I really, really, really want to do medicine

[Rachel_bluesky]

The wait is killing me. I really want to do medicine. But I doubt I'll get any offers. I read posts from many intelligent persons with great grades and lots of experience who fail to get any offers. My heart sinks! My first time applying and I admire those who are going through their 2/3rd attempts.. I satisfy the entry requirements but so do most people. The competition is so stiff!
I wish I had done A Level Chemistry. Would have enabled me to apply to the standard five year courses - at least they're not as competitive as the graduate entry courses.
So here I am wondering what to do. I will be graduating next summer. If I don't get in this year, I think I'll take a diploma in health psychology which will enable me to possibly go onto training as a clinical psychologist in case I don't get into medicine on the second attempt. I may even prepare to do the GAMSAT this time.
Its so soul destroying, isn't it?

[Britney]

Hi Rachel

I understand your frustration. Its really hard, but do keep your focus and dont give up. Please tell me your background? What qualfications do you have. I currently am in my second year of my nursing degree, no A Levels, but I have gcses. A*-C. I am going to do an access course afterwards by the looks of things. I have looked at the alternatives, I too looked at clinical psychology, as I want to do psychiatry. Yet, when I looked at the Royal College of Psychiatrists website, my mind was made up. Careers Info for UGs This page is a bit long, but well worth the read. Really inspired me. Some days I feel myself switching back and forth between nursing and medicine. Yet, I feel I do this because I am trying to ignore how badly I want to do medicine. So I am going to go for it, and so should you. I wish I could do chemistry. Yet, I wrote another post today about how most Chemistry A Levels will be discontinued as of June 2009 so its going to be Access Course all the way for me. I am 22, but I am still thinking about the time it takes also. I dont want to be faffing around doing something I am not really keen on, because I gave up on my dream; Then end up pursing medicine again anyway. Just stay focused and go for it, you will get there & I hope I do.

[louise colette]

Rachel_bluesky, I can remember feeling just like you... The wait is absolutely horrendous and some days I felt like I would go mad if I didn't hear anything soon! Try to keep some focus on your current course and trust that you've done everything you can so far. Oh and keep sharing your pain, it'll ease the burden a bit.

You can do this... xx

[curlysin]

I empathize with you greatly rachel blue sky as i feel exactly the same. My heart sinks every day when no post arrives for me. Like you say its just about a month since i handed in my application and im near stir crazy already!! trying hard to find things to pre-occupy my mind!

Sure hope we are one of the lucky ones and hear something soon, hope that doesnt sound to selfish of me

Chin Up and like louise colette says keep venting

[domi_stewart]

Originally Posted by Rachel_bluesky

The wait is killing me. I really want to do medicine. But I doubt I'll get any offers. I read posts from many intelligent persons with great grades and lots of experience who fail to get any offers. My heart sinks! My first time applying and I admire those who are going through their 2/3rd attempts.. I satisfy the entry requirements but so do most people. The competition is so stiff!
I wish I had done A Level Chemistry. Would have enabled me to apply to the standard five year courses - at least they're not as competitive as the graduate entry courses.
So here I am wondering what to do. I will be graduating next summer. If I don't get in this year, I think I'll take a diploma in health psychology which will enable me to possibly go onto training as a clinical psychologist in case I don't get into medicine on the second attempt. I may even prepare to do the GAMSAT this time.
Its so soul destroying, isn't it?

it is hard yes, but if it was easy wed all be doctors on 6 figure salaries.

try not to get ureself down or despair cus it helps in no way at all. i feel so so privileged wen im walkin into a lecture and i c loads of ppl coming for interviews; i know all to well wat that feel like as it took me 3 attempts..... but im here now and im so glad i didnt quit.

dont give up; if ure good enough, you'll get in eventually. just need to make sure there are no holes in ure application

[latestarter]

You'd think I should know better, but I still look in my post box hopeful and even check track - I know full well that nothing will happen this side of Xmas...

oh, and Britney I'm assuming you mean the NEC A-level distance learning chemistry? I guess the new syllabus can't be taught that way now due to the change in practical assessment??

[Britney]

Latestarter - Yes , because the new syllabus focuses more on the practical side of chemistry, it doesnt quite fit in with distance learning, but I have decided to do an access now.

Britney x

[Rachel_bluesky]

The GEPs are looking way too competitive for me to get into. I satisfy the requirements (except for Leicester eek). So I am keeping my fingers crossed for the pre-medical foundation courses I have applied to.
OR
I could take out a year working as a health care assistant and re-apply again to the GEP. I could even do a course/lots of preparation for GAMSAT, sit that exam and apply to St Georges which is in London (I'd prefer not to leave London) and other Unis requiring GAMSAT. It'd certainly open up my options a little.
Thankfully money isn't an issue. But I would like to graduate as soon as possible because I am 24 now and while this is not old in the slightest, I just want to push on with things because I feel like I have wasted enough time. Well, not a waste, but you know what I mean!!

[Rachel_bluesky]

From being so keen bordering on desperation to wondering whether this is what I want to do.
My boyfriend is doing F1 and he hates it. The long hours, the environment. Its killing him and he is thinking about changing careers already.
This has come at a time when I am now also starting to contemplate if this is really what I want to do...? Is this normal to feel like this? To change so dramatically? I have had my first rejection but at least it hasn't been from my first choice. I'm positive I'll get accepted by my first choice but it means relocating far away from my home town, my family and friends - and to be honest I am a very homely person, I am starting to wonder whether the change will do me good and whether I can stomach 6 years of extremely hard work - I guess the bad vibes from my boyfriend isn't doing me any good!
I guess the best option is to stop thinking so hard right now, concentrate on my degree, and see where I am and with what offers towards the end of March/ April, right?

[ben_]

I think the general perception is that foundation years are incredibly difficult but that it then gets a little more tolerable. However I could be totally wrong on this