Calling all arts graduates!

[ellie.c]

I see a lot on this forum from grads with degrees in biomedical sciences, maths, engineering etc, and I understand that for them this is a very logical career path... but where are the English grads? The History students? The people who thought Philosophy was the most useful subject of all time until they realised that they actually wanted to be a doctor?

I graduated English and Classics (middle of the road 2:1 from University of Bristol) and spent 2 years wafting around Africa massively overestimating the contribution I was making. Now I'm back in England, doing everything I can think of to make the quite extreme U turn into medicine, and looking for some solidarity!

If you are an arts grad in my position (hastily retaking A levels, trying to squeeze in volunteering, and wondering how on earth you're going to afford all of this while family and friends say things like "really? medicine? what made you think of doing that?") then please, tell me your life story, and we can freak out about trying to compete with science grads together! And if you are an arts grad with a place on a GEM course already then thats fantastic... tell me your secret!!

[Big_hitter_andy]

Hi!

I'm an English graduate (2.i) and an ex secondary school teacher making the same u turn! People are quite surprised but most doctors I have s

[AndrewD1690]

Hello!

I'm in my last year of studying History and Archaeology at Edinburgh (predicted 2:1)....I have absolutely no idea of how I'll fund a medical degree, I've been trying to fit in writing a dissertation, being in my last year and doing volunteer work.....but I'm so sure that I want to be a doctor, and like yourself..I'll try anything to get there.

Although for me I have absolutely no science background....but fortunately Dundee offers a premed course and Aberdeen runs a summer chemistry course for those who don't have a background in science.

Seems like an awful lot of hurdles to overcome....but if successful - it'll have all been worth it.

Good luck to you

[ellie.c]

Are you applying in 2012 as well then? So glad there are other people out there in my position! Where do you want to apply to?

[new2newmedia]

Hello ellie.c

I did an economics degree - a fair dollop of maths but no formal science since my dizzying heights of AS biology.

Have you applied this year?

I'd recommend researching your options before embarking on A levels. If you are applying to 5 year courses you may need them, you may not as some have different entry requirements if you are a grad (even if you have no science).

Some 4 year courses that you would be eligible for e.g. KCL and Newcastle don't need them.

GAMSAT is also a good route for arts graduates/non science graduates. You would need to learn plenty of science but your A levels and degree subject should be irrelevant.

Good luck with everything!

[mikuro]

Arts graduate here applying in 2012 - furiously learning Chemistry at the moment, it's a bit heavy but I'm feeling good about it. Discovered I actually quite enjoy equations....
Entering March GAMSAT with a hope to sailing through and not having to retake in September...hoping to get into Notts or St Georges in 2013.

[beccawills]

HI there! arts grad here with a degree in politics and a career in media. I sat GAMSAT in september and have applied to SGUL...good luck!

[nearlybled2death]

I graduated in 2005 with a *cough* 2ii in philosophy from the uni of Glasgow. Have spent the past 5yrs working as an accountant after completing the NHS grad scheme. I had no science beyond GCSE and sat the GAMSAT last Sept. I applied to SGUL, Notts and Peninsula for deferred entry in 2011. I got 3 interviews, 2 offers and will be starting SGUL next Sept. I did take a CertHE in life sciences last year but it didn't form part of my offer, I only took it because I thought it would be helpful if I had to retake the GAMSAT. Thankfully I didn't but I still think it's going to be useful. Good luck all!

[ellie.c]

I got 3 interviews, 2 offers and will be starting SGUL next Sept.

Thats fantastic! Good for you! I know I don't really need chem for some of the courses but a) I figured it would show willing and enthusiasm and b) I'm really freaking out about the GAMSAT and thought that if I was gonna spend all day revising science I might as well get a qualification out of it!

Hoping to apply in 2012... any advice on surviving the GAMSAT?

[glambert]

Ha ha you're absurdly close to exactly what I've done/am doing so don't feel alone! I graduated last year in Modern History from Oxford and am applying this year for the GEP at Cambridge, Kings, Newcastle and Southampton. I too have been cramming in the work experience since graduation and am doing science A levels - I agree with you that independent of any specific requirements they're very useful. At least we'll know what a globular protein is before we start! And even more uncannily, I spent six months in Kenya across my university holidays, similarly becoming disillusioned with the value of international development! Where are you thinking of applying?