry course (e.g. sheffield, manchester, keele etc)...

I think if I was to get into Sussex or COWA for the access course I feel I would have a pretty decent chance of getting into medicine. However this would take 1-2 yrs more than a direct graduate entry course, im kinda confused - a access course has higher success rate therefore the chances of ultimately getting in seem higher, whereas graduate entry may be a shorter route but the odds are against me, seems more competitive and difficult..

What do ppl think, which route is better for me?

Appreciate any replies, thank you..

**cocopop** · 08-03-2010, 03:24 AM

I think you have a few things mixed up there. There is no graduate entry course at Manchester
and Sheffield's grad course requires you to have a science degree to be eligible I think. Now don't quote me
on this but I think all 4 year and 5 year medical degrees require you to have a good understanding of chemistry
and biology at the very least. I don't know how you'd be able to cope with the academic rigours of the
course if you didn't. I think your best bet would be an access course to be honest.

Have a look at this website to use as a starting point. It will give you a better understanding of the different medical courses in the UK,
and whether or not you'd be eligible for them.

Medschoolsonline - A Guide to Getting into Medical School in the UK

**haroon_20** · 08-03-2010, 03:49 AM

Sorry my mistake

I blurred the distinction between foundation courses and graduate entry..

In terms of graduate entry courses there is keele, kcl, newcastle, nottingham, st georges and swansea i can apply to.. the pro's are its only a four yr course, no science background required however the workload is intense and there will be fierce competition - so maybe not my best option..

The alternatives are foundation course which are 6 yrs but cater to those who have no science background and there is an initial 1 yr where they go over the basic science and cement ur knowledge.. my options are bristol, cardiff, keele, liverpool, manchester, and sheffield.. and am I right in thinking these will not be as competitive as going directly for a 4yr direct graduate entry..

Finally there is access to medicine, the best colleges are COWA and Sussex downs and the success rate of students on those courses are generally 75%+ in terms of getting an offer into medicine, is that right?? downside is it takes 1 yr extra and pressure that I need to get all distinctions and then I still need to apply to uni's, essentially go thourgh the whole process again..

Taking all this into account, do u think its best i apply for say 3 foundation courses and 1 graduate entry course.. and if I do not get in I can apply directly to the colleges (COWA and Sussex) and do an access course?

thanks for your help!!

**cocopop** · 08-03-2010, 04:53 AM

The four year courses are more competitive than the 5 year courses (generally speaking) but some of the 6 year courses are just as competitive and as far as I'm aware they do a lot more than go over the basic sciences. Again don't quote me on this but the first year of a six year course is basically the same as doing A-level bio and chem in one year as opposed to two, and possibly other subjects too. That goes for the access courses as well. If it were me, I would finish the law degree, do an access course and then apply directly to 5 year courses alone, or a mixture of 4 and 5 year courses. Personally, I decided to apply all 5 year courses and accept the extra financial burden, but ultimately it's up to you. Again I would say that it's not necessarily the best idea to apply to 4 year course without having a thorough grounding in the sciences even though many of the medical school (e.g. King's) say they have no specific requirements with regards to A-level qualifications in these subjects. It's probably a good idea to speak to as many of the medical schools directly for further advice on how to proceed, starting with Birmingham since you're already a student there.