Graduates who applied or will apply!

[Mathematician]

hi everyone,

I have been surfing this website for a long time and finally decided to post.. as you know I am studying Maths and I have one more year to graduate( in third year )... so far I am getting 1st class but I don't really want to continue till next year; my passion for medicine is growing alot and I don't feel like doing another more year.

I have done lots of w/exp and enjoyed it so so so much and willl be doing more! I keep reading more medical books and get even more interested.
Iam thinking of leaving this year and applying next year.
any advice from you people who have applied or will applied!
(like, what was ure degree on and when did you apply? how did you decide to study medicine..just anything helpful)

thank you so much

[amy2705598]

If you leave a course part way through they will not look very highly on it at all, and it may reduce your chances of getting into med school at all. If I was in your position, I would work my socks of to get the first and then you will be in a really strong position to get into any course. You will be able to apply for graduate entry courses if you finish your degree, and you get much more financial support on these courses than regular courses. On the five year courses you might be required to stump up the yearly £3000 tuition fee with no student loan to pay for it (well graduates do, not sure what happens if you've left a course, but I imagine you'd have to pay). Don't give up your dream of medicine, but I really wouldn't give up your degree when you're so close to finishing. Good luck with whatever you decide

[Tat]

I totally agree with Amy. Finish your degree and apply as a graduate. Even if you dont apply for a grad course you will have a great shot at a five year with a first (you just have the money issue then tho).

I have a place on the leicester GEP 2007. Did psychology/neuroscience at Manchester and got a 2.1 in my degree (mainly due to my own laziness) but had i got a first I would of had more options. I wanted to do med when I did my a-levels (and before that I think) but a mixture of alcohol, partying and men (well looking back boys) resulted in my not doing well enough in chemistry.

Try to get varied work experience (they went on at my interview about the fact that most of my experience is psychi- i have worked in mental health for 2 years post grad).

[DH2005]

M - complete your degree. No two ways about it.

[algy_lacey]

Finish your degree!!! It will put you in a much stronger position when applying. Do continue to do loads of work experience on the side though - it'll show a long-term desire to study medicine. But if you drop out of your current degree now, even to follow a vocation, it won't look that impressive. One year really isn't a long time at all, and no matter what, having an extra degree will look impressive in future years when you're applying for jobs. What if you end up with a passion for public health when you start studying medicine? A maths degree could well be just what you need to be a brilliant public health specialist.

[Chulalongkorn]

I think the message has come across in the posts above. Dropping out of your degree at this stage would SERIOUSLY reduce your chances of getting into medical school for a l-o-n-g time. Getting a 2.1 or better would seriously improve your chances of entering in 2008. No debate here really.

[theatrical]

Mathematician - are you in the 3rd year of a MMath or 2nd of a BSc? If you're on a MMath then I don't think there's a problem with you leaving at the end of this year (with your BSc) and applying for medicine for 2008 entry. Not having a biological sciences degree may limit your choice of GEPs and 5 years, but it's certainly doable.

Just make sure you have plenty of varied work experience and inventive voluntary work. I'm in the final year of my degree, I'm only predicted a 2.i and don't have great A levels or GCSEs - I think it's my work experience/voluntary work that has got me my interviews.

[mussed]

Yeah, I was about to say - I´m doing Maths and Philosophy with an option to do a BA or an MMathPhil, and I chose the former so I could get on with medicine - would probably have switched back if I didn´t have an offer. Stay in education, it´ll help you a lot...

[Mathematician]

Thanks alot for all your advice, I will be staying to do my final Honour degree.

Yeah, I was about to say - I´m doing Maths and Philosophy with an option to do a BA or an MMathPhil, and I chose the former so I could get on with medicine - would probably have switched back if I didn´t have an offer. Stay in education, it´ll help you a lot...

thats really good, at least there is someone here studying Maths .. I thought I was the only one ..

anyway what made you change to studying medicine?

for me it was my desire to study medicine long time ago and I feel ~I need to do it now.. just wasnt lucky enough to get a place in the first place.

thank you

[mussed]

My parents are medics; it was rebellion and a clear expectation about maths that pushed me into what I'm doing. The first time round I had two ucas forms - clearly submitted the wrong one! I've basically been set on medicine since the summer before I started my degree and been working towards it since, but I wouldn't change this path for the world.