am i a suitable candidate for cambridge/medicine even?

**guccinemesis** · 15-06-2004, 12:59 AM

hi

i'm currently 20 now, but i will just be 22 if i can get onto a med course starting in 2005. i am currently doing a degree in aeronautical engineering @ imperial. i hope to gain either a high 2:1 or by a miracle a 1st (u never know!). i have an A grade in maths, chemistry, physics and biology a level.
my main query is, i really want to apply to cambridge but im feeling rather intimidated and pessimistic about it. on reading posts here, and remembering applicants from 6th form for medicine @ cambridge, it seems they want you to know the first few yrs of a medicine degree b4 u even go there. and with being a 'mature' student it seems even more impossible, b-cos i look indecisive (not a gr8 attribute for a doctor) by not picking the right course to begin with. wot shud i do to strengthen my application and do i honestly stand a chance?
i would really appreciate some advice on preparing properly for this application given my situation of bein a mature student (wot this entire forum is about!). r my expectations too high, wot would be a good course of action? and i will b @ uni for another yr, how can i use the lecturers to my best advantage with this application, since theyre probably very similar to the interviewers i will b up against for medicine, providing i get interviews!.

thanks

**polthegael** · 15-06-2004, 02:12 PM

Don't worry about it dude... It doesn't appear as hardcore nor intimidating to get in reality. I also got the old 4 As routine (same subjects) and got into Girton. I'm even older than you (though you may not think that possible, I know I didn't at your age!), being 27, 28 when I start in October.

**Caveman** · 17-06-2004, 03:40 PM

Academically you look fine, you may need to whack up the caring/medical work experience a bit though. You also (I think) qualify for the GEP course with your quals. Check the website though.

**PeteyP** · 01-07-2004, 12:22 AM

Hiya

I've just finished my first year at Lucy Cav Col Cam. The grads in my college have degrees in all sorts of subjects from engineering, to philosphophy and languages. I agree that a really important thing is work experience to make a rounded appliaction. Do something that'll stand out and it should put you in good stead.

PeteyP
xx

**guccinemesis** · 05-07-2004, 03:30 PM

thanxs for all ure replies, its really appreciated! ure right i do need voluntry experience stuff 2 put on my cv. im applyin 2 b a samaritan, 2 be a befriender 2 either an old/mentally disabled person, and im gonna go on a 1 day nhs doctor course thing where half the day is a lecture, and the other half is shadowing around a hospital. is this enuff & cud u suggest anything else? and a quick question 2 petey, lucy cavendish is women only, isnt it strange bein women only, how come u chose 2 go there?
thanxs

**PeteyP** · 08-07-2004, 11:14 PM

Hiya

Well it's an interesting question. I think one crucial reason for applying to Lucy is that as it is only for women you've immediately shelved half of your competition

Seriously.....I'm an undergrad so couldn't have applied to Hughes and out of the colleges I had contact with Lucy was by far and away the most impressive. It was really supportive, friendly and when I came to the open days had a really good atmosphere.

It's not too wierd being a girls college as boyfs/husbands are allowed, but what is a bit wierd is the strange messages left up by the porters saying stuff like 'any stray men will be removed' - I exaggerate, but you get the point. Term time is so busy that it's good to have a quiet retreat and you can always opt into bops and the like elsewhere. Eddie's is literally just around the corner and that's quite a lively mixed mature college.

Good luck!