Keeping it quiet?

[giella]

Given that family is going to possibly support you for five years, perhaps telling them sooner rather than later would be a good thing.
Just tell them that you've researched it thoroughly, you're well aware of the drawbacks and that you haven't found one big enough to prevent you from trying.
From friends you're probably going to get one of two responses. Well three actually. Scepticism, which you can handle with the same comeback as above. Encouragement, which is obviously quite nice. "You're mad," followed by one of the above is quite likely as well.
Your friends and family are a good way of testing things out. You've kept quiet for a long time, you've convinced yourself it's the right thing for you, but maybe you've forgotten to think of something. There are so many things to consider that's it's unlikely you've thought of everything before applying.
Maybe experience. Have you got that all important entry requirement down yet? Maybe your friends and family can put you in touch with some people. It's definitely worth talking to them.

[Sticks]

Neither of mine know, they were so dismissive of the idea that I'm keeping my mouth shut, even if I get in.

[Granny Midges]

Agree with giella above-if you are going to be relying on your family than it is only fair that you tell them. Applying to medical school is a big thing and can be daunting. You can tell people on a 'need to know' basis. You will get all sorts of remarks as giella pointed out some can be very discouraging at a time when you don't need it. Research thoroughly and satisfy yourself it is really what you want to do,then go for it. Good luck
GM
x

[Gizmo says -]

try not to let yourself know, at least till you get to freshers week, macca.

[rat-a-tattat]

Originally Posted by andy-P

I have no idea to be honest...Always wanted to do medicine but probably told people when they asked about universities-the question about 'what course?' always followed

Hehe, don't worry, only tell when you want to, but I'm sure you have nothing to worry about!
Welcome to the board!
Andrew

they ask, i tell them i wanna do medicine, then they look at me with an expression that says ye ryt, think u soo special..bla bla bla.......bla......so jus lie wen they ask... next tym i'l say, im running for president/prime miinister/queen...

[Gizmo says -]

perhaps you could pretend to your patients that you are the tea lady when you finally 'it the wards and all, macca.

[Granny Midges]

yeah but don't you think they might think 'wow' this tea lady is one talented gal when she does the old PR exam ??? Might give it away.

[Gizmo says -]

sounds like the plot for the new Steven Seagal movie lol

[cat_bach]

I always said "I really want to do medicine if I get the grades, and if I dont I think I`ll do [insert random course/career]" . I kinda felt that it prepared everyone including myself for the possibility that I wouldnt get the grades I needed while making sure everyone knew I was serious about wanting to pursue it.
I agree with everybody who advises you to tell your family, and also I think it would be a really good idea to talk about it with your teachers/ career adviser in school. You will deffo need your family behind you during the application and the course. Resources and support varies hugely from school to school but medicine is one of those courses that schools tend to be very willing to lend applicants a helping hand may it be throught formal schemes such as tutoring for interview or work experience advice or more informal through willing teachers maybe giving you a bit of extra support if youre struggling in biol or chem. The sooner people know that you want to do medicine, the sooner they`re going to be able to help you and the stronger your applications going to be.

[Mistymaple]

Surely it's almost impossible to keep it hidden until you know you've got in on the day of your A level results? The sneaking off for interviews in posh suits? The "What are you applying for?" questions?
I don't really understand why you wouldn't tell them. Your parents would probably be delighted to know that you've decided to do medicine! And if people think you can't do it... just prove them wrong. It's probably better to tell people now rather than the week before the October deadline when people might give you evil looks for being the-one-who-made-a-last-minute-choice. It's a long course and you may want to prove to them that you've thought about it beforehand.