Applying in the middle of another medical degree

**dc1** · 28-01-2008, 10:08 PM

Ok, Imagine you get into medical course this year, but you are quite unsatisfied with the uni you were accepted into. Is it possible to reapply during your medical course to other unis through UCAS, given that you are already taking that degree? And how do other unis view that? I mean, I suppose we'd have to explain at some point during the application process what we are doing if not taking a gap year...

I know people will say that 'medicine is the same everywhere' - well, I think that's an overgeneralisation really, since people can feel better or worse at their uni. So I wonder if this would convey signs of commitment, or contrarily, a sign of instability?

**-Petrie-** · 28-01-2008, 10:21 PM

If you're going to reapply just so that you think you have another shot at Cambridge, you're pretty pathetic.

**Nasher and Basher** · 28-01-2008, 10:31 PM

I have been told applying whilst at uni, for another course- let alone the same course is a big no.

**469er** · 28-01-2008, 10:31 PM

If I understood your question correctly, I think it is totally beyond the bounds of possibility that a medical school would make you an offer if you were already studying medicine elsewhere. (Though I expect there'll be someone here who'll know otherwise...)

If you want another shot at Cambridge (assuming that's your hope) then you'll need to take a gap year and reapply in the normal way. Only you know if your heart is so set on it that it's worth turning down a place elsewhere.

**Nasher and Basher** · 28-01-2008, 10:31 PM

Originally Posted by -Petrie-

If you're going to reapply just so that you think you have another shot at Cambridge, you're pretty pathetic.

A bit harsh.

**Dr Noodle** · 28-01-2008, 10:38 PM

I think you can transfer depending on the style of the course. You ask the university you want to transfer to first without mentioning it to your own college and see what they say. From what I've heard though, transferring from St George's to Cambridge may not be possible because Cambridge have the traditional pre-clinical then clinical style course whereas St G's don't. I could be wrong though...

**-Petrie-** · 28-01-2008, 10:42 PM

Originally Posted by Nasher and Basher

A bit harsh.

Not really .... well that's my opinion anyway.

This guy just seems likes the hundreads of others who want a brand-name degree. Does it really matter if he went to Cambridge? Definately for other courses but certainly not for medicine. I get what he means about the overgeneralisation, but he hasn't heard from 3 OTHER PLACES, and I'm pretty sure it's not the course structre at Cam he's after (otherwise he'd have applied to St Andrews, Imperial or anywhere else that has a very cleraly defined preclinical/clinical course).

I'm probably right in saying saying that he started to think of reapplying the day he got his Cambridge rejection. At the end of the day, I honestly don't think people like this deserve a place to do medicine - hundreads of applicants would kill for a place ANYWHERE to do medicine, and this guy is throwing the chance away to look for something which he percieves to be 'better'.

**-Petrie-** · 28-01-2008, 10:44 PM

Originally Posted by Dr Noodle

I think you can transfer depending on the style of the course. You ask the university you want to transfer to first without mentioning it to your own college and see what they say. From what I've heard though, transferring from St George's to Cambridge may not be possible because Cambridge have the traditional pre-clinical then clinical style course whereas St G's don't. I could be wrong though...

For the record, I'm pretty sure the majority of London medical schools (i.e. Imperial, UCL, GKT) at least have the possibility of transferring. Though it is very rarely done (lack of spaces, competition etc).

p.s. Congrats on your offer!!

**Dr Noodle** · 28-01-2008, 10:50 PM

Unless he's living in or near Cambridge I'd agree with Petrie. Thanks

**Arch_Angel** · 28-01-2008, 11:12 PM

They'd disqualify you instantly for wasting NHS resourses and having your priorities wrong and taking up a space on both the course you dropped out of and on their prospective course. You'd be cheating the country out of another Doctor and about £62500 worth of tax payer money (technically).

If the school that accepted you this year found out they might think about throwing you out either way because you're obviously pre-occupied with other things and potentially might do this every year hence them wasting more money than they need to on you.

Imagine trying to justify it to interviewers....

If you dropped out once it's hardly likely you'd be allowed on the course anyway. It def. wouldn't show a sign of commitment, because remember commitment to medicine is what they're looking for.

That said, there's nothing wrong with only wanting to go to Cambridge, but don't expect you'll ever get there if you start a course somewhere else.