How can I give up on my dream

[transformersgirl]

This is my 3rd time applying. I have all the minimum requirements. I am a grad. I got around 650 for ukcat, and still no interviews.

I have tried to tailor my ps to be as descriptive as possible and I have done over 7 years of work experience. I dont have a criminal record that I know of,
and I havent had an interview since I missed my grades at a-level.

What makes it worse is that my best friend who got closer to 600 got a place very early on.


Everyone around me thinks it's just not going to happen for me and want to see me move on from this and be happy.

It's hard. I just can't seem to let go of my dream easily.

I'm not looking for a pity party here lol...it's just ive told this story to everyone I know already and it's a broken record to them.

Tell me to move on.

[House Jr.]

if going into medicine is your dream then ignore everyone who tells you to move on. I recommend that you contact the unis thta you applied to in the past and ask them for some feedback about your application since it may be enlightening and the things which let you down may be quite easy to sort out.


Good luck in the future though and I hope you achieve your dream in the end.

Move on transformergirl the chances the second time are 5% and for a forth time? Very low-approaching zero.
Sometimes it is better to quit and develop a new dream. What else can you do? What else are you good at? If you have the minimum entry requirements you are not talentless. Plenty of people will come on and say try again medicine is this that and the next thing but getting a real life is the only thing. Life is not a rehearsal for something else. I hate being the bearer of bad news and as usual I will be criticised for this post by the never say die brigade. You should just face reality. It is not a good system at the best of times and you are now extremely disadvantaged. I wish you a thousand good lucks amd a good life in whatever you choose to do

You're entitled to your opinion I guess but if we're being realistic then you need to consider that this person met the minimum requirements and their UKCAT is good too, so their chances of getting into medicine isn't as slim as you make it out to be. If their application was simply terrible then you may have a point. Also, dreams are not trivial things which can be thrown away and replaced, if medicine is this person's dream and they don't consider JUST a job but a way of life, then 'moving on' will leave them with a horrible sense of regret.

[foxyamy]

Move on transformergirl the chances the second time are 5% and for a forth time? Very low-approaching zero.

I'm sorry, but I fail to believe that is true in the slightest. Plenty of people get in the second or even third time around, so you are speaking out of your ****. Where exactly did you get these statistics from?

OP - maybe you just need a little more help with tailoring your PS, as from chats that I have had with tutors and admissions and the like, they are really very interested in those who have substantial work experience rather than those who have only done a bit of shadowing.

You could try approaching one of the helpers on studentroom.com medical forums who may be able to help.

Also, if you can try and improve on your UKCAT and apply to those unis which place a lot of weight on that it can help you get an interview. For example two of my unis have given me interviews purely on this basis.

[fortysixandtwo]

This is my 3rd time applying. I have all the minimum requirements. I am a grad. I got around 650 for ukcat, and still no interviews.

Have you got 4 rejections this year or just haven't heard back yet?

[DLS]

I think you should keep trying, if it is your dream then never give up!... I think you maybe need some help with your PS, you may not be approaching it in the right way.

Also, it would be good to get your UkCAT possibly a bit higher. It may be WHERE your applying. What degree and grade did you get? What about A-levels? Where did you apply?

Maybe if you give is more of this information we can offer further help

[transformersgirl]

Well i did focus on london unis for a while, then i moved a lot further out and still got rejected.

I got a 2.1 in my degree, a-level all b's and missed out on a top 3 uni because of it. that hurts the most.

But then i've seen so many people with not as good educational attainments and/or ukcat...still at least get interviews.

My spirit is close to breaking. I really wish i had never got into this cycle in the 1st place. but i feel like i would be a good doctor, my intentions are good, and after doing my closely related 1st degree and taking notes from my medic friends confirmed it is something that would really fulfil me and i would enjoy...but i guess not everyone gets what they want.

the hardest thing is moving on.

[foxyamy]

Hey, I feel for you, I am a second time applicant and if I don't get in this time I will try again, but I know it's tough. The London unis are by far the hardest to get in at though, as some of them have about 20 applicants per place who all meet the min. criteria.

If you could get your UKCAT score up to about 670 then I would highly suggest Warwick, as they interview the top 2 thirds of UKCAT scores, so it gives you a real fighting chance. Then I would get your personal statement looked at by someone who knows what they are doing (either a PS helper from studentroom.com or a lecturer) and would apply to Southampton, as they don't interview and go solely off that and your reference. In fact, have you seen your reference? That may also need improving.

I know it costs a lot more, but you should also seriously consider applying to 5 year courses and deal with the finance issue by getting a loan - if you had applied to the 5 year at Newcastle with those qualifications and UKCAT you would have been guaranteed an interview, and I'm pretty sure it would be the same for other unis.

Where else did you apply? I might be able to help you see where you are going wrong if you let us know that.

Also, ignore that idiot "Traumatised" they are clearly a troll.

[foxyamy]

As I said I would be criticised by the never say die brigade. Bad advice you are giving this applicant. If you cant research the stats thats your problem

Merely asking to be pointed in the right direction since I know of no stats anywhere in existence that say anything like what you have stated. The fact that you don't seem to want to even hint at where you got them from just reiterates my point.

[yazoo]

As I said I would be criticised by the never say die brigade. Bad advice you are giving this applicant. If you cant research the stats thats your problem

What a rubbish attitude from someone either training to be a Dr or applying. Your original post on this thread was presumably meant to be helpful. Why become obstuctive just because people disagree with you? If you cannot provide a reliable source for your statistics we will have to assume you have made it up.

OP, meeting the minimum requirements is often not enough. If you are not getting interviews you need to find out why. If rejected 3 years in a row, it is worth finding out who is the lead Dr involved with admissions with a local university and writing to them to ask for an appointment to review you admissions strategy. If you explain you have tried 3 times and are looking for some objective help before considering you next move, they may well meet with you.

You need some objective input before deciding you next move.

[yazoo]

Transformergirl

I knew I would "take one for the team" when I answered your call and I would get criticised but it is worth it. I may answer the other posts in turn but you are the most important person in this thread. When the people most close to you say move on and be happy- they were acting in your best interests. I think in a way you have answered your own question
There is a difference between determination and ...
You have clearly flung the kitchen sink at med entry and have nothing to be ashamed of- if you decide to walk away. You need to balance the arguments before making a decision and I look alone in this thread by saying move on and be happy. It is more difficult for me and any others who are inclined to say this because of the extreme reaction it produces on the forum.
I say walk away and be happy

What she really needs to do is get some advice from a reliable and informed source in medical admissions. End of.