GEM Application Process - help!

[GIJane]

I am a currently serving Army officer looking to apply for GEM for 2011 entry. I have read all the threads about the application process and think I understand the timeline. My main issue is with work experience prior to my submission of my UCAS application in Oct 2010. I will be deploying to Afghanistan in March 2010 until Mid Oct 2010 and so only have a 4 month window prior to submitting my application to do some work experience. In addition to this I will obviously be working full time and doing a lot of pre-deployment training involving working late and some weekends. I really don't want to have to delay my application until 2012. Do you think it is possible to do a significant amount of work experience within this time? I will obviously aim to do more work experience on my return from operations which will give me a bit more substance before I go to interview (if I am lucky enough to get offered one). I am aiming to do GAMSAT in March before I deploy and UKCAT during my RnR!
Any one else been in a similar situation?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[heavenlyjohnson]

I think that your work as an officer in Afghanistan would be considered relevant. The universities are looking for people who are well rounded, motivated, good at communication and empathic. The extra 4 months will be enough time to get in a bit of clinical experience as well. Arrange it in advance though as there's often a waiting list.

Good luck with you application!

[Riffraf]

GI Jane, heavenly is right in that you will find your army officer experience will help you a lot. You will have many experiences involving dealing with all sorts of weird and wonderful "people-type" issues that will be directly relevant to your application (and in clinical medicine). I was probably in a not too dissimilar position to you in that I applied for GEM towards the end of my SSC (RAF) and I relied heavily on practical military experience with just a small amount of purely healthcare-related shadowing experience for context (two weeks total) squeezed around an OOA from Feb-Aug 07 (and in RnR). I did GAMSAT and put my application in Sep of 07 for entry in 08 to Cambridge, Swansea, Nottingham and Southampton. I know there are ex mil people on the Notts and Camb GEM courses and I am sure there must be on the others too. Good luck!