Any advice appreciated...

**rubyred** · 26-05-2005, 03:58 PM

Thank you for all your replies

DH2005 - yes I could apply for some undergraduate Medicine degrees and I should probably consider these more fully. I'm just simply not sure I can afford it, particularly with top-up fees. But yes, perhaps I should think about it a bit more seriously. I also agree about the work experience - I know these things can take a while to organise.

I think I can only try to prepare to apply for 06, start the work experience, do some science and if I think my application isn't going to be up to scratch come October, then leave it until the following year. I'd like to qualify as soon as I can but I'd rather give myself the best chance.

**brianfall** · 27-05-2005, 05:18 PM

Hi Rubyred,

In answer to your work experience question - I didn't feel like I had that much that was directly relevant to medicine orginally;

1. A summer job working with adults who had Downs syndrome
2. A few months volunteering a couple of hours a week at A&E
3. Experience visiting midwives and asking them to help me recruit for a study I was doing for my research job.
4. Various (university based) research posts that were questionnaire based and health related.
5. A few years in the Territorial Army (about ten years ago!)

The first one was over 10 years ago, the second one was as soon as I realised I wanted to do medicine and needed to check if it was really for me, 3 & 4 weren't that relevant I thought, but I put them in my PS anyway, and I put 5 in because I feel I learned a lot about getting along with people from different walks of life and also how to deal with stress in the army. Luckily I never had to go and fight in any wars!

I think they may be equally interested in your personal life experiences as your work experience (although some form of work experience is essential).

My personal experiences were the biggest contributers towards my motivation for doing medicine. My dad had angina for as long as I could remember before later dying of cancer so I spent a lot of time in hospitals as a kid visiting him - and being impressed by the people I met from the medical profession. Also a growing frustration with what I could achieve as a researcher - you can spend three years working on a project that will never actually do anyone any good. Although I do appreciate reseach has huge potential to make a big difference in peoples lives, I think another main factor was that I wanted to spend more of my time interacting with people and less of my time interacting with my computer crunching numbers.

Sounds cheesy, I know. :-)

Brian

**rubyred** · 29-05-2005, 06:55 PM

Brianfall - It's really good to hear your experiences - how important did you feel your personal life exprience was in your application? Are they interested in how personal circumstances might influence decisions?

Princessk - I think you're right, I don't see anything wrong with having a slightly unusual application. My application is already a bit unusual and I may as well use the skills I already have when gaining experience.

**Incandenza** · 31-05-2005, 11:45 AM

Hi Rubyred

I was in a similar position 18 months ago, a non relevant degree, no science background, very little relevant work experience and got 3 offers from 4 applications made in October last year.

I've also been working full time throughout that period and so I guess it would be possible to make up for the extra 5 months of preparation time I had by starting in January 2004.

Choice *is* limited, more so for undergraduate degrees which pretty much all seem to require A level science but you can certainly apply to Kings, Notts, St G's and Peninsula.

However, you do then put your eggs squarely in the GAMSAT basket and it is not a nice exam. Also, you have to pass the science section which is very tough so although an arts background will help with sections 1 and 2, it isn't enough without some pretty serious studying.

I'd think 6-7 months of free time post degree in which to get some work experience and study should be enough and you'll have another 2-3 months after that before you need to worry about interviews.

They are definitely interested in how personal experience has influenced your decisions, however they are (I'd say) more concerned with actual relevant work experience and (especially as a recent graduate) I'd concentrate on ensuring you have plenty to talk about in this regard. Also, bear in mind that they are interested in areas like 'taking responsibility' and 'team work' which you are unlikely to cover doing low level placements or shadowing.

Sorry if that's too much info. In summary, it definitely can be done, but you need to be very focused on what they look for and how you are going to tick all their boxes. Best of luck.

**nursesteve** · 31-05-2005, 01:02 PM

apply definately, you have nothing to lose! i was originally going to finish my degree and sit the gamsat for notts and then someone suggested i try a 'normal' 5yr course and try my luck with just a degree and no A levels, which i did and the response was mixed with 2 uni's very keen (UEA and sheffield) and two rejecting me out of hand (leeds and notts[5yr]). at this moment if i had followed this plan i would have been getting ready to start putting my PS together and thinkling of applying but through having a go i have a place and couldn't be happier. if you can deal with the stress then go for it and if you don't get in then this year's experiences will be a wealth of value for you next year
THE VERY BEST OF LUCK!!!
steve
x

**rachelm** · 31-05-2005, 02:13 PM

I'm finding this all very encouraging, thanks people

I keep having moments when I can't bear the thought of going through it all again, but I know I will. Nice to know it isn't all hopeless

**DH2005** · 31-05-2005, 02:59 PM

It's never hopeless, Rachel - it can just look that way sometimes.

**rubyred** · 31-05-2005, 09:25 PM

Really good to hear peoples' stories, you're right, there is no harm in applying if I can get some decent work experience under my belt in time.
Nursesteve/incandenza - can i ask what work experience you both did?

**rachelm** · 31-05-2005, 10:37 PM

Originally Posted by DH2005

It's never hopeless, Rachel - it can just look that way sometimes.

A "connect 4" of unsuccessfuls springs to mind

**Incandenza** · 01-06-2005, 09:18 AM

Originally Posted by rubyred

Nursesteve/incandenza - can i ask what work experience you both did?

I volunteered at my local hospital visiting elderly/stroke patients. This is something I did regularly over a lengthy period rather than in a short blitz. I also arranged to shadow a GP and a forensic psychiatrist in order to get a 'sense' of the day to day aspects.