Finish Accountancy or purse medicine dream??

[ammo2006]

Hi All,

I am new to this forum and have enjoyed reading everyone's dreams turn into reality of pursing medicine.

My situation is as follows:

· I am 26 years old.
· I have a 2:1 degree in BSc Computer Science (graduated in summer 2002).
· 2.5 A Levels Mathematics (C), Computer Science (C), Further Mathematics AS (C)
· I am currently working full time as a Financial Accounting Assistant for City Council and am studying CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants). All fees being paid by the City Council.

After many months I have been seriously questioning my career direction and whether I want to carry on with what I am currently doing as I cannot see myself sitting in front of a computer for the rest of my life. In the back of my mind I always wanted to do medicine as I know I have the personality and maturity to deal with such a demanding and dedicated career, which I didn't have when I was 16 or when I was studying for my degree.

Basically when I was in sixth form I was seriously discouraged by my teachers due to struggling at A Level in the first term of starting them, unfortunately my teachers influenced my goals/ambitions due to my personal lack of confidence at the time and I ended up dropping chemistry, biology and decided to go to college and do the A Levels I mentioned. Basically at the time there was a huge demand for computing skills and even my uncle who is a GP was saying do computing instead of medicine. Boy, how things changed after the millennium. Now looking back, my biggest regret is letting my teachers, especially my biology teacher influence my personal ambitions by discouraging me the way they did.

I definitely want to try and get into medical school as I know it is possible through various avenues rather than just through the traditional A level route, although I probably will end up doing A levels again. Also you don't need to be 18 years old anymore, which I wish my career advisor at school told me before about as I only found this out about a year ago through reading these forums.

My question is, should I finish my accountancy qualification, which will take another year, providing I pass all my exams first time or should I gamble and ditch my accountancy course as well as my job who are paying for the course and waste no more time and start pursing my medical career? I am pretty sure what I will do, but it will be interesting to read other people's view on this. I am not a person that likes to give up what I have started, which probably gives you a clue on what I intend to do. Thanks for reading.

Ammo

[Cymro]

I think that you should complete your qualifications as the soonest you could start a medical degree is just over a year from now. Graduate entry can be a bit hit and miss so it would be reassuring to know that you have a solid career to support yourself until you are able to commence the course.

Cymro.

[DH2005]

Ammo - there are some quite remarkable parallels between your position, and mine.

I too am 26, and was unable to study medicine at 18 because my school’s Head of Chemistry said he would resist any application I made to study A level (for entirely personal, rather than academic reasons, in my case). Thus, feeling insufficiently secure in myself to challenge him, I scrapped the medicine plan and studied law, instead.

I never really enjoyed studying it, and I largely hated my time in legal practice. I persevered for more than two years, principally because I have a not-particularly-charming stubbornness about me that prevents me from quitting things, even when I should. Ultimately, I eventually snapped and jacked-in the law before completing my solicitor qualification – the prospect of studying medicine had become so integral to my every motivation that I could hardly concentrate on anything else. So, exactly 51 weeks ago, I upped-sticks and moved to King’s Lynn to study Access to Medicine. Four weeks tomorrow, I’ll be a medical student at Manchester.

You seem to me to be an ideal candidate for the Access route – have you looked into it? If not, you really should. If I understand your thread correctly, you’ll finish CIMA in time to join an Access course in September of 2007 – perfect timing! Sounds like fate, to me…

Before my faithful and trusty companion D1979 chimes-in, you could complete a UCAS form this coming October and apply for 6-year medicine courses also beginning in September 2007. These courses incorporate a premedical year – the content of this year is materially similar to an Access course, though 6-year courses carry the notable advantage of guaranteeing you admission to Year 1 of a medical degree, subject to gaining a satisfactory score in ‘Year 0’ – Access carries no such guarantees, though I am of the opinion that someone with your academic and professional profile would not struggle for interviews – plus, given that your writing is so well-ordered and articulate, I’d imagine that you interview very well.

I hope this was helpful. Drop me a private message if you have any specific questions about Access – it appears to have become my specialist subject, of late!

[Dan1979]

^What he said^

Where did you do your computer science degree, Ammo? Funnily enough I finished the same course in 2001.

[Everhopeful]

Good luck with your plans. I'm a very (!) mature candidate working in financial services. Finished my professional exams so that will hopefully keep me above the water if I can fit in some part-time work early in med school. You can try Access/Pre med courses, the advantage being able to throw yourself into it and meet other like minded people, the downside being you have to give up that valuable wage that would help you save for your impending studentdom! You might be able to get onto a 4 yr course for some schools with your 2:1 if you ace the admissions test? (I'm sure you'll have looked all this up in the course info on UCAS but if you haven't its a good place to start), but beware the competitiveness of the 4 year courses. If you work and take Bio and Chem A levels then make sure you check where you can do your practical exams as many schools now don't admit external candidates who are using distance learning..so check out enrolling in evening or daytime classes? And don't afraid to use your day job to afford some extra coaching..doing A levels and working is tough (I can vouch for that..50+hr week day job and 3.5 A levels on the go) so take all the help you can get with exam technique, experimental skills etc. Oh, and beg, borrow and steal every past paper you can get your hands on!
Best of luck though...hope you find something that suits you..

[vicjack78]

Hi Ammo

I would echo what has been said by the wise people on here and suggest you complete your qualifications over the next 12 month and in the meantime apply for pre-med.

I too have been in a very similar situation. I did appaulingly in my A-levels at 18 but managed to successfully complete a BA Health Studies degree. I intended to go into health promotion because of my interest in the well being of others, but I somehow ended up in education. My current job entails encouranging disadvantaged and disillusioned kids (age 13-18) to consider medicine as a realistic career choice. Yes I work in conjunction with a medical school!

Having done this for 5 years I basically raised my own aspirations and decided to apply for pre-med at Sheffield. This has not been a particularly easy ride. I gained an unconditional offer for 05 entry but I defered as I got cold feet (amongst a few other issues). I wondered if I was 'bright' enough, whether it was REALLY what I wanted and whether I could afford to give up my job. I decided to tackle all these things and did an AS in Biology just so I could guage my interest and my ability. I also managed to save some more money and did some more work experience. It was the best decision I ever made. I will be starting pre-med in 4 weeks and I can't wait.

You really sound like you have thought this through. If you are at all unsure I would say apply for 07 entry, complete your accountancy quals and perhaps take up a science AS if you have time. Hopefully it will give you the boost that it gave me.

If you need any more advice from a personal or 'careers' perspective please feel free to PM me.

Vicky

[ammo2006]

Originally Posted by Dan1979

^What he said^

Where did you do your computer science degree, Ammo? Funnily enough I finished the same course in 2001.

Hi Dan,

I completed my Computing and Information Systems degree at the University of the West of England (UWE). UWE is not a traditional red brick University, however at the time of applying I was also offered a place at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST), but opted for the local route.

Ammo

[ammo2006]

Hi All,

Thank you all for you’re most useful and informative responses, really much appreciated. You can definitely tell this is the mature forum section. :-)

Unfortunately it will be a year from November before I hope to finish my qualification, therefore I cannot realistically apply for any 2007 course entry, but I definitely would want to finish my CIMA completely before I embark on my dream in medicine as it will only enhance my skills and increase my job opportunities. I think in the meantime even while I am studying for my accountancy qualification I can also look for some work experience in a hospital or Hospice on a weekend to strengthen my experience and show that I am suited to a medical career. Also if I just generally take an interest in reading around medicine while I am not under pressure at this stage, apart from my Accountancy exams of course.

I very much look forward to reading all your progress towards your dreams, which I am sure will include many ups and downs. Take care.

Ammo

[Dan1979]

I was at Birmingham, now a third year at Sheffield, and so far not particularly regretting the career move. Sounds like you know what you want to do, and I think you're right that your accountancy qualification could be very handy later on (useful skill if you're trying to get into a GP practice!). Good luck!

[clairetrayers]

Finish accountancy me thinks and then maybe an A2M or 6yr premed is the way to go for you. GEP is always a possibility but competition is fierce and the GAMSAT isn't so great either. At UEA 26 is barely old enough to get you to be considered a mature by the students at least - oldest in my year is 50+ and doing fantastically so there is hope for everyone yet!

Good luck with it all n keep us posted