So confused, any help would be awesome!

[moakesUSA]

Hi all,

I am so confused! Not to bore you, here is me in a nutshell:


1st in Chemistry Leeds University
PhD analytical chemistry
Hospital and Physician Shadowing.

So, my question is, 4 years vs 5 years? Might sound silly, but if it absolutely is more likely I would be accepted into the 5 yr, I will simply apply for 4 x 5 yr courses. taking finances aside, my main concern is to maximize chances of acceptance. I am aware that none of the universities are aware of the other choices, but would a five year institution look at me, assume I want a 4 year program since I'm "mature" and pass me over. If so, maybe 50/50 4 yr/5yr is the way to go. So confused Hopefully there is more than just me with this dilemma!

thanks for any help!

Greg

[saskia297]

i'm a mature grad too, and this cycle was my third application to med!
The first twice i took the highly risky strategy of applying to all 4 GEP's, which failed miserably.... This cycle I thought "nevermind money i need to get in" and applied to all 5yr courses - I got 2 offers this year, and am off to HYMS in a few days
You have an excellent academic background, science based, so that is a bonus, and will give you more options.
Most people tend to opt for a mixture of 4yr vs 5yr courses

On a work experience note, I would suggest you try and get some more - most unis who like grads like them to have a good length of experience within a caring role, this can be a wide variety of roles, but usually these take a while to set up, as for the majority of tham you will need to have a CRB check, and these can take a few weeks.

Not a very structured post i know, and it doesn't read well, but I'm so keen to encourage other grads that it all just sort of splurts onto the page :S
If you want to chat more or need any more info, don't hesitate to PM me

Sarah
xxxxx

[robyn]

Hi

Although you sound a lot more intelligent than me I thought that I would offer some advise based on past experience. I have a geography degree so nothing at all related to medicine and I had to study for my AS level chem at night school. I did a year volunteering in a hospice for 4 hours a week as work experience.

I applied to 3x5 year courses and to the 4 year course at Southampton. I got 3 interviews for the 5 year courses and 2 offers. I was rejected from the 4 year course. As well as thinking of the money side of things also think about work load. The GEP students at my uni (kings) have to work SO hard if you think that you can cope with the work load and balance it with your personal life then go for it. For me it was more important to get onto a course and enjoy the pace of study whilst not having to become a hermit.

If I had my time again I would apply for 4x5 year courses but that is just as now i know I would not have coped with the work load of the 4 year course. If you are very clever and your results indicate that you are then put down a 4 year course but I would not risk all as 4 year for your choice. In my instance I was not at a disadvantage by putting down 4 and 5 year. In my interview for Kings (i was interviewed my the head of admissions) he asked me why I applied for the 5 year and not 4 year...I just said I wanted to be a Doctor and I thought that my chances were greater on the 5 year of getting a place...he smiled and here I am in my 2nd year!!!

Hope this was of some help

[bgulab]

Quick question -- Do 5 yr courses look at a mature applicants A Level Grades and expect them to be the same as a school leavers, irrespective of what degree class a mature student has?

[janetokafor]

please tell me how you got into postgraudrate medincine it seems so hard

[robyn]

in response to both questions - yes I had to have the same grades as school leavers although my offer was just to pass AS Chem. I took A level biology at school. I think it pretty much depends on your degree and where you are applying. Best to check with admissions from experience they are usually pretty helpful.

With regards to how to get on a course. You have to be patient, I had to wait 18 months before I applied whilst I got my application in tip top condition, solid work experience is REALLY important. I had to take AS chem as did not take it at school. I think it is best to ensure you have everything that you need before you apply or you will only get rejected and have to start again. Look for courses and institutions that are mature friendly as I think some are more so than others. Kings has almost 30% of course as graduates. Have faith, I am not from an amazing academic background, but have worked, travelled and shown determination in getting into med school these things are just as important as having a string of fab academic results (although they help too!!)

Good luck??

[ems77]

Just to add to this reply - I applied to the 4yr GEP at Kings and after interview got offered a place on the 5 year course! My A' Levels were Biology (A), Geography (B) and Chemistry (C). I have a 2:2 in Pharmacolgy and a Masters in Public Health. I actually think that if I had applied straight to the 5 yr course I may not have got in as my A' Levels obviously aren't good enough! However, I did very well on the MSAT exam that you sit when applying for the GEP and I think this went very much in my favour! Also, I work in the NHS but don't have specific "medic" work experience (but I think I got lucky on that front!)! So, really there is no sure-fire formula, you need to speak to admissions and remember, as Robyn says - life experience, a good reason for wanting to do medicine and determination are important!

Robyn - I'm starting in 2007 (deferred the entry to save up!) - and am "mature" also, supposedly! It would be good to have a bit of a chat with you about your experiences, if possible!

[moakesUSA]

hhhmn, that is good advice. It did worry me a little though. I thought that when applying to a 5 yr course as a grad, the degree (esp science) trumps the A-levels and (as long as you meet the min req) makes them irrelevant. I did my a-levels in 99, hope they count! anyone care to comment?

[moakesUSA]

ok, I think I can answer the question of Bgulab and myself!

One of the schools I am applying to is Southampton, I will use them as an example:

For school leavers, they require AAB

For grad applicants to the same programme, they simply require a 'pass' in chemistry.

Sheffield goes one step further. If you get a 1st, they ignore your A-level completely.

One question I do have...have my A-levels gone stale since I took them in 99?

Greg

[bgulab]

Having done some more research on individual medschools I found that they have different requirements. For example as moakesUSA says Southampton requires a 'pass' in chemistry. However speaking to the admissions tutors at Bham they expect that graduates applying to their 5yr course to have the same grades as other school leavers ie AAB or better. Oh well guess that means trying to find graduate friendly 5 year courses.