Entry Requirements

**Quiksilver** · 20-03-2006, 12:30 PM

Hi there,

I'm new to this forum and have been reading some of the threads, so thought I'd join in.

To start off I'll tell you a bit about myself, I'm a graduate of the university of Edinburgh, Life sciences ( 2.i in Anatomy and Physiology) and currently doing a masters in Biomedical Sciences. I've had some time to think about what I want to do and after gaining tons of work experience, I' ve decided that I'd like to apply to med school, and will be applying to all Scottish universities.

However, although I've taken an interest in the medical course and found that I more than meet the entry requirements, I know some people who have managed to get into med school with a 2.2 (average/simple minded) in their first degree. Unless they have mitigating circumstances (which in some cases they don't), I find this to be quite unfair in that there are alot of people who work so hard to get in and get rejected with first class and 2.1's in their first degree, so why do medical schools accept these students no matter how much work experince they have. They should not be allowed to enter medical schools as they do not meet the entry requirements.

Any comments about this subject would be welcome!

**Dan1979** · 20-03-2006, 08:23 PM

The situation you describe is much, much more the exception than the rule, and reflects the fact that medicine isn't all about academic ability. There are many aspects of personality that admissions tutors will take into account.

**Quiksilver** · 21-03-2006, 02:02 AM

What kind of qualities in personalities makes admission officers take people that are below the entry requirements? I understand that it's important to take account of these things when considering students, but there are plenty of 1st and Upper second class honours students who have have great personalities. I don't think that it's fair on them if they got rejected for NOT HAVING THE RIGHT PERSONALITY!!!

**Meg01** · 21-03-2006, 02:47 AM

Originally Posted by Quiksilver

I don't think that it's fair on them if they got rejected for NOT HAVING THE RIGHT PERSONALITY!!!

I might be misunderstanding what you are saying, sorry if I am, but I think that is a perfectly acceptable reason to reject someone. If you mean personality as including communication and inter-personal skills, inclduing empathy, patience and being non-judgemental, and even having a sense of humour. A large amount of one's personality builds up from, and is an essence of these types of traits. In fact, I personally think it is a more fair to reject someone because they are not suited to the profession, over and above grades.

Also, with regard to grads with 2;2s, many may have gained their degree some years ago, and have shown themselves to excell post degree.

**Quiksilver** · 21-03-2006, 03:15 AM

I think that it's alright if admissions take into account that people have worked harder after graduation, and excelled post graduation but what I'm trying to point out is that there are plent of graduates with a 1st who have work experience as Volunteers at a hospice and have plenty of other experiences in a hospital enviroment, and as well as sport activities which shows that they work well as a team. They are unfortunate in that they have worked harder than people with 2.2, and that shouldn't be the case.

**Dan1979** · 21-03-2006, 03:32 AM

As I've said, academia and work experience are just two aspects out of many that need to be considered. Just because someone has a first-class degree does not mean they will make a better doctor than someone with a 2:2. Personality is an essential characteristic and certainly one that should be used to accept or reject candidates.

**Zigzigoied** · 21-03-2006, 03:55 AM

Hi I'm a graduate with a 2.2 from Dundee in Anatomy and Physiology. I'm Planning on applying to study medicine (2007).

I think that some people might agree with you in that people shouldn't get rejected because they have all the right requirements and the sufficient experience, but that does'nt mean that they could be better at being a doctor than those with 2.2. I spent most of my time at university trying to gain life experience, which I thought was necessary for me to progress as an individual.

I know someone who managed to get in to study medicine at Dundee with a 2.2 and graduated last year with her MBchB, although I don't think that Dundee are 2.2 friendly anymore. She was able to do better than other medical students who had good A levels, 2.1's and who had to resit some years of med school. For instance, I know someone with a 2.1 with a science background in life sciences who was not even allowed to graduate from med school because his course work and final exams were poor. So, I don't think that people with a 2.2 are Average minded as you put it, but in fact take their time in gaining the right experiences from life and later excel academically. In fact, there are quite a number of med schools down south which recognize this and have set the requirements (2.2) to enter med school. For example, KCL, 2.2 + Masters; SGHMS, 2.2 + good score on GAMSAT (Graduate Australian Medical school Admission Test); Nottingham, 2.2 + GAMSAT; Peninsula, GAMSAT only. So, as long as you work hard and have what it takes you'll be fine and do well later academically.

**Zigzigoied** · 21-03-2006, 04:37 AM

Meg01, you have 4 offers what class of honours do you have?

I'm going to apply to KCL is that your first choice, did you go on the open day, what is it like there?

**Meg01** · 21-03-2006, 07:10 AM

I've sent you a pm re. the above!

**miss_n** · 21-03-2006, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by Quiksilver

Hi there,

I'm new to this forum and have been reading some of the threads, so thought I'd join in.

To start off I'll tell you a bit about myself, I'm a graduate of the university of Edinburgh, Life sciences ( 2.i in Anatomy and Physiology) and currently doing a masters in Biomedical Sciences. I've had some time to think about what I want to do and after gaining tons of work experience, I' ve decided that I'd like to apply to med school, and will be applying to all Scottish universities.

However, although I've taken an interest in the medical course and found that I more than meet the entry requirements, I know some people who have managed to get into med school with a 2.2 (average/simple minded) in their first degree. Unless they have mitigating circumstances (which in some cases they don't), I find this to be quite unfair in that there are alot of people who work so hard to get in and get rejected with first class and 2.1's in their first degree, so why do medical schools accept these students no matter how much work experince they have. They should not be allowed to enter medical schools as they do not meet the entry requirements.

Any comments about this subject would be welcome!

If you have a 2i what does it matter to you whether some people get in with a 2ii? Every candidate is looked at individually.