34 and looking for advice on future Med studies

**pk34** · 14-11-2003, 05:08 AM

Hello, I have posted some details about myself below and wanted to ask a few questions:

Age: 34. Qualifications/relevant experience in chronological order:
Nondescript School results, certainly not the requisite 3 A's, BSc Hons Anatomy 2:2 in mid-90's (lack of focus and career goals at the time rather than lack of ability), University Research Assistant post (including contributions to med journal publications), MSc in Information Technology '99, currently work in the Health Service in Administration. No voluntary experience as yet. Would hope to apply to Med School within the next 2 years or so.

I have been thinking of continuing to Medical studies on and off for some time now, but always assumed I lost the chance because of my degree result. I was also sure I was too old, until I discovered these forums. What a great resource of information, I wish I had found it sooner.

I have read many posts on this forum so far, and will over time cover them all. From what I can gather about the ages of Mature Medical Students, I may still have a few years left to get myself adequately qualified and the requisite voluntary work under my belt before applying.

My apologies if this has been asked elsewhere many times, but what would be your advice regarding my qualifications? Sit 3 A' levels and aim for top marks?, do an 'access to medicine' course? get a more relevant MSc?, sit a 'gamsat' test (i've seen a sample copy, and my knowledge is currently seriously lacking!), do a PhD such as Pharmacology or Biochemistry?

I hope someone may have taken a similar route that I could possibly apply to my own circumstances. Thank you in advance for any replies.

pk. :P

**smiley** · 14-11-2003, 10:47 AM

Hello!

There is no "right" way to go about this, but probably a good way is to either re-do A levels and/or go the gamsat route. In all honesty, many unis aren't too fussed about MSc or PhDs in terms of making past grades look better - they tend to ask for a levels instead (there are, of course, a few exceptions to this rule but that is the general consensus). I don't think access to medicine is really too suitable for you in that you already have a degree in a suitable subject.

Also, I'd start with the work experience sooner rather than later and build up a sustained bit of voluntary work such as hospice visiting/assisting - they love things like that!

Have you read the mature FAQ - link at the top of the mature students forum I think. That has a wealth of information regarding your questions and has bits about different peoples experiences which you may find useful.

**pk34** · 15-11-2003, 04:58 AM

Hi, thank you for taking the time to reply, i appreciate it.
You're right about looking for voluntary work just now, it would give me a better feel for whether or not I am choosing the right career, and whether or not I am going to have what it takes on an interpersonal level. I also feel it's just time I tried to do something really useful for others, so work of this type would certainly be worthwhile for me whatever my future career may be.

It took me a while to figure out why Uni's would prefer A levels over Higher Degrees, but I can see that the A levels represent a broader base of relevant knowledge. I did have one question, is it vital to take the 3 A levels in the year directly preceding Med School application, or do they remain valid for a few years?

I have downloaded the faq, so I will be sure and read through it this weekend.

Hopefully i'll be back with more questions, but the voluntary work and A levels (or study books for Gamsat) will be the first things to look at.

Thanks again,
pk.

**smiley** · 15-11-2003, 02:09 PM

I don't think it is required to have the a levels in the year or two preceding entry, especially for mature students. Most places recognise that they are done part time to fit in with the other things us oldies have to do in life such as work, families, etc and so aren't done within the standard 2 years that you do them in at school, and that you may have staggered them over a few years so some were completed a few years ago and the last one this year, for example.

**quant** · 15-11-2003, 02:54 PM

Hiya pk,

I'll go along with Smiley's advice. I am in a similar position to you, maybe a little more extreme actually. I left uni in 1988 and have applied this year for 2004 entry. This is the approach I took:

1. Wrote to a bunch of schools enclosing a CV and asked for advice on requirements. Most wanted to see some recent academic study. As I have a 2:1 in biophysics, most schools suggested that I resit Bio and Chem A level.

2. I gave up my job and enrolled at my local college full time (its free this way to all matures

) I'm doing bio/chem/psy A levels.

3. I've filled my college timetable with voluntary work with the NHS and a local charity. This really is a very good move. Already I am confident that applying to medicine is what I really want to do. The onus on matures I think is to demonstrate an informed decision, and why they want to make a career change. Getting experience in the health sector is vital in this respect.

4. College so far has been great. It seems much easier second time round. I work very hard and am achieving good grades. I think if you have studied for a degree, doing A levels again will not pose any real problems. Be prepared to work fairly hard though as A levels are not a walk in the park as you probably remember

I have not studied chemistry before. Its a difficult subject, but enjoyable. It does take up a lot of my study time.

I would suggest that you do something similar pk. Write to some schools and get some feedback. They are very busy at the moment with 2004 applications, so you may not hear back from them right away. Write to at least 5, including the ones you might be interested in of course.

Use this forum as often as you need advice. There is a wide enough cross section of peeps to answer any question you might have.

Good luck
Q

**pk34** · 16-11-2003, 12:23 AM

Hi Q,
Thank you for sharing your advice, I wish you the best of luck for entry next year!

Thanks for the advice regarding college courses being free for matures, I hope that may be the case here and I'll certainly be asking.
I live in Scotland though, so I am not sure the local college provides the A level courses I require (though it may well do). I may have to study using textbooks then sit the exams elsewhere, it's something for me to look into.

I read the faq as Smiley suggested, and was intrigued by the Open University Credit Transfer system. If it were possible for me to 'upgrade' my previous degree to a 2:1 it may be worth me looking at, as it would give me more scope in the number of med schools to apply to. Then again though, the clock is ticking so it may well be better just to concentrate on getting the A's. If I give myself 2 years to get 3 A's and plenty work experience I would be 36 when they were reading my application. Not an extreme limit I know but I also realise I may well have to apply several years in a row. Another worry is the possible future hike in fees which could render my current plans financially impossible, though I'm beginning to realise that loans are becoming the norm and may be unavoidable (I managed to complete previous courses and stay in the black).

Your advice to write to the schools themselves is welcomed, I should do this as soon as I can. The faq I have found to be a wonderful source of info and should give me a good idea of the schools to which I should write.

Thank you for your help, I have a lot to think about!

PK

**exms** · 16-11-2003, 01:19 AM

Originally Posted by pk34

If I give myself 2 years to get 3 A's and plenty work experience I would be 36 when they were reading my application.

Definitely a good idea to contact the schools about this - you may find that, depending on your previous A-levels and grades, they may be willing to accept 1 1/2 or 2 A-levels. It's perfectly possible to do 2 A-levels in a year if you are focused.

HTH

xmas

**Newlife** · 11-02-2010, 06:16 PM

Hi
I'm also 34 years old and planning to apply to medical school in 2012.I do agree that alot of medical schools do prefer A'levels particularly A'level Chemistry.I know alot of them reject A'levels in General studies and Critical thinking.I was also thinking of doing an access to medicine course but decided on A'levels in Biology, Chemistry and Psychology instead.It is also absoloutely important to have experience in a healthcare setting as they will reject you no matter how excellent your academic record is.
Newlife

**foxyamy** · 11-02-2010, 06:48 PM

I would imagine you are going to be limited somewhat in terms of where you can apply, as many unis will look only at your first degree for entry to a 4-year course and there are many that will not look at A level resits for the 5-year course.

I would imagine that your best shot would be to do the GAMSAT and then apply to those unis which use that test. As far as I am aware (at least with Nottingham anyway) you only then need a 2:2 in your degree and they don't look at A levels. You would be guaranteed an interview as long as you get above a threshold score.

Then it would basically be down to doing as much work experience as possible to help you ace the interview. If you work for the NHS that is a good start, but you would really also need to get some experience in a clinical setting too, as this would help you to learn about what doctors do in their day-to-day role, patient care etc.

**khaa9666** · 11-02-2010, 08:07 PM

Get to COWA and get the access course done there. I knew a few people there that had 2:2s, and some of those in science subjects, like yourself. They are all currently at med school doing just fine. I think the year i went there was about 95% of the cohort who finished the course gaining entry for that year at med school. In my humble opinion i dont think you can't go wrong with the COWA course, as long as your mind lasts the full year in the godforsaken place that is Kings Lynn!!!