options with a 2.2 degree

[sammy21]

hey all!
i know this has been asked lots of times but i never get a straight answer! i just found out i got a 2.2. in BSc medical sciences, i know i need a 2.1 for medicine but im thinking of alternative routes.

my options rite now are:
1. take a year out and do gamsat and revise my arse off for it! i did it this year but did rubbish bcos i went in with no prep watsoever. does it seem easier with lots of revision? i know u need to work 3 months in advance for it. also can only apply to notts/ st georges. i think pennisula still ask for 2.1 and gamsat but mite be wrong?? still thats only 3 possible choices and is still a long shot to get an offer, lots of pple mess up the interview.
i will have to work aswell to save up, and keep up with my work experience as an HCA and other stuff.
failing this i wanna go to caymans islands and do medicine abroad.

2. next choice is doing an MSc in life sciences field, theres is nothing there that interests me from what ive seen but will this MSC override my 2.2? some pple says it does and some say it doesnt. i dont wana jump in and do an Msc just for the sake of it helping me get into medicine plus its a lot of money! does anywhere know for definite which places will accept a 2.2 with a MSc? are these only for 5 yrs courses? this would be an even more longer route.

3. access to medicine course eg kings lymn, not really researched this but doesnt seem relevant for me, as i have science a-levels and a science degree, wat do u think? i hear it guarentees an interview at places like bsms and uea? that true?

i would appreciate all opinions on what u think i should do next and which would enhance my chances, all ways are still a gamble.
please reply asap as time is ticking away fast and i need to make some important decisions!

thanks u in advance!
tk care
Sammy

[Bambi]

Gamsat route is a good idea, if you work hard enough for it you should do well enough and then just make sure you prepare for interview. Some places consider you if you have a 2:2 and an MSc, i think HYMS, UCL and a few others. Access courses are designed mainly for people without science qualifications but you could give it a try. Is it possible to apply for med schools, like the gamsat ones as well as an access course? I think I read that someone on here did that. Also if you decide on the gamsat route and there aren't 4 you could also apply to some of the more mature friendly med schools like Manchester because they have been known to accept people with 2:2s.

[sharli]

hey sammy,
dont totally give up, u have a few options yet, i dont know much about GAMSAT, but I will say that its probably ure best chance.. apart from that i know kings consider a 2.2 with a masters and msat as well now i think, lots of unis are starting to take 2.2's, you must however get plenty of experience and show commitment, plus you need to revise for the gamsat! check the matures faq kindly compiled by exms and give the uni's a ring, let them get to know your name etc.. good luck

[ha_uk]

Hey, im in the same kind of situation and ive been researching the MSc option.

The only universities that consider a 2.2 with MSc are:

GKT, Keele, Manchester, Leeds, UCL.

Only Notts and St. Georges accept the GAMSAT route.

It is also a good idea to get loads of experience such as a HCA.

I also have a question; Do universities prefer any particular MSc subjects or will any be considered (obviously in the biology/medical areas)

[Scruntie]

Hi Guys, I got into St G's for 2005 via the GAMSAT route. I have a 2.2 in App. Biol. GAMSAT is a tough exam but not impossible if you give yourself plenty of time to revise the basics of the science that you need. You don't need to know all the formulae but a solid grounding in basic principles is useful. Practice the questions especially the essays!

I think the toughest part of the application process is the interview. This needs preparation! I totally screwed up the interview for Peninsula (another course that accepts 2.2s via GAMSAT but 5yr) through preparing the wrong way. You need to be able to answer the questions from experience of the healthcare system. Experience as varied as possible is gold dust!!

If you are considering MSc, my advice would be to choose one that interests you rather than something that you may not enjoy. The whole thing will be less painful!!!

Best of luck

[sharli]

totally agree with scruntie, do an MSc that you will enjoy, although I had a 2.1 i decided to do an MSc this year, the worst thing is that i chose something impossibly difficult which I hoped would help me into another career if medicine didnt work out, instead of an enjoyable year i found myself unable to cope with so much new stuff and worst of all i didnt enjoy it one bit... on the bright side however its almost over. You'll be parting with a lot of money for an MSc, so atleast pick one that sounds good to you.. for medicine though try and keep it fairly science based, so you dont look like your completely random!

[jigger]

University of East Anglia is well worth contacting for anyone with a 2:2.

[craig222]

PMS is certainly an option. Again you need to do the GAMSAT. This was the route I ended up taking as I had a 2:2 and I have been accepted into PMS this year. Any questions PM me.

[Oibee]

Sammy21,
In answer to q3, KL Access does not guarantee you an interview at BSMS although students from KL have gone on to get places at BSMS. You can apply for a linked place at UAE if you get a place on the KL course though. The only guaranteed interview for BSMS is if you get one of sixteen places on the Sussex Downs Access Course and the deadline for that for this year has already passed. Anyway, as I understand it, if you've got the requisite A'levels (and they are quite recent) you don't need the Access Coursea anyway. You can't tick that box more than once, as it were. Good luck. Sounds like GAMSAT is a good way in for you. And St George's take 2:2s.

[DH2005]

All the best with those August phone calls...