Graduate Entry Medecine advice

**MattE** · 29-01-2007, 01:41 AM

Hi all.

I have a psychology degree (2:1) and am looking to study Graduate Entry Medecine from '08 onwards. My original As / A levels were not that great due to various reasons, including the loss of a family member, although I don't see this as an excuse. At the time, I achieved a D in As biology, a D in A level Computing, a C in A level Sociology and a C in A level English.

Since completing my degree, I have started working full time, and have taken night courses in As Human Biology and As Chemistry which will be completed mid-07.

What do you advise I do to maximise my chances of entry? I have little knowledge of the application procedure. Is there a certain job I could try and get into (my current job is not medical / health related), or is there anywhere I could volunteer in East Yorkshire?

re. the A levels, I have looked at several Uni's, and some don't appear to consider them (e.g. Nottingham) and only require you have a degree of 2:1 or above in any discipline. Do you recommend I take the Human Biology and Chemistry onto the full A level standard? Or could my time be better spent on volunteering? As you can see, I am a tad confused, and any help would be gratefully recieved!

All the best to all of you,

-Matt

**Leo2004** · 30-01-2007, 12:15 PM

Matt,

If you apply to St George's in London, chem and bio ALevels are good preparation for the GAMSAT entry exam (get some extra organic chem knowledge, too!)...

Do some medical work experience so you can convincingly talk about why you are cut out for med...

Good Luck,

Leo

**rachel_fran** · 02-02-2007, 11:43 PM

You definatly need to have at least some experience of working or volunteering in a health care environment and if you can get it shadowing a doctor for a few days or a week is great as well. I think Bristol actually specifies that applicants for its graduate entry program have at least 3 months work experience as a Health care assistant or similar. In all the interviews I had I think at least half the experiences I talked about were from my job as an HCA.

As far as the A levels go it definatly wouldn't hurt to carry on with them but I think the best thing would definatly be to check with the admissions people at the unis you want to apply to. I know a few people on my course from non science backgrounds did biology and chemistry A levels in the run to applying and doing them would definatly be an advantage both for GAMSAT if you take it and in the first year or two of your course.

Good luck

Rach