Applying for GEM: do I have a shot and what are the chances?

**TPH** · 26-06-2012, 08:36 PM

Basically I want to get some feedback on the strength of my (potential) application for GEM. At the moment i'm studying for a BSc (Hons) in Applied Sport Sciences at the University of Edinburgh, due to graduate next year and i'm averaging a mid-high 2:1. After I graduate I had thought of returning to college to resit a biology A level and also complete a new Chemistry A2 bringing my grades up to scratch ( hopefully attain two A [*?]'s). Next academic year I am also planning on completing first aid at work course to allow me to work during the summer with a company providing first aid medical treatment at events and suchlike, and in between all of this I am trying to get some volunteer experience in a hospital (RIE).

Provided I can pass/score high on the UKCAT.. I just wanted to gauge what are my chances of a successful application and what I can do to improve it etc. Really appreciate some advice and honest feedback from those who have been there done that, and those going through the process now?

thanks

**jcak** · 27-06-2012, 02:57 AM

I'm currently going through the process now, which doesn't lend much to my opinion, but I feel it's hard to judge your application on 2 short paragraphs. I feel people might agree with me that we can't give you the guarantee of a position which is what you're hoping for, but only tell you what we tell ourselves. This includes; there's always room for more volunteering (as opposed to doing a short 1 day/1 weekend qualification for first aid at work, join St John's Ambulance and volunteer weekly etc...), if there's something that the university website wants in your arsenal of qualifications (A levels in your case) then go get them, and practice for your admissions tests, for they can be the decider as to whether you get an interview or not. A score above the cut-off results can't hurt.

A mid to high 2:1 is a good achievement, nice job, and as long as your degree is on the recognised list for the universities you'll apply to then it should be enough to tick the boxes that the admissions tutors are looking at. Other than that all I can really suggest is to keep plugging away at it, make sure you graduate with a good result, make sure you volunteer regularly and apply to universities where your research indicates they'll overlook your weaknesses. For example, I think it might be SGUL which you may have to fork out £220 for sitting the GAMSAT, but they overlook your lack of science A levels.

Hope I've helped, even just a little bit!

**motivationG** · 27-06-2012, 02:06 PM

Originally Posted by TPH

Basically I want to get some feedback on the strength of my (potential) application for GEM. At the moment i'm studying for a BSc (Hons) in Applied Sport Sciences at the University of Edinburgh, due to graduate next year and i'm averaging a mid-high 2:1. After I graduate I had thought of returning to college to resit a biology A level and also complete a new Chemistry A2 bringing my grades up to scratch ( hopefully attain two A [*?]'s). Next academic year I am also planning on completing first aid at work course to allow me to work during the summer with a company providing first aid medical treatment at events and suchlike, and in between all of this I am trying to get some volunteer experience in a hospital (RIE).

Provided I can pass/score high on the UKCAT.. I just wanted to gauge what are my chances of a successful application and what I can do to improve it etc. Really appreciate some advice and honest feedback from those who have been there done that, and those going through the process now?

thanks

Yeah no one can tell you your chances. You seem to meet the academic criteria but then again I don't know where your thinking of applying. Your best bet is to email the unis that you are thinking of applying to and find out whether you meet their entry criteria. Work on organising work experience and make sure you are able to talk about what you have learnt from your experiences.
Good luck!

**Martigan** · 27-06-2012, 06:23 PM

You look to have all the right prep, so you would appear to have as good a shot as any.

But please understand it's still a bit of a lottery, so even the best candidate in the world may not secure a place first time round. However you would look to have a better shot than many that I have seen succeed.