Any arts grads out there?

**cellist** · 13-09-2006, 11:23 AM

Hi

I am 33, a home educating mum to three kids, I teach the cello at present, have a IIii in English lit from Cambridge, and no science background since GCSE. I read an article in the Cambridge Alumni magazine a couple of months ago about their GEM course and since then I've not been able to get the idea out of my head that it's what I really want to do.

I just wondered if there's anyone out there with an arts background who could give me some advice about how best to go about learning the science I will need for the GAMSAT. I've started a biology A-level by correspondence course (none of the local 6th forms do part time A-level courses - Chemistry would have been my first choice but I don't have access to a lab for the experiment side of things). Or even if it's even worth trying to push myself along that path or if there's no way with a background like mine I would be able to get anywhere.

Thanks

Becca

**krpto** · 13-09-2006, 08:16 PM

Pre-med courses are also an option worth considering

**Rupe** · 14-09-2006, 08:58 AM

Originally Posted by cellist

1) I am 33, a home educating mum to three kids, I teach the cello at present, have a IIii in English lit from Cambridge, and no science background since GCSE.

2) I just wondered if there's anyone out there with an arts background who could give me some advice about how best to go about learning the science I will need for the GAMSAT.

3) I've started a biology A-level by correspondence course (none of the local 6th forms do part time A-level courses - Chemistry would have been my first choice but I don't have access to a lab for the experiment side of things).

4) Or even if it's even worth trying to push myself along that path or if there's no way with a background like mine I would be able to get anywhere.

Hi Becca,

God I admire you for even considering a medical degree with you comittments as they stand, let alone enquiring about GEPs!

However, you asked for advice and here it is: I've put what you said into 4 points (above) and hope the advice i give for each point makes things a little clearer for you.

1) Firstly although probably least important in your case is if you're home educating mum of 3 how are you going to undertake (comittment wise) a physically and metally challenging course, let alone try and do it in 4 years? Surely you cant move any where in the country to do your degree, I presume because you mentioned cambridge that you're settled there and moving is out of the question?

2) There a hundreds of Arts grads doing medicine, i know many currently studying of GEPs and a few who are due to start this sept, the only thing thats constant with them all is that they all hold either a 2i or a 1st in their degree. They all also have chemistry alevel. Before you even start looking at the GAMSAT, you need to be absolutely sure that you can study the degree with the qualifications you've got at the places you want. As far as I am aware, there are only 2 places offering a GEP with a min degree of a 2ii, University of Nottingham and St George's Medical School.

3) Georges and Notts both require the GAMSAT and neither Biol or Chem Alevel, so if you can up your roots and move to Tooting in london or Nottingham then there's no need to pay the cost of your Biology Alevel.

4) I think you need to do alot more research Becca, a great website with really useful info is http://www.medschoolsonline.co.uk . This was created by med students for prospective med students and has alot of what you need to know in it....Go to the "Course Guide" on the left of the main page and then look at the GEP academic requirements, there are also 5-6 year courses and Access courses which I know nothing about but which are covered in some detail on this site.

I think that it's going to be a hell of an effort to pull off becca, but nothing's impossible. If you really want to do it then go for it, but make sure you know exactly what you're doing and what you need to have done to be able to do it. I personally think that studying medicine at Cambridge be it GEP or standard course is out of the question, but I am not 100% certain, only 99.9%....

Best of luck Becca, I hope what i've said hasn't disheartened you too much. good luck with all your research!!

**cellist** · 15-09-2006, 06:15 PM

Thanks for all the replies. It's encouraging!

Simon, I'm in the process of getting some voluntary work at the local hospital at the moment.

And thanks Krpto for the suggestion of Access to Medicine - I will look into it.

Actually Rupe, I have been looking at Nottingham, although I can see when I reread my post that it came across as if I was thinking of Cambridge. We live in Cheshire but my parents are on the Derbyshire border and were I to go ahead and do the course (having got over all the other obstacles!!) my parents would take over home educating the kids while I did the course. I think that although the course is at Nottingham the GEM course is in Derby. It would be nice to move back to Cambridge - it's a lovely place :-) - but we're pretty much rooted in this area because of family and my husband's work etc.

Just before I put up the first question I had had a go at some of the sample GAMSAT questions online and scored 100% on the comprehension-type ones then had a random stab in the dark at 6 chemistry questions and got them all wrong - so that's the level I'm coming from! In the last couple of days I have been working through some A-level chemistry books to see if I can actually use my brain in a scientific way nowadays - I think it's starting to come back...

I know what you're saying about it being a massive committment and I would need a huge amount of support from family which I am not sure at this stage that they would be able to offer. At this stage the biggest doubt in my mind is would I want to spend four years doing a full time course and delegate looking after my kids as I've been there for them full time so far.

However, despite all this I still keep waking up in the morning determined to give it a go because it's what I really want to do.

Rupe, I see you are in Cambridge - are you on the Graduate Entry course?

Becca

**MedisMark?** · 15-09-2006, 06:49 PM

Originally Posted by cellist

Just before I put up the first question I had had a go at some of the sample GAMSAT questions online and scored 100% on the comprehension-type ones then had a random stab in the dark at 6 chemistry questions and got them all wrong - so that's the level I'm coming from!

Hi,

That's basically the level I was coming from. Have a look for my earlier post called Gamsat Science for Arts Grads, which gives some advice on self-studying for gamsat. Carry on with the A Level bio, but you also have to cover a lot of chem (especially organic). Don't forget to do a bit of physics, tho is less important as it's worth only 20% of the science section, and a key, key thing is working under exam conditions. Get your hands on some sample papers from Ozimed in the months before the exam and try and do one a week. It'll build up your stamina and help you spot gaps in your science. It can be done, and I am living proof. Good luck

**cellist** · 15-09-2006, 08:13 PM

Thanks Mark - I will have a look - it sounds really helpful.

**Hanhan** · 16-09-2006, 12:59 AM

I'm an English grad (2.1 and an MA). I am desperate to study medicine ... i was unsuccessful last time round. I have completed various Open University courses ... i don't have any science A levels ... and i am currently trying to find out which unis will consider my application. Any help?

**MedisMark?** · 16-09-2006, 01:47 AM

Originally Posted by Hanhan

I'm an English grad (2.1 and an MA). I am desperate to study medicine ... i was unsuccessful last time round. I have completed various Open University courses ... i don't have any science A levels ... and i am currently trying to find out which unis will consider my application. Any help?

The medschoolsonline website has a breakdown of which courses accept which types of grads. That's your best starting point, and then read up the prospectus info on those that sound like possibilities

**cellist** · 16-09-2006, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by MedisMark?

That's basically the level I was coming from. Have a look for my earlier post called Gamsat Science for Arts Grads, which gives some advice on self-studying for gamsat.

Thanks Mark - those book recommendations look really useful - I am on my way to the library now! :-)

Becca

**krpto** · 16-09-2006, 08:28 PM

Pre-med is not an access course, its your first MB on a six year programme. The Pre-med course is the equivalent of 3 alevels in 20 weeks so it is definitely not an access.