Mature Student Applying for Med School needs advice!

**hannahsctalbot** · 14-03-2007, 11:41 PM

I am in need of some serious advice. I left my previous degree recently so that I could follow on to trying to get into Med school. I now found out that universities in the UK aren't prepared to take someone with a history of an ordinary degree behind them. How do I get around this hurdle? Have you had the same experience? And also what unis would you recommend?

Any help is v. appreciated,
Hannah

**hellybelly1** · 15-03-2007, 12:28 AM

It's possible that you could do some OU modules to make your degree up to an Honours degree. The OU gives credit for previous study, so you wouldn't have to do a whole degree with them. I'm not very sure how this works, or how unis would look on it, but it may be an option. I did a couple of OU modules before starting medical school and the quality of teaching was excellent.

What was your previous degree in? If you've done minimal science, perhaps an Access course might be an option. Again, not something I know much about, but perhaps worth looking into.

**miss spontaneous** · 15-03-2007, 02:32 AM

My advice would be to try and finish your last degree if possible cause they might look at you as a dropout. besides some courses take graduates of any desipline.

Do you have any A Levels? If so what in and what grades did you get? I may be possible for you to go straight into the 5yrs course.

**hannahsctalbot** · 15-03-2007, 06:08 PM

I did 3 years at Edinburgh College of Art. Truth is I wasn't all that happy with the course and felt from the start I'd barked up the wrong tree (I also had an unconditional to do clinical bases psychology). Being stubborn and unable to quit I put in the necessary years to at least gain a BA for my efforts. Closing that book, I turned to auxiliary nursing in a bid to see how I felt about medicine. Needless to say my passion for science returned and an eagerness to study futher.
My road hasn't been straight forward but I still hold that the decisions I made at the time seemed right and it's made me stronger and wiser in countless ways.

To answer the question; I should finish the final year?

Due to the course being completely studio based I'd have to re-enrole probably? Not being textbook or lecture based, it's your final exhibition that's graded Hons. I'd do it but (this may sound a lil cheeky!) but feels an unnecessary hoop to jump seeing as it is so removed from medicine??

**pete1184** · 15-03-2007, 06:40 PM

This may sound like a strange question but how would they know you've attempted a previous degree, unless you were to tell them?

**angel-a** · 15-03-2007, 07:39 PM

I think an access course would best suit you. Firstly you'll have the entry requirements for some med schools and secondly it will benefit you on a personal level. It sounds like you've been out of sciences for a while now and with it you'll be able to enter medical school with the confidence that you're at the same level as everyone else.

I know loads of non-science grads that did an access course and loved it.

Your other option (though I wouldn't advise it) is to sit the GAMSAT in sept and apply to all uni's that are GAMSAT based.

**hannahsctalbot** · 15-03-2007, 08:07 PM

firstly well done on your offers! And secondly yes, access course is the way forward since i've been out of standard academia for so long. It's nice to get advice, i was feeling a little wobbly with the process infront of me! I think to persevere is the key.

**angel-a** · 15-03-2007, 08:15 PM

Originally Posted by pete1184

This may sound like a strange question but how would they know you've attempted a previous degree, unless you were to tell them?

you're right they wont know...but how will you explain what you did in those years?? I have been asked to account for gaps in education before.

there is no such thing as a negative point..you need to show what you learnt from it. the fact that you didn't finish (or whatever the case was) your last degree could show that you have determination towards 'medicine'.

unlike a-level applicant with not much life experience you realised that you were in the wrong career and sacrificed it all to pursue medicine.

**May84** · 17-03-2007, 03:39 AM

I thought that we had to declare all our previous education in our UCAS forms?

Angel-a is right, you need to show what you have learnt from your experiences and this will strengthen your application. You wont be the only one who chose a different career path before pursuing medicine but make it clear that this has only strengthened your desire for medicine and let them know how your experience in auxillary nursing has given you an insight into it.

**aspirant doc** · 18-03-2007, 03:40 AM

Originally Posted by hannahsctalbot

I'd do it but (this may sound a lil cheeky!) but feels an unnecessary hoop to jump seeing as it is so removed from medicine??

The path to medicine is lined on both sides with hoops to be jumped through! You are in an unusual situation, the medschools are inundated with grad/mature applicants, they have to draw the line somewhere and sadly not finishing would put you the wrong side of the line, unfair though it may be they will have questions about your commitment. You've got to finish the degree one way or another. No two ways about it.