Oldies

[Dawson]

Originally Posted by Granny Midges

Hi
Received a white letter today with Warwick on the stamp..........opened it only to find an estate agents brochure
arrrrrrggghhhhhhhh !!!!!!!! It was a crappy little house as well...

Hahaha, that's so cruel

[latestarter]

Originally Posted by Dawson

I'm starting my BSC OCT 09 (I'm 25, will be 26 by the time I start), so, I'll be 29/30 before I start medical school, depending on the number of attempts before I'm accepted!

I'm also planning on doing A/AS science/biology during the three years BSC-- to top-up for the entry-requirements, along with studying in my own time for the UKCAT, so that hopefully in three years when I sit the exam, I will have a better chance of getting a high score.

P.S. Hi! Been watching the forum for a long time now, decided to finally post.

Hi Dawson,

Sorry we missed you earlier... it seems you're at the very start of your journey?
What BSc are you starting? A lot can change in 3 years, so keep an eye on entry reqs and general admissions as you go through your degree. Don't worry about UKCAT yet, it's way too early.
I would check whether you really need the A-levels - but if you plan the GAMSAT then it may be a smart idea depending on what your degree is in.

Hopefully, we can give you some inspiration to keep going and get those grades...

[latestarter]

Originally Posted by JUDE

Hey, just wanted to say latestarter 3rd time lucky worked for me!! First applied for 2004 and 2005 entry unsucessfully, gave up for a while and applied again for 2008 and miraculously managed to get a place on a GEP!! Am 30 at the moment but had to defer a year as am expecting a baby now, so don't give up!!!

hmm, at least having a baby is sooo not going to happen for me - but congrats to you!
there's never a good time to try and have a family, if you think of it there probably wouldn't be time in the first 10 years...

[Dawson]

Originally Posted by latestarter

Hi Dawson,

Sorry we missed you earlier... it seems you're at the very start of your journey?
What BSc are you starting? A lot can change in 3 years, so keep an eye on entry reqs and general admissions as you go through your degree. Don't worry about UKCAT yet, it's way too early.
I would check whether you really need the A-levels - but if you plan the GAMSAT then it may be a smart idea depending on what your degree is in.

Hopefully, we can give you some inspiration to keep going and get those grades...

Hi, thanks for spotting my introduction post, I thought I had been forgotten for a while there

I'm going to be taking BSc Occupational Therapy, which may seem a strange choice to some (I haven't managed to find any other students on here who have chosen this route), however, for me it fits in with my 'larger plan', besides which it covers so many relevant areas, including:

* Anatomy
* Physiology
* Psychology
* Sociology
* Physical rehabilitation
* Mental health
* Learning disabilities
* Research skills
* Management skills
* Professional practice
* Ethics

I totally agree with you regarding UKCAT and GAMSAT. I think I will still do the A levels part-time, just as a precaution, however.

Although it's some time off, as you rightly pointed out, I would be looking at preferably bsms or soton.

[Granny Midges]

Originally Posted by runnerbean

Congrats on the bambino J!

I love this thread - I am 28 and had been thinking that I was really old as everyone else seemed to be just finished first degree and going in aged 21-24. Would like to join the party if I may?

Going for 4 GEP/GEM unis so fingers crossed. Applied the first time round 10 years ago but didnt even get an interview so hoping for second time lucky. They only started the grad courses as I left uni but had done an arts course instead and had no hope of passing the entrance exams so been studying OU which was pretty helpful. Scraped through on the science part of GAMSAT with a 53 so rejoicing! If i didnt leave for work so early I'd be haunting the postie too Granny! Instead I am constantly checking emails.

Singing lessons sound entertaining. I took up guitar a few years back and was beyond awful at the start but now thinking i might just do the odd thing in public! Keep it up Granny - you might be on XFactor yet...

Hi Runnerbean
Welcome to this thread ! Yeah the singing is great-there only 30 min lessons it goes so quick. Looking forward to doing some italian stuff next week. Congrats with the GAMSAT, just glad I didn't have to sit through it. Where have you applied ?

Talking of x-factor check this guy out, he cheers me up no end !!
YouTube - American Idol - X-Factor THIS GUY IS GREAT !

GM
x

[runnerbean]

Gold. You must check out Britney's twin
YouTube - Britney Spears Derrick Barry America's Got Talent



Gamsat was fairly brutal - its just soooo long. Applying Keele, St Georges, Swansea and Nottingham. Still checking the post but nowt yet. I live in hope...

[Granny Midges]

Originally Posted by runnerbean

Gold. You must check out Britney's twin
YouTube - Britney Spears Derrick Barry America's Got Talent



Gamsat was fairly brutal - its just soooo long. Applying Keele, St Georges, Swansea and Nottingham. Still checking the post but nowt yet. I live in hope...

That was just too weird...he looked better than Britney !

All quite here too...

Good luck,

GM
x

[chiari]

I'm so glad you guys are here or else I'd think I was the only one to have heard nothing yet

[Chulalongkorn]

Originally Posted by yazoo

This is not meant to be a downer for those applying as older applicants (the 30+ age groups), more a note of realism. As I have said above, I would not have been satisfied career wise had I not studied medicine. However, I find the long shifts (13 hours with maybe only a 30 min break at times), switiching from days to nights, working 91 hours a week (this is currently possible, the EWTD is an average) and working 12 straight days very hard at times.

I got shot down a killjoy last time I said this, but I think people should at least think about the impact of not seeing family and the toll that long hours can take both physically and mentally. You do not bounce back so fast as you get older.

So I post this link:

Careers advice

If you are certain medcine is for you, do it. I can recommend it. If you have some doubts, then maybe think again.

COI: I have just finished a killer week...

As an older junior doctor I have to echo these points. Although I had worked in the NHS for 18 years alongside junior doctors before I went to medical school, and had very good insight into their job pressures, NOTHING could have fully prepared me for the long and exceedingly tiring hours I (and you will) have to put in. Older applicants really do need to think about these issues seriously. I am not so sure many really do during the application process, as it is easy to be overwhelmed with the excitement of applying and ignore the long term consequences! I have a very supportive partner and no kids but a career in clinical medicine will have a MAJOR impact on the rest of your family,

I don't care if I am a killjoy, it is a VERY important factor that needs to be considered and one we asked about in depth at graduate interviews.

Having said all that I wouldn't want to do any other job...well apart from running an old fashioned sweet shop with jars and jars of pineapple chunks, rhubarb and custards, black jacks, everton mints, lemon sherberts......

[Chulalongkorn]

Working in accident and emergency, he feels, “is a young person’s game.”

After 4 months there I so have to agree with this statement!

I am exhausted

Luckily I am off to GP-land now for some 9-5 (well OK, 8-6) and weekends off. Bliss. Welcome back social life