Atlantic in April!

[All at sea]

Hi

I'm looking for a bit of advice and probably a little bit of encouragement. I'm a Merchant Naval Officer (Navigation) and although I enjoy my job, I am wanting to start Graduate Medicine in 2013. This was the original plan when I was in school but I thought I was a way too immature to decide on a lifelong career...and ended up in the Merchant Navy...go figure!! I studied Biology, Chemistry, Maths and French at A-Level and due to my job I have a Foundation degree in Marine Operations and a Bachelors (Hons) in Merchant Shipping Operations.

I am all set up with my current leave rotations to sit the UKCAT this summer, but due to my contracts I will be somewhere in the Mid-Atlantic when the GAMSAT takes place in the UK. Looking ahead, I may be able to wangle my leave so that I can be around for GAMSAT Ireland...but do the UK universities accept it? And does anyone know if the syllabus is different?

I'm trying to do something I want to do, and not something I've ended up doing...so any help from you fine people would be wonderful!

Thanks from 18 08'N 049 37'W

[fortysixandtwo]

Hey,

I only did the UKCAT during my application cycle, but I'm almost certain that the Irish GAMSAT is accepted the the UK unis (I'm sure someone a bit more knowledgeable will confirm that!).

And good luck with it all, it's a great course to be on.

Any more questions along the way, feel free to ask.

[All at sea]

Hey

Thanks for replying! If the universities don't accept the Irish GAMSAT then it'll just be the UKCAT I'll be doing...although without a science degree it limits the universities I can apply to.

I had hoped they would all accept it so I've just send off an email to St. George's asking...fingers crossed. It'll give me a little more scope in applying.

Another little nugget. With my job I'm finding it really difficult securing volunteering jobs because I'm not around long enough...so most are unwilling to let me lend a hand. I am getting some experience and I'm doing as much as I can when I am ashore. I'm hoping that the universities will look at my circumstances and realise that I am trying my best given the awkwardness of the situation I'm in.

Any advice?

Thanks again! )

[scottydoc]

The Irish GAMSAT is exactly the same as the UK GAMSAT so no problems there. However if you intend to sit the GAMSAT in March 2013, you won't be eligible for 2013 entry. The Irish sitting for 2013 was March 2012.

Unless you're prepared to wait til 2014 or desperate for Swansea, St Georges or Nottingham, I wouldn't bother sitting GAMSAT. It is the exam from hell.

UKCAT is a far easier option and you get your results on the day meaning you can tailor your application according to your score.

[GIJane]

Hi All at Sea,
I was in a similar position to you when I started considering applying for medicine. In 2010 I deployed to Afghanistan from March to October which meant that I could not sit the UKCAT or the UK GAMSAT during that year (I could have done it during RnR if I had planned it properly but that would have meant relying on the RAF to get me back in time and with that added stress, me already working 15hrs+ a day 7 days a week during my tour as a staff officer, it would have meant I probably would have done terribly).

Instead I managed to squeeze in the Irish GAMSAT in March 2010 before I left (sweet joy). Scottydoc is right-the GAMSAT is a killer exam so you need to make sure you are prepared for it. I performed averagely!!

I had the same issues with work experience too - if I was going to apply for 2011 entry (using my irish GAMSAT result) and therefore submit my UCAS in Oct 2010 I would have no chance to get any work experience. Obviously your service experience will stand you in excellent stead but you really need some additional stuff on top of that. The unis can be accommodating with regards to the fact you have been away but they need to make sure you have considered this career change fully - this can only really be demonstrated by long periods of work experience.

In the end I bit the bullet and delayed my application. Waited until I got back to the UK and spent the next year trying to work towards my application. It all paid off and now I have an offer to Nottingham Uni on their graduate course starting in September. I cant wait!!!

The application process isn't easy so I would say take your time and make sure you give yourself the best possible chance. If you are determined for 2013 entry, I believe you can take the UKCAT all around the world (: UKCAT) so that might help.

I wish you all the luck in your application!

[All at sea]

Thanks Scottydoc. I guess if it all goes pear shaped I can sit the GAMSAT in Ireland next year. I'm planning to sit the UKCAT this summer while on leave so finger crossed that goes ok! But now that I've found this little gem of a forum, I'm sure I'll be badgering you all for advice and keeping you updated!

GIJane! Well done on your offers! That is amazing! And so nice to hear from someone that was in similar circumstances! I've had a reply from Southampton Hospital Trust and they're willing to take me on for volunteering roles (as long as I promise to come back next time I'm on leave). I guess the paperwork is a lot for them so they need to make sure it's worth taking me on.

Did you take a year out from the RAF before your application? I have been considering that...although I am contracted with my company for at least another year.

Does spending all of my free time onboard down in the medical centre count as experience? I've been allowed to sit in on consultations (with passenger permission of course), treatments and staff meetings etc. Not exactly the NHS but I'm still learning a lot -especially the downsides of being a doctor and why the team (Doctors and Nurses) have run away to sea! So all in all it's been worthwhile even if I am sacrificing valuable sleep.

Still in the Atlantic - 25 17'N 033 59'W

[AA92]

Hi GiJane,
I am thinking of changing careers and going into medicine.
The only thing is I am now getting on a bit, 45 this October .
I am wondering have I left it too late.
Also my A levels in Physics and Chemistry gone really rusty and i have no biology either.
i could do improving my english especially when English is not my first language.
big question have i got enough time to do the prep untill this september. i am currently free to study all day long since i have a couple of rented properties on the go.
i will be grateful for any advice.

[GIJane]

Hi All at sea,

Yes i think your time in the med centre will count for some great work experience. I did a similar thing where I spent a week or so shadowing one of the military GPs at our med centre. You need to be able to show dedication but also that you have learnt from any experiences. I had to hand in my notice a year in advance (signed off in September 2011) and that was before I had heard from the universities. It was a gamble but I figured that if it didn't work out I could get a years work as an HCA or NHS manager which would help towards my application in the future. p.s. I'm Army not RAF ;P

AA92 - Although 45 is probably towards the older end of people that choose to study medicine it is not too late. Plenty of people manage to do it, even in their 50s. I am sure there are lots of people of a similar age on this forum that could give you better advice. As for your GAMSAT preparation, again I am not really best placed to give you advice but if you check out the GAMSAT threads on this forum there are plenty of people that have been uber successful at the exam and could give you some tips. In my opinion you should have plenty of time to prepare, particularly if you have all day to study, as long as your revision is structured and relevant.

Good luck!