Stafford College Access to Medicine

[Laura12]

Anyone starting the Access to Medicine course at Stafford College??

[Shelleylu]

Hi Laura.

I am starting the course this week! Im so glad I saw this, as I was so pleased to be offered a place, a little bit of me thought the whole thing was a figment of my imagination...!!!

[Laura12]

That's how I felt so I'm glad there's others! Really excited about starting on Wednesday. Must say I'm feeling a bit daunted...especially about the Maths!

[Shelleylu]

Hmm... I havent given the maths that much thought TBH. I re-sat my GCSE maths last year, so some of it is still fresh (but not a lot!)
I onlt found the course by chance 2 weeks ago. I popped in on the open day for a chat, and next thing I know I was signed up! It's all a bit mad, but I'm so excited!

Are you going to apply to study medicine?

[Laura12]

Yes hopefully will be applying this year or next year. What about you? My application was last minute too and I came down to speak to Dawn on the open day and she offered me a place. Think the course has only been running for a year so there's not a lot about it online..

[Shelleylu]

Id prefer to apply this year, but I havent got a lot of experience. Ive found it quite difficult getting any experience in a caring environment - carehomes etc. All GP surgeries around here are full, or dont offer shadowing placements.
Do you think Dawn will be expecting is to apply this year? She said she will be helping with UCAS applications etc, but we only have month left!

Where are you going to apply to? Do you need to take the UKCAT?

[Shelleylu]

Plus I found out this morning that my GCSE grade (from 13 years ago!!) was a grade C, not B. I have been clearly deludding myself all these years.. Ooooops....

I'm going to have to re-sit that exam next year. Im not sure my application will look so good with that grade attached!!

[Laura12]

Yeah I'm booked on UKCAT in October. I want to get on a graduate entry course as I couldn't really afford a 5 or 6 year course. I think she's expecting us to apply for UCAS through the college with her this year yeah.

I've found getting experience quite tough too. I did a week in a GPs surgery and I've been a volunteer with the red cross since Feb. I've applied to HCA jobs but not got far due to limited care experience. Have you done much?

[Shelleylu]

No, hardly any. I have some shadowing work in a pharmacy. I have been with Heart Research UK since Feb as a school speaker, but Ive yet to deliver any talks. The training took a while, and the schools didnt want to book anything till the new term started. I sent a load of begging letters out to them yesterday!

I have signed up to St Johns ambulance, but they seem to take forever. I made my first enquiry about 6 months ago, and theyre only now processing my CRB check! So Im a bit stumped for experience..... Might get onto my GP again!

I am about to book my UKCAT test now. Just had my 600 questions book come through the door. I hate tests!!

[Laura12]

Ooh yeah I need to get that ASAP! I'm a bit stuck with regard to working and getting work experience...I've got quite a big commute to Stafford so am considering moving there for the year but want to see what other people on the course are doing first.

I had to apply through the North West Deanery to get a week in a GP surgery and it took over 6 months for that to be arranged. Don't lose heart though! From what Dawn was saying she seems to have plenty of healthcare links and I'm sure she'd help us out.