Gamsat Science for Arts Grads

[Isis]

Hello people

Like you Lawyertodoc and W12, I too am an arts graduate looking to take the GAMSAT in 2007 (this will be my second attempt).

W12 - I made a decision very late first time round and I would say, working full-time, from and arts background, the entire process is lengthy and time consuming but go for it! it can be done, something in my ps gave me a chance of interview with Swansea GEP.

Lawyertodoc - i think Kings and St George's are the only grad entry programmes for those with arts background, as mentioned in the post above however the other London unis take arts graduates for their five year programmes if you think this may be a suitable option?

I have started some preparation for the exam but if there is anyone who has any time to spare (yeah, right!), we can meet to discuss the studies if that sounds like a good plan. i'm sure feedback from others can only be valuable to gaining better understanding of the material required to learn. it also may give a chance to exchange hints and useful material?

Many thanks for all the advice that have been posted in this thread - the support is much appreciated.

[lawyertodoctor]

Simon, Isis - thanks for your posts.

I shoula said, I don't have A-level sciences either which further restricts the places I can apply to. Wish I had a bigger net, but kinda have to stay in London for personal reasons so looks like Kings and SG are my only hope. Think you need A-level sciences for the other london unis for the 5 year course. Ahh well.

Good luck this time round Isis, can you give us any tips on what to do / what not to do?!

Be good to meet, where are you based? I'm just outside SE London and W12 Doc, well, I guess he's at W12 unless I've missed something!

[lawyertodoctor]

One other thing.. I saw from the UCAS website that the earliest you can post your online application this year is mid-sep.. does this sound right!?

[Isis]

Lawyertodoc - true enough, the relevent a levels are required. I have a biology a level so i'll be starting a chem a level soon - see if that goes in my favour.

re tips - well i think aspirantdoc has posted some really good advice. Take his point about references for eg. I didn’t provide an academic reference and was asked for this at a later point, thereby providing two references all round. Actually, I didn’t interpret this as another way to give two ref’s until I read his post – so thanks for the optimistic stance on that one aspirantdoc.

Really think about the applications you are making – and this takes a lot of time and research. From my experience, I didn’t give myself this time (or rather just tried to cram everything into a short space), consequently I went through the entire process skimming the surface of knowledge – in both the study aspect and knowledge about courses, universities etc.. The experience was useful however because I’ve already been there before so now I can view it as an information gaining process – albeit an expensive and emotionally draining one.

I actually didn’t have a great deal of directly relevant work experience on my ps, although I have done various things in the past that I could write about. I didn’t however take long to write the ps (how about the day it was due in… again! Bad time management and organisation – something I’m looking to avoid this time) so I don’t know about getting it in early. I do know some people I spoke to last time sent theirs off to various places you can pay to have it checked though, so there’s another thing to think about. To be honest, getting it in earlier than the due date or just in time doesn’t seem like a big deal to me – can I ask why you would want to get it in early? Is it an organisation thing? If it is written ready to be sent by September, delaying by a few weeks shouldn’t make any difference? Let me know your take on it.

I’m also based just outside SE London Lawyertodoc! So I’m up for meeting – it’ll be good to get more feedback!

[lawyertodoctor]

Isis, I phoned UCAS and they said that they don't start considering 2007 applications until mid-Sep so you're right, I don't suppose there is any merit in "posting" it any earlier than this save just to get it out of the way. I've been working on mine today, plan to post it off in the next week or so (apparently, it is possible to finalise the application and "post" it prior to mid-sep).

Need to write my PS yet which could take some time! I'm only applying to SG and Kings so I don't think the PS is critical (at least not until interview at SG - apparently Kings disregard your PS completely!)

I'm submitting a reference I got from the hospital I work at once a week (which obviously isn't academic). I left uni in 2001 so getting a ref from one of my tutors from 5 yrs back seems crazy. I see from your threads that UCAS might request another ref at some point down the line though.

Be good to get UCAS out the way and get on with studying!

Anyone know anything about MSAT? Is there much we can do to prepare for this one?

Thanks (p.s. if any of the above is wrong, pls let me and everyone else know!)

[Isis]

Ok, thanks for the info about the PS laywertodoc. Now is probably a good time to start to write it tho. have you got yours done yet? i'm starting it now.

[kiya]

Originally Posted by lawyertodoctor

Anyone know anything about MSAT? Is there much we can do to prepare for this one?

After looking at the test, I don't think so.

Work experience shouldn't be a problem as I've worked 5 years in general practice, have just started working in pathology at my local hospital and am attending St. John Ambulance next week to get some volunteer stuff under my belt (that and I'm already missing contact with patients - one week into my new job! ).

BUT...

Having a real dilemma at the moment trying to decide exactly where to apply. Definitely applying to Kings. GAMSAT is also a definite, but I can't decide how good an idea it is to apply to both Swansea and St. George's. Ack. Added to that, after finishing a one-year A-level Chem course, I'm starting A-level Biology in a couple of weeks, so that I can apply to Brighton & Sussex. But I wonder whether Peninsula would be better, but they require GAMSAT too. It's all too confusing. Dammit. At least this thread's given me an idea of what books to get for GAMSAT - thanks!

[MedisMark?]

One thing you can do for MSAT is to work on your essay-writing skills. Des O'Neill does a good essay course which I used and it polished my essay writing pretty well. If you're just graduating in history etc, you may be pretty good at it, but I was a journalist (er, until last month) and still felt I needed some help on academic essay writing styles....

Kiya... good luck with working out where to apply... it's certainly a mind-bender at times!

[kiya]

Thanks! It's driving me crazy at the moment.

I'll probably have to look into practising essay writing. I graduated in 2001, so a little while ago! Have been writing this past year for a medical journal, but it's always worth brushing up on skills.

[Espresso]

QUOTE:

how many posts till u become a moderator soz if dis has been asked b4 cant be bothered readin thru all 1000 pages 2 find an answer

LMAO

but rele how many?? HAHA