Bit of a dilemma

[Chwirkytheappleboy]

It's about time to start thinking about the decision I'm going to make with regards to Medical School entry this year. So hypothetically, let's say you found yourself in my position: you applied for 4 GEP courses because it's the only financially viable option, and then the only offer you received was for a 5 year programme based in the most expensive city in the country. What would you do? Would you apply for GEPs again next year, or just go for the 5 year and send yourself soaring several tens of thousands of pounds into debt?

[Martigan]

Chwirky take it man, take it. I would it your position and I have a kid to support.

Its the classic bird in the hand or two in the bush. The GEP applications are just too much of a lottery to risk it, you will still qualify at the same time, an as its at a less hectic pace, you have more time to have a part time job and offset or even totally mitigate the financial discrepancy. I have had to think long an hard about it. and the simple fact is its "what ever it takes" for me.

A month ago you wouldn't have heard me say that, but failing to get a place has just hammered home the lengths I will go to get in.

[yazoo]

The question you need to assess - if this is the only place you were to be offered ever, do you want to reject it?

Or do you want to give the 4 year another go? I think you are young and you don't appear to hate your job...

But if the latter, where did ot go wrong this year? Interview? App? How are you going to change it? Can you change it substantially?

All those factors need to be considered.

I applied for one 5 year back in the day. I would have accepted if my only offer as per Martigan's advice - a bird in the hand... But you are much younger than either of us, I suspect! Age does make a difference.

What I can say with experience is that the journey is part of it. Med School is to be enjoyed. Perhaps a 5 year course gives you an extra year of the journey to discover the joys of medicine? There are many.

[foxyamy]

If I were you I would take it - like Martigan said, you will have more chance to work while you are there, and if you really want to do it I just wouldn't risk it. There are so many people who have not got offers this year, even when they've tried a couple of 4 year and a couple of 5 year.

[Gizmo says -]

i wouldnt take it, since you arent likely to thrive at university when you are chasing the dollar incessantly.

[GenericName]

Dear god take it.... I can't believe you're even considering not taking it. If you CAN fund it, then you have to take it.

You never know what will happen next year, take Barts 5-year....their UKCAT requirement jumped 50 odd points this year. Can you afford to take the risk when things like that are happening?

London is expensive, but you'll get a bit more maintenance loan and can probably find a weekend/part-time job if you need to (although Kings 5-year I doubt you'll have time).

[nabbe]

Being one of those who are down to 1 last chance and probably not even that, I would take it! I wouldn't want to play with my luck/future if this is really what you want as a career. Even with taking debt! Even as a finance student, especially as a finance student, I can say that some things are worth being in debt. You will be earning enough and be able to pay it back within some odd years anyway. Besides, I'd actually rather study the 5 years instead of 4, even as a grad applicant, because medicine is nothing to rush with while being challenging, I'd rather take the time and not put myself through extra stress.

[Big_hitter_andy]

Can I have it if you don't want it? I'd definitely take it. If you never got another offer how would you live with it? And if you take it you'll never know if you'd get another offer so it doesn't matter. Bit confusing that last bit!

[dotvicky]

i wouldnt take it, since you arent likely to thrive at university when you are chasing the dollar incessantly.

LOL - trust Gizmo to be contrary.

Loathe as I am to give advice, I too am on the 'Take it!' side of the fence.

Having now laid my cards out, I'll do what I more usually do and try to give you some thoughts so you can do what you feel is right for yourself.

List out the main differences between the course you've got and the hypothetical one you might get next year. For you, as you've pointed out, the cost difference is the biggest but can that be offset by other things? E.g. getting work in the holidays/evenings as the pace is so much easier?

I imagine the fees pale into insignificance compared to the extra year of lost earnings so it's not just about earning that £3-and-a-bit-k (if not, you can *easily* earn enough to cover the fees difference) but at the same time, getting a place next year is very hypothetical and even if you did get a place, as someone has already pointed out, you'll graduate at the same time.

In completely unrelated questionning - what's Canada Water like? I'm thinking that's where I and my family will end up by the end of the year.

Cheers
Vicky

[mhc123]

Heya,

At the King's interview I went to, a guy asked about the possibility of taking a year out to earn some money before starting on the five year course. I know it's another year to wait etc., but if you're really worried about money then maybe it's worth asking them.

I've thought about this option (I got a 5yr offer from King's too rather than the 4yr I wanted), but then figured that I'm going to owe so much anyway.. I think this is what they call "sleepwalking into debt", but hey, it's for a good cause!