Advice anyone?

[Emuk22]

Hi, I'm 22 now and I have a 3 year old daughter(I've been single for almost all 3 of those years, but with alot of support from family and her dad is still in her life alot). This is gonna get a bit long, lol. I'm now doing my GCSE's(I'm from the states, moved here when I was 16) in Maths, English and Science with Adult education. I'm hoping for all A's, but that might prove a bit too optimistic for the science and maths. I'm going to apply for Norwich City College's Access to Medicine(that's where I live), but I've heard it's very competative and I'm really worried that I won't get onto that course(my back-up plan is Access to science for health practitioners, but I'm still waiting to hear from the UEA as to wheather or not they accept that).I have applied to the staff bank at the norfolk and norwich hospital as a healthcare assistant(they train you luckily beacause I don't have any experience) for the experience they want you to have, but my application has been slightly delayed by a reference not being returned. Does anyone think maybe I should volunteer at a care home while I'm waiting for something to put on my application to city college? I'm hesitant as to whether or not it's right to only volunteer for a short time and also whether or not they would even allow me to do the type of tasks need to get the right kind of experience. The people at city college have said they want proper interaction and care of patients. I contacted the norfolk and norwich months ago, but they said they can't allow volunteers those sorts of duties. Insurence reason's I'm guesing. I'm then planning on applying to the UEA for their Medicine degree. I was wondering if anyone knows what the hours are like actually during a degree as concerning school hours goes?will I need to arrange after school care and even possibly before school? I'm going to be applying for 2010, so am I right in thinking that I will need to sit the UKCAT this summer/fall and apply by october through ucas? Also can anyone confirm for me when my daughter will start school? her birthday is the end of september and she was born in 2005. I'm really sorry about how long this is and really appreciate anyone who can take the time to give me any help or advice. Thanks so much for your time.
Best wishes,
Emily

[asos89]

Hi, I'm 22 now and I have a 3 year old daughter(I've been single for almost all 3 of those years, but with alot of support from family and her dad is still in her life alot). This is gonna get a bit long, lol. I'm now doing my GCSE's(I'm from the states, moved here when I was 16) in Maths, English and Science with Adult education. I'm hoping for all A's, but that might prove a bit too optimistic for the science and maths. I'm going to apply for Norwich City College's Access to Medicine(that's where I live), but I've heard it's very competative and I'm really worried that I won't get onto that course(my back-up plan is Access to science for health practitioners, but I'm still waiting to hear from the UEA as to wheather or not they accept that).I have applied to the staff bank at the norfolk and norwich hospital as a healthcare assistant(they train you luckily beacause I don't have any experience) for the experience they want you to have, but my application has been slightly delayed by a reference not being returned. Does anyone think maybe I should volunteer at a care home while I'm waiting for something to put on my application to city college? I'm hesitant as to whether or not it's right to only volunteer for a short time and also whether or not they would even allow me to do the type of tasks need to get the right kind of experience. The people at city college have said they want proper interaction and care of patients. I contacted the norfolk and norwich months ago, but they said they can't allow volunteers those sorts of duties. Insurence reason's I'm guesing. I'm then planning on applying to the UEA for their Medicine degree. I was wondering if anyone knows what the hours are like actually during a degree as concerning school hours goes?will I need to arrange after school care and even possibly before school? I'm going to be applying for 2010, so am I right in thinking that I will need to sit the UKCAT this summer/fall and apply by october through ucas? Also can anyone confirm for me when my daughter will start school? her birthday is the end of september and she was born in 2005. I'm really sorry about how long this is and really appreciate anyone who can take the time to give me any help or advice. Thanks so much for your time.
Best wishes,
Emily

Firstly, apply for the access to medicine, If you don't get onto that or want to apply for the other access course, phone the university and ask them if this course will b acceptable in applying to medicine. Secondly, volunteer at your local hospital. You don't need training, just a £5 deposit (which is what i had to do) for uniform, attend inductory day and you will begin. Find out if there is st. john ambulance charity in your area and volunteer with them (you can gain lots of experience through this). Thirdly, sit the UKCAT exam in summer of 2009 and apply to medicine. You need to show that you are commited to studying medicine, whatever way you do, make sure its impressive (voluntary work, paid work in GP surgery as receptionist). I don't know what the hours are going to be like in th medical course. My son is 18 months old and I have applied for 2009 entry. I too am very worried but if I get an offer, I will sign him to attend the nursery on campus so i can keep a close eye on him and see him anytime I want. It is hard as a parent I think when you first leave them in the care of someone else.
I wish you the best of luck, unfortunately this is what I know.

[Alex01]

Hi,

Just a few thoughts.

The College of West Anglia is in your area and their access course is probably the best in the country, so you could also apply there.

Also I would check into whether UEA doesn't have a six year course and what the eligibility requirements are.

In my experience universities are usually more interested in committment shown to volunteer work and less concerned with whether there is any kind of patient contact. Even a few hours a week over a longer period of time will look good on your CV. They understand that not everyone, especially not kids under 18, can get volunteer work that actually involves any kind of clinical contact. I would advise you to try contacting local care homes, hospices etc to find out if they need volunteers, but then I would try to volunteer for less hours over a longer time period.

Best of luck,

Alex