Applying straight after current degree

**Mergatroyd** · 01-02-2006, 04:10 AM

Hi,

I was wondering if many people apply for graduate medicine in the final year of their first degree? Is it possible to do this without current tutors etc as referees or knowing what you're doing? Also, as my first degree is in a health related subject would I be better off not applying straight away anyway and getting a years work under my belt after (if!) I graduate?

Sorry if all this is common knowledge but I'm very confused at the moment and want to get my options straight.

Thanks

**irovonne** · 01-02-2006, 04:26 AM

Yes you can apply for medicine in your final year of your first degree. I dont know if it is impossible, but it is definately not advisable not to let your current tutors know or to be your referee, for starters you need someone who is in the position to comment on your predicted classification/grade. it would look a bit odd if you went to your secondary schoo teacher. If you dont get on with your Personal tutor or something, you could always use any other lecturer but you need to let them know your plans, not just ask out of the blue bcus u need to show that ur choice to do med is a dedication, not just a whim.

in answer to the second question, it all really depends on what the degree is exactly, how much clinical experience you've had and what clasiification you graduate or hope to graduate with. also depends on what sort of course you are applyin to - 4yr GEP or 5yr. At most unis you need to do exams called GAMSATS for entrance consideration. You can look these up on threads in the mature forum.

Goodluck!!

**irovonne** · 01-02-2006, 04:32 AM

sorry almost miss-informed you! GAMSATS apply only to 4yr medical degrees, 5yr entry requirement vary for the unis, look at the prospectus on the FAQ link in the matures forum.

**MedisMark?** · 01-02-2006, 05:27 AM

There's also BMAT and MSAT and other tests for Cambs. Take half an hour to read the matures FAQ and there's good info here: http://www.medschoolsonline.co.uk/

At first, the many routes to get to GEP are very confusing and can be quite overwhelming. Some places require science as a first degree, others don't. So take your time to understand all the various routes into GEP...

**pipedreamer** · 01-02-2006, 03:53 PM

It's also worth thinking about what YOU want, not just what the med schools want. Going straight into another 4/5 years of study is a big commitment. Working for a year or two may help you to build your confidence and improve your people skills as well as giving you time to be sure that medicine really is for you.

The other thing about taking a year or two out is that it gives you an opportunity to make your application stand out a bit. Lots of people apply straight from their first degree. A year spent working or travelling can give you more to talk about on your PS/at interview.

**Mergatroyd** · 02-02-2006, 01:42 AM

Thanks for the replies guys, it sounds like working for a year or so and then applying might be the better option.

I'm doing a Nursing degree and will graduate as a Master of Nursing Science, heading for a decent 2:1 at present. It's a four year course so I will have had a fair amount of patient contact by then and I also worked as a Health Care Assistant for 6 months before I started uni.

I'm not sure my currrent tutor would be very supportive, I mentioned it once to him in passing and he laughed

.

The other major problem is money, if I didn't apply straight away I would have to work but I guess I could look for shadowing and volunteering oportunities inmy holidays and days off etc?

In terms of being sure that medicine is for me, I'm pretty certain. I've been wanting this for at least 15 years now and it's becoming something of an obsession!

One final question, do A levels stil count if you apply with a degree?

Thanks again.

**pipedreamer** · 02-02-2006, 03:40 AM

Originally Posted by Mergatroyd

One final question, do A levels stil count if you apply with a degree?

It depends on the med school. In general, A levels count more if you are applying for five year courses whereas your degree tends to be more important for graduate entry courses, though A levels are often still needed.

Each medical school has their own specific requirements which you'd need to have a look at if you wanted to be sure of being eligible. You can find lots of useful info in the Mature FAQ which is linked to in a sticky at the top of this forum.

One thing I forgot to point out in my last post is that, given the competitiveness of medicine, many applicants aren't successful in getting a place on their first attempt. If you apply this year and don't get an offer then you would have at least got some experience of the application process, so it may be worth considering putting an application in even if you think you're going to work for a year first.

**AmandaPollitt** · 02-02-2006, 05:09 AM

Im a nurse also and im in the process of applying at the moment. I qualified about 2 years ago now, and last year i applied to all GEP and got rejected. The ratio of applicants to place for GEP is much higher then 5 year courses, so as you can see i have now applied for all 5 year courses. I dont mind taking the extra year, it just means that everything is not as crammed in as in the 4 year. I would deffinatly advise you to take some time out to work and then pick where you apply very carefuly. For instance HYMS (hull york) dont take health care related professionals unless they have at least 5 years experience in their field! However as was said before alot of good applicants dont get offers first time round (more than likely me again!!) , so you may be wise to apply while your in your final year and get the experience of application/ interviews etc. if you get in then great if you dont then you can makke your application stand out more by working/ traveling etc etc.

With regards to A-levels, i dont have any! and yes i know i was rejected but most GEP dont look at your Alevels or GCSE's (which is good coz mine are realy bad). Anyway im on an access to medicine course now in kings lynn (we take 5 subjects up to A-level standard in a year) and there are alot of nurses and health care workers on the course with me. So if you want any info/ advice then feel free to PM me.