I've turned my life around :D

[elmo1]

wow thats a really inspiring story- when theres a will theres a way!
just out of interest, which were your other two unis you got into?
good choice in picking leeds btw

[Lucy xxx]

Southampton and BSMS...although not sure if the BSMS one counts as I withdrew my application on UCAS but the same day got offer letter in the post even though they hadn't updated my UCAS x

[elmo1]

hell yeah that counts!! cos they'd still give you an offer if you hadn't withdrawn... well done thats amazing. you know how rare that is to get 4 offers in medicine don't you?!

[Lucy xxx]

I few people have said so yah, but I can't help wondering if I hadn't have had my circumstances would they have given me a chance, and I know the answer would be no because of the grades I had then.

So are you starting leeds in sept too?x

[elmo1]

yes but if you hadnt had been in those circumstances, then you probably wouldn't have gotten those kinda grades in the first place... so yes they would have accepted you because your grades would have been like any other med applicant if not better!

yeah im starting at leeds in september too... am very excited!!

[wejstone725]

Congratulations, it sounds like you really deserved it. I just read this and was like yay for you! Also 4 offers..wow. You should be really proud.

And also, good picking for Leeds.. I'm a 1st year

[Gizmo says -]

wel done , macca.

you now deserve a nice cup of tea,i warrant.

[Lucy xxx]

Congratulations, it sounds like you really deserved it. I just read this and was like yay for you! Also 4 offers..wow. You should be really proud.

And also, good picking for Leeds.. I'm a 1st year

Thanks oh cool...do you know paul lobaz? silly question i know as it is such a big uni! x

[wejstone725]

'fraid not, sorry! but it is pretty big lol..

[DR.AzzA]

I would like to congratulate you Lucy, a sincere well done to you. Truly from the heart as I can empathise with what you have been through to get to where you are now. Although I have not known for 9 years that I wanted to become a doctor, I have known for about 4 years. I went through similar extenuating circumstances in the run up 2 my GCSE's losing two family members to cancer before and during my exams, at the same time as moving to live in a place that I didn't like, with people I didn't like. All of this meant that I obtained a disappointing 1 A*, 1 A, 4 B's, 2 C's and a D. Then when I came to do work experience at the end of year 12 at the hospital on a med-link type programme to be shown what in my opinion was "the" job for me, I faced further disappointment once I discovered the average entry requirements for medicine. At this point I had already obtained CCDD at a/s level and so I thought that medicine was simply out of my reach, given my academic record. But after my experience in the hospital, I simply did not want to do ANYTHING else in the world, after years of depression I could see clearly where I wanted to go in life. And so, I made the decision to re-take a whole year of a/s, with several GCSES on top in a bid to pursue my dream. I managed to come out with 4 A's in chemistry, biology, french and art. I applied with these grades for 4 medschools to be interviewed at 2, then rejected. Disappointed? yes I was. Disheartened? not on yer nelly. And so I ploughed on to achieve A's in Biology Chemistry and French.....but still no offer
Instead of accepting an offer for biomed I decided to take a gap year and work as a HCA in the NHS, and carer in a council run home, turned out to be a very wise decision as I believe it has equipped me with many skills attributable to good doctors...oh yeah and it also helped get an unconditional offer at Bristol medical school which is where I will be headed in september!!!
I would like my story to confirm what Lucy has said about endeavouring for what you really want, you CAN achieve anything, even if, as in my case it is against all the odds.

And again well done Lucy

P.S The language used may sound a bit dodgy as I worked a 12 hour night shift last night, then went to work this morning also and still have not slept , so as you can imagine I'm not at my best... so apologies for that.