Wannabe doctor, failed medical student

**failed_medic** · 08-08-2005, 12:02 AM

Hi All,

I guess i will put myself in the category of failed medical student, wannabe doctor.

I had my opportunity, went to Medical School in 1990, age of 20 ish, after resitting my A Levels, got ABB at resit, then a 1 year gap, and then an unconditional offer, as i already had my A' Levels.

Not proud of this, but resat 1st year, 2nd year scraped through, 3rd yr no exams, 4th year resat and failed paeds / obs & gynae ( had an ex-gf problem), 5th year passed written finals. Failed the deferred 4th year exams again.

Then game over.

I found out afterwards i could have enrolled with the Apothecary's , but only whilst still a med student, with exams still to sit, and they then would have given me 2 years to pass.

I am now 35, married 2 kids, and working as a High End Server Engineer.

Occasionally, especially when i come across medical situations, or even realistic medical dramas.... I get a shiver down my spine.... and I think of some how reapplying and doing my MBBS again, somewhere , somehow. Perhaps i should just be happy with where i am now, and move on.

Realistically, if i wanted to study medicine again, what are my chances, are what route should i follow? Or at age 35 , 36 in Dec, is it too late?

best regards to all,

A

**Jake** · 08-08-2005, 12:38 AM

Hi A,

thank you for posting. I can understand your position, if its any consolation there others who are the same boat. I remember watching the documentry about the St Georges GEP and there was a lady on there who started a medical degree but didn't finish it - sat a biochem degree and then later on started the GEP (though that was some years later).

There is also a gentleman on my course who studied medicine around the same time as you , came to the end of final year and was then unable to complete the rest of the course and so ended up leaving. He is in my year now and doing well.

Did you gain any higher qualification from your time at medical school? This will dictate if you can apply for a GEP course or not. Otherwise the best advice I can offer is to contact the medical schools you are interested in and see what they say about your situation.

Kindest regards

**pharmw** · 08-08-2005, 01:01 AM

I would say go for it. You obviously still have some passion for medicine and yes it was some time ago, but you already have some knowledge of the admissions process. The main concern you have is your family im sure you discussed the way you feel with your wife? and explained the demands a career in medicine entails? dont get me wrong though having a secure family unit behind you could help you through the hard times. If I was you I would contact the mature friendly unis like UEA and be honest about your situation just see what they say. Apply for both GEP's and 5 year courses you have nothing to lose (aside from your UCAS fees!) and offer or not you will at least have tried and who knows your story could become an inspiration to all.
Good luck

**sammy21** · 08-08-2005, 02:15 AM

hey there,
first of all please dont see urself as a failure, im sure u have achieved plenty of things in ur life that ur proud of, such as having a family etc...
i truely believe u learn from these mistakes and move on to better things, if its meant to be, im a firm believer in fate.
neways i can totally understand ur situation as im the same position. i failed medicine in 2001 after just the first yr, totally myself to blame, case of too much partying etc. i transferred onto biomedical sciences and just graduated with a 2.2. not great i know but my heart wasnt in it cos all the time i wished i was doing medicine. i know some pple think we dont deserve a 2nd chance cos if we wanted it that badly then we would have worked our butts off.
what annoys me is the system, my uni was totally unfair and selectively chose who could and couldnt resit whilst man uni let anybody resit the yr even if they dont have a good excuse.
neways now im looking to reapply this yr, the only ones that will consider me are the gamsat ones so thats notts, st georges and pennisula. st georges have mentioned b4 they have taken past failed medics. they disregard previous academic history. however im not gonna mention this on my personal statement as i did last yr and got 4 rejections cos of it! so gonna leave that bit out!

neways ive rambled on and on, hope this helps. just to prove ur not the only one out there! and if u want something that bad go for it and let no one stop u. u deserve to be a doc just like the next person. and i personally know im more than capable of achieving this in academic terms as we got into medical school in the first instance! ive seen pple scrap thru passing exams but dont deserve to be doctors in the end as they arent passionate about medicine, they just have the ability to pass exams just!
it annoys me as i know i would make a better doctor than them anyday!
any questions feel free to ask me, oh and dont worry about ur age, ive had pple say to me that i shud give up and settle down as im 22 and im getting on a bit! so i have learnt to ignore them.
take care,
Sammy

**failed_medic** · 08-08-2005, 12:41 PM

Thanks to all of you,
especially for your kind words.

I forgot to mention that i did have a prolapsed disc, with sciatica in my 2nd year, which then led to a discectomy.

Not that it matters, the med school i went to, was SGHMS.

Maybe i will just concentrate on what i have, and move on. My wife never did like doctors anyway

With children aged 3 & 5, they really need 2 full time parents at home.
I have all my med books, stethoscope and opthalmoscope etc etc, all packed in the garage. Might be time, to let go and donate or sell to someone who could make use of the items.

I would like to donate all my stuff drom medical school days to a good cause, if anyone has any good ideas, let me know.

Warmest regards,

A

**rachelm** · 08-08-2005, 01:16 PM

Originally Posted by failed_medic

I would like to donate all my stuff drom medical school days to a good cause, if anyone has any good ideas, let me know.

Donate them to your future medical career!

I hope you don't give up, because it sounds like this is something you've wanted for a long time and it would be terrible to regret not even trying in 10 years' time. I know it's a lot easier to find reasons not to go for it but in your heart you know whether you want to or not.

I can't offer advice with the kids situation but there are a lot of parents on these forums who are coping with the study (five year courses offer more spare time, apparently).

I'd suggest contacting some medschools to find out if you're eligible to apply, and go from there.

Good luck!

**DH2005** · 08-08-2005, 02:57 PM

Contact the medical schools admissions departments, at least. They are the final arbiters of all our fates on this forum... you never know where you stand until you speak to them.

**cakelover** · 08-08-2005, 03:08 PM

If you don't try, you'll never know! Nothing ventured, nothing gained and all that. I think you should go for it! At least then you can look back and say you gave it a second shot. If you get in, you can think about whether or not you really want to take the place. Your kids are going to grow up fast and once they start school, they won't need two parents at home at the time.

Good luck, whatever you decide.

**yazoo** · 08-08-2005, 05:51 PM

I agree with cakelover. What about putting in an application, then give yourself (and your wife

) a free choice to decline or accept when/ if you get an offer. That way you have no regrets either way.

Maybe also have a chat with admissions re: entry directly to clinical phase. Prob not poss as so long has passed, but gives you a good excuse to go and have a chat...

**Boadicea** · 08-08-2005, 06:04 PM

Originally Posted by failed_medic

Thanks to all of you,
especially for your kind words.

I forgot to mention that i did have a prolapsed disc, with sciatica in my 2nd year, which then led to a discectomy.

Not that it matters, the med school i went to, was SGHMS.

Maybe i will just concentrate on what i have, and move on. My wife never did like doctors anyway

With children aged 3 & 5, they really need 2 full time parents at home.
I have all my med <a href='http://consumeralertsystem.com/cas/zx-hclick.php?hid=64' target='_blank'>books</a>, stethoscope and opthalmoscope etc etc, all packed in the garage. Might be time, to let go and donate or sell to someone who could make use of the items.

I would like to donate all my stuff drom medical school days to a good cause, if anyone has any good ideas, let me know.

Warmest regards,

A

NOOOOOOO, DON'T GIVE UP! I started at UEA aged 36 after my husband encouraged me to apply. I had always wanted to do medicine, but as a mum, thought it was too late.
Give it one more try, apply and see how it goes. You are already having regrets, and life is difficult enough with out you having to think in 10 years time 'if only....'
Go for it - your children will be muuuccch happier with a happy dad (and your wife will grow to love doctors, I'm sure)
Good luck and keep us all updated!
xxxxxx