Questions questions

[charliehuntertonsmith]

Hello all

Just looking for some advice. I know some of these questions have been asked before so apologies in advance.

I'm interested in studying medicine. A bit about me:

I'm 37, with a first degree in management (2:2). I have spent my career to date in the City, working in the financial markets. I considered medicine some time ago and sat the GAMSAT exam. I narrowly missed the required score for St Georges but was offered an interview at Peninsula (which I performed poorly in, and failed). In the subsequent years I have still not managed to completely forget about a career in medicine and am considering another attempt. I think I stand a greater chance of success than I did then, and financially am now much better placed.

Could anyone advise me on potential options? Should I resit GAMSAT, do an access course, do some part time A levels, are there any courses I could apply to straight away, etc etc.

All advice appreciated,

Thanks
C

[charliehuntertonsmith]

Any advice appreciated guys - no matter how small Charlie

[Dr_Scully]

Ok here's what I would plan if I were you:

1. Shadow doctors and do HCA work LIKE A BOSS so you know what you're talking about at interview.
Do 1 or two placements minimum and try to do 4-8hrs/week in HCA or similar role.
2. If you have a 2:2 there are only 3 places you can apply to and they don't consider A-Levels so unless you want to learn those basics then you can probably skip that part.
3. Do really well in the GAMSAT and apply this September! My biggest regret is not just applying even before I thought I was ready as it would have been great practise
4. Read 'How to get into Medical school' - because pre-med kids know much more than you do about the process and you need to get clued up!

[charliehuntertonsmith]

Thanks for this Dr Scully. I'll order the book right away. Is GAMSAT still for the three med schools only (St Georges, Notts, Peninsula)? What is the story with UKCAT by the way?
Charlie

[Profanius]

Hey Charlie.

There are 15 universities which run GEP programmes. Of these only SGUL and Notts will accept a 2:2 from your previous degree. All the others require a 2:1 or 1st. Hence the UKCAT isn't really option for you as your degree result excludes you from any Unis that use it.

Peninsula is not a GEP, it is a standard 5 year degree that accepts graduates with 2:2's. It sounds like a small distinction, but from a funding for graduates perspective, like any 5 year medical degree, it means paying 4 years of full tuition fees (£36000 total) with no access to tuition fee loans.

Alas, doing an access course won't really get around the whole 2:2 thing as a lot of the regular 5 year medicine courses will also exclude you because of it. And you've got the whole £36k thing aswell.

Your options are to sit the GAMSAT and apply to SGUL and Notts (& Penn if you've got the money). You could also try emailing the other unis that run standard 5 year degrees and ask if they will accept you with a 2:2, but they will almost certainly require A-levels which can be a long and expensive road.

Another option is to contact the Open University and ask whether you can transfer the credit and take sufficient modules top up your degree to a 2:1. Some, but not all GEP unis will accept a new degree in this way.

Hope this helps.

[charliehuntertonsmith]

Hey Profanius
Thanks for that - it answers a lot of questions for me. Are standard 5 year courses easier to get into than 4 year GEP courses (first degree classification aside that is!) Also, what is the situation with funding for GEPs then?
Apologies for the additional stupid questions!
Looks like it's another go at GAMSAT for me anyway. What fun! Unless I reapply to Penn with my old GAMSAT score (if that's still valid).
Charlie

[Profanius]

Hi Charlie

A GAMSAT result is valid for two years, so you can re-apply with your old score.

GEP funding is slightly complicated. Tuition fees are £9000 for 4 years. In years 2-4 you get an NHS bursary which pays about £3400 each year. You are also entitled to a tuition fee loan of £5600 for years 1-4. So the only upfront cost is the £3400 in your first year when you don't get the NHS bursary. The rest you pay back years later.

For 5 year courses the NHS bursary is only available in year 5 and graduates are not entitled to tuition fee loans, this means paying £36000 yourself with no financial assistance. Although maintenance loans are available for both 4 and 5 year courses, these will barely cover your living expenses.

In theory the 5 year course is less desirable from a financial perspective and therefore has a lower applicant to place ratio... although you are competing with school leavers and the competition is still fierce. I got an offer for Warwick 4 year but got rejected post interview from Newcastle 5 year, so there is by no means a clear divide between 4 or 5 year courses.

[charliehuntertonsmith]

Thanks Profanius, the four year certainly has a lot going for it doesn't it! It's just the small matter of getting the required GAMSAT score and getting through the interview process I guess - easy!