Hello,
For the first time, today in fact, it looks like a possibility that I could one day become a Doctor. An incredible prospect! I should describe my situation, which is pretty unique:
I hold a 2:1 BA (hons) degree in English from Manchester Metropolitan University (2006).
I'm currently in my first year of my 2nd degree - Speech and Language Therapy BSc - only 6 weeks into the course. It's not a bad course, but I have found that my loyalty lies elsewhere - I find the anatomy and physiology sections riveting, and the linguistics cumbersome and dull. I'm really not sure whether to quit right away or give it a bit more time as I haven't given it a chance yet. Remarkably, NHS bursaries told me that they'd fund me for both degrees (this and a future graduate entry Medicine) if I wanted, because they are very dissimilar disciplines. That's all very generous, but I'm 26 now and the Speech and Language Therapy course is 4 years and I really want to jump into the GAMSAT in 2009.
BUT - do you think I should complete the 1st year of this course? I will be going on day out clinical taster sessions, such as to stroke clubs, which might look good on my UCAS PS. Also there is a 20 credit Anatomy and Physiology unit which would be handy.
Finances come into play too. I'd need to save up £3,000 for the tuition fees if I got on a course, and so I'm thinking maybe the best option is just to quit it outright and save up.
Finally, I worked for the General Medical Council (the compulsory regulatory body for Doctors in the UK) for about 7 months. I was taking complaints from patients by telephone about possible malpractice from Doctors and helping Doctors get registered too. Will this look impressive on a UCAS PS?
I await your answers with dizzy anticipation
