Bit of a dilemma

[dotvicky]

I think it's dangerous to make assumptions based on "best case scenario"

Fair enough... just be careful you're not making that mistake with regards to getting a place on a GEP next year (and no changes to the associated costs).

[nabbe]

All of this brought to my mind the idea of a summer job. What are the terms like in UK? As an applicant from Finland, I know that universities have even quite long summer holidays, and even if it were shorter for med.school, wouldn't you or anyone else for that matter, be able to save up some decent money then? For example at your old job or anything else?

Not trying to get you to take the place, just something I thought of and would actually like to know since I will be spending a lot of money on tuition fees this year in UK if I don't get if my last shot King's doesn't give me a shot.

[khaa9666]

While I'm taking potential earnings into consideration, I'm very reluctant to make projections based on the loose possibility of extra income. My main concerns are:

1.) My current job doesn't lend itself to being part-time or short-term, because of the nature of the work. Therefore I can't stay there and would need to rely on getting other part time work, which leads onto point 2
2.) While I'm happy to do other types of work such as shop work, waitering, bar work etc, it should be noted that in the middle of a recession, ALL work is very hard to come by so there is no guarantee I can actually get a job
3.) I have quite a few friends at King's who have all advised me NOT to rely on any income from paid work during the clinical years, since there is a.) less time to work, and b.) no guarantee of where you will be at any given time. Therefore rather than having 5 years to work, it's actually more like 2. If we're comparing GEP and undergraduate courses, then since the final 3 years are the same for both programmes, the only difference lies in the first two years anyway.

In any case, I think it's dangerous to make assumptions based on "best case scenario" (i.e. being able to consistently earn £5k each year for the full 5 years with no detriment to study, for example) which is not something I want to include in a budget which is supposed to represent a realistic projection of my finances. What happens if I can't find part time work because there are 100 other applicants for each shelf-stacking job in Tesco? What happens if I'm not actually all that bright and need to study every hour God sends me just to keep up? Should I jeopardise my degree to stack some shelves? I think that it would be naive to just jump into the course thinking "oh I'll earn all I need anyway so there won't be any problem".

Of course, it would also be wrong to assume I won't earn any money, and it would be irresponsible of me to try to get through 5 years of University without making any effort to earn anything. So in trying to make a decision, I would factor in what I'd consider a reasonable amount of money to expect. Anything more is a bonus, anything less is an added problem

Dude, this thread is getting to the point of being beyond surreal. There have been numerous people sending you messages of supoprt and encouragement, but it seems at every turn that in response there are then numerous reasons for you not to do medicine. I'm beginning wonder whether you've got to the point where what you wanted is now happening and you're now subconscously thinking you don't actually want it, the old adege of be careful what you dream for. In response to the never ending calculations which you seem preoccupied with (as we all are, but not to this extent) you need to remember that you could easily do a night shift once a fortnight for the first 2 years bringing in a total of £6760 over those 2 years, and during the summer if you did 4 shifts a week would bring another £10000 over the 2 years, bringing a total of £nearly 17k over the 2 years. I believe you need to look hard at yourself as to whether you actually WANT to do medicine at all, as all this procrastinating is screaming that you don't, simply because you will have to do an extra year. There are soooo many people that wish to be in yoru shoes, and i would personally find it frustrating and verging on insulting about so much moaning about a few thousand pounds when you are in possession of what many people would crawl over broken glass for. Quit the aformentioned procrastinating, get yer ass to med school, become a doctor, be happy. Or don't. Its up to you.

[fortysixandtwo]

I would weigh up your short term debts with what you would consider the monetary worth of a career of a doctor is.

Surely the decision is easy, no?

Also, is the NHS funding for the GEP a guaranteed thing? Or is there a chance that you won't get funding (even 1 year in 3)?

[nickbranch]

good post and probably too much advice to consider properly... The best bit of advice for me is talk to King's. They made you an offer, so are impressed with you and want you to study there. Ask them if you can defer your 5 year, work the year and save like mad, and apply for the 4-year GEP in the meantime. I think they might say no, but you can discuss your thoughts and reservations with them. Your plan for your next year is pretty strong... earn, save, get more experience etc. There is nothing in there that will make King's think you're anything but the worthy candidate they thought you were when they offered you a 4 year place. Take the emotion out of it... talk it through. You seem pretty switched on, and you actually already know the right answer, you just need the courage to make the decision.

(That sounds like boll*cks but it is completely true)

These boards are brilliant for discussion and ideas and opinions but awful for sensible advice, so ignore the people telling you do this or do that... talk to the people that matter (Kings admissions) and base your decision on whats right for you this time.

That's what I reckon anyway.

[aspirant doc]

While I'm happy to do other types of work such as shop work, waitering, bar work etc, it should be noted that in the middle of a recession, ALL work is very hard to come by so there is no guarantee I can actually get a job
anyway.

What happens if I can't find part time work because there are 100 other applicants for each shelf-stacking job in Tesco?

Of course, it would also be wrong to assume I won't earn any money

Blimey. Why limit yourself to work like bar work or Tescos that is not good pay? Medical students are highly sought after for a variety of part-time jobs related to medicine - in GP surgeries, in A&E departments, as nurse bank workers. You'll get something in the region of 4 months off each summer for your first two years. That is 16 weeks. Or 80 days at work. Or 560 hours at work, if you do a 7 hour day. Multiply by the minimum wage and you are already caning it in, and that is even f iyou limit yourself to minimum wage jobs. Aim higher, you'll get more than the minimum wage. If you are relentless and think lateralyl about your work options, you WILL find something.