Over25's Joining 5year medical course

[Apothecary]

Hi

I see that many of you have extensive experience of applying to medical school, I would love some advice from you on making my application.

Here are my academic achievements: PLEASE ADVISE!

Experience = Work shadowing (GP, Psychiatrist), work experience (Respiratory, A&E), volunteering in childrens hospital, medical volunteer programme in Ghana - all sorts of experience. Pharmacist work experience, communication with patients etc.

GCSEs: 1A, 5Bs, 6Cs, 1D
A-Levels: BBB, Che, Bio, Computing
Degree: 2.1 Pharmacy

UKCAT = to be taken 24th September

[suzzjj]

Hi

I see that many of you have extensive experience of applying to medical school, I would love some advice from you on making my application.

Here are my academic achievements: PLEASE ADVISE!

Experience = Work shadowing (GP, Psychiatrist), work experience (Respiratory, A&E), volunteering in childrens hospital, medical volunteer programme in Ghana - all sorts of experience. Pharmacist work experience, communication with patients etc.

GCSEs: 1A, 5Bs, 6Cs, 1D
A-Levels: BBB, Che, Bio, Computing
Degree: 2.1 Pharmacy

UKCAT = to be taken 24th September

Which unis are you goin to apply? Have you graduated from uni?

[Apothecary]

yes i have graduated from aston university, in pharmacy 2.1. I will be applying to Leeds, Leicester 5 year and 4 year and Warwick

[latestarter]

UKCAT = to be taken 24th September

why leave the UKCAT so late?

There is an advantage in taking it early as you can plan your admissions strategy depending on the results.
Also, not sure if you plan the GAMSAT, but you could get the UKCAT out of the way and then decide whether you need/want to sit it - as the deadline to register is in August.

[joelhall]

im 27 and ill be 29 when i apply. i am a little worried about sharing the lecture theatres with spotty 18 year old oiks...

[Gizmo says -]

they should be worried about you, macca.

[curlysin]

Thanks for all the replies. I guess im thinking of it in terms of building friendships etc. Obviously its easier to makes friends with people who are of a similar age and have similar interests, as I know building friendships is an excellent source of support when the going gets tough!! On the forum there appeared to be no over 25 year olds starting the Leicester 5 year course in September, but then not everyones on this forum so I shouldnt use this as a marker.

Anyhows nice to hear how others feel about it also. Particularly Lizze Beth as you are at Leicester so can give informed feedback

[Lizzie-Beth]

Aww you'll be fine. I've made some amazing friends on the course (even if I am nearly old enough to be their mum! That was a 'nearly', Giz, if you're reading this ) studying medicine bonds people together like you'd never believe, regardless of age, nationality or religion. You'll have a whale of a time! x

[sefkhet]

Obviously its easier to makes friends with people who are of a similar age and have similar interests, as I know building friendships is an excellent source of support when the going gets tough!!

The fact that you're all doing the same course is a great equaliser, and I've found that having this one enormous thing in common means that age becomes far less of a thing.

At the beginning of first year, I was 22. Positively ancient so far as some of my colleagues were concerned, but a mere youngster in the eyes of others. And then you fast forward to two years later, and some of my very good friends were just barely 18 when they started, while other good friends are in their 30s.

You'll be fine.

[Felixthecat]

I am the oldest in my year and could be the mother of most of the other students. But apart from being grumpy about noise in lectures etc. I have never had problems or negative vibes. Or at least nobody has expressed them to my face :-). I have some great friends amongst the youngsters, though different kind of friendship than with people my own age and we revise together and support each other. What I really enjoy about being around them is their fresh and uncomplicated outlook on life. As old farts we all have hang-ups from the past, doubts and insecurity, all acquired through life experiences. So when I start going on and picking in my belly button, my younger friends just tells me to shut up and get on with it!
So enjoy it! AND at times you can almost kid yourself into thinking that you are 18 again (if thats what you want).
Good luck!