Your thoughts please

**Al1972** · 30-08-2006, 03:10 PM

Hi

I wonder if I could draw on your minds to help me.

I'm 34 graduated ages ago with a degree in Chemistry (Hons) 3rd Class. I have to admit that about 3/4s of the way through my degree I got bored and realised that I didn't want to do it. I went back to Uni a few years later and got a Postgraduate Diploma in IT. I have been working in IT for the past 8 years, along the way I picked up some more certificates in Programming and Software Testing plus project management.

Last year my father was diagnosed with cancer and my mother started to go blind due to Diabeties. I had an idea then to go back and study medicine and that thought has not gone away. Now I have looked at the graduate entry MBBS courses around the country and they all want 2:2's or better. I realise it's going to be a long and hard road but I want to study medicine and would like your thoughts on what is the best way for me to proceed.

Many Thanks

**exms** · 30-08-2006, 03:33 PM

I think you've got an uphill battle ahead of you, given that you have a 3rd in a science subject.

Peninsula will consider you if you pass the GAMSAT, but their cutoff in recent years has been much the same as that required to get onto the Notts/SGHMS GEP courses.

Since you have a degree, I think you are automatically excluded from most Access to Med courses. I think your best bet is to contact each of the unis individually and ask them if they would consider you if you sat fresh A-levels, or whether they have any other suggestions for you.

HTH

-- A.

**Gabby** · 30-08-2006, 03:40 PM

Hello there - I'm very sorry to hear about your parents' difficulties, I wish them well.
I think maybe the best route for you to follow could be an Access to Medicine course? I'm not sure if any of the Med Schools accept a 3rd class degree - but then again your postgraduate qualification might help mitigate that. Alternatively, what are your 'A' level results like? Perhaps you could consider applying for non-grad courses which have a Foundation year. The 'sticky' on here about Mature candidates is very informative, and it is also worthwhile emailing/calling Admissions Offices to ask for advice specific to your circumstances.
I hope other people are able to give you further advice.
Finally - don't give up - I failed to get in in my early 30s - but if you read a few of my other posts you will see that I have had a long haul journey to Med School - but am starting at UCL in a few weeks' time at the ripe old age of 47.....so keep going!
Best of luck, Gabby x

**seeker1** · 30-08-2006, 03:53 PM

Contact the med schools, see what they'll want from you.
Do you have any work experience? Volunteering in nursing homes and such like?

Expect some of the med schools to be snotty about your degree.. but be prepared for this & don't give up!
Good luck!

**Al1972** · 30-08-2006, 05:37 PM

Thanks for your comments they are appreciated.

I have had this idea to go to medical school for over 18 months and it just will not go away. So yes I will not give up and give it everything I've got.

**bigrich** · 30-08-2006, 06:23 PM

just wondering how long ago did you graduate, i seem to remember some unis having a ten year limit on degrees, ie if you graduated ten or more years ago and had done no further study then you would not be considered, if this is the case, and you could show recent study at a high level then you may be able to swing it, unfortunately i can't remember which unis had this rule, so sorry might not be a lot of use. however im in a similar situation, and im hoping a top up degree in nursing will make up for my lousy performance at uni 12 years ago. iv also just remembered some people in different threads talking about taking open university units to upgrade their degree class, not sure how viable that is though.

**Madimi** · 30-08-2006, 10:40 PM

Hiya,
You will be okay to get on an Access course - I'm a graduate with a BSc Hons and start at Mancat next week.
Like you, I never considered medicine seriously until my parents became ill. I wish you all the best with your application, and as Gabby said, you've plenty of time age-wise so don't worry about that!
Mandyx

**exms** · 30-08-2006, 11:09 PM

Originally Posted by Madimi

You will be okay to get on an Access course - I'm a graduate with a BSc Hons and start at Mancat next week.

That's interesting - I was under the impression that A2M courses weren't intended for those with a science background... what is your first degree in?

-- A.

**LaineyPB** · 31-08-2006, 08:54 AM

I was 33 when I started medicine last year. I'm not sure if there is a 10yr cut off for previous degrees, I graduated in 1996, so that would be 9 years.

While I was waiting to find out if I had a place to do medicine, I spoke to the access course director at Kings Lynn and despite having a degree in Physiology and Sports Science he was keen to take my application if I didn't get my place to start in 2005.

I would suggest getting in touch with access courses and explaining your situation and also asking the unis what they would expect.

**Al1972** · 31-08-2006, 10:48 AM

That is some great advice people, thanks.

I did some checking last night and tried to see about improving my original degree, but due to the time passed, graduated in 96, I would have to sit the whole degree again. It is dependant on the particular higher seat of learning and their discretion. I started looking at the access to medicine courses and thought the one at sussex university seemed quite good. Has anyone here attended that particular course?