Applying for Graduate Medicine.

**macange** · 02-06-2005, 04:40 PM

Greetings all!

I am new to this forum and was hoping for a few pearls of wisdom....................
I am 20 years old and currently studying for a degree in Physiology. I would like to apply to study medicine after this degree, preferably a four year graduate course, but I am thinking of applying to 1 5 year course (either Newcastle or Leeds).

Firstly, is it exceptional for someone to get onto a graduate course straight after their first degree? Do most people have to take a year out (or more) before getting onto one of these courses?

Secondly, I am considering applying for graduate medicine at the following institutions: Liverpool (which is where I am currently studying), Birmingham (which I have heard is extremely competitive), Warwick, King's College London and Newcastle. What kind of experiences have people had with these institutions? If you got an offer from any of them, what were your qualifications (and if you were in my position, what was your average at the end of second year and what degree result were you predicted?) ? Which three would you pick of the ones listed to better your chances of getting in?

Thirdly, I think I will apply to at least 1 5 year course and if I do, my choice will either be Newcastle or Leeds. Are these institutions mature-student friendly? I have heard that Leeds might be but I am unsure of Newcastle's policy.

I have work experience from when I was applying for medicine straight after school (I had an offer form Barts but mssed my grades) and will get more this summer. I am also a member of St John's Ambulance.

I hope that this post is not too long-winded! Any replies would be much appreciated.

Thank-you!

**FUNERAL4AFREIND ROCK** · 02-06-2005, 05:09 PM

id say apply for more than just one 5 year course, 2 is good, trust me graduate medicine is more competitive than u could imagine. Im a physiologists too and applied in (this) my last year of the course, so ya you can apply straight after cause i got an offer for barts, getting a 2.1 is another question though....

**macange** · 02-06-2005, 05:31 PM

Did you apply for the Graduate or the 5 year at Barts?

**mysterious** · 02-06-2005, 06:22 PM

the day of my interview at warwick(jus missed the threshold mark to get in) was actually the 1st time i had visited there. its a small place with not much around. i wouldnt say it wouldve been my 1st choice but i knew a friend who was studyin there and said she enjoyed the course. bear in mind she was only a month or so in by this point.
anyway i applied+was the only place i had an interview for.
i was bit gutted not gettin in but after speaking to to sum1 who knew ppl studyin there (in yr1, 3+4)+my friend, apparently the course SOO intense (no1 expected the course to be easy in the slightest)+classm8s were arrogant, selfish, no1 wanted to share info/help others, and afew would even tell their friends to study from useless txtbooks.
was told there was alot of this. kinda made me glad i wasnt accepted.

nevertheless in several months time, itll b time to fill in that UCAS form again+its hard for me to find unis who are willing to overlook rubbish ALevels even with a 2i in biomed degree.

i want to study medicine sooo badly,im gona have to do serious research into various unis.

**FUNERAL4AFREIND ROCK** · 02-06-2005, 06:54 PM

I applied for both barts 5 nd 4 years courses, but did badly in MSAT so thankfully i got in to the 5 year course which i would be more than happy doing, only 1 year more and get to mix with both grads and undergrads and a more relaxed course i think, dont have to rush through things as fast.

**rahaney** · 02-06-2005, 07:11 PM

I'm a grad and i applied to all 5yr courses and I would definately advise at least 2 of your choices be for them also.

If your going to apply to Newcastle - i would suggest the 4yr as you will have a Physiology degree - they might wonder if you only put down for a place on their 5yr since your way over-qualified (initially

) for it.

I would expect many unis which offer both a 4 and 5yr course to hold a similar view since your degree is a Biomed one.

You can still apply for a 5yr if thats what they only do!

Just my 2 penneth

rahaney

**nursesteve** · 02-06-2005, 07:17 PM

if you're into leeds i would be compelled to have a go at sheffield, i don't recommend them like some parrot who kisses their arses just because i am going there but because they are very mature and graduate friendly and its only 30 odd miles from leeds isn;t it?

**louise101** · 03-06-2005, 09:30 AM

Its a good idea to apply to Kings for the Graduate Medicine, as if you dont get into that, they will automatically consider you for the 5-year course.

**DamianUK** · 03-06-2005, 11:05 AM

don't forget also that you can only apply for 4 courses, however as you mentioned Wariwck, no there is not much around unless you like Coventry (i dont know anyone who does) but Lemmigton is not far away and most people go there from year 2.
On the plus side its the most etablished 4 year course and has no 5 year so its all focused on the graduates and has a fairly large in take so lots of people to mix with, i also like the course cov is not a plae i want to be but the course is not a mish mash of 5 year and undeergrad classes and though intense you get to do an awful lot from term 1.

Damian

**Natalie C** · 03-06-2005, 11:38 AM

Hello macange- thought I'd add my 2p. From your list I applied to Birmingham and Warwick with a physiology degree high 2.1. (high 60's second and third year). I have been out of uni for a year, so did have my degree when I applied which I think was helpful.

First dont even consider Birmingham unless you have or are predicted a first. They get so many applicants that they reject the 2.1's straight out (although they dont publicise this fact).

Warwick were lovely, I think the admissions process was one of the fairest out there. The medical school is brand new and very impressive, and I thought the atmosphere was great. Only downside was the lack of teaching hospital on site, but I guess you cant have everything. I got an offer here but have chosen the Nottingham 5 yr course for logistical and financial reasons.

The good thing about warwick is that although you sit MSAT, you dont have to be in the top 5% to get an interview (which you do for KCL). If you are exceptionally good at these sorts of tests then apply to KCL, but its no mean feat to be in the 95th percentile.

Dont know much about Liverpool or Newcastle, but a 5 yr is a good idea if you are qualified for it. Interviews tend to be less stressful with 5 yrs so its a nice 'back-up' if GEP doesn't work out.

Hope that helps

Natalie